What to get for my CCW?

[rkl56119]

Well, in another post regarding holsters I was planning to carry my Kimber Pro Carry 2. I'm 5' 4" and 120 lbs. I think the Kimber may be a bit large for me.

Now, I'm looking at 3 9mm pistols.

Taurus Millenium Pro - I'm not sure if this is the same as a Taurus PT-111 but it looks small. This pistol had some bad reviews but from what I've read the curent 3rd gen models are relative good. The good deal about this is the weapon is cheap and I don't mind losing it if I had to use it and the police take it.

Kahr MK9 - Seems to be the smallest of the group. The pistol is relative reliable as far as I can tell. The only drawback is the price, cheapest one I can find is nearly $600.

Walther PPS - This is about the same size as a PPK. It got some bad reports initially with pieces broken off but I think the quality has improved since. The pistol seems to be smaller than the Taurus but larger than the Kahr. I like the Walther name but the price of $575 is a bit steep.


What would you suggest?

[Keith B]

Well, in another post regarding holsters I was planning to carry my Kimber Pro Carry 2. I'm 5' 4" and 120 lbs. I think the Kimber may be a bit large for me.

Now, I'm looking at 3 9mm pistols.

Taurus Millenium Pro - I'm not sure if this is the same as a Taurus PT-111 but it looks small. This pistol had some bad reviews but from what I've read the curent 3rd gen models are relative good. The good deal about this is the weapon is cheap and I don't mind losing it if I had to use it and the police take it.

Kahr MK9 - Seems to be the smallest of the group. The pistol is relative reliable as far as I can tell. The only drawback is the price, cheapest one I can find is nearly $600.

Walther PPS - This is about the same size as a PPK. It got some bad reports initially with pieces broken off but I think the quality has improved since. The pistol seems to be smaller than the Taurus but larger than the Kahr. I like the Walther name but the price of $575 is a bit steep.


What would you suggest?

Of the three, I would go with the Kahr. However, unless you are just set on a steel framed gun, go with the PM9. I have one and love the gun. It is easy to carry, much lighter than the MK9, but about the same size. I have had ZERO issues with it. Like all small guns it is a little finicky on feeding ammo unless you allow the slide to do its job when initially putting a round into battery, but during shooting it has been flawless.

[LarryH]

CZ 75D PCR compact 9

[Oldgringo]

If you cand find 'em, Springfield XD 9 SC.

[rkl56119]

Wow, I'm not sure if the CZ 75D PCR compact 9 would be any smaller than my Kimber. According to the stats I found online the Kimber is actually thinner but a bit longer.

I'm researching the Springfield XD 9 SC. It seems comparable to the Walther PPS.

Thanks for your inputs.

[CopOnce]

I carry the Taurus PT111, Millennium Pro 9mm. It conceals well and I've been to the range many times and I have run a lot of ammo through it without any malfunctions. For the cost, I don't think you can go wrong.

The attachment is from one of my sessions at the range during rapid fire.

[sig229fan]

Kimber Ultra Carry II. The thin frame makes IWB perfect. I started with a Sig229 (great for OWB with a jacket), and then converted.

My limited experience has shown the holster makes more of a difference than the gun (I wish I had realized that earlier on, it would have been much cheaper!).

[rkl56119]

I guess I forgot to mention I would like to carry IWB.

A buddy of mine carries a Ultra. I like .45's but I'm rather wary of using it in such a compact frame.

I really like the Kahr and Taurus at this time, but I will take a look at the Sprinfield XD9 SC too.

Luckily there's a gun show coming up this weekend at GRB in Houston.

[KFP]

+1 for the Kahr PM9 and the 3" Springfield XD9

If the Kahr seems expensive you may want to consider the Kahr CW9, slightly larger than the PM9 and can be found for $370.

I know of some XD9s in stock, if you decide to go that route.

[bricks]

I have a Kahr CW9 that I bought new and paid $369 plus tax for. It is a very accurate pistol, and after about 500 rounds through it, I have not experience a failure of any kind. I would recommend a CW9 to anyone looking for a smaller 9mm conceal pistol.

[Ag87]

I think the Kimber would be a comfortable carry. I think a good holster makes or breaks an IWB carry. I carry my Kimber Ultra II in a UBG holster and is very comfortable.

[BigBlueDodge]

I've got a Kahr MK9, and I'm finding I really like it, and carrying it more and more over my Kimber 1911's. Yes, its heavier than the PM9, but the gun is so small you still don't really notice it. It's smaller than a 3" 1911, and just dissappears in my DM Bullard IWB tuckable holster.

[troglodyte]

I have the 3" Colt Defender (same specs as the Ultra Carry) and an XD9SC. I carry the XD mostly because of the capacity. The Defender is a great gun, feels good, good trigger, and is "slim". The XD is a little more blocky but not really any more thick than the Defender. The XD is a little shorter and has the about the same grip angle as a 1911. The trigger is suprisingly good but not a smooth as the Colt. Recoil is fine in both of them. I don't notice a real difference in carry weight. I carry both IWB. Colt in a Tucker Texas Heritage (very comfortable) and the XD in a Comp-tac Minotar (a little stiffer due to the plastic but OK). YMMV

Here's a few photos for comparison. Not trying to sell you on anything, just providing some info.


The muzzles are lined up.


The Colt is tipped down a little due to the dowel rods being sized for a 9mm.


The grips are the same thickness (or close enough). You can also see the XD is about 3/4" shorter.

Bottom line, get a gun that you like and can live with the feel. I love the .45 but the 9mm just is more practical, at least as far as I am concerned, in most cases. I think the Colt fits me a little better (in hand and IWB) but the XD is fine.

Good luck. It's always fun to research...and then buy...a new gun.

[DoubleJ]

Well, in another post regarding holsters I was planning to carry my Kimber Pro Carry 2. I'm 5' 4" and 120 lbs. I think the Kimber may be a bit large for me.

I'm confused. A PT111 is shorter than a Pro in the barrel. in the width department, I don't think it's any thinner, but the grip length may be the only area where there is a discernable advantage.

I personally believe that with an $60 holster, you'd be squared away. My recommendation would be a CompTac M-Tac holster for the Pro, and carry it. to me, barrel length doesn't really affect concealability much. width of the gun does, and so does the grip length, although, with the proper Cant, I believe grip length can be negated.
as a caveat, I carry a Pro all the time in the configuration I spoke of.

[mr.72]

I have a PT111 (first generation, Millennium, not Millennium "Pro") and a Kahr CW9, and I have shot a Kahr PM9 rather extensively.

IMHO I think you are sort of comparing apples to oranges. The Taurus is double-stack, the new ones are DA/SA action and have a manual safety. The Kahrs and the Walther are DAO, single-stack, with a very nice trigger and no manual safety (afaik on the Walther...). Also you can buy both a PT111 AND a Kahr CW9 for the price of a Walther PPS.

Anyway if you like the Kahr then you might consider a CW9, which is much less expensive than an MK9, or a PM9 (polymer version of a MK9). The CW9 is only slightly bigger than an MK9, not any wider, and similar in size to the PPS. Also you might add the Kel-Tec PF9 to your list to check out, although for the money I think a CW9 is a far better pistol in nearly every way and only about $40 more expensive on the "street".