Carry-Ability gun

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:13 pm

I am looking for a pocket/carry gun for use whenever I don't want a bulky large frame to lug around (that's most of the time). Carry-ability is a matrix of weight, shape, size and power that when stirred together gives a rating of ease and versatility of carry balanced against the level of security and confidence. What gun you would consider???
I have been thinking of a Taurus Pro Millenium, Kahr PM-9, and a Ruger SP101.
Haka

Post by **Bullseye** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:28 pm

What caliber are you interested in for your carry pistol?

R,
Bullseye

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 8:54 pm

What caliber are you interested in for your carry pistol?

Most likely, 9mm. Maybe 38sp for revolver.
Hak

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 10:17 pm

I have a Taurus pt111 (the millennium pro) in 9mm, it is not a pocket pistol unless you have some serious pockets. The thing is put together fine, and it is reliable, but for some reason neither MrsBFD or I ever really enjoyed shooting it.
For a little more, you could also get a Springfield XD9 subcompact, it is about the same price and might have a better setup for a pocket gun (less snag points, a bit lighter, passive safety interlocks) but it is still about the same width/length/height.

Have you looked at Kahr and KelTec offerings in 9mm? KelTec is affordable and light/thin, and the Kahrs are quite nice, but about the same cost as a PPS from Walther (my carry).

greener · Post by **greener** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:31 pm

bigfatdave wrote:I have a Taurus pt111 (the millennium pro) in 9mm, it is not a pocket pistol unless you have some serious pockets. The thing is put together fine, and it is reliable, but for some reason neither MrsBFD or I ever really enjoyed shooting it.
For a little more, you could also get a Springfield XD9 subcompact, it is about the same price and might have a better setup for a pocket gun (less snag points, a bit lighter, passive safety interlocks) but it is still about the same width/length/height.

Have you looked at Kahr and KelTec offerings in 9mm? KelTec is affordable and light/thin, and the Kahrs are quite nice, but about the same cost as a PPS from Walther (my carry).

My son has an XD subcompact. Seems like a pretty nice gun. Seems a bit large for pocket carry. The KetTec 9 or .380 seem to be better pocket semi-autos.

I like the J-frame revolver and carry an S&W 442. Once you acclimate to the trigger, it is surprisingly accurate. It is not a gun you will take to the range for a few hours shooting fun. A range acquaintance has a Taurus 850. Shoots well, seems to be accurate. It seems to hold up pretty well.

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Thu Jul 09, 2009 11:53 pm

Oh, I agree that the XD subcompact isn't the best choice for pocket carry, but it is a lot better than the Taurus, at least to my eye when I have the two in front of me. It isn't much more in cost, it has a better safety setup (personally, I don't like the safety lever on the Taurus, and like grip interlocks), and both have been very reliable at the range, while the XD is more accurate (although that may just be because it is happier in my hand and MrsBFD's) ... the KelTec 9mm pistols are nice and thin/light for pocket carry as well, but I don't have one (yet), and the P32/P3at are even smaller, but I also don't have one of them to shoot (yet).

To anyone considering pocket carry:
Whatever you do, don't skip a pocket holster! and don't discount IWB carry in a quality holster either.

Post by **Bullseye** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 5:25 am

I have to agree with the above comments. Are you looking for a true pocket pistol or just a smaller framed semi-auto for easier concealment? I've shot and worked on KelTec P3ATs and they are easily concealable but really not a whole lot of fun to shoot. I consider the pistol quite snappy for a .380 cartridge shooter. The short barrel and lightweight polymer frame contribute to the recoil factor. I was also not impressed with the overall construction of the KT. Kel-Tec does have good service if you have a problem, which many I have encountered do. http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/p3at.htm

A Kel-Tec PF-9 may be more what your looking for but this is more of a sub compact size than a pocket pistol. The overall length is just a hair under 6". The profile is thin, just under an inch, because it uses a single stack magazine making it easy to carry concealed. http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pf9.htm

The P3AT style of pistol would make a good BUG but not necessarily a good self defense gun. The Springfield XD's above are a good choice for a micro compact pistol or possibly the Glock G26. I have a G27 and like carrying it. The G26 is basically the same frame just chambered for 9mm. Here's a review on the G26: http://www.gunblast.com/Glock26.htm Jeff Quinn usually does a pretty good job reviewing a pistol but keep in mind that he gets those firearms to test gratis from the manufacturers.

Hope this helps.

R,
Bullseye

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 7:06 am

Bullseye wrote:The P3AT style of pistol would make a good BUG but not necessarily a good self defense gun. The Springfield XD's above are a good choice for a micro compact pistol or possibly the Glock G26. I have a G27 and like carrying it. The G26 is basically the same frame just chambered for 9mm. Here's a review on the G26: http://www.gunblast.com/Glock26.htm Jeff Quinn usually does a pretty good job reviewing a pistol but keep in mind that he gets those firearms to test gratis from the manufacturers.

I didn't mention Glock because they aren't happy in my hand, and thus don't occur to me. Used Glocks are fairly cheap, I see them under the glass quite frequently. A budget and pocket that can fit a new PT111 can probably fit a used Glock subcompact also. Of course, you are giving up the XD's grip safety (and any external safety device other than the trigger safety) with the Glock as well, if that matters to you. I'm not sure which weighs more between the Glock S.C. and XD, but if anyone is curious, I can weigh an XD-9sc, a Taurus pt111, and a Walther PPS-9 in whatever condition you like ... they all take up about the same room (length/height) but the Walther is much slimmer.
I would assume that other members could do the same with other pistols, also.

Of course, getting to a rental range would help, I don't know what rentals there are up in Detroit, but it couldn't hurt. Most ranges at least have an XD to rent, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Taurus in a rental counter either.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:19 pm

Have you looked at Kahr and KelTec offerings in 9mm? KelTec is affordable and light/thin, and the Kahrs are quite nice, but about the same cost as a PPS from Walther (my carry).

I have looked at the "Kahr PM9", and I like it. I have heard good things about it's quality. It's a sure possibility.

My son has an XD subcompact. Seems like a pretty nice gun. Seems a bit large for pocket carry. The KetTec 9 or .380 seem to be better pocket semi-autos.

KelTec seems like a good pocket SD gun, but I don't have a lot of experience with it's quality.

I like the J-frame revolver and carry an S&W 442. It is not a gun you will take to the range for a few hours shooting fun.
To anyone considering pocket carry:
Whatever you do, don't skip a pocket holster! and don't discount IWB carry in a quality holster either.

Another possiblity, I like the 15oz weight of the S&W, of course in a holster, for sure.

Are you looking for a true pocket pistol or just a smaller framed semi-auto for easier concealment?

Yes BE, I am looking for an easy concealable weapon. The "Glock26" (baby glock) is definatley a choice due to it's size and reliablility.

A Kel-Tec PF-9 may be more what your looking for but this is more of a sub compact size than a pocket pistol. The overall length is just a hair under 6". The profile is thin, just under an inch, because it uses a single stack magazine making it easy to carry concealed. http://www.kel-tec-cnc.com/pf9.htm

The KelTec is about the size I am looking for. You know, those hot summer days, or with clothing that is very difficult to conceal with, the KT size is what I want.

Here's a review on the G26: http://www.gunblast.com/Glock26.htm Jeff Quinn usually does a pretty good job reviewing a pistol but keep in mind that he gets those firearms to test gratis from the manufacturers.

Again, the Glock get serious consideration. I have really wanted one, and maybe it's time.

KelTec PF-9 9mm =====(reliability is a question, but very concealable)
Ruger Sp101 38sp+=== (durable/reliable, but only 5 rounds, I reload 38's)
S&W 442 38sp+ ======(concealable, reliable, only 5 rounds, I reload 38's)
Kahr PM-9 9mm ======(very concealable, and reliable)
SA XDM 9mm ========(reliable, but a little large)
Glock G-26 9mm ===== (fairly concealable, reliable)

Feel free to add to the list
thank you, haka

greener · Post by **greener** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 6:22 pm

I don't own one, but I've fired the Glock and M&P 9mm compacts. They seemed to shoot pretty well. The M&P9C, IIRC, didn't seem that much different than my full-size. Haven't fired the XD compact, but my son seems very pleased with his and is using it instead of his 442 as a BUG.

From firing a few rounds, I think the LCP is better than the P3AT. Didn't seem all that hard to shoot accurately and was a lot easier on the hand.

H'man, I suppose you have looked at the Taurus forum:
http://www.taurusarmed.net/forums/index.php
seems to have a pretty good cross section of love/hate them.

When I was looking for a small carry, I ended up with an S&W 442. I was thinking about an LCP but they were few and far between. I was ambivalent about the Ket-Tec's. I've been pleased with the ease of carry with a pocket holster. Takes a little work to learn to shoot it with some accuracy (small, light and moderately heavy trigger).

bigfatdave · Post by **bigfatdave** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:04 pm

Walther PPS 9mm ===(EXTREMELY concealable/reliable, a bit pricey)
SA XD (not the XDM) subcompact 9mm ===(reliable, just a bit thick, affordable, has grip and trigger safety)
KelTec P-11 9mm ===(very concealable, and reliable - doublestack KT 9mm, comparable to the P-9)
http://www.rohrbaughfirearms.com makes the
Rohrbaugh 9mm ===(TINY, reliable, good CS, expensive!)

Bud33 · Post by **Bud33** » Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:39 pm

I all depends on what you are comfortable with.
I have a very small North American Arms Mini 22 Mag. It fits in the pocket so comfortably that I sometimes forget I have it...
I like it enough that I am planning on getting a Pug or a Black Widow to go with it..
I have an XD9 Sub Compact and hardly every carry it any more.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:09 am

Here's a website that promotes the s&w model 642, and revolver "carry-ability"
http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m642.htm
thanks for your replies, haka

bearandoldman · Post by **bearandoldman** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 10:50 am

I prefer the SA Micro Compact as it only weighs an even 2 pounds loaded or the SA v-10 which weighs in at a half poiund more, after a while you can notice the difference. Most of the time I carry a KelTec P3AT as a backup, and yes it is nasty to shoot but it does work. At target gun it is not as it never was intended to be one. At self defense distances it will readily shoot to two minutes of felon and that is all that is really required of it.

Hakaman · Post by **Hakaman** » Sat Jul 11, 2009 11:10 am

Hey OM,
Here's an interesting site on the 1911 Micro Compact:
http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/samicrocompact.htm
Strange thing happened the other day while shooting some reloads with my PT1911. (btw, I love this gun). I was a little apprehensive about shooting reloads because it was only the 2nd load of 45's I have shot that I have reloaded. Plus, it was a change in load powder to a more powerful load. Bottom line, I was focused on safety. The first shot did not fire.....hmmm. I dropped the mag and unchambered the round. The bullet was not "struck" with the firing pin? WTH? It took me a 2nd similar situation to figure out that the safety was partially engaged allowing the trigger to "only" move to the "half trigger" position upon firing. The point of all this is: I am hedging away from a "safety inhibited" trigger like the 1911's possess. Don't get me wrong, I think these are one of the best hg's on the market, and one of the most loved. In a pinch, I don't want to be confused as to why my gun won't fire.
BTW, after I figured out the problem, my reloads shot great w/o any misfires.
Thank you, Haka
and thank you bear

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Carry-Ability gun

Carry-Ability gun

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