Summer carry

-BEEF-

-BEEF-

Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
749
Well, the weather here is changing for sure. the last few days i think we just skipped spring and went right to mid summer. im sure it will cool down a bit again but the weather got me thinking, what should i concealed carry this year?? ive grown very fond of my smith 442 airweight .38 special. but im always looking for new guns. its almost as bad as my knife "problem". was thinkin about the new ruger LC9. but just about anything that could be thrown in a pocket would interest me any suggestions??
 
I love the Kahr line of pistols. The PM9 is great. I've never had a malfunction in any of my three Kahr pistols. Very smooth trigger compared to any other DAO pistol. Accuracy is also excellent. They now make a less expensive model, the CM9 for under $400. Biggest difference between the two is that the CM9 has traditional rifling instead of polygonal rifling and less milling on the slide. They are about the size of a J frame, but thinner.

KahrSwarden-1.jpg


Still, I'm with you on the Smith airweight. It is a fantastic EDC.

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Ruger LCP, Kel Tec P3AT with StarFire ammo and you have a rather potent mix in a pocket size carry. I've done so many holsters for those little monsters that there has to be something to them.
 
leatherman said:
Ruger LCP, Kel Tec P3AT with StarFire ammo and you have a rather potent mix in a pocket size carry. I've done so many holsters for those little monsters that there has to be something to them.
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OK, Dwayne... I know you know the rules around here. ;)

I'd love to see some pics of your holster work! POST EM... :D

I used to own a kel tec (wife didn't lock her car and it got stolen :( ). They are ugly lil pistols, but they go bang every time. Lots of guys on the gun forums love the elsie-pea too. Hard to beat for the price... and they can go just about anywhere with you unnoticed.

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^^^^^ oh no. It's tiny. J frame size (but thinner). The 9 bucks a little, but the hand rides pretty high, similar to a 1911 grip, so felt recoil isn't bad at all. It's a pussy-cat. They make the same pistol in .40, but I'm thinking the muzzle flip might be fairly significant in that caliber.

Here is a comparison shot with the PM9 compared to the Ruger LC9...

Kahr-PM9-vs-Ruger-LC9.jpg



Compared to J frame:

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kdstrick said:
OK, Dwayne... I know you know the rules around here. ;)

I'd love to see some pics of your holster work! POST EM... :D

I used to own a kel tec (wife didn't lock her car and it got stolen :( ). They are ugly lil pistols, but they go bang every time. Lots of guys on the gun forums love the elsie-pea too. Hard to beat for the price... and they can go just about anywhere with you unnoticed.

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Yup, the Kel Tec is very, I mean VERY hard to beat in the value category, personal experience. :) Ruger kinda rode the coat tails so to speak. :p
Here is the pics of two of the holsters for the LCP, et al P3AT, that I've done that have been popular
lcp1.jpg

lcpblack.jpg

These two are a second generation, the first was for a flat bottomed pocket, since then we have developed a canted version for the more angled front pocket. The hook at the spine of the holster is something I came up with when they complained of other holsters coming out with the gun. :) This one has been a hit.
I have a "dummy" to work off of. Non functional, something I really really wish other companies would do for their "holster" makers, both knife and gun makers. Yes, soapbox on the ground. We cant buy every model of every knife we work with. Sheath and holster makers have bills and food to pay for and not much else. I can barely pay the house can car much less cover all the products that all the manufacturers put out. I really wish all manufacturers would follow Kel Tec and Ruger's example and make a cost friendly example of their product for those of us who have to make sheaths and holsters for their product. Off soap box.
 
I love my Kahr in 9mm as well. They are definitely worth looking into. I found it more comfortable to shoot than the LC9.
 
Little guns are a compromise for me. If i go too small accuracy and confidence suffers. Yes, I understand distances of actual conflicts are minimal. I still want my dog to bite so I dislike going smaller than 9mm (premium grade) ammo. Smallest concealed carry I rock with confidence is a G26.
 
That comparison in size to a LC9 is shocking. I am definitely going to be checking out that Kahr first chance i get.

Garth
 
Before you go and do that, may I suggest you take a peek over HERE? I have a Kel-Tec PF9 (which has gone bang everytime I've pulled the trigger for 600+ rounds now), and according to the NRA mag I just got which has full sized pictures of this new XD, it is esentially the same size as the Kel-Tec PF9 and the Kahr PM9. I'm already thinking about giving up the PF9 for one, especially if they go and make it in .40!!!
 
Don't really have the size restriction so much, since I generally EDC in my purse. So the Brown can go most places. Sometimes, when on the bike I just slip my P3AT into the front pocket of my jacket. With self defense rounds at close range it is better than not carrying. A lot in a small package!
 
SpyderPhreak said:
Before you go and do that, may I suggest you take a peek over HERE? I have a Kel-Tec PF9 (which has gone bang everytime I've pulled the trigger for 600+ rounds now), and according to the NRA mag I just got which has full sized pictures of this new XD, it is esentially the same size as the Kel-Tec PF9 and the Kahr PM9. I'm already thinking about giving up the PF9 for one, especially if they go and make it in .40!!!
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I also own a Kahr CW45. 45acp is my favorite carry gun by far. Like my other Kahr's it runs 100%, 100% of the time. They also make a PM45, which is actually a bit smaller than the new XDS in overall length, apprx same thickness and height. After handling the CW45 (cheaper model of the P45) and PM45, I opted for the .5 longer bbl, and .3 taller height. Small difference, but the extra .3 in grip size made it a 4 finger grip instead of a 3 finger grip in my medium sized hand. But I'm not sure I'd call it a 'pocket pistol'. The little 9's are smaller and lighter. It is the compromise we make for comfort and conceal-ability.

The CW45 shoots almost as softly as a 1911 platform pistol, although it is much lighter. Accuracy is in the 3" 25 yd range (in my hand)... The pistol is probably capable of a bit better groups than I can squeeze out of it.


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Don't overlook the Kimber Solo. It and my Dan Wesson CCO are my present carries, depending on circumstances and clothing. My primary criteira for a compact semi-auto was it be at least 9X19 and that it have a thumb safety.


The Solo has had about 300 rounds through it without a single failure to feed. It has eaten any premium ammo I have fed it (Kimber recommends premium 124 or 147 grain ammo for proper functioning) but it has also fired a lot of WW White Box 115 gr ammo and some grungy 20 year old 115 gr handloads without a hitch. It is more accurate than a pistol this size should be expected to be, but it is especially accurate with 124 grain Gold Dot short barrel loads.

The real surprise to me was the recoil level, as in much lower than I thought it would be. My 442 with any .38 special load I have fired in it is much more frisky and more difficult to hit with.

I carry it in a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster which works very well.

I am also a Kahr fan and have had a K9 since their first year of production. It is significantly larger than the Solo, but I find that I prefer shooting the Solo, and I like the Solo trigger better.
 
I know its old school and only 2 shots but the bond derringer is a terrific little gun. You can get just about any caliber barrels and it fits easily in a pocket.
 
That Kimber Solo is, IMO, just about THE premier pocket-sized nine mill. Hands-down a better buy than the PM9. Kahr makes a nice pistol, but they also charge as such. I looked HARD at the PM9, but just couldn't justify the going price they were fetching about a year ago. I'll admit though, their CM line has helped reduce that negative factor (that would have been a much stronger contender to the PF9).

If the XD-S hits the $500 in-store price point (MSRP is rumored to be $599), I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal overall in something that size. I mean this thing is essentially the single-stack .45 ACP Glock that everyone has been asking for, for so long!!!
 
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I normally carry a commander size Kimber 1911.

In the summer I carry a kahr pm9 in a sandwich kydex holster. Believe the hype! Tolerances are tight. They recommend 50-100 rounds before carrying just to loosen him up. I drop in my shorts, conceals easily. Never had a failure in 500 rounds.

It is worth the money to me. I have loved it as a lightweight summer carry and have had for years. Don't skimp on a self defense piece, you spent way too much until the day you need it and then it becomes priceless.
 
To addend my post, I don't think you can go wrong with a Kimber solo, the new single stack xd5, the lc9. I just recommend not letting price influence you too much. I am a cheap bastard and skimp wherever I can. This is one area where I don't compromise.
 
Whatever you carry, pocket pistol or not, you better make dang sure it is 100% reliable!!!
 
bigjuice said:
To addend my post, I don't think you can go wrong with a Kimber solo, the new single stack xd5, the lc9. I just recommend not letting price influence you too much. I am a cheap bastard and skimp wherever I can. This is one area where I don't compromise.
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A man after my own heart! But you forgot to mention knives... never skimp on knives either!!! :D


Ergos play such an important role with regard to both. What is perfect for one man's hand is all wrong for another guys hand. Triggers are the same way. The kahr trigger is great for me... a little long but butter smooth.

SPYDERPHREAK is right on the money about 100% reliability. If it isn't... It goes to the gunshow and goes bye-bye. Some folks send them back to the shop for repair but, I'd never trust it for carry. Ya win some ya lose some.
 
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