Looking for a Compact Pistol for Concealed Carry

[ChamberedRound]

I've posted recently in other thread about the pocket pistol that I carry almost every day, the Kahr MK9. It's definitely not the lightest of the bunch, but one of the most reliable and sturdy 9mm pocket pistols. It can east a steady diet of just about any 9mm including +p, and it has IMHO a really nice trigger as far as DAOs go.

Here's some links to my previous posts:
http://forum.pafoa.org/pistols-41/41...tml#post532404 (Convince me not to Buy a Kahr)
http://forum.pafoa.org/gun-pictures-...-kahr-mk9.html (New Purchase: Kahr MK9)

Also, I carry this pistol in a front pocket holster without any problems in jeans with normal sized front pockets. Contrary to what some might say, it is not too big to front pocket carry.

Hope it helps.

[smores]

Thank you guys so much for the help so far!!!

I've narrowed down my list to 2 pistols (sort of, just small differences to discuss). It's down to the Kahr CW9/P9, Kahr CW40/P40 and Walther PPS (in 9mm or .40 S&W).

I've heard of reliability issues with both the Kahr polymer guns and the Walther PPSes so let's just assume they work out of the box just fine or have been fixed after a return to the manufacturer. As for caliber, I'm still on the fence. I'd love to fire these guns to see how recoil is in each. Discussion of nuances follows.


Kahr - CW models vs. P models - From what I can tell, these are the differences:

- CW
--- Pinned in polymer sight ("big dot" tritium sights are $120)
--- Conventional barrel rifling (no big deal)
--- Fewer machining operations on slide (is this only cosmetic? If so no big deal)
--- Simple engraving on the slide (again, cosmetic - no big deal)
--- MIM slide stop lever (does this wear over time? how is Kahr's warranty?)
--- Only includes one 6-round mag

- P
--- Dovetailed front sight (Meprolights are only $~60 for a set)
--- Polygonal barrel (can't shoot lead reloads for target practice, which I don't ever shoot anyway so I guess that doesn't matter)
--- Fancy machining on slide (AFAIK only cosmetic, who cares)
--- Rollmarking of slide (cosmetic, who cares)
--- Forged slide stop lever (I'm assuming this is more durable over time?)
--- Two magazines (I know spares are costly, this is a definite plus).


So as far as I can tell the only REAL differences I see are these:
- MIM vs. cast slide stop
- Rifled vs. polygonal bore
- Pinned vs. Dovetailed front sights

I know spare mags are $40, of which I will buy one if I get the CW model. With night sights (priced on Kahr's site) the CW models will be about $710 (with extra mag) while the P models will be about $800. Let's say the difference in price is $100, are the P models worth that much over the CW? A shop I know can get these things for quite a bit less, but these prices are just working figures to help get a feel for the real difference in cost.



Walther PPS
- What say ye? Looks like a cool little gun, but I'm leaning towards Kahr based on price and the feel of the grip. It seems the trigger guard of the Karhs is cut about 1/4" higher so it's definitely more comfortable to hold. 9mm vs. .40 S&W will have to be hammered out at the range. The magazine release is a little weird... but I could get used to it.


NOTE: I'm hoping to test these guns out at home in MD and buy this pistol before I get to PA, so I can carry it as soon as I get my LTCF! If I don't get to test it out, please PM me if you're in the Pittsburgh area and would be so kind to let me try out your pistol(s)!

[synergy]

Just get a Glock 19 and be done with it.

It's just about the perfect size, as reliable as you're gonna get...hi cap, and easy to shoot.

No extra bullshit hanging off the gun and switches to worry about....just simple, reliable, cheap to shoot...everything you need.

[smoke-wagon]

my G27 is pretty awesome, i carry in a milt sparks watch-6 or in my front pocket just fine. 10 rounds of .40 for summer with pinky extension (optional) and when weather permits with a coat, i can throw in 15 round mags with a full sized grip adapter, i also have a crimson trace i take on and off depending on my mood. glocks are kinda like legos and that's why i love them. i used to pack a full sized 1911 even in summer and never cared much for the glocks, they just didn't do it for me until i rented a 30 from my local range and it was all over, now i'm thinking of either adding a 30sf or 19 to the collection. i am more of a revolver guy but the glock offers much higher capacity, many more options and doesn't need as much upkeep as some other finishes such as bluing or nickel. i'm sorry i don't know the other pistols you've selected except for the ruger sp101 which is in my opinion a very solid revolver but i don't shoot well enough with them to put my life on it due to the recoil and you could always throw in .38s but they're no fun .

[Dredly]

the Kahr pistols are excellent for carry, in my opinion they are the ideal shape and size, far better then Glock, M&P, XD,... etc due to its extremly thin form, low drag everything and lack of failable safety mechanisms makes it an excellent choice (in my opinion)

The difference between the CW series and the P series is really "finishing". The CW is a fine pistol, especially for conceal carry and they are fun to shoot.

You can get these mags from www.gunclips.net for 1/2 the price of what Kahr charges and they work fine.

Kahr Arms K9 7Rd Gun M949 1 19.95
Magazine

[smores]

Originally Posted by Dredly

the Kahr pistols are excellent for carry, in my opinion they are the ideal shape and size, far better then Glock, M&P, XD,... etc due to its extremly thin form, low drag everything and lack of failable safety mechanisms makes it an excellent choice (in my opinion)

The difference between the CW series and the P series is really "finishing". The CW is a fine pistol, especially for conceal carry and they are fun to shoot.

You can get these mags from www.gunclips.net for 1/2 the price of what Kahr charges and they work fine.

Kahr Arms K9 7Rd Gun M949 1 19.95
Magazine

Yeah that's what it looked like to me, the P is just a "fancy" version. A shop yesterday offered me a CW40 for $507 out the door yesterday. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by smores

Yeah that's what it looked like to me, the P is just a "fancy" version. A shop yesterday offered me a CW40 for $507 out the door yesterday. Sounds like a good deal to me.

If thats with night sights then it sounds like a good deal... if its a standard CW40 you are getting taken advantage of. I'm all for dealers making a living but thats close the 150.00 mark up. The idea of the CW is thats its an affordable Kahr

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/40141 - 369.00 delivered.

**removed - didn't see you were in Maryland - I don't know what transfer fees or taxes are there

you can actually get a P9 for 500.00 (I think there was one in the classifieds here for 400 also...)
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...s_id/411535920

[QuakertownRich]

Originally Posted by synergy

Just get a Glock 19 and be done with it.

It's just about the perfect size, as reliable as you're gonna get...hi cap, and easy to shoot.

No extra bullshit hanging off the gun and switches to worry about....just simple, reliable, cheap to shoot...everything you need.

+1. For 9mm, the G19 is the way to go. Put your worries to rest and just get the Glock. End of story.

[Dredly]

Originally Posted by QuakertownRich

+1. For 9mm, the G19 is the way to go. Put your worries to rest and just get the Glock. End of story.

glock isn't nearly as easy to hide as a CW9

[synergy]

Originally Posted by Dredly

glock isn't nearly as easy to hide as a CW9

Nope, but it's a hell of a lot easier to fight with.