Let's talk 9mm hand guns

[Zerk]

I have a g19. It's not a compact carry gun.

Get a gun that is easy to carry, not easy to shoot.

Myself I only carry revolvers. Will shoot any ammo. You get a 9, you need to shoot a lot to prove it, and a lot of your carry ammo.

Most people are not familiar with their guns, to carry semi auto, and don't maintain them enough.


I would look at something a lot smaller than g19.

If you are going on a coke buy, then bring the bug gun.

 

[dragoneggs]

My 9's are S&W MP. I like the fit to my L - XL hand. Try several major brands (already mentioned) with different grips to see what feels best to you. I have a MP full size and CC size (Shield). Really like their feel and easy take down. I think it boils down to personal preference but learn the take down and see if you like it before getting into a thinking match.

 

[nybirdman]

At one time I wouldn't consider a 9MM;today the ammo is much better.I now have a Springfield XD sub-compact in 9MM and a compact in 40 S&W.Hand-gun fit is a personal preference thing,hard to recommend any particular model.

 

[RoyJackson]

Another Glock 19 fan here. Since others have posted the G19's advantages (which I agree with), I'm not going to repeat them.

It really depends on how you want to carry. To me, even a G19 is too wide for IWB carry, so that leaves OWB which, in most places, would require a covering garment (I use a photographer's vest...Cabela call them "Safari Vests".

Another option in 9mm is the aforementioned Kahr pistols. The all steel guns are heavy, for their size (had an MK9...great gun, too heavy for pocket carry). I suggest you may consider the CW9, CM9. I recently bought a CW9 (pictured). Good size, light weight for pocket carry and, with the right ammo, a solid self defense handgun



There are people denigrating the 9mm as a defensive round. At one time, that may have been true. However, there is a number of fine defensive rounds available nowadays. I'm partial to Hornady Critical Defense since it feeds very well for a hollow point. I'll have to seen how it works with the CW9, since I haven't even started the break-in for this pistol.
Of course, in self defense, one is looking to stop the threat, not necessarily kill an assailant. Almost any caliber will be sufficient for stopping a fight unless the bad guy in on a powerful drug.

 

[TheMan419]

I am a glock fan. Darn dependable. The G19 is hard to conceal. The G26 (Baby glock) is easier. They now even make a single stack 9mm for better concealment. OF course you give up some rounds for that.

I love the 9mm round. With modern ammo it is a good balance between stopping power and lower recoil.

 

[Sysop]

Well, dare to be different they say... Everyone here is posting stuff with LONG trigger pulls. I like a nice short single action only trigger.

I like my 1911 platform weapons. For CHL I also like something that can fit a pocket holster and drop in the back pocket of my Wrangler jeans like a wallet. I also like big chunky combat style night sights. 9mm is the biggest round you can find a gun that meets all of the above criteria.

Sig Sauer P938 9MM

I have the SAS (Sig Anti-Snag) model. It has all the corners rounded to prevent snags and makes it easier on your clothes.

My carry setup:

I removed the left handed safety lever. Being on the outside away from my body and always carrying stuff on my hip, I didn't want to accidently turn the safety off. I really like the design as there is never any reason to turn off the safety unless you need it to go BANG. You can load, unload, disassemble to clean, whatever, the safety can stay on all the time.

 

[drizler]

If you are not a pro and are going to carry it loaded with one in the tube it's probably better , safer ect to get something double action only. It won't be a target shooter but that's but it's not that sort of guns primary purpose.
What you don't want is something with a super nice trigger which brings me to Glock and I put on my flame suit. �� I carried one on the job almost 20 years, model 23. Great duty gun with a wonderful trigger . Of course that was in a real retention holster not in hidden rig and of the thousands of times I drew that thing in qualifications not one AD. Still, that thing In my opinion doesn't belong in a pocket loose and similar situations. Whatever it gets needs a completely covered trigger guard so nothing like a car key can get to the trigger. Anyways you can take that for what it's worth, just don't get a hole in your pocket.
My preference for a carry gun is a single stack gun with a long slightly hard trigger pull and no safety. Just like the good old friendly revolver just draw and squeeze. Unlike the double stackers they only carry 8 to 10 rounds but are much lighter and more importantly 1" or less wide and that width is important in CC. You soon come to appreciate that weight and size if you carry it on your person a while. Guns like the Khar CM9 , SW Shield. And Ruger LC 9 come to mind here. All are small , thin and really everything you will ever need (hopefully) in a robbery situation.
The SW happens to have a $75 rebate going on right now if you are shopping. The best way to figure out what you really want to go to the range if there's one around and rent the candidates. Try them all and see which one feels, shoots well for you. Once you find the gun you're looking for find a comfortable holster and then practice practice practice until you're comfortable with the gun. Practice drawing with an empty gun prior to shooting too. It will help break in the holster and familiarize you with the process at the same time. One last thing, these small frame guns punish your hand plenty. So practice using the cheap wimpy ammo at least until you are comfortable with the gun. Save the Heavy bullets and Plus P rounds for the real thing you hope will never happen though do shoot a few once in a while so you are familiar with the heavier recoil.

 

[dodge man]

My recommendation is get something you will carry every day. That usually means something smaller and lighter. Ruger LCP's and similar are very easy to carry and conceal. I also know a couple of people that have the smaller Sigs in 9 mm. They are very nice also but are to big for pocket carry.

 

[Sysop]

I also know a couple of people that have the smaller Sigs in 9 mm. They are very nice also but are to big for pocket carry.

P938 above does fit in a pocket fine. It does show a little if someone is looking down into your pocket, but I generally wear my shirt untucked which covers the top of my pocket. I'm not one to wear my pants down around my hips. I'm not out to show off my underwear and I'm not a plumber or construction worker. :laughing:

 

[murph1]

P938 above does fit in a pocket fine. It does show a little if someone is looking down into your pocket, but I generally wear my shirt untucked which covers the top of my pocket. I'm not one to wear my pants down around my hips. I'm not out to show off my underwear and I'm not a plumber or construction worker. :laughing:

I bought a Sig 938 Blackwood with extra size mag about 3 years ago and there is no going back. It is such a natural shooter for me. I use a raw dog IWB holster works very well.

What ever you choose Practice a lot with it.