CM9 or P380 for Pocket Carry?

[Tomac]

As much as I would prefer to carry a 9mm (I normally CCW a compact 9), I'm looking for a true pocket pistol for those times when I simply can't carry the compact.
Right now it's down to the Kahr CM9 or P380.
Weight is not an issue, ability to carry in, say, my back pocket in something like a DeSantis Nemisis is.
I love the size/weight of the P380 but the only one I could find locally is $549 (online not much better).
I can get the CM9 for much cheaper online but there aren't any locally for me to compare sizes.
Also, in such a small pistol am I better off w/a more-controllable .380 or more powerful 9mm?

Anyone w/a CM9 or both who can help me resolve this dilemma? TIA!...
Tomac

[RRP]

I'm looking for a true pocket pistol for those times when I simply can't carry the compact.
~

The PM/CM9 will fit in your pocket, but in my opinion, it's not a true pocket pistol. You'd have to be wearing damn baggy pants to keep it from printing.

The P380 can easily be concealed in your pocket.

[bonjorno2]

get both it's much easier that way... wait for awhile and get the cw380

get the cm9 now. your welcome and you will thank me later. However, the cw380 won't be out for sometime IMO but I could be wrong!

[Bagstrap]

I pocket carry PM9 in front shorts pocket with a Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. No issues at all.

[JFootin]

The CM9 is a bit too big for back pocket carry, marginal in the front pocket. The wait for the CW380 would be worth it, IMO. If you don't want to wait, the Taurus TCP is a great little 380 with a super nice trigger, it has a lifetime warranty and can be purchased for less than $200 in the plain blued version or about $50-60 more for the shiny or black stainless version.

[Bagstrap]

I wear baggy/loose cargo like shorts. Decent size pockets. Pretty much forget its there.

[Ikeo74]

The new CW380 is due out soon. It will be priced the same or less than the CM9 and is the same size as the P380. If you can wait it will save you money compared to the P380. As others have said, get both a CM9 and a CW380. ;)

[Tomac]

Looks like the CW380 is what I want, thx for all the input! :)
Now all I have to do is wait until they become available/affordable... :(
Tomac

[deadeye]

I wear blue jeans and t shirts in the summer. Carry my CM9 pocket and IWB. Never a problem. It disappears either place. Use a Sta-Put or Recluse for pocket and a nylon IWB I found on E-Bay for IWB.

[kwh]

I have every day carried a cm9 in my front pocket for over a year. I stand working most of the day. For me it is a natural action to reach into my front pocket. I wear business casual pants. The pockets are plenty big enough, never an issue. The cm9 is too large to fit into my back pocket. I use my Kel-Tec P.32 in an Uncle George Holster for that. Also, I am not entirely sure that a small .380 is easier to control for double taps than the CM9. Furthermore, the 9mm pistols have a better reliability record than any of the pocket .380's. Buy the CM9 first, you may find you will not need the CW380. But need and want are two different things,get both.

[kerby9mm]

If I were to pocket carry which I don't I would carry my M&P 340 357mag. Smooth lines 13oz & 100% RELIABLE. There is a 38+P model cheaper & less recoil. I have learned from reading this forum to check out reliability reports on any model gun. The CW380 isn't out yet & the P380 has had its share of problems. I have a 380, a Sig p238 equinox which I shot from the box at the store & has yet to fail. I just decided that 380 is not what I want to carry. For me its my JFrame mk9 or mk40.

[nate39]

I agree that the CM9 isn't the best pocket carry. I knew that when I got it but I wanted 9mm. While my IWB holster is on the way and will be my normal means to carry, I have found that with my cargo pants and baggy carpenter jeans, both with decent size back pockets, that it fits very well and doesn't print in my back pocket and is more comfortable than in the front. This using a nemesis.

[Tomac]

I appreciate all the input but I already CCW a compact 9mm, I'm looking for something very small in either .380 or 9mm (calibers I already have, don't want another or I'd go back to carrying a .32 INOX Tomcat) that's capable of true pocket carry. The wife's Sig P238 is just a tad big for that.
Keep it coming!...
Tomac

[kwh]

I had the same dilemma 9mm vs. .380 for pocket carry. (For various reasons waist carry was not an option.) I went to the local gun show, wearing my normal work pants, and tried multiple pistols in the pocket. In my case, I found no advantage in printing, or ease of draw to the .380's. Weight is not an issue for me. Pocket holsters of course is a must. I actually found that it was easier to draw and grasp the CM9 than a smaller .380's. The CM9 also fit better in my pocket than any other compact 9mm. with the possible exception of the Diamondback 9mm which I did not want due to reliability issues. Important side-note wear pleated pants. I wear Chinos and informal dress pants, tucked-in collared shirts . I blend in well in public and have never negligently flashed=another advantage to pocket carry. Also, no questions to explain belt clips or, is that an insulin pump or are you just glad to see me in case of a man hug or bumping into someone. Long story short ,which to carry depends on the pants material and style. Slim tight pants = .380.

[Tomac]

That's a major consideration. I wear jeans most of the time when in public and my previous 'light' CCW was an INOX Tomcat in a DeSantis Trickster. Slipped into my back pocket like a 2nd wallet, carried it for years w/o printing or comment.
I would like to duplicate that level/ease of CCW in a .380 or 9mm.
Tomac

[Stbeeman]

For me it's all about the cut of the pants. I have large hands, so my problem isn't getting my CM9 into my front jeans pocket, it's drawing the pistol smoothly. In cargo pants, most shorts, and any kind of loose fitting dress pants it works fine. I use a Kydex Alabama Holster and like it a lot. I also carry it IWB in a cheap Remora knockoff I got at Bass Pro shops. With a cover garment (I wear an untucked shirt when I'm not at work) it vanishes and is very comfortable. Back pocket carry works with the same rig, but the top of the pistol is visible from certain angles as it is too tall to let the pocket close. A holster from Uncle George in Austin, TX or something similar that has a flap to conceal the grip might make that work.

Either way, you'll love your CM9!

[XDGenerate]

If you carry the CM9 front pocket in a pocket style holster it looks like a wallet if it prints. That would be IF it prints. I carry mine in a little Galco pocket holster (dont remember the model) and in a OWB leather Galco holster. Absolutely love it.

Good Luck making a decision.

[Tomac]

OK, you SOB's, it's all your fault! (I guess I can tell the wife it's my Father's Day gift?)
Found a NIB CM9 on GB for $369 'Buy It Now' w/no CC fee and they already have my local FFL on file (how spooky/convenient is that?) and MidwayUSA has the 7rd mags in stock for $31/ea (sigh, I guess I didn't stand a chance, did I?)
For the greater power/reliability & lower price I'll give the CM9 a try and do my darndest to find a workable CCW solution.
Thx for all the input!...
Tomac

ETA: Which bullet weights are most controllable in the CM9? I like 147's in my compact but want the most manageable for the CM9.

[JFootin]

OK, you SOB's, it's all your fault! (I guess I can tell the wife it's my Father's Day gift?)
Found a NIB CM9 on GB for $369 'Buy It Now' w/no CC fee and they already have my local FFL on file (how spooky/convenient is that?) and MidwayUSA has the 7rd mags in stock for $31/ea (sigh, I guess I didn't stand a chance, did I?)
For the greater power/reliability & lower price I'll give the CM9 a try and do my darndest to find a workable CCW solution.
Thx for all the input!...
Tomac

ETA: Which bullet weights are most controllable in the CM9? I like 147's in my compact but want the most manageable for the CM9.

Great buy on a fine gun! :D I'd get extra 6rd mags and forget the 7rders. Some people have feed problems with them. JMHO. YMMV.

Also, welcome to the CM9 Owners Club! Our official symbol is the wide grin smily because we are so happy with our purchase that we can't wipe the smiles off our faces!

Here is your club badge.

http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee486/John_England/Smilies/BigSmily.jpg

The best holster I have found for forget-it-is-there comfort 24/7 with my CM9 is the PJ IWB Holster. There are so, so many members here that will concur. Paul is a great guy and a real gun lover, and he performs magic with kydex - making the holster incredibly comfortable to where you can't tell it is there whether sitting, standing or moving about. It is like the mass of the gun disappears, becoming one with your body. I carry mine with a 15° cant just behind my hip - the sweet spot. I prefer the one linked above with the over the belt clip. I normally wear the above under a loose shirt.

[Tomac]

Thx! If I can carry my compact 9mm I will, the CM9 will be for deep carry when I can't carry the compact (assuming the wife doesn't confiscate the CM9 for her own...)
Tomac

ETA: Anyone know how the recoil of the CM9 compares to the recoil of the Sig P238?

[sas PM9]

OK, you SOB's, it's all your fault! (I guess I can tell the wife it's my Father's Day gift?)
Found a NIB CM9 on GB for $369 'Buy It Now' w/no CC fee and they already have my local FFL on file (how spooky/convenient is that?) and MidwayUSA has the 7rd mags in stock for $31/ea (sigh, I guess I didn't stand a chance, did I?)
For the greater power/reliability & lower price I'll give the CM9 a try and do my darndest to find a workable CCW solution.
Thx for all the input!...
Tomac

ETA: Which bullet weights are most controllable in the CM9? I like 147's in my compact but want the most manageable for the CM9.

TC:

I have a PM not a CM9 but I find the 147g bullets easier on my wrists than the 115g. The 115's are a little snappier and a bit more perceived blast.
Speer Lawman fmj TC 147's are very pleasant to shoot. I carry the Win Ranger RA9B and RA9T.

-steve

[Tomac]

I carry the 147gr Rangers in my compact, I'd like to carry them in the CM9, especially if they're more controllable.
Tomac

[TheTman]

The Sig P238 is like a mini 1911, single action, carry cocked and locked. Very reliable. If you want a single action type pistol it would probably do the job.
I think it's a copy of the Colt Mustang. I thought it was a bit on the large side for pocket carry. Recoil is pretty light, probably less than a cm9, but I've never compared them.

[sas PM9]

I carry the 147gr Rangers in my compact, I'd like to carry them in the CM9, especially if they're more controllable.
Tomac


TC:

I don't think you will have any problem with the 147g Rangers in your CM9.
Should shoot fine and you won't have to track down different ammo.

-steve

[Tomac]

The Sig P238 is like a mini 1911, single action, carry cocked and locked. Very reliable. If you want a single action type pistol it would probably do the job.
I think it's a copy of the Colt Mustang. I thought it was a bit on the large side for pocket carry. Recoil is pretty light, probably less than a cm9, but I've never compared them.

Thx, but I'm already aware of this (the P238 is the wife's CCW).
I was hoping to get a comparison of recoil to determine if the wife might want a CM9 to replace her P238 (CM9 is more powerful and she doesn't have to remember to use a thumb safety before firing).
Tomac

ETA: I have large hands and have no problems w/the wife's P238 using a 2-finger hold. I'm not sure how controllable the CM9 will be w/a 2-finger hold so I've ordered a couple of OEM 7rd mags (I'm aware of the problems) to compare controllability w/the 6rd mag.

[Ikeo74]

Thx, but I'm already aware of this (the P238 is the wife's CCW).
I was hoping to get a comparison of recoil to determine if the wife might want a CM9 to replace her P238 (CM9 is more powerful and she doesn't have to remember to use a thumb safety before firing).
Tomac

ETA: I have large hands and have no problems w/the wife's P238 using a 2-finger hold. I'm not sure how controllable the CM9 will be w/a 2-finger hold so I've ordered a couple of OEM 7rd mags (I'm aware of the problems) to compare controllability w/the 6rd mag.
Safety issue is a plus for the CM9 especially for women. No safety to remember to take off and better yet, no safety to put back on to return the gun to a 100% safe mode after shooting the gun. Another plus, the Kahrs are one of the safest guns to carry with 1 in the pipe.

[JFootin]

TC:

I don't think you will have any problem with the 147g Rangers in your CM9.
Should shoot fine and you won't have to track down different ammo.

-steve

Yeah. The CM9 is surprisingly easy to shoot. I've been wanting to try some of those 147 gr Rangers in mine. I carry it with 124 gr Speer Gold Dot +p. Stout recoil, but not painful.