Small 9's Too Big?

[Rubb]

I'm seeing some posts here and elsewhere about the smaller 9's still being a bit big.
I get the weight is different and maybe less comfortable, but size?
Could a lot of it come down to holster selection??
It got me thinking and I snapped some quick pics for the heckofit.
Don't get me wrong..carry what you will, I carried a .380 for years.

[chrish]

Dunno how you could get them much smaller. I mean, 6-7 single stacked 9mm means the grip can only be so short. Period. How much capacity and grip are they willing to give up. 1 finger on the grip? Same for thickness. I suppose someone could come up with a carbon fiber frame that would yield the strengh of a poly/steel/alum frame w/ less thickness. But CF is kinda brittle, you can only do so much w/ it. I'd be concerned about the controlled explosion over time in a thin CF framed pistol. THen weight, we are already down to 13-16oz 9mm pistols. What are they gonna do w/ a lighter one? Fire it and then chase it across the parking lot for the follow-up shot?

[C0untZer0]

The Rohrbaugh R9 is smaller - maybe the smallest you can get a 9mm with it still being functional.


My CM9 is easier to shoot than the R9 and I am more accurate with my CM9 than I am with my R9, but the R9 is easier to carry in a pocket, and it has been flawless with Gold Dots and Winchester Ranger "T" RA9T.

[muggsy]

I'm not in the least concern about printing. I'm more concerned with stopping the perp. That why my primary carry is no smaller than a 9mm. I only carry the .380 as a back-up.

[garyb]

I'm seeing some posts here and elsewhere about the smaller 9's still being a bit big.
I get the weight is different and maybe less comfortable, but size?
Could a lot of it come down to holster selection??
It got me thinking and I snapped some quick pics for the heckofit.
Don't get me wrong..carry what you will, I carried a .380 for years.



"A bit big" for what? Pocket carry...maybe for me....although the PM9 is not my cal of preference it is the same size as my PM40. Just found it too uncomfortable for pocket carry vs the 380 which is much smaller and lighter. Weight being the big issue. I found that (for me) 14 oz was the limit for comfortable pocket carry. The 380 met the criteria perfectly. Don't get me wrong, I love my PM40 for carry, but for IWB. Again, not sure what you mean by "a bit big".

[Rubb]

Yes, pocket carry.
Folks have been pocket packing j-frames for years, most of which were much heavier.
Like I said...I have nothing against a .380..I carry it solo on occasion.
IMO small .380's have spoiled us.

[Bill K]

PM9 is about as large and heavy as I want to go for pocket carry. I've pocket carried a Glock 26 a number of times but only in cargo pants slash pocket. No, anything bigger and/or heavier and/or thicker than my PM9 and it is belt carry for me.

BTW, very nice comparison photos.

[garyb]

Yes, pocket carry.
Folks have been pocket packing j-frames for years, most of which were much heavier.
Like I said...I have nothing against a .380..I carry it solo on occasion.
IMO small .380's have spoiled us.



Agreed....for pocket. Now I see your point. Thanks for clarifying.

[jocko]

The Rohrbaugh R9 is smaller - maybe the smallest you can get a 9mm with it still being functional.


My CM9 is easier to shoot than the R9 and I am more accurate with my CM9 than I am with my R9, but the R9 is easier to carry in a pocket, and it has been flawless with Gold Dots and Winchester Ranger "T" RA9T.

the R9 is u accept if for what it is desinged for and shoot the ammo they sopecify, is one excelent p9cket gun. Never had one, but I think I really want one, just nver came upon one or wante dto part with 1K to buy it asmy PMJ9 seems to do everything I want. Bt I think ur right with the R9. A HELL OF A GUN.iT IS WHAT IT IS A SMALL ASS 9 that will saveur life and meant to be used within hand shaking distance to..

[Rob K]

Recently got a CM9, mainly because of the size and concealability. I bought a Cook's Holters Kydek IWB holster which is the flattest and most concealable I could find.(around $50 bucks) 9mm is a respectable caliber used by many police departments. I'd rather carry my 1911 but it's just too big for me to carry. Practice, practice,practice, but in my opinion, don't go with a .380. It's kinda anemic for self defense. I used to , and still do, carry a J-frame but it does not lie as flat against the body. Just my opinion.

[happypuppy]

I agree on weight as the most important factor. Twenty ounces is my max.

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." -G.S. Patton

[DavidS]

I am a big ol' boy. I really do not have a problem with an MK40 in my pocket.

[JohnR]

The Sig P938 should work fine, it's no bigger than most pocket .380s.

It depends on the pocket - front pocket doesn't work for me. I can put it in a cargo pocket, but it swings as I walk and bumps my leg, and anything close by, with a clunk. I can do back pocket easily as long as there's something to prevent printing. A holster, or a piece of folded paper, anything.

[garyb]

The Sig P938 should work fine, it's no bigger than most pocket .380s.

It depends on the pocket - front pocket doesn't work for me. I can put it in a cargo pocket, but it swings as I walk and bumps my leg, and anything close by, with a clunk. I can do back pocket easily as long as there's something to prevent printing. A holster, or a piece of folded paper, anything.



I agree with cargo pocket...not working for me either for the same reasons. Back pocket was also a challenge...sitting on the gun was not comfortable and did not seem to make a whole lot of sense either. Front pocket or jacket pocket were the only two options that seemed to work. But weight in the front pocket was an issue. 14 oz max was comfortable to me...making the 380 a solution for pocket carry situations. Otherwise, it's the PM40 IWB (most of the time).

[berettabone]

I don't have any problem carrying my MK9 in my front pocket. I also carry it IWB in a High Noon holster. The weight is kind of an issue, but not enough to carry something else.

[smokersteve]

I'm 5'8" and weigh 170. I carry my cm9 in my front pocket a lot. The size doesn't bother me at all, but the weight does at times. I weighed it this morning - 20.4 oz - gun, 7 rounds, and sticky pocket holster. It would be nice to have the total weight be 16 oz.

[b4uqzme]

"carrying a firearm is meant to be comforting...not comfortable." :) unknown.

I find a 9 plenty small and light enough but I do have to carry IWB or OWB. I seldom pocket carry but, when I do, I too carry a .380.

[jocko]

I'm 5'8" and weigh 170. I carry my cm9 in my front pocket a lot. The size doesn't bother me at all, but the weight does at times. I weighed it this morning - 20.4 oz - gun, 7 rounds, and sticky pocket holster. It would be nice to have the total weight be 16 oz.

my trusty PMJ9 blunt nose magna ported and higly customzed etc, with 7 rounds of corbon power ball weights 18 ounces.

[rjinaz85308]

The Rohrbaugh R9 is smaller - maybe the smallest you can get a 9mm with it still being functional.


My CM9 is easier to shoot than the R9 and I am more accurate with my CM9 than I am with my R9, but the R9 is easier to carry in a pocket, and it has been flawless with Gold Dots and Winchester Ranger "T" RA9T.

I tried a Rohrbaugh, and while it is a nicely made pistol, it is a bear to shoot. Follow-up shots for me were almost impossible, as I had to re-grip the gun.

[thomjb]

I agree with Bill K, and yep the 380's have spoiled us:)

[rjinaz85308]

The Rohrbaugh R9 is smaller - maybe the smallest you can get a 9mm with it still being functional.

For me functionality includes controllability. And for me the R9 was not. A decently timed follow-up shot was not possible. I know my hands are big, so I need something with a little more to hang onto than the Rohrbaugh gave me. Hopefully my newly acquired CM9 will be that gun. If not I will continue to carry a 1911, but it would sure be nice to have something small that I can control.

[garyb]

You should not have much trouble controlling a 9.

[jeepster09]

There have been times I have carried a "wimpy 9" in my pocket. I carry my Sig P290RS there on occasion. I do like that gun [after adding Galloway Precision Trigger and spring kit]. I use a simple Desantis pocket holster.


http://gallowayprecision.com/sig-sauer/p290/

[C0untZer0]

It may be that the DeSantis Nemesis is a little bigger than it needs to be. Here is my R9 and the CM9 back to back with and without holsters:


http://kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10544&stc=1&d=1402542766
http://kahrtalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=10545&stc=1&d=1402542809

[garyb]

There have been times I have carried a "wimpy 9" in my pocket. I carry my Sig P290RS there on occasion. I do like that gun [after adding Galloway Precision Trigger and spring kit]. I use a simple Desantis pocket holster.


http://gallowayprecision.com/sig-sauer/p290/



LOL. There are times I carry a "wimpy 380" in my pocket. Nice gun to carry and it is better to carry something, than leave everything at home. But my preference/confidence is still with the "obnoxious 40"....LOL.

[b4uqzme]

LOL. There are times I carry a "wimpy 380" in my pocket. Nice gun to carry and it is better to carry something, than leave everything at home. But my preference/confidence is still with the "obnoxious 40"....LOL.

40's rule! :amflag:

[rjinaz85308]

Garyb - controlling the nine was not my concern. It is all about the size of my hands vs the size of the gun. I sometimes carry a Glock G29 (10mm) and have no problem, but that gun fits my hand where the Rohrbaugh never did. I will find out on the CM9 this weeked when my son and I go shooting


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[tv_racin_fan]

"carrying a firearm is meant to be comforting...not comfortable." :) unknown.

I find a 9 plenty small and light enough but I do have to carry IWB or OWB. I seldom pocket carry but, when I do, I too carry a .380.

To each his own...

I pocket carry a K9 or an SP101 and it don't bother me none. Fact I was just tellin the son the other day that it may not be comfortable but it sure is comforting.

[Rubb]

It may be that the DeSantis Nemesis is a little bigger than it needs to be.

+1, it's that multiple gun design...there's 5/8" of space at the muzzle.
I like the Galco 460, also a multiple gun design... but forms better.

[jocko]

For me functionality includes controllability. And for me the R9 was not. A decently timed follow-up shot was not possible. I know my hands are big, so I need something with a little more to hang onto than the Rohrbaugh gave me. Hopefully my newly acquired CM9 will be that gun. If not I will continue to carry a 1911, but it would sure be nice to have something small that I can control.

have thught u would have considered the size of the R9 before buying it, as maybe bn less controlable than even a cm9. the cm9 will be better that is for sure, You have to give up sumpin when u go that small and some control ablity could e it. I would never use a 1911 as a comparison,Its hugh, its heavy. The R9 never owned one but someday I will and I will not worry tomuch about that second shot if eed as being as good as my second shot withy my G19. One certainly needs not dress to carry a R9, that is a big plus. Not a range gun, and never desiged for it IMO. somewhat ao sensiitve but have been told if one shoots what theyt tell u, the gun is good to bo. MY PJ9 fits perfectly in my pocket, goes bang every time, follow up shots certainly not on the scale of what my G19 can do but that big fkker is a safe/home queen.

Not sur ethe cm9 will live up to your expectations when ur talking about a 1911. Most never even think of it in that way. Just sayin

[berettabone]

40's rule! :amflag:
My favorite caliber..............................http://kahrtalk.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

[rjinaz85308]

I am not trying to compare anything to my 1911. Just stating if I cant find something small I will just continue carrying a 1911 instead. Rohrbaugh was part of a trade so until I tried it I didnt know if I would like it. I didnt so it got traded away. No big deal. Just part of testing the waters


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[jocko]

someday I will own a R9, I question why but I have alwyas wanted one, but never have seen one. I hate to pay a grand for one though..

[b4uqzme]

To each his own...

I pocket carry a K9 or an SP101 and it don't bother me none. Fact I was just tellin the son the other day that it may not be comfortable but it sure is comforting.

:yo: Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

[rjinaz85308]

Jocko the R9 is a very well made gun. Was just too small for me to hang on to


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[gmcjetpilot]

I'm seeing some posts here and elsewhere about the smaller 9's still being a
bit big. I get the weight is different and maybe less comfortable, but size.
Could a lot of it come down to holster selection?? It got me thinking and I
snapped some quick pics for the heck of it. Don't get me wrong..carry
what you will, I carried a .380 for years.The Kahr CM/PM is a small gun... but not as small as the sub compact .380
which can go in a pocket. The CM/PM9 can pocket but just barely.

My Glock 26 has very small gun dimensions, height and length, a bit wide
due to double stack & weighs more (especially if you load 10+1). Not for
pocket carry, I find very little difference when wearing in a pancake
holster on my side between G26 and CM9. They both cover well with a
shirt and/or jacket, but CM9 is more comfortable. I can carry the Glock in
a vest, but it weighs down my shoulder.

If you want mouse guns, 22, .25, .32, .380 pistols you can get very small
making the Kahr CM/PM9 seem big and heavy.

I don't get into ammo knock down arguments, a 22 is lethal, but I don't
use less than 9mm for personal reasons, cost of ammo and in self defense
+P (Gold Dot, Federal HST) are potent. I reload my own practice 9mm. I
just want one caliber so I don't have to deal with different dies, bullets
and reloading recipes.


PS the R9 is almost a grand and hard to hold onto. It is all metal so a bit
heavy, but is one of the smallest 9mm you can buy, The Dimondback DB9
is small but cheap and not reliable from what I read. The CM/PM 9 to me
is the best value and quality in super small 9mm, next to my G26, which
is bigger. I like having one gun I can pocket carry if I need or want to.
The G26 is a better gun, in that you don't have forums with many post
discussing reliability, and it is easier to fire fast and accurately (size helps
and it has awesome trigger, like CM9 but Glock is better). BTW about
400-500 rounds n CM9 and NOT one misfire or issue. I did have my first
FTF, failure to fire in the Glock26... but it was a dud primer. You could see
it was in sideways. It was some cheap white box Winchester I got from
Wally World way back and was using up. My reloads are excellent.

[garyb]

Garyb - controlling the nine was not my concern. It is all about the size of my hands vs the size of the gun. I sometimes carry a Glock G29 (10mm) and have no problem, but that gun fits my hand where the Rohrbaugh never did. I will find out on the CM9 this weeked when my son and I go shooting


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