View Full Version : pm9 vs p380
i currently own a kahr pm9 and love it... however, sometimes i have a hard time concealing it. don't really have extra money to throw at another gun right now, so i'm considering selling it to downsize to the kahr p380... suggestions??
jlottmc
04-04-2011, 12:21 PM
I wouldn't. Based on what I see around here, it seems that P380 is not quite right yet. The other part of that is I remember not too long ago, an ammo situation. just sayin.
deadhead1971
04-04-2011, 12:23 PM
I pocket carry the PM9 (front pocket) with jeans, shorts, and kakhi dress slacks no problem. I use a pocket holster blackhawk #4.
Don't do it.
Bill K
04-04-2011, 01:30 PM
Keep the PM9 and save until you can also afford the P380!
I've recently bought a PM9 to fit between my pocket carry P3AT and AIWB Glock 26. I'm not a big man and so far have found that the PM9 fits in ~ 80% plus of my pants pockets (not carrying the PM9 just yet but try its pocket fit each time I put on a pair of pants that hasn't yet been PM9 pocket tested).
Bawanna
04-04-2011, 02:00 PM
I'll add my 2 bits and go along with all above. I'd not trade to downsize. 380 ammo while beginning to be available again is still pretty pricey in my area.
And of course I don't know what I'd do with a 380 anyhow but thats just my personal weakness maybe.
dress clothes do seem to be where i run into concealing issues. my casual clothes hide it beautifully. i too have the blackhawk #4 pocket holster fot the pm9, but with my dress slacks, the shape is a dead give away. i think if i keep the pm9, i may grab a kel tec p3at for pocket carry situations. cheaper gun, but i'd plan on carrying the 9 more often than not, so i'd rather spend less on a backup...
Bawanna
04-04-2011, 02:34 PM
Maybe shell out a 100 or so and get a good Galco Ankle rig. Should work fine for dress attire and you won't even notice that PM9.
Willieboy
04-04-2011, 03:07 PM
I wouldn't make that switch either. I'd find a way to conceal the PM9. For me, I have found appendix carry to be excellent for this gun. I am 6'2" and 215 lbs. I don't have too much of a gut, if I can lay off the Oreos for a few days, and the PM9 disappears in AIWB holster.
I would also be concerned about the marginal nature of the .380 as a defensive round, though it is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
Bill K
04-04-2011, 03:26 PM
dress clothes do seem to be where i run into concealing issues. my casual clothes hide it beautifully. i too have the blackhawk #4 pocket holster fot the pm9, but with my dress slacks, the shape is a dead give away. i think if i keep the pm9, i may grab a kel tec p3at for pocket carry situations. cheaper gun, but i'd plan on carrying the 9 more often than not, so i'd rather spend less on a backup...
Oh, this is easy... Try a Smart Carry (SC) for when you wear dress cloths. I used one for many years for deep concealment. A PM9 would disappear in a SC. Sure its a bit slow on the draw but you'd have the gun you say you love ready for your SD.
jocko
04-04-2011, 03:27 PM
I was one of those who just had to HAVE a kahr P380 to match my PM9, nice gun when I finally got it working right, but I just can carry my PM9 everywhere I go, I wear jeans 24/7 and I have no problems pocket carrying it in a desantis. Now to say the p380 might not be a tad easier would be lying, as it is smaller but really not enough to actdually make that much difference for me anyhow.
So if you have not bought, definitely go for the PM9 or even better for bucks spent wisely, find the cm9 and u have the best of both worlds. I do think also that you will be happier with a cm9 or pm9 out of the box over a P380 which is just more picky about working right out of the box. And 9mm over a 380 is apples and oranges.. We could not handle a 9mm the size of the P380, so the PM CM 9's are the best there is IMO.
CarlCyrus
04-04-2011, 03:55 PM
I wouldn't make that switch either. I'd find a way to conceal the PM9. For me, I have found appendix carry to be excellent for this gun. I am 6'2" and 215 lbs. I don't have too much of a gut, if I can lay off the Oreos for a few days, and the PM9 disappears in AIWB holster.
I would also be concerned about the marginal nature of the .380 as a defensive round, though it is better than a sharp stick in the eye.
+1
Keep the PM9 and find a good holster...or modify an existing one so that it doesn't print-through.
Another idea. Go to a store that sells cloth and materials to those who make their own clothes. Buy some of those iron-on patches for jeans, and iron them on the outside of the carry pocket. A couple of layers of iron-on patches stiffens the outer-side of the pocket and reduces the print-through. Don't iron on the inside of the pant leg, but on the pocket itself. It is an easy cheap mod to all kinds of pants from jeans to high-end dress pants.
Carl
Bill K.,
what is a smart carry and where could I find 1?
DriveMyKahr
04-04-2011, 04:09 PM
i currently own a kahr pm9 and love it... however, sometimes i have a hard time concealing it. don't really have extra money to throw at another gun right now, so i'm considering selling it to downsize to the kahr p380... suggestions??
Don't do it! You will regret it down the road. I sat on the fence for a long time researching P380 vs. PM9. Everything told me that the PM9 would be a more pleasant experience. Like a few of the guys above, I front pocket carry with a Blackhawk #4 in jeans, khaki's and dress slacks (rare). After a while my Blackhawk pocket holster crumpled up the empty cavity below the barrel... making the barrel print more easily. I stuffed the cavity with a small amount of closed-cell packing foam. Placed between the bottom of the barrel and the bottom of the holster, it grips the inside of cavity area nicely and presents a square look in my pocket instead of the tapered barrel only look. To me it looks more like a wallet, cell phone or PDA. I have never been called out by someone even when I think that I'm printing.
I met a guy at the range last week who was trying to break-in a P380 after sending it off to Kahr for the second time. I let him shoot a couple of mags through my PM9 and then let him front pocket it in his Kakhi's. His parting words were " Know anybody who wants to buy a .380?"
Bill K
04-04-2011, 04:31 PM
Bill K.,
what is a smart carry and where could I find 1?
Here is the Smart Carry web site... http://www.smartcarry.com/
Also, do a search on YouTube for plenty of video reviews. Google "Smart Carry" and you'll also get plenty of reviews - pro and con. My experience using it almost daily for several years (only occasionally now that I'm retired) would be 80-90% positive.
If bought off their site you get a 60 day trial. If I remember correctly it took me about a week or two in order to get really comfortable with the holster.
Bill K.
TheTman
04-04-2011, 04:31 PM
I'd sure rather have the PM9 than the P380 if the crap hits the fan. I'm pretty biased against the .380 round anyway, but I'd carry one if there was no other option available. Sure beats throwing rocks. The .380 probably doesn't make a bad "summer" gun when it won't have to penetrate jackets and layers of clothing.
I do notice it's brought up more than it's fair share of concerns here. Makes me wonder if it's not a Kel-Tec disquised as a Kahr. (joking of course).
Cartman
04-04-2011, 04:46 PM
No way I would do that. I know that sometimes nothing will hide like a small .380, but there are ways to get around it, and 9mm is so much better. Smartcarry works, but in dress slacks with clingy wool or poly blend fabrics, it can look a little "odd" (we'll leave it at that...) Try a Kangaroo Carry, my PM9 absolutely disappears under a tucked in dress shirt, as long as it's not white you will be good to go.
oldjarhead
04-04-2011, 04:52 PM
Keep the PM9. A .380 is a back up, not a primary carry. It is a "get off me gun", for up close head shots. The Kahr PM9 can be easily carried in the pocket in the right clothing. I would say buy clothing with larger pockets. A 9mm with the right load is an acceptable carry gun. The Kahr PM9 is small but is an acceptable carry caliber as your primary. Folks may disagree, but that is my humble opinion. One more thing. I believe you should practice a lot with your carry gun. No problem with the PM9. Most people who carry .380s don't shoot them much, but carry them a lot. Bad idea. My two cents.
Jeremiah/Az
04-04-2011, 07:21 PM
Keep the PM9 & save for a P380 down the road. I have both & shooting them together, there is no comparison between the two for power. I was shooting a tree stand target with swinging arms & 4" plates on the ends. The .380 would not swing the arms, while the 9MM would swing them 180º.
I bought one of these for the PM9.
http://www.kahr.com/P45-Holsters/Kahr-Active-Pro-Defender-Waist-Holster-SM-RH.asp
I've carried a PM9, P9, P380 and P45 all in the same one. I've carried a PM9, P380 and P9 while jogging and best part is, just throw it in the washer/dryer.
My PM9 took the place of a 442 and a LW Colt Mustang in my EDC universe. Given that, I kinda consider the P380 to be an irrelevant concession to the lesser market.
My rank order of concealed carry preference is a Colts LW Officers ACP when possible, Kahr PM9 80%+ of the time, and a NAA Mini in .22 mag if I'm wearing a Speedo. I really want one of NAA's new Rangers and would happily part with the $500 for one in a heartbeat.
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