CCW choices....

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PaiN

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I almost hate to ask but I'd like to get some others' ideas and thoughts which might help me make a decision.
I recently acquired a Kahr PM40, I liked it initially but the gun is unreliable with many ftf, its breaking mags followers, is a bitch to shoot straight and it tore the web of my hand up(it is currently at Kahr for service/repair). The shop where I bought the PM is willing to exchange it, so I need to decide by the time it gets back from service.
First I like my CCW small, thin and not crazy expensive, put it this way a Glock 26/27 is too big.
Some of my choices are:
-keep the Kahr PM40(if fixed)
-Ruger LCR
-Walther PPS 9mm/.40
or go a little more expensive
-Sig P239
I'll listen to anything you have to say on the subject...
thanks
 
The one big thing about Kahrs is that they generally have a break in period where they are absolute crap. I have a PM9 that had similiar functionality problem until I sent 250-300 rnds down the pipe. After that I've not had one FTF with it. Sounds like you have the same issue.

Being from MA my options for a small CCW were slim. I luckily stumbled upon the PM9. My only other option was the G26, Seacamp or a S&W J-Frame. I agree with you whole heartedly on the G26/27. It's way to thick and the Seacamp shoots to anemic of a round for me. Because my options were limited I put in the time to break in the Kahr and I couldn't be happier.
 
Well my brother owns a P239 and rarely CC's it because of its size. It's bigger than the rest of the guns you've mentioned and, though I suppose it can conceal well using the proper holster, I would not consider it personally to be a top conceal carry candidate.
 
I tried ALOT of guns for carry. The balance between power and ease of carry is different for everyone. After *many* guns, I'm sure you guys have read my rants and buy/sell ads, I have settled on one auto that I will keep forever. That is a S&W CS9.

I shoot that gun very well and it's the size of a j frame but slimmer. The grips feel a bit thick but if they were thinner, I wouldn't be able to shoot it well.

Revolver wise, I am still debating against a j frame airweight in the pocket or a 3" k frame on the hip. Both have it's merits and virtues and I am still having wavering thoughts on both.
 
[thinking] should have mentioned I'm in CT and want the CCW in 9mm, .40, .45 or .38sp +p works too.

Rock, the Kahr I had was not new, the shop told me it was well past break-in. Also, the big red flashing light that something was not right was that, likely the feed ramp was smashing the mag follower and breaking the front plate off.
DSC02274.jpg
 
I have had good results with the Walther PPS in 9 mm. You do not have to suffer with the MA trigger, so it may be worth going to a range where you can rent one and try it out. It is very thin and shoots well. I have had no FTF or other issues after over 500 rounds.


Edit: I have a Comptac Minoataur MTAC IWB holster I use with it (have bodies for an M&P and a Beretta 92FS too) and the PPS is most comfortable. Given how much thinner it is, I am not surprised.

If there is one downside, it is the limited amount of rounds a PPS can hold - I believe 8 is the max. size magazine you can purchase.
 
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Zarathustra11 said:
Well my brother owns a P239 and rarely CC's it because of its size. It's bigger than the rest of the guns you've mentioned and, though I suppose it can conceal well using the proper holster, I would not consider it personally to be a top conceal carry candidate.
Click to expand...

Are you sure it's a 239, because a sig 239 is tiny. I carry a 229 every day which is significantly bigger than the 239.
 
dixidawg said:
Look on Glocktalk on the Kahr forum

There were known issues with the PM40 mags that Kahr has supposedly subsequently resolved.
Click to expand...
I did post about it on Kahr forums and had much back an forth with Kahr CS. CS says there never was an "issue" [rolleyes] Anyway, I got a 3rd mag locally to try out, after shooting 6 rounds with 2 fail-to-feeds and seeing dimpling on the face of the follower, I decided to send the gun back.
 
jhblaze1 said:
Are you sure it's a 239, because a sig 239 is tiny. I carry a 229 every day which is significantly bigger than the 239.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm positive, maybe it feels much bigger to me because I have the M&P 40c and it feels significantly smaller all around than his gun.
 
I think it's something that can be fixed by Kahr. I've had a PM40 for a few years now and have had no problems whatsoever with it.
 
I just picked up a new Kel-Tec PF-9 for my new carry weapon. It is only 12oz and still a 9mm! I love my MP.40 but don't really like carrying it. The new gun is so small you could literally put it your back pocket. It was also very reasonably priced.

Kel-TecPF-9.jpg
 
M1911 said:
If you can't get it fixed, then get a Kahr PM9 or Kahr MK9.
Click to expand...
How much bigger is the MK compared to the PM ?

@Rizz....I carried a PF9 for years, reliable and a great size for carry, but the trigger was awful and I could never shoot the damn thing well.
 
PaiN said:
How much bigger is the MK compared to the PM ?
Click to expand...
It is the same size, just the frame is made out of steel rather than plastic. Heavier in your pocket, but less recoil. Recoil in my MK9 isn't bad at all. Recoil in my K40 is not good. No way I'd want to shoot a PM40.
 
M1911 said:
No way I'd want to shoot a PM40.
Click to expand...
I'm not overly recoil sensitive, but the PM40 has some nasty snap [crying]
The first(only) time I took it out it wore a hole in the web of my hand and I still have a scab...I'm sure Kahr will fix it but the way it sits in my hand is not going to make for pleasant shooting and another major reason I want something else.
 
I have a CW9 and PM9 that both conceal VERY well. It's a shame that the PM40 had issues. .40 is a little wild for a gun that size. I also carry a Keltec P3-AT EVERYWHERE with me. Very concealable. I forget it's there most of the day. I'm sure Kahr will do whatever it takes to make things right as well. I am a big fan of Kahr.
 
Mike_Diako said:
I have a CW9 and PM9 that both conceal VERY well. It's a shame that the PM40 had issues. .40 is a little wild for a gun that size. I also carry a Keltec P3-AT EVERYWHERE with me. Very concealable. I forget it's there most of the day. I'm sure Kahr will do whatever it takes to make things right as well. I am a big fan of Kahr.
Click to expand...
Keeping the PM40 is still half-kidda on the table....but 1. it has work with 110% reliability and 2. I'd have to getto some kind of pad on the tail to save my hand.
 
Mike_Diako said:
Try a Hogue Hand-all Jr. It will make a huge difference. They have them at Hoffmans for $10
Click to expand...
I put a Hand-all Jr on it, even before I shot it [wink]
But that not what is digging into me...its the ends of the PM's "beavertail". The Way is fits on my hand, when the gun kicks it grates the skin to the bone.
 
The PM40 is not a pistol that is meant to be fired a lot. It's meant to be so small that it's easily carried all the time. And, oh, it fires a great defensive cartridge, too.
Fire it enough that you are proficient with it, but I would get another pistol for plinking.
 
PaiN said:
I'm not overly recoil sensitive, but the PM40 has some nasty snap .
Click to expand...
I have a K9 and a K40. The K9 is fine to shoot. The K40 is a bear. The MK9 is still fine. The PM9 has more recoil. I wouldn't want to put 200 rounds through the PM9 in a single range session, but I suspect it is far better than the PM40.
 
PatMcD said:
The PM40 is not a pistol that is meant to be fired a lot. It's meant to be so small that it's easily carried all the time. And, oh, it fires a great defensive cartridge, too.
Fire it enough that you are proficient with it, but I would get another pistol for plinking.
Click to expand...
No kidding, I recently "discovered" the .40S&W [smile]. A carry gun is never my plinking or go-to pistol but I do have to shoot a CCW enough to be natural if I ever have to use it and be 150% confident of reliability.
For range work and a go-to main pistol I have a SIG SP2022 .40S&W on the way from Buds Guns
 

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