Small 9mm for carry - what to get?

They both just do not feel right in my hand - the grip is too freakin' wide!!!... From front to back, I swear those grips are bigger than the grips on my CZ75, than on my buddy's Firestar .40, and even bigger than my 1911!!!
Click to expand...

This from a man who normally arms himself with a sledgehammer............
 
dwarven1 said:
Looked at them a few years back, but I was hoping to get a 9mm so practice costs would be less.

What's a box of 9mm Mak go for? And what are the ballistics like? My copy of Lyman's 47th edition reloading handbook doesn't seem to have that in there.

Also, there are probably a LOT more different options for 9mm Luger/Para vs 9mm Mak ammunition.
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Ross,

You can get Makarovs in .380 ACP, too - I have one. Let me know if you'd like to shoot it. It can be arranged. [smile]

You can also get a hammerless or shrouded hammer j-frame should you cross over to the wheelgun darkside...
 
Pachmayr grips that will shroud the hammer on an Airweight
Click to expand...

The 642 and others of the same design have a covered hammer so special grips to 'shroud' the hammer are not needed. My son has a 642, I have a 332 which is the titanium version in .32mag. Look around for the 642, they come pretty cheap and are a VERY good guns. They come with rubber grips, not the wood shown in the picture. You'll definately want a pocket holster to go with it.

Check out Robert Mika at:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~akim/

It's the best $16 you ever spend for a gun related item.

332lg.jpg


mika.jpg
 
Pilgrim said:
The 642 and others of the same design have a covered hammer so special grips to 'shroud' the hammer are not needed.
Click to expand...

I know, but... I already have a 637! I just figured it'd be easier to get new grips for it than swap it for a 642.
 
dwarven1 said:
I know, but... I already have a 637! I just figured it'd be easier to get new grips for it than swap it for a 642.
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Ross,

I have no idea how expensive it is, but Smith & Wesson offers a "custom revolver carry package" where they'll bob the hammer for you among other options. Might be worth a call to S&W. I'd be shocked if it were much more than $50 - $75 (because much more than that and you can just pick up a new gun...)
 
dwarven1 said:
Looked at them a few years back, but I was hoping to get a 9mm so practice costs would be less.

What's a box of 9mm Mak go for? And what are the ballistics like? My copy of Lyman's 47th edition reloading handbook doesn't seem to have that in there.

Also, there are probably a LOT more different options for 9mm Luger/Para vs 9mm Mak ammunition.
Click to expand...

9mm Makarov is between the .380 and 9mm, both in size, ballistics, and price. It is roughly the size of a 232 if not smaller.

Go to the www.makarov.com site for all the info than you'd ever need, and more.

Don't forget you can "accessorize" your Makarov with grips, etc. All available accessories


Here, I'll make the rest easy for you:

Frequently Asked Questions List
Customize
Makarov Pictures
Reloading the 9x18 Makarov Cartridge
Technical Information

makpak.jpg


pearce.jpg
 
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dwarven, I have a Sig 229 9mm, that is nice for concealed carry....really thin profile, nice gun to shoot too.
 
Nope. Looking at a Keltec this weekend, though. If it ever stops raining, that is. [rolleyes] I hate shooting in the rain...

What's your rush, counselor? Living vicariously again?
 
Springfield XD Sub Compact

Have you looked at the Springfield XD sub-compact? They pop up in MA occasionally. Checkout gunsamerica.com or one of the other sites.
 
If you're getting a subcompact 9mm carry gun do yourself a favor and get a Glock 26. I fought the urge for several years and carried so many other guns until I decided to get a Glock. It not only is easier to shoot (although the grip angle could be a lot better) it is 100% reliable and is thinner and lighter than its competitors. Another option may be the S&W M&P compact if and when it ever comes out but that could be a year away.
 
PistolPete said:
If you're getting a subcompact 9mm carry gun do yourself a favor and get a Glock 26.
Click to expand...

You might want to check the whole thread - last week I looked at a G26 and the grip is too long (front to back) to be comfortable in my hand. I mentioned this in an earlier post.
 
Sweet! That's the sort of thing I'm looking for for my Airweight. But...

Note: The Smith & Wesson Hammer Shroud will not fit the new J-Frames with internal firing pins. Firing pin must be on hammer nose to fit.
Click to expand...

They don't make it for my gun... yet, anyway. [crying] I've emailed them to find out if they plan to offer it for the new J-frames.
 
I know it has been mentioned on this thread a couple times but I also loved my SW99 compact 9mm for pocket carry. It has two size interchangeable back straps, hammer drop and comes with two clips one with extra finger support and one without. I am selling mine [URL="http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=7847]in the Classifieds[/URL] because I just got laid off and my brother doesn't have his LTC yet. Otherwise I would be selling it to him. It was my first conceal carry gun. When I was wearing my punchdown, leatherman, cellphone, and drill it still fit nicely into my Dickie's pants pocket.
 
I use to carry a Mak. It was the best $89 I ever spent a Collectors Coin. It fit my hand perfectly and it would fit very nicely and comfortably in my waistband. There is pretty decent ammo available for it. I shot some Russian hollow point ammo out of it and wished I had on a glove. It was hot! I had a couple of functioning problems, but since I replaced the crap Russian recoil spring with a Wolf Extra Power spring, and replaced the magazine springs I have not had any problems. It is pretty accurate as well. I also did a trigger job.

I really want to send it off to a smith for better sights. Also the magazines are a pain. They have a slide hold open that pokes out the side and hurts like hell if you poke yourself with it. It’s a great gun for the money.

B
 
Glock 36

I'm surprised no one has suggested a Glock 36. I used to have a Glock 26, but I found the grip to be too wide, like holding a brick. And because the grip was so bad, I had no control on it without the pinky extension. Sure, it was shootable, but I developed a crazy flinch due to the significant kick on it because I just couldn't get my hands around it. So I switched to a Glock 36, which is a SINGLE STACK .45. It is much easier to grip than the G26, and way thinner. It is only an extremely small amount longer and taller, and is still much smaller than the G19 or G23. And it holds 6+1 rnds of .45, which is impressive. Extremel reliable. It is NOT a pocket gun, but can be used for ankle carry, and works IWB very well. It is as slim and small as an Officer-sized 1911, but at like 1/3 the weight. Since people are recommending the G26, which is a brick and definitely NOT a pocket carry pistol, I figured I'd throw in this option. But if you really want pocket carry, no Glock fits that bill. Trust me, I tried to carry that G26, and it was just too damn wide and fat. Was decent as ankle carry, but that is sort of pointless, and G36 does that just as well, but is much easier to conceal IWB due to slimness. Pocket carry is definitely land of smaller hammerless revolver. Good luck.
 
Ross, since you insist on a semi-auto . . .

Have you looked at the Taurus PT-111? I don't remember if you shot mine or not up in Westford. 9mm, 10 rds, hammerless, with the right holster it could be a pocket gun.

Here's some interesting stats, taken from eyeball measuring my guns with a ruler.

Taurus PT-111 9mm
Length - 6"
Grip (frt to bk) - 1-7/8"
Width - 1-1/8"
Height - 4-1/2"

Walther PPK/s .380ACP
Length - 6"
Grip (frt to bk) - 1-7/8" (NOTE: This is with wrap-around Pachymrs on it, so true dimension is actually smaller)
Width - 1-1/8"
Height - ~4-1/2"

S&W 642 .38Sp Revolver (Hammerless)
Length - 6"
Grip (frt to bk) - 1-5/8" (and that was to the largest part of a finger groove)
Width - 1-1/16"
Height - ~4-1/2"

The above represent the size as measured to the longest point, as measured by me on a real gun, and may or may not agree with the mfr's advertised dimensions.

I am not yet ready to sell my Taurus PT-111, but probably will in the near future. A couple of gunsmiths claim that they can smooth out the trigger (which is long and gritty). They are real tough to find, I am only aware of one other PT-111 in MA other than mine and the price is not cheap. Taurus VP told me that they have NO desire to ever ship any product to MA again and will not ever get their guns certified for here.
 
Glock G36
length: 6.77
width: 1.13
wgt w/o mag: 20.1

Kahr P45
length: 6.3
width: 1.01
wgt w/o mag: 18.5


Glock G26
length: 6.29
height: 4.17
width: 1.18
wgt w/o mag: 19.75

Kahr PM9
length: 5.3
height: 4.0
width: 0.90
wgt w/o mag: 14.8


The .40 Kahr falls between these two.



Makarov:
Safety: Hammer block, slide lock, decocking, firing pin not secured
Caliber: 9x18mm (9mm Makarov), some have been converted to .380 ACP (9mm Kurz)
Capacity: 8+1 rounds
Sights: Fixed blade front, dovetailed u-notch rear, drift adjustable
Length: 6.34"
Weight (loaded): 1.71 pounds
Barrel: fixed, 3.83", 4 groove, right-hand twist
 
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BigBill said:
I can fit my 1911a1 in my pocket(45acp) but my 357mg snubbie fits too. Have you considered a 7,62 Tokarev? Or a CZ75 9mm compact?
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I've looked at the Tokarev but would prefer a 9mm for cheapness of ammo. As for the CZ75 compact... yeah, in a heartbeat... if I could get one in MA. [rolleyes]
 
Coyote33 said:
Kahr PM9
length: 5.3
height: 4.0
width: 0.90
wgt w/o mag: 14.8
Click to expand...

I think I'm going to have to ask DR if I can try a mag or two through his Kahr this Sunday. A Kahr might be the answer to this. As for Glocks... they don't fit my hand.
 
dwarven1 said:
I think I'm going to have to ask DR if I can try a mag or two through his Kahr this Sunday. A Kahr might be the answer to this. As for Glocks... they don't fit my hand.
Click to expand...

You're welcome to try it. Are you shooting in the morning or noon slot?
 
Right now, teams of specialists at Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer, Beretta, and Glock are evaluating hastily designed compact 9mm pistols to meet Ross' specifications. Each manufacturer also has a lobbyist ready to fast track their "Dwarven" model pocket pistol through the EOPS process. We can only hope that this thread will reach a conclusion before these models are ready for Ross to try out... [laugh2]


Chris
 

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