Pocket sized pistols 9mm

[BigBuckyB]

What 9mm pocket sized pistol is best for reliability and pocketbook??

 

[slowG]

Lc9 - berreta nano - cm9 - db9 - pf9

 

[saberstar]

Bersa maybe.

 

[Spucky138]

I have a Sig P290RS. Very small and compact also comes standard with night sights.

 

[DFM914]

Beretta Nano!

 

[Glockowner]

A quick search of the forums will yield many recent discussions on this topic.

But the answer is Kahr CM9

 

[Doug B]

I spent a lot of time researching the DB9. Very interesting concept. But, after spending many , many hours researching, I decided against it and went with a 380. But, I still might try a DB9 someday.

 

[Blades2]

A Kahr CM9 is the way to go. If you can get over the long trigger pull there is nothing better.

 

[WaltherFan]

Kimber solo

 

[slowG]

Kimber and sig aren't exactly easy on the pocket book.

 

[Dewidmt]

You're going to get a hundred different answers on this one! Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. After shooting an LCP, PF-9, Kahr PM9 and a Nano, I still prefer my PF-9. It's also the cheapest of the bunch.

 

[looney2ns]

Ruger LC9.

 

[Plisken]

For cost and reliability and being pockatable. My vote is for the khar cm9.

 

[EOD Guy]

I like the LCP in the DeSantis holster, its a .380 but designed for your pocket.

 

[Bigbuck5]

This is a subjective question, but I've shot the LCP, and PF9 and have owned a Kahr PM9, a Walther PPS. I hated the LCP and the PF9. I really liked the PPS. The PM9 had some reliability issues beyond the break in period and I didn't like the trigger. I currently have a Nano and like it very much. That said I've had some reliability issues with it too. I sent it back to Berretta and so far no issues since its been returned. The best of them all was the PPS, but I gave that to my Daughter.....it's also larger than the others by a bit. I like the feel of the Nano. The trigger is getting lighter and smoother each time I shoot it. The Nano is a little big for the pocket, but in cargo shorts is pretty easy. You really need to shoot all of these if you have the chance. The trigger on the Kahr felt funky to me. The triggers on the PF9 and the Berretta are similar to a double action revolver. The trigger on the PPS is very Glock like. I hope this helps.

 

[Kentuckypilgrim]

I like the s&w cs9. I carry it IWB but you can carry it in a lot of bigger pockets.

 

[MorePowerWes]

My Taurus PT709 works well.

 

[686 Shooter]

I'll second the Sig P290.

 

[minx]

I snagged a shield prior to the crazy inflation. 7+1, striker fired, trigger is one of the best. Only issue is that they are hard to find. The days of $399. are history. If you see one under 480. You will never regret it. I would guess these will be available again in six months. Only time will tell. Now if I can find 9mm ammo at 10 bucks a box. Oh, comes with a 8 round second mag.

 

[Gluemanz28]

.380 Ammo info

For what it's worth, here is one person's opinion:
.380 ACP (9mm Short, 9x17mm, 9mm Kurz)

Now we're getting into some decent stopping power. The three or four best .380 JHP rounds have better stopping power than ANY bullet fired out of 2" barrel .38 Special snub-nose. All of the Big Five make good hollowpoints for this caliber. The Remington 88 grain JHP is the most reliably-feeding hollowpoint but slightly less effective than the Hydra-shok or Cor-Bon. Reliability is crucial, and thus you must test the rounds before carrying.

I recommend the following two cartridges above all others:

-Federal 90 gr. Hydra-shok (P380HS1 H) - the best standard-pressure .380 JHP load, period.
-Cor-Bon 90 gr. JHP - the most powerful .380 hollowpoint, bar none.

These are the two best .380 loads, and I recommend them for these guns:
SIG/Sauer P230, Beretta 84/85, Browning BDA, CZ-83, H&K P7K3, Walther PPK and PPK/s. The Russian, East German, Chinese and Bulgarian Makarov pistols are apparently perfectly reliable with the hot Cor-Bon, and the strong all-steel construction of these guns should stand up to an infinite amount of these potent rounds. I have heard that the Colt does also well with the hot Cor-Bon JHP, which you should definitely look into if you own a Colt .380. You have better stopping power than any .38 snub-nose revolver (the long-time favorite concealment sidearm) when you load your .380 with these two rounds.

Other good .380 ACP jacketed hollowpoints:

- Remington 102 gr. Golden Saber BJHP (GS380M) - Another excellent .380 load (the BJHP stands for "Brass Jacketed Hollow Point"), the heaviest one available. I prefer the Cor-Bon and Hydra-shok, but many (including Sanow) like this new Remington round for its deeper penetration. I'll stick with the Cor-Bon and Hydra-shok, but the choice is yours.
- CCI-Speer 90 gr. Gold Dot JHP A good all-around hollowpoint.
- Remington 88 gr. JHP (R380AI): A good high-velocity hollowpoint that feeds well in: Colt Government Model .380, H&K HK4, Taurus PT-58, older PP and PPK, Bersa .380, Beretta 70s, Makarov and Hungarian FEG. These are all good guns that might choke on other hollowpoints but they will probably feed the Remington fine. This hollowpoint was redesigned in 1993 and gives excellent performance while retaining its rounded shape for positive feeding. If your .380 chokes on other JHP loads, try fifty rounds of the Remington 88 gr. through your gun and see if it improves.

.380 ACP hollowpoints to avoid:

-Winchester 85 gr Silvertip (X380ASHP) I really cannot recommend this weak and jam-prone round. It works reliably in a few modern European guns (e.g. SIG 230, Beretta 84F), but every load named above offers better performance. The Silvertip will likely jam in any American-made .380 automatic. Russian .380 Makarovs and PPK series guns may jam with the Silvertip, as well. The .380 Silvertip was once state-of-the-art, but has since been superceded by superior designs. It is also quite expensive. Look elsewhere.
- PMC-Eldorado Starfire 95 gr. JHP This round is similarly weak and jam-prone.
- Federal 90 gr. JHP (380BP) (see below)
- Hornady 90 gr. XTP-HP (9010) Both the Federal 380BP and the Hornady XTP-HP never expand and may jam many guns due to their truncated-cone bullet nose profiles. Pass by these two.

To read his opinions on all defense rounds, go here.
Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm