Gun Vanity Question - 9mm

Me | October 3, 2010 | Me

[LibertyThug]

I'm looking for some advice for my next gun purchase for conceal carry. I really need a 9mm. I really WANT an H&K 9mm. I am interested in the compact since I am a female.

Since H&Ks cost a pretty penny, can anyone give me pros/cons or a different suggestion? I have a Glock already, so I'm not interested in another right now.

I like diversity in my handguns. Any thoughts? Thanks!

[Thane_Banquo]

I really like my Stoeger Cougar 9mm. It’s made by Beretta’s subsidiary Stoeger, using the same machinery that was used for the Beretta Cougar. Rotating bolt design makes the gun a soft shooter. Easy to strip and clean as well. Very reliable: I’ve shot probably 2000 rounds through it, and only one jam, which I think was the result of my wife limp-wristing a dirty gun.

[AUTiger83]

I also liked the H&K P2000SK. But, like you, had sticker shock. I ended up buying my 2nd choice, a Walther P99c AS. Very ergonomic grip for small hands. The magazine release is part of the bottom of the trigger guard, similar to the H&K.

Google “Walther P99c AS.” And you can find several good video reviews on YouTube, too.

I also liked the S&W MP9c, but every time I held it, I wanted to break out a Dremel tool and carve out the corner between the trigger guard and grip just a little, so my hand would sit higher.

Both the Walther and the S&W had overall very positive feedback in various pistol forums (as does the H&K).

Just hit a good gun show and handle a lot of different pistols . . . but check out the Walther. Its feel is very similar to the H&K.

[tx_eggman]

Picked up the HK P2000SK in .40 S&W last weekend. GREAT gun. It also comes in a 9mm. It was that or the Kimber Ultra Carry II (.45 ACP) but the HK was MUCM more comfortable in my hand.

Get to a gun show if you can, handling all of your choices prior to purchase is key to your decision.

[umgud]

The Kahr PM9 is a joy to carry. I pocket carry it easily. I do however, prefer my Glock G26 with 10+1, but it is much blockier than the Kahr. The Smith Airweight is also very easy to carry, but only has a 5 round capacity.

[Vaquero]

[Perdogg]

Walther PPK or SW ASP.

[ChildOfThe60s]

My daughter (ex cop) has a Kahr P9. Really likes it.

http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/kahrp9.htm

[PugetSoundSoldier]

kel-tec, don’t even know it’s in my pocket

Exactly. Smallest, lightest 9mm on the market. Thin and small, easy to carry all times.

PF9 information. It's got a strong bite when fired (it's a 13 ounce, 9mm pistol after all), but extremely reliable and small enough you never have an excuse to NOT carry it:

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

H&K is worth every penny. Every single one of them.

Personal opinion, but I shot and tested about a dozen before I selected H&K.

[lentulusgracchus]

Do they make a Pocketlite version of that? ;)

[BooBoo1000]

If you can find one, the little snubby S/W revolver would serve your needs. No need to fumble and fool with the action on an automatic, just pull that snubbie out and 99% of your problems will disappear. Stay away from that stable of imitator's and want to be’s . S/W has been around a long time and proved it reliability in all situations.I have been buying and using pistols for a long time, and learned long ago it it doesn't say S/W or Colt on the side don't waste your time.

[CapedConservative]

Why 9mm? You reach (high-end) stopping power (94%) at 357, 40, 44 and 45. If you’re going down to 9mm and want a small gun, why not just get a 380?

I have a Smit & Wesson 40 M&P that’s my favorite but my concealed carry is a Walther PPS in 40 cal. Small, accurate and powerful with little recoil. I live in southwest Florida and wear shorts all the time. The PPS fits neatly in a Blackhawk 04 pocket holster and hardly makes a bump in my pocket. A round in the chamber and six in the magazine.

For some time now, if I’m out of bed and I’m dressed, it’s in my pocket.

CC

[EGPWS]

Do they make a Pocketlite version of that? ;)

I'm told it's in the works and should be available the 1st quarter of 2011.....They have heat issues when re-holstering that they have to overcome. ; )

[LibertyThug]

I have a S/W snubby airweight revolver too, I prefer a revolver for home defense and could carry it too I suppose. But, any excuse to buy another, right?

[llevrok]

shooting a 9mm uses too many bullets and is wastefull (sarc). You can do with one .40acp what takes two or three 9mm's to do.

[JudgemAll]

Springfield XD 9 is good. Glockish of course. If you got some money get the SIG of course.

My preferences for double stackers high round count 9 mm are

SIG
HK
XD9
Glock
Beretta

I hear they have a 9mm 1911 out there, but it might be a single stacker slim design.

[panaxanax]

Sold my Glock 22 (.40 cal) and bought the HK-USPC compact 9mm. Accurate and dependable. Never had a problem. Money well spent, I love it.

[PzLdr]

Springfield Armory XDM, S&W M&P,

[lentulusgracchus]

Get a good used Beretta 380 (9mm short).

If she's going to consider secondhand .380's, she might also want to look at the single-action Mustang 1911's from Colt (now out of production), esp. the Plus II in stainless. Loads seven in the magazine and one in the chamber, single-stacker and very good fit to my small hands.

The Plus II in stainless weighs about 16 oz., the slightly larger (same magazine) Government weighs 20 oz. empty. All the stainless guns can shoot hot .380's like Hydra-Shok, Blazer, Fiocchi, and Silvertips -- the "Pocketlite" alloy-frames should only be used with milder ammo. The stainless will eat anything.

There's also a smaller Mustang "purse gun" with a five-round magazine; in stainless it weighs more like 13 oz. The tiny, lightweight "Pocketlites" weigh even less and use the same magazines as their stainless counterparts. But they're .380's and hit a lot harder than Seecamps, Autauga Arms, and Beretta Tomcat .32 ACP backup/purse guns.

I also have an example of an aftermarket magazine that fits the Plus II and Government: it holds 10 rounds and projects beyond the butt of the grip. Call it a "mini-double-stacker".

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Some good advice is deceptively simple. Find a gun that feels comfortable to wear. While a lot of women traditionally carried a purse gun, you need to think wearable if you’re not a “purse person”.

You might even consider a revolver. Just thoughts.