I find myself occasionally in a situation where I desire something a little heavier caliber wise than the 32 I normally carry, yet in a smaller package than the 9x18 I occasionally carry.

Looking real hard at the small 9x19's on the market. Concealability is of prime importance or I'd look at something larger in both size and caliber. Cost is also a factor, times being what they are.

I admit I've always favored handguns either larger or smaller than 9x19. Anyone carry here carry this caliber CCW?

I find myself occasionally in a situation where I desire something a little heavier caliber wise than the 32 I normally carry, yet in a smaller package than the 9x18 I occasionally carry.

Looking real hard at the small 9x19's on the market. Concealability is of prime importance or I'd look at something larger in both size and caliber. Cost is also a factor, times being what they are.

I admit I've always favored handguns either larger or smaller than 9x19. Anyone carry here carry this caliber CCW?

Come summer my daily carry will be a Glock 26 in an MTAC Minotaur IWB rig. Ammo will be Federal BPLE 115 +P+ or Federal BPE 115 +P.

If I find a 124gr +P load that the gun and I both like I might switch to that.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Don't forget the Walther PPS.

I'd NEVER carry a .32 unless I was a cop or some kind of spy and had to have DEEP cover.

A lot of people feel that way, but I'd bet that world wide more pistols in 32 ACP have been carried CCW than any other ctg.

My guess would be .22.

There are LOTS of good choices in 9mm. Go to a range that rents guns and try a few to see what you like.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

My usual primary is a 9x23, but I don't feel undergunned with a 9x19 loaded with Ranger-T 127gr.+P+, Cor-Bon 115s, or Gold Dot 124s in +P form. I've carried a Seecamp .32 for many years, but not as a primary.

9mm is fine for CCW.

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John

How small do you want to go? The pocket Glocks are decent guns, but heavy. The 3913/14 and P225/P6 are probably large if you want something smaller than whatever you're carrying in a 9x18. Most of the 9x18 guns that I've seen - save the Czech 82 - are roughly Walther PP size. There are 9x19s in this bracket but they tend to either be problematic, thicker, or expensive.

The pocket Glocks are decent guns, though some users have issues with limp wristing them. They're also thick and heavy. The Kel Tec P11 is thick, though lighter. It's also not the most durable weapon ever made, but probably has more of the bugs worked out than most Kel Tecs. The PF9 is slim and light, but too many people are still getting buggy ones for my taste.

The Kahrs are an option, but they aren't cheap really.

You might want to look for one of the old Star 9mm SA autos. A bunch of these were floating around not too long back for less than 250.

My absolute favorite small 9mm is a Walther P99c with the AS trigger. Small enough to fit in a pocket with an 11 round capacity (10+1) and as backup you can carry full size 16 round mags. With Ranger 127+P+, you get the same ballastics as 357sig.

Maybe the same ballastics, but not quite the same ballistics. I've chronoed Ranger-T 127s through various barrel lengths, and with the short tube on the Walther, you're likely still going to be 150fps. or so shy of .357 Sig numbers.

When I don't carry a wheelgun, which is rare, this is what I carry:

M&P9c in K&D Holsters' Cochise Defender


Believe it or not, this thing is barely bigger than a 637 (I have laid one on top of the other) yet carries just over twice the ammo with much easier reloading ability.

IMO, the M&P compact is THE perfect concealed carry weapon. It is no harder for me to conceal than the thin single stack 9x19s out there that give up 30 to 50% of the M&P's capacity.

Wyatt,
I've only been carrying my(M&P9c)IWB now for about 3 weeks. But I'm tending to agree with all you noted. The 342PD is now in the weak side pocket.

That sounds like a good setup, Spot.

I picked up some of the Federal 124gr. +P HST ammo. I shot some of it in both my 3913 and my CS9 and I have to say I was impressed. I would give it a recommendation.

Beautiful holster Wyatt Earp. I'd like one of those for an M&P40c.

K&D Holsters

Hey Wyatt, how long did you have to wait to get your K&D? I've had two on order for a few months now, and I'm wondering how much longer it is likely to be.

38/44,
I'm about 5 weeks into my wait for one. I'm using one of these in the interim (7 days order to delivery) VERY good product.

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/index.html

It usually takes 12 to 16 weeks to get a holster from Kevin.

Thanks, Wyatt. I have plenty of good carry rigs for my usual setup, IWB under a suit coat or sport coat or untucked sweater. I only need the K&Ds for "tuckable" use, and that won't be often, so I don't mind waiting, but I'm pretty sure that it's been 16 weeks or longer. Spot, I looked at the Crossbreed as an alternative to a K&D, and almost bought one. Both my sons use Crossbreed's "man purse" shoulder bag, and those are finely crafted items.

I'm sure a lot of .25s have too. That's a personal choice. I choose "no".

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After handling as many different small handguns as I could find I opted for the Kel Tec P11. Frankly the final deciding factor came down to price. Money is tight and I knew I was not going to spend more than $300 new or used. This morning my son and I drove to a shop two counties away I had not visited for a couple years. He had a used Kel Tec P11 that after negotiations I ended up with for under $200 OTD with a box of ammo.

I have not had much time to test it out yet but I ran a couple mags of mixed ammo through it with no problems. It's a little big for pocket carry but if hides well in a belt slide holster.

Over all I think it was a good value. I've been happy with my P32 so far. If money was less of an object I would probably have chosen something else, but that's the facts.

That's a smoking deal in anybody's book!

Be aware that ultra-concealable 9mm's tend to be very unforgiving of poor grip/support and will malfunction more easily if limp-wristed. Given that, when things get that small I usually opt for a J-frame. That said, the 9mm is very efficient in short barrels and doesn't seem to give up as much oomph as a .45 does. Good premium ammo in 9mm is an excellent choice for self defense.

I have a CZ2075 in 9mm for ccw. Not overly big but very controllable and surprisingly accurate.

Thought I'd resurrect this thread, instead of starting a new one. I just received two holsters from K&D Holsters, which I only discovered thanks to Wyatt Earp. I've already thanked Wyatt, but I wanted to second his opinion here.

The quality of the leather and the workmanship appears to be excellent, with tight, straight, uniform stitching, smooth, well finished edges and perfect boning. The kydex belt clips are robust and appear to be substantially heavier duty than any I've seen on other brands.

I'm at this moment carrying my 9x23 "Super Aegis" in the Thunderbird model, and it is as comfortable as my Brommeland Max-Con V. I have some back problems, and many, otherwise excellent, high quality holsters tend to irritate my low back. It does not seem that that will be a problem with the K&Ds.

While 12-16 weeks may seem like a long time (mine took more like 17 1/2, due to a backorder on the clips) it is less than with many custom makers, and the prices Kevin charges are 1/2 to 2/3 what you'll pay for equivalent quality from most other holster builders.

I'm looking forward to trying my other one, a "Dakota Defender," as a tuckable with my Kel-Tec PF-9. I've not had much luck with tuckables before, but I have high hopes for this one.

Rear view, L to R, S&W #908 9mm, Walther PP .32 a.c.p., Beretta #84 .380 a.c.p.

Rossi #68 .38 special on top of a Walther PP .32, and a Beretta #84 .380 on top of a S&W #908 9mm.

Walther PP on top of a S&W #908.

A Astra A75L 9mm pistol, right at the same size as the S&W #908 9mm.


I do not have photos of it with anything else, but my Beretta #70 .32 a.c.p. is the same overall size as the above guns. I have carried it for years, preferring it over a J frame S&W. Much flatter and a greater cartridge capacity.

I gave just under $225.00 for the S&W #908 and $63.00 for the Astra, which was missing the magazine. I got two mags from www.e-gunparts.com for $37.00 shipped. Both good guns at decent prices.

The gun I carry the most these days is a Kahr P9 Covert in a Mitch Rosen snap on holster with Corbon DPX cartridges. It is powerful enough to get through to major organs and the DPX bullet is really very good at penetrating barriers, staying together and still expanding. The Kahr was not cheap but it is light, accurate, very compact and mine has proven reliable. I used to carry a J Frame Airweight most of the time but the Kahr has virtually replaced those for me.

I have a Glock 26 also but have been carrying it less since I got the Kahr. It is heavier and thicker but will take magazines from the PC 10 shot mags to the G17 hicaps. I feel well enough protected by the 9X19.

ColbyBruce,

What do you think of the Rossi? In my search for an upgrade to my CCW firearms I had a chance to handle the small Rossi side by side with the new S&W J's. I know I shouldn't say this here but if I had been making a decision strictly on how the action felt and lock-up I'd have bought the Rossi.
The new J's do not have the same feel action wise as my old J's and I's.

I carry a 9mm quite a bit in either the 3913NL or one or both of these 940s, The 547 has never seen a carry holster & is strickly a range gun.
And there all S&Ws!!
I have a super sweet Beretta92FS but haven't carried it in over 8-10 years, Just too big & bulky when there's these smaller lighter options
I've been useing New Old stock Federal 9mm Nyclads for carry in these Smiths & still have some 9BPLEs that are +P+ but haven't used them in the Smith & Wessons, I'm sure they'd be fine in the K Frame 547..
Gary/Hk
3913NL Pair of 940s Model 547

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MightShowYouHisSmith&Wesson

The Rossi was O.K. for the money; it was an older one. I sold it to my brother shortly after buying the S&W #908.