Pocket 9 replacement?

[tinman931]

My dad has carried his Ruger SR9c for about a year now. He's carried it IWB and in a pocket holster in cargo pockets and never had any complaints. Maybe something worth considering?

I like the SR9c, but it seems a little big for pocket carry. How does he manage that?

 

[tinman931]

So to revisit my original post, here is my update:

Last night I picked up a G43. Once I got everything done, I only had a half hour on the range with it. In that time, I put 125 rounds through it. It was a mix or Hornady, Federal, Remington, and Blazer. First impressions:
No function problems whatsoever. Everything fed through with no problems.
This is my first Glock. I know a lot of people criticize them for being "soulless." Since I view guns as tools (especially SD guns), this is not a problem for me as long as it continues to work flawlessly.
The sights are good, but different than what I am used to. Initially, I was shooting low and to the left. Once I started to make adjustments, it was much more centered. I did notice that for snap shooting using only the front sight, it centered more easily than most handguns I have tried.
It is a light gun. For carry purposes, that is great and what I was looking for. However, it does make it snappy. I will definitely need to practice to find and keep a good grip on it. I added a grip sleeve, so I am looking forward to seeing if this helps.
Since I wanted it for pocket carry, I plan to pick up a Remora sticky holder. Good for the pocket or to slide into the waistband.
I have read a lot of criticism about the triggers on Glocks. I was pleased with it and think it will be easy to get used to with more practice. Bear in mind, I am comparing it to my last pocket 9, the original LC9. I'm a huge Ruger fan, but the trigger on that was awful. Could never get used to it.
That is all for now, as I haven't had a lot of time with it. So far, I am happy with it and could see getting quite comfortable with it as I spend more time on the range, etc.

 

[Faulkner]

Gun magazine quality has plummeted in the past 20 year

That's the same magazine that touted extreme shock ammo and parroted the sales pitch from the manufacturer. I really cannot trust places that are given guns the test because why would they say anything bad about guns or they won't get any new ones to test. Plus you don't want to make your heavy advertisers mad, got to give them good reviews.

I'm just guessing that you didn't read the article in question. It was actually quite good.

 

[Mister X]

I don't see how you are not going to experience the same problems with any other small 9mm. If .380 is not an option, I think a revolver makes the most sense in your case. Pocket pistols only offer an additional one or two rounds over a small revolver, so you are not gaining much in the way of capacity going with a pocket semi-auto.

 

[S42N8]

Bought a Sig 938 SAS about a month ago. Love everything except the plastic trigger, and am having that upgraded now. Not a big problem overall, but a bit gritty. If you like lasers, the Crimson Trace comes highly recommended by some, but I can do with out it.
Took it to the range today, and ran approx 100 rounds through it. It has fed virtually anything without fail (about 500 rounds so far) and likes the cheap(er) American Gunner 115gr (Hornady XTP) although the Sig 124gr shoots very well.
Easy to cycle, clean and reassemble. You may want a Uplula or other mag loader... Makes stuffing them little 9mm into the mag a lot easier. Speaking of mags, you may want a couple of the 7-round mags; gives the pinky something to hold onto.
Very easy to CC. I didn't find the sights to be an issue, but they can be swapped if not to your liking. Sight radius is small, but easier than a M36 or 2" K frame. It points very well for me. Learning the 1911 has been a easy transition, actually easier to shoot than the P220/P245. Shooting it really makes me appreciate a good 1911. The slight sweep of the 938 trigger is very much like the inline 1911 trigger, but when I go from the 938 to my Officer-sized 1911, the latter shoots much crisper.

 

[Aticus]

Tinman, do you have trouble with the slide on the Glock 43. You mention that in your OP but not in the update yesterday. Does the Glock have that light of a recoil spring to make a difference to your hand?

 

[LenS]

I own the M&P Shield, Ruger SR9c, Kahr PM9 and wear cargo pants all the time (big, deep pockets).

No way could I see my Shield or SR9c as a "pocket gun", too big. They are good hip-holster guns.

I do carry the PM9 as a pocket gun in a Robert Mika pocket holster and it is as big as I could fit and draw without problems due to pocket vs. gun size.

The question that none of us can answer for you is relative to your hand problems. All my M&Ps have had trigger jobs by an excellent gunsmith (not Apex jobs) and are 4.5-6# (Shield is 6).

 

[tinman931]

Tinman, do you have trouble with the slide on the Glock 43. You mention that in your OP but not in the update yesterday. Does the Glock have that light of a recoil spring to make a difference to your hand?

It is definitely easier than my LC9. I look for it to loosen up more as I put more rounds through it.

 

[JFA]

Pistol...S&W Shield .... Revolver.... S&W bodyguard 38

 

[MaxS]

I have some arthritis in my right hand, I carry a j frame 638 with an Apex spring kit installed. Highly recommend it, or the 642 with the spring kit installed. No slide to rack, less pain to the hand than the lc9s or the bg380.

I was GIVEN a bg380 no-laser. I shot one mag through it and it was so painful I'll never shoot it again. I'll carry it occasionally.

I enjoy shooting my 638, twice a month, 100 rounds at a time. Doesn't bother my hand at all.

 

[tinman931]

Put 125 rounds thru the G43 on my first outing. Sore when I was done, but manageable.

 

[PeeShooter]

I'm not a big fan of pocket pistols and neither was an article I read somewhere reliable (too long ago to remember) that pocket pistols aren't known for being a reliable protection weapon; way too much happening in a very short distance so jams are expected.

I'd stick with your LCR (I have one), they're reliable, decent trigger pull, and very light weight for in the pocket. Heck when you load one, it just about doubles the weight.