Getting a new gun for CC, need advice.

[mr.72]

the common poly Kahr with a 3" barrel is a PM9. You have the PM9, then the PM9 frame with the P9 slide and barrel (3.6") makes the P9 Covert. The P9 has about 1/2" longer grip and holds another round of ammo vs. the PM9/P9-Covert. Then you have the CW9 which is the cost-reduced version of the P9.

Most of the Kahrs I have seen at local gun dealers were P9s and CW9s. They feel pretty much identical in the hand. They have a 3.6" barrel. I have shot 50+ rounds through both a PM9 and a CW9 and they are great little guns. I have pretty big (altho not "chubby") hands, and the PM9 is just small enough that it feels small. The CW9 fits pretty well. They are both more accurate in my hands than my medium-frame 9mm although if I have to shoot 200 rounds or more I'll take the soft recoil of my Sigma any day over the snappy little Kahrs.

IMHO the only drawback to the CW9 is the capacity. If they could diagonally-stack that mag and squeeze in 11 or 12 rounds a la Kel-Tec P11 then it'd be pretty much perfecto for me.

Still a CW9 is on my "must get" list. But first I "must get" some $$$...

BTW it's not the barrel length that's hard to conceal for me... or even really the width of the slide. It's the width of the grip and of course the length. These "flat" Kahrs are just much easier for me to conceal.

[paadams]

My vote is for the G27, but thats my carry gun so I'm biased. A G23 would probably work for you as would the G19 or G26. My cousin love's his XD40, I'm not too fond of them myself but alot of people like them so they couldn't be that bad.

[mr.72]

all those Glocks are pretty big.

[RiverRat]

Let me throw XD45C and XD40C into the ring, depending on how big your hand is. Both carry (tuck) as easily as a .40 XDSC in an IWB......shorter grip = easier concealment with the advantage of a full 4" barrel..AND you have the choice of the full size mag (and grip)if you prefer, also. The best of both worlds.

I have one each and carry the .45 compact most of the time. The .40 compact and .40sc actually fit my hand better... more naturally aimming, but feel more secure wih the .45......seem to be able to shoot out to 50 yds staying in a 2' circle even with my old eyes....25, 15, 7, can keep in the black, within an honest 6" pulling off as fast as the site settles. Reliability is superior on all of my XD's.

Took the .40xdsc to the ranch last month and had no trouble hitting a stump at 70 yds every shot. Didn't dot any "i"'s at that distance. It was enough to hit center mass (stump) every time. Gave me a lot more confidence and respect for the 3" barrel. I have been reading too much and not shooting enough.

I have never owned a Glock so can't compare. Whatever feels right and is reliable above all else. Good luck!

[CC Italian]

Ok, I went to another gun shop and checked out more guns. The one I liked the most was a Para Ordnance .45 but it was to expensive, $810 before tax. I really liked the price of the Glock so I took another look at it. It just wouldn't fit right in my hand towards the bottom. A dealer came up and said that they have an extension grip for your pinky. Little did I know he carries a Glock 27 with an extension. He let me shoot his gun at the range and I loved it. The extension made all the difference in the feel and the Glock is still smaller then the XD, the XDs were nice but just to bulky and the Kahr were to expensive. They were $640-670. So I am now the proud owner of a Glock 27. I was so surprised how easy it was to control. It is easier to control then my .380cc Bersa. I know it’s not a .45 but I feel confident with the gun in my hand and after putting my .380 round next to my .40 I felt that the .40 would provide the protection I was looking for. Yes its ugly but it met all the standards I was looking for and it is very concealable.

[mr.72]

BTW, a Kahr CW9 is usually about $400. I wonder what Kahr you were looking at? Glad you found something that works for you.

[chewy555]

Glad to hear that you picked one out.

That is one of the ones on my list for my next handgun.

[paadams]

Congratulations on your purchase. I love my 27. Have it on as I'm typing this.

I should have mentioned in my previous post I have extensions on both my mags. Without them it just doesn't feel right, grip is way to short.

Oh, and Glocks are beautiful guns, I don't understand why everyone calls the ugly.

[BigDan]

Congrats on your purchase!! =-D

[solaritx]

you picked a fine weapon. If you feel that the grip is still a little big for your hand, you might want to consider a "Dale Hunnicutt grip reduction". Dale is a long time shooter that is well known around the IDPA group. Master class shooter that is doing grip reductions and mag wells for those "plastic" guns. He is doing them on XD's, M&P's and of course Glocks. I personally have had experience with his work and could not praise it higher. He is now at most of the gun shows as well.

Dale is just north of Houston, does the work at a reasonable rate, and his turn around is excellent, and he can either do a general reduction or "make it fit your hand"

Garry N