I'm trying to figure out what I'm going to get next. I've always used larger handguns and never paid much attention to the small stuff out there. I've recently picked up a XD40 Subcompact and I'm very happy with it but I'd like something a bit smaller (primarily thinner) for summer ccw. I've been looking primarily at Kahr and Bersa. I like the size and feel of the Bersa but I'd prefer something larger than .380 and I can't find any of the Thunder 9s around here. Is there anything that you have experience with that you recommend I check out? I want 9 at the smallest, semiauto (don't care for wheelguns), and smaller than my XD (without going to a Kel-tec). Any advice?
summer ccw.... recommendations?
- Thread starter dave421
- Start date
1911austin
New member
P7M8
Warning: If you buy one, you will buy more.
Warning: If you buy one, you will buy more.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Keltec P 11 or, if you can find one, PF9.
Bill
Bill
ok, I don't want a keltec as they're too small and I don't care for revolvers.
The P7m8 is that grip cocker, right? The one that everyone loves but costs $$? I'm looking more in the $5-650-ish range. Although if I could find a good deal on one, I'd definitely consider it since I've seen so many good reviews on them.
The P7m8 is that grip cocker, right? The one that everyone loves but costs $$? I'm looking more in the $5-650-ish range. Although if I could find a good deal on one, I'd definitely consider it since I've seen so many good reviews on them.
EIGHTYDUECE
New member
Your criteria pretty much says Kahr 100%
Go for it and when you get it, post some pics
Go for it and when you get it, post some pics
MASTERSMITH86
New member
I like the Kahr(s). Good well designed firearms. I also like one of my G&#*ks in sub-compact but, I don't want to start another battle royale. I fully intend to purchase a Para-Ordnance Lite Hawg but, that would blow your budget. An XD sub compact would be nice as well. I would think that all those would work.
orionengnr
New member
HK P7 (PSP/M8/M13) is a great duty weapon.
You can find a P7 PSP (earlier model, biggest change is the mag release position) for ~ $650, but it is not smaller/lighter than your XD. It is a great pistol but all steel, and (sorry about this, I have owned half a dozen P7s including two M10s) better suited as a range gun, home defense pistol or winter CCW.
They are fairly rare, fairly valuable, and I would/do not carry mine. They are also somewhat ammo-sensitive. Any exposed-lead (at the base of the bullet) will vaporize and foul the gas piston mechanism...yes, I've had it happen enough/too many times. Most factory loads do not have this problem...but don't buy ammo in quantity until you figure out which "does" and which "doesn't"
I have sold all of my P7s in favor of more viable/reliable weaponry (flame suit on).
Now for a summer CCW, my choice is a Kahr PM9. About 14 oz, 9mm 6+1, mine has digested lots of standard pressure plus limited amounts of +p+ flawlessly. And it is a true pocket pistol.
Second choice is an Airweight S&W, perhaps a 642. This one is 15 oz, but 5+0 of .38+p.
You can find a P7 PSP (earlier model, biggest change is the mag release position) for ~ $650, but it is not smaller/lighter than your XD. It is a great pistol but all steel, and (sorry about this, I have owned half a dozen P7s including two M10s) better suited as a range gun, home defense pistol or winter CCW.
They are fairly rare, fairly valuable, and I would/do not carry mine. They are also somewhat ammo-sensitive. Any exposed-lead (at the base of the bullet) will vaporize and foul the gas piston mechanism...yes, I've had it happen enough/too many times. Most factory loads do not have this problem...but don't buy ammo in quantity until you figure out which "does" and which "doesn't"
I have sold all of my P7s
in favor of more viable/reliable weaponry (flame suit on).Now for a summer CCW, my choice is a Kahr PM9. About 14 oz, 9mm 6+1, mine has digested lots of standard pressure plus limited amounts of +p+ flawlessly. And it is a true pocket pistol.
Second choice is an Airweight S&W, perhaps a 642. This one is 15 oz, but 5+0 of .38+p.
ok you people aren't helping any!!! Master, don't worry about a war, I'm not a Glock guy but I don't think they're bad. I just want something smaller than my XD. I guess I need to find somewhere that rents Kahrs out. I've not been able to find anywhere yet. I was hoping for something that I can shoot first but I guess I can always resale it if it ends up being something I can't stand. I guess there's just not much out that's small that people use outside of Kahr, Bersa, & Kel-tec. Oh well. Thanks guys!
1911austin
New member
I find the P7M8 is thinner than the XD and is easier to CCW IWB. It does not make a good pocket gun. I don't doubt that you had experience with yours being ammo-sensitive. Most people, however, report their P7s to be utterly reliable.
DonR101395
New member
The same as my winter CCW, a G19 and a 642 bug.
MASTERSMITH86
New member
I don't think you would be sorry if you got a Kahr. They hide well.
Bill DeShivs
New member
Dave
The P11 & PF9 Keltecs are about the size of the Bersa, but in 9mm.
Bill
The P11 & PF9 Keltecs are about the size of the Bersa, but in 9mm.
Bill
Kahr
I live in East Texas, so our winters are pretty short and our summers are pretty long. So my "summer" gun will probably be a year-round gun! I recently purchased a Kahr MK40 and I love it. It is small and easy to conceal. I wore it most of the day today under a sweatshirt. Last night I wore it to the mall with a flannel shirt tucked in. On Monday night I wore it with a long-sleeve T-shirt untucked. With the extended magazine, it is too tall to carry in my pocket. But with the short magazine, I could carry it in my pocket. But the MK is a little heavy (steel frame). The polymer frame pistols would be light enough to carry in your pocket.
That being said, I sometimes carry a Kel-Tec P-3AT. It has been reliable and it is really easy to carry. I can carry it in the pocket of whatever pants or shorts I wear.
That's just my own personal experience!
Jim
I live in East Texas, so our winters are pretty short and our summers are pretty long. So my "summer" gun will probably be a year-round gun! I recently purchased a Kahr MK40 and I love it. It is small and easy to conceal. I wore it most of the day today under a sweatshirt. Last night I wore it to the mall with a flannel shirt tucked in. On Monday night I wore it with a long-sleeve T-shirt untucked. With the extended magazine, it is too tall to carry in my pocket. But with the short magazine, I could carry it in my pocket. But the MK is a little heavy (steel frame). The polymer frame pistols would be light enough to carry in your pocket.
That being said, I sometimes carry a Kel-Tec P-3AT. It has been reliable and it is really easy to carry. I can carry it in the pocket of whatever pants or shorts I wear.
That's just my own personal experience!
Jim
MASTERSMITH86
New member
When we went to the beach this past summer I took four pistols. My Glock 17 because I wear a lot of t-shirts with open button up shirts over them. My wifes Glock19... stays in her purse and she and her pistol are joined at the hip, and my little P3AT. I kept it in my shorts pocket when wearing a T-Shirt and on the drive over and kept the 17 in the console. I did take my ppk just in case we went somewhere formal but, it never made it out of the lock box. Had I had a Kahr at the time, I wouldn't have taken the ppk at all and probably wouldn't have carried my 17 that much but, i didn't. You can bet I'll have it this summer though.
Ok, I'm definitely planning on trying to find a Kahr to shoot somewhere around here. I've also been looking online for others that seem like they'd work that I'm not familiar with. Anyone know anything about:
Smith and Wesson 3913TSW
EAA Witness-Tangfolio
CZ - isn't there a single stack CZ? Can't find it but could swear I've heard of it.
Figured I'd ask here and see if anyone knows anything about them. I've never liked any S&Ws but who knows and don't have any experience with the others. Thanks again everyone.
Smith and Wesson 3913TSW
EAA Witness-Tangfolio
CZ - isn't there a single stack CZ? Can't find it but could swear I've heard of it.
Figured I'd ask here and see if anyone knows anything about them. I've never liked any S&Ws but who knows and don't have any experience with the others. Thanks again everyone.
Playboypenguin
Moderator
Kahr MK40
MASTERSMITH86
New member
Tangfolio: Lots of chamberings, shot one in .38 super for about 100 rds., wasn't overly impressed but, it seemed servicable
3913 TSW: Haven't actually shot one but, it seems interesting. It has a little rail on it but what you would put on it, I haven't the foggiest. Probably better priced than the Kahr but, out of general experience with S&W semi's they are very good pistols but for CCW I would still pick the Kahr over this S&W. However, I havn't shot this particular model S&W so I could be wrong.
3913 TSW: Haven't actually shot one but, it seems interesting. It has a little rail on it but what you would put on it, I haven't the foggiest. Probably better priced than the Kahr but, out of general experience with S&W semi's they are very good pistols but for CCW I would still pick the Kahr over this S&W. However, I havn't shot this particular model S&W so I could be wrong.