Getting Started with CCW: Looking for a RELIABLE pocket-sized 9mm

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

I’m just now getting my CCW license, and I was thinking of getting a new pistol to actually carry, since up until now all my pistols have been full-sized autos.

I figured I would start by narrowing it down to how I’d actually be comfortable carrying. IWB is nice, but isn’t always an option since there’s many times I’d have to wear a tucked shirt and no cover garment. (We can’t all wear photographer’s vests 24/7 :D) So I figured it would be best to look at pocket carry. Admittedly I didn’t research every option here, so if anyone has solutions to that, I’m open to them. I decided on pocket carry because I like the fact that I don’t have a gun on my hip, and I’m used to carrying my wallet in the front of my pants, so there’d be no real change there either.

The major downside to this is the limited size of the pistol I’d be able to conceal in a pocket holster. I’ve looked over different brands, such as Kahr, KelTec, Ruger, that make assorted 9mm pocket auto’s, but I keep finding reliability issues with each one. I can’t really accept having an unreliable CCW piece, especially when it’s a primary pistol, not just a BUG for me.

So I guess what I’m looking for is (in this order)

1.Pocket Holster compatable
2.Reliable
3.9mm or larger

It seems simple enough, but I can’t really find a straight answer between everyone’s claims of unreliable guns, and others saying theirs (of whatever brand) runs great. I only feel comfortable with a 9mm, but if only .380’s meet my criteria, I’d tolerate that and start researching whatever loads I’d need to make it work.

If I must, I’d be open to a revolver, but seeing as I never shoot wheelguns, and I’ve never owned one before, I feel much more comfortable with auto pistols. It’s an option; just not what I’d go to first.

2

Have you thought about the Glock 26? It is probably one of the only weapons that meets all your criteria, the most restrictive being #1 (pocket Holster carry).
Beyond that, Kahr.
I don’t think the new Ruger pocket 9 has really been tested/vetted enough to be ticketed as “reliable” yet.

3

I vote glock 26 with a IWB holster and tuckable clips. If I can’t do that I go with the S&W 642 (I know not 9mm). But I’ve never found a 9mm auto that I can slip in/out easily of a pocket in the pants I wear. Well unless I put it in a cargo pocket but that draw is really awkward to me. I practiced between: cargo pocket 9mm auto, front pocket 9mm auto, front pocket S&W 642 and tucked IWB glock 26. The tucked glock and 642 ended up being the easiest for me to work with.

4

You honestly cannot wear an untucked shirt?

Fuck photographer’s vests. Stupid shit.

5

Good advice thus far, except that pocket carry is not the best way to start carrying concealed.

If you’re new to carrying concealed (and thus new to drawing from concealment) then get a holster and belt that conceal one of your big autos, carry it for a while, maybe take a class with it, and THEN go to pocket carry. This time of year, it’s easy to conceal a fairly large pistol under a coat with the right rig.

Okie John

6

Glock 26 or a Walther PPS.

7

BMFB, you need to rethink your whole thought process here. Pocket carry for starting out with CCW is bad. Pocket carry has many drawbacks and really is only for when you can’t carry any other way. I don’t think you seem to actually have that restricted of a manner of appearance requirements so you really, really should get an IWB and untuck that shirt.

Oh, and have you taken a good pistol training class yet? Another reason not to have a “pocket” pistol.

8

I agree on the pocket aspect but check out a Walther PPS.

Many threads here on that one.

9

Quick question do you have any pistols currently?

I second that a pocket gun as your only handgun option is not the best idea.

10

Go with a Glock 26, and order a holster from Raven concealment. thank me later…

11

Can I make a suggestion?

Get a kydex IWB holster. Not injection-molded – the real McCoy.

Leather is a dead technology (literally and figuratively) for holsters. It offers no advantages and a host of disadvantages.

I carried with a leather IWB holster for years and now feel like an idiot for having done so.

12

Exactly. Untucked Polo shirts (the non-fitted variety) work well, and more than satifsy the fashion police over the whole tucked/untucked issue.

Also, a Glock 19 in a RCS Phantom conceals pretty well underneath an untucked shirt.

13

Thanks for saying that, John. Pocket carry can work for J-frames and little teeny tiny autos, but it’s not ideal.

If anyone thinks pocket carry is the bee’s knees, try this little experiment:

  1. Put your hand in your pocket.
  2. Make a fist.
  3. Try to pull your fist out of your pocket.
    Be sure to perform this experiment with every kind of pants you intend to “pocket carry” in. Then think about whether or not shoving a gun in there is such a hot idea.

BushmasterFanBoy, I’d recommend a quality kydex holster and carry on your waist. IWB or OWB… either can work depending on your wardrobe and body type. Try both. Many people end up with a whole box of unwanted holsters, but my recommendation is to stick to quality kydex and your box o’ holsters will remain small and useful. As for a reliable small 9mm… An M&P9C, G26, or similar quality shrinky-dink version of a good fullsize pistol will serve you well. Or, if you really want a single stack: Kahr. After screwing around with Kel-Tec and Ruger, I finally dumped both for Kahr and haven’t regretted it.

Also wanted to say: The Dude is right on. Fuck photographer’s vests. More like “shoot me first” vests. Get some polo shirts. Some square-bottomed Cuban or Hawaiian style shirts. Or, step up the class and wear a sportcoat. I find there are pretty much zero social situations where I am required to wear both a tucked dress shirt but yet NOT wear a suit jacket or sportcoat over it.

14

I like Raven’s work. It’s high quality, but that’s a whole lot of shit to have inside your waistband.

I’ve really, really enjoyed Kolbeson Leatherworks’ IWB Minimum.

It’s the best I’ve used. (This is not an endorsement, paid or otherwise, and I don’t have a financial interest in his products)

15

Thanks guys. I guess I was just leaning towards pocket carry being the only type of carry that I could ALWAYS use, regardless of dress. I’ve never drawn from a pocket holster, but the concealability of the small framed pistols I had been checking out really struck a chord. I realize that I’d be giving up a lot if I went that route, but I’d been bombarded by the constant messages of “get a gun you know you will carry” and found myself seriously doubting if a fullsize M&P 9 or HK 45 would be a good carry option

And yes, the tucked-in shirt is a sticking point. :frowning: What are the options for concealing a compact pistol, like a G26, in a holster under a tucked dress shirt?

16

I use a home mode holster by a local guy (http://theisholsters.com/).
And have been very happy with it. They are a lot like crossbreeds etc but a little cheaper and no wait time. The horsehide doesn’t soak up sweat and sticks in place pretty good. The clips go over your pants/belt and have a space between the clip and the holster to tuck a shirt into. That is what my g26, g27 and g23 live in when I’m carrying them.

17

Just a quick background, I carry daily and compete in IDPA with a full size M&P 9mm in a Crossbreed supertuck at 3oclock. Untucked shirts and tucked shirts alike, can never tell a difference. Family knows I carry and the last time I wore a fitted suit I was carrying and even my own mother couldn’t tell I was carrying. During the winter its really easy for me to throw on a tshirt and jacket and go. During the summer is when it gets interesting, especially being in Texas. Then i just throw on a patterned collared shirt and leave it untucked

If thinking that you cannot not tuck a shirt in and carry IWB is making you get a pocket pistol, there are a lot of companies that make holsters where you can tuck shirts in and most have certain clips you can buy for the holster that help with that. Crossbreed is one of them. Now, I use the regular clips that the supertuck comes with and have a black leather belt to wear with it. The clips become invisible against the black leather. But they also have clips that go behind the belt and some with Velcro if you have Velcro backed belt for better concealment…

Just a great variety of what you could do, just have to figure out what you really want to do.

I do also have a small J frame .357 and a pocket holster for it. But I rarely carry it except when I am in a rush to get somewhere, or when I wear my gym shorts. I just find myself going back to the supertuck and my full size.

One thing that really helps when carrying IWB. Patterned collared shirts or shirts that have some sort of design on them. Really helps to break up the print of the gun when you need it to.

18

I find there are pretty much zero social situations where I am required to wear both a tucked dress shirt but yet NOT wear a suit jacket or sportcoat over it.

This is apparently a locational thing. I am always wearing a tucked shirt for daily business wear and wearing a coat is quite often impractical from say May thru September.

19

I was carrying a full sized 9mm for a while. Between limiting clothing during the summer and the discomfort of carrying IWB, I made the shift to a Keltec P-11 with a leather pocket holster. I had the holster made to fit the pockets of the pants I mostly wear to minimize printing. I like the Keltec because it is about the smallest 10+1 9mm out there and it fits my paws well. Find something you are comfortable shooting and shoot the snot out of it and play some games(IDPA, USPSA, etc.) with it to help shake you and your gear out.

Yes I have and still do use many different types of carry but I do drink the auto kool-aid.

20

Like others have said here, with an IWB leather/kydex set up, you’d be VERY surprised what you can conceal! I carry an XD .45 compact daily and it is amazing how well it conceals. I can wear it with a tucked in shirt or just a t-shirt with no printing issues. I carried at my in-laws over Christmas with a tucked in dress shirt and no one was the wiser, not even my wife.

I use a local guy as well. He does great work and priced right;
https://clevelandsholsters.com/IWB_Ugly_Holsters.html