A while back I saw one of these that a friend had gotten as a gift for his 21st birthday, and I think they're pretty sweet. I'd like to obtain one myself when I turn 21 (couple months away) but I don't really know much about them. I've read a bit about some different ones, and it sounds like I'd want one rated to atleast 300-350 ft-lbs muzzle energy, preferably under an inch thick, but most importantly one that is very reliable. Do they make any that are under an inch thick and still this potent, or will i have to sacrifice somewhere?

How much should I plan to spend for one that I could keep loaded in a dresser drawer for 6 months and know that the day I pull it out, it's going to fire without a doubt? The ones I looked at briefly online were between 250 and 350, but I felt like my friend told me he paid $500 for his. Did he overpay or just get a hell of a gun?

Any other info or comments are appreciated. And yes I am interested in this mostly for self defense, as a precaution to bring along when something/somewhere/someone may turn out sketchy.

thanks
-Jon

I think the Kahr PM9 might fit your bill except for the fact that the one I saw/shot was not reliable at all. With Kahr polymers, they're supposed to be hit or miss. Could it be more like 1.2'' thick?

Walther PPK in .380 or Makarov?
Because idk if they really make a comfy, reliable pocket 9mmParabellum.

Buddy of mine has a Kel-Tech. It worked so well for him, he bought his son, daughter and wife the same model for X-mas. I shot it once, but I cannot remember the model for the life of me.

Maybe you could comprimise and go for Ruger's new .380 or something.

I still stand by my NAA .32

I consider my S&W Detective Special .38spl to be a respectable pocket gun.
IMHO, .38spl is still the premium man hunting caliber, if your target is unarmored.

I've got a Kel-Tec PF-9. Dead reliable. Not terribly comfortable, but nothing that thin and light firing 9mm rounds will be. The Walther PPS had some issues when it first came out, but they seem to have addressed them since then. The Kahr PM9/MK9 is built well and trusted by several people I know.

A friend of mine owns a Walther PPS in .40 cal, and it's a great gun to shoot and I'll probably purchase one at the end of January when I turn 21 for concealed carry.

And, for your benefit, it also comes in 9mm. Like I said, I'm set on the .40 myself. If Ohio becomes more accepting of open carry I'll probably purchase an M1911 .45, though.

Yeah all Kellgreen's weapons make fine ccw pieces. KAHR has a horrible trigger but dead on accuracy.

What makes you set on 9mm?

Bckpckr, did you know in Ohio you can open carry a firearm (no specification) without a permit before 21? You just can't carry it loaded or inside the cabin of a vehicle, or any other place you can't carry concealed.

http://www.costumesandprops.com/graphics/NoisyCricket254x173.jpg

You just can't carry it loaded or inside the cabin of a vehicle, or any other place you can't carry concealed.

Odd, since a vehicle is considered an extension of the home.

What makes you set on 9mm?

Bckpckr, did you know in Ohio you can open carry a firearm (no specification) without a permit before 21? You just can't carry it loaded or inside the cabin of a vehicle, or any other place you can't carry concealed.
Yes, but Ohio LEOs tend to be especially ignorant of the law of this particular state. Google "Ohio open carry" and you'll find many stories of open-carrying folks, though supposedly legal, still being detained and harassed. Not worth it.

Yes, but Ohio LEOs tend to be especially ignorant of the law of this particular state. Google "Ohio open carry" and you'll find many stories of open-carrying folks, though supposedly legal, still being detained and harassed. Not worth it.

I personally have no choice in this state seeing as I have a marijuana charge on my record. Even though it's only a misdemeanor, it still exempts me from a CCW. Luckily I'm eligible for a concealed carry liscense in Kentucky since it's been three years since the charge, not to mention Ky. is open carry friendly.

Kentucky rules.

Odd, since a vehicle is considered an extension of the home.

You can still carry it in your vehicle, it just has to be unloaded and in a space where you have to leave the vehicle to have access to it. If you have a CCW you can carry it loaded and on your person inside your car, but it has to be holstered in plain view.

Kentucky rules.
Indeed. I spent about six months living in Breckinridge Cty., about an hour west of Louisville, some years back, and it was great -- awesome hunting opportunities and great catfish 'n crappie fishing opportunities on Rough River Lake. I'm looking to move back at some point.

And of course, open carry.

Where do you live? I'm six or seven miles northeast of the center of Cincinnati.

http://www.costumesandprops.com/graphics/NoisyCricket254x173.jpg

*Facepalm

I personally have no choice in this state seeing as I have a marijuana charge on my record. Even though it's only a misdemeanor, it still exempts me from a CCW.

Charge or conviction? While a simple charge very well may exempt you, I don't think it should as you weren't found guilty of anything. It's possibly to be arrested for absolutely anything without any real cause just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time if the cop is a dick(which most of them are).

I have a couple drug arrests myself though no convictions.

Reguardless concealed means concealed and I'd rather be tried by twelve(or forced to go on the lamb) than carried by six.

Charge or conviction? While a simple charge very well may exempt you, I don't think it should as you weren't found guilty of anything. It's possibly to be arrested for absolutely anything without any real cause just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time if the cop is a dick(which most of them are).

I have a couple drug arrests myself though no convictions.

Reguardless concealed means concealed and I'd rather be tried by twelve(or forced to go on the lamb) than carried by six.

It was a conviction.

hey thanks for the replies guys. Now that I think about it a little more, I'm not really that set on a 9mm. I guess I just put that in the title without much consideration because it's what my friend had that I liked and it's what I was browsing before making this thread. I'll take a look at some of the guns you guys mentioned.

thanks again,
-Jon

Smallest nine I have carried was a PM9.

Not entirely reliable with hollow points. =/

Smallest I will carry now is a G26 -- has proven to be 100% reliable after approx 2K rounds fired.

Odd, since a vehicle is considered an extension of the home.

A lot of rights turn to privileges in motor vehicles. Look at how the definition of "probable cause" changes when police want to search your car.

My vote goes for the G26 also.

Really, not buying any handguns but Glocks anymore.

Although I only own two guns now :(

A lot of rights turn to privileges in motor vehicles. Look at how the definition of "probable cause" changes when police want to search your car.

Generally, in the states, freedom is a privilege, not a right.

Keep that in mind at all times.

I personally have no choice in this state seeing as I have a marijuana charge on my record. Even though it's only a misdemeanor, it still exempts me from a CCW. Luckily I'm eligible for a concealed carry liscense in Kentucky since it's been three years since the charge, not to mention Ky. is open carry friendly.

Kentucky rules.



You can still carry it in your vehicle, it just has to be unloaded and in a space where you have to leave the vehicle to have access to it. If you have a CCW you can carry it loaded and on your person inside your car, but it has to be holstered in plain view.


Nope, and nope. For Ohio at least, (1)If you don't have a CCW you can leave it laying on the front seat with the slide open and be legal.
(2)If you have a CCW you can carry it on your person concealed and loaded, in an unlocked glove box or console loaded, or in a small lock box loaded. Otherwise refer to (1).

My BIL just got one oe the new Ruger LCP's in 380. I haven't got the chance to shoot it yet but he was very impressed with accuracy and said it was a dream to carry. I wouldn't limit myself to 9mm. A lot of people say .380 is not enough cartridge but it beats a pointy stick, and most of the naysayers are the ones who swear that anything under 45 won't get the job done.

Off Topic: hey bckpackr, any good bowhunting down your way? We are taking off tomorrow at 1:00 for New Albany ( its just NE of Columbus) for the weekend. We got in on the urban hunt. Going to hunt the country club about all weekend and hopefully put some deer in the dirt. It doesn't take a whole lot longer to get to Cinnci than it does Columbus for me.

My vote goes for the G26 also.

Really, not buying any handguns but Glocks anymore.

Although I only own two guns now :(

What is your collection down to now?


Still have the AR right?

Nope, and nope. For Ohio at least, (1)If you don't have a CCW you can leave it laying on the front seat with the slide open and be legal.
(2)If you have a CCW you can carry it on your person concealed and loaded, in an unlocked glove box or console loaded, or in a small lock box loaded. Otherwise refer to (1).

Okay, I see. I've seen that the laws for vehicle carry have been changed.

I haven't checked prices lately, so I'm not sure if you could find a new one for under $500, but if you get a chance to buy an H&K USP, do so. A very nice gun ranging from full size to compact. Also, there's always the glock, very reliable, (relatively) cheap, and popular.

M9 is also viable but I'm not a big fan.

I haven't checked prices lately, so I'm not sure if you could find a new one for under $500, but if you get a chance to buy an H&K USP, do so. A very nice gun ranging from full size to compact. Also, there's always the glock, very reliable, (relatively) cheap, and popular.

M9 is also viable but I'm not a big fan.

I was really unimpressed by the M9. The ergonomics were...goofy, and everything else about it is so-so. Really the only unique feature was how easy it was to field strip. I don't think it justified its own price-tag.

I was really unimpressed by the M9. The ergonomics were...goofy, and everything else about it is so-so. Really the only unique feature was how easy it was to field strip. I don't think it justified its own price-tag.

While it has an even heftier price tag, it fixes most of the ergonomic problems of the original, as well as a few other gripes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beretta_90two

I would love to get my hands on one of those. 12 round mags in .40. You can't beat that short of glock 22.

Actually, fuck me, I'd buy it for $600...

http://www.impactguns.com/store/082442816760.html

Might wanna check out STI's LS9 and LS40 (http://www.stiguns.com/guns/ls/ls.html): slimmed-down 1911s with a couple tweaks.

Heres one made by para. It is the worlds smallest 1911 chambered in 9mm, holds 9 rounds PXT extractor.
www.para-usa.com/new/product_pistol.php?id=58
Thing is really cool.

My vote goes for the G26 also.

Indeed.

That is my primary carry gun.

10+1

With a seventeen round G17 magazine as backup.



It's not the smallest nine.

However it can easily be concealed wearing only a tee shirt and shorts (my usual casual attire).



Some people add the pinky extensions on the magazines -- adds some overall length to the base of the magazine.

I just got used to shooting it without the extensions.



Edited to add:

That is of course...

Until the tragic boating accident.

Now my G26 is somewhere at the bottom of the gulf of mexico.

People who lose their guns should really consider spreading the word about selling them private party. Just think- instead of being lost forever, you could always buy guns back from individuals you met randomly at the shooting range, if you two ever met again in the future and the law allowed it. Also, you could sell at low prices and donate the money garnered to nonprofit groups as both actions would be a form of charity that has become so fashionable to the current administration.
Besides, in this recent economic crisis, I'm sure we could all use some of the money on the side. It's not like we could have afforded to shoot much personal ammo, right? Why waste an investment like an EBR?