CCW- nano, Shield, Kahr, LC9

Within those options they're all pretty similar in function except that the Nano and the Kahr CM9 are going to fit in an average pocket much easier than the Shield, LC9 or Kahr CW9. There's also the Springfield XDS 9 and Kimber Solo that is closer to the pocket category and several other slightly larger pistols like the Walther PPS, Sig P290, Sig 938, Kel-Tec PF9, Taurus 709 Slim. You also have the Remington R51 coming out this year but opinions are mixed on it's viability.

These all range in price and general quality but serve virtually the same roles. If you want to primarily pocket carry, look at those smallest offerings and decide which one fits your bill. If you have big pockets or don't mind IWB (which is a better carry method, anyway) they're all viable options and you'll receive a thousand different opinions on which is 'best'.

My opinion is the Kahr CW9 and CM9 cannot be beat for the feel and the price and are my top suggestions to almost anyone. The Kimber Solo, Kel-Tec PF9 and Taurus 709 seem to report more reliability issues than the others, so I would recommend against those unless you're comfortable with the possibility of needing to send in the pistol under warranty to have it fixed.

I'm sure I'll be corrected in a number of ways, but that's my take on the 'pocket nine' situation.

When and how do you plan to carry the gun? At work or when you are not working or both? Do you work in a gun friendly environment, or with a bunch of antis. How deeply you need to conceal may dictate what you can carry and the best choice for CCW.

Which one of these would you choose for CCW, and if something not listed what other options would you recommend? In 9 mm, CCW- similar in size, function, capacity, tec. Thank You

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It depends in part on how you intend to carry the gun. Some of the guns you listed like the Nano and LC9 are considered "pocket pistols". The Kahr PM9 and CM9 fall in the same catagory. I like the CM9 in this catagory, or the PM9 if your budget streatches that far.

If you are not planning to pocket carry, a somewhat larger pistol might be a better choice. The true pocket pistols are often harder to fire quickly and accuratly due to their small (often 2-finger) grips and light weight, which exacerbate recoil. The mid-size Glock 19 and smaller Glock 26 are each great choices for CCW, if they fit your hand well. The Kahr P9 and Ruger SR9c are both worth a look, too. The Glocks and Ruger are all double stack magazines, which result in a somewhat larger grip, while the Kahr is a slimer single stack.

Personally, I'd go with the shield first, nano second. For shootability/reliability these two are much better options. I'm not keen on kahr or ruger.

I used to be keen on Kahr, but since my CW9 front frame rail broke, I don't recommend them because of their poor customer support.

I carried my Nano today iwb holster. It was comfortable. It does have a long trigger pull.

Kahr - Striker fired but requires a longer trigger pull than most Striker fired pistols. Trigger pull closely resembles Double Action Only (DAO) hammer fired pistols but with a lighter, smoother trigger pull. No standard manual safety.

LC9 - DAO hammer fired. Long, stiff trigger pull. Manual safety.

Nano - Striker fired, somewhat heavy trigger pull, no manual safety.

Shield - Striker fired, lighter, shorter trigger pull. Manual safety similar to LC9.

Which trigger action do you prefer? Do you fully understand the differences in the action types? Do you prefer a manual safety? Which one have you fired? Which one seems to fit your hand the best? What is your skill level? Have you taken a Basic Pistol Class so you can learn more about shooting fundamentals?

Kahr PM9/CM9.

Another vote for Kahr. I have a CW9 and a CW380 that are very reliable. I have had the CW9 for about 4 years with no malfunctions at all.

For me from those choices it would be/is a Kahr PM9.

I have the Nano, Shield, and LC9.

Pocket carry the Nano and LC9.
In a holster I'd carry the Shield 40 S&W.

I would personally be most interested in the nano, then the shield. My experiences with my PM9 have been dissapointing, and reports of reliability of the oyhers mentioned have been underwhelming from what I've found.

I really like my XDs

I recently picked up a Shield and like it more every time I shoot it. It is not a pocket carry pistol, at least not in my pockets.....

OD the ones on our list, I like the Shield better than he Kahr. It handles better for me. Your other choices I have never handled.

I carry a CM9 and love it. It carries really well and doesn't feel like a compact gun when being pointed.

Buy what You like the feel of as they all work well for some and not for others. But since you asked I carry kahrs. Depending on needs and conditions its a cm9 or cw9 or tp40. All have the same trigger pull grip angle and feel . That means a lot to me as nothing new to learn

I have a P938, but am impressed with my Sister In Laws Shield. She wants a 938 because she likes her husbands due to it being more compact than the Shield. She also prefers the metal frame. My brother has a Kahr PM9 and Walther PPS, but carries his 938 because it is thinner and sleeker. All of the above mentioned are good firearms with no inherent faults. So many good options out there.

Tried all four of them and went with the Kahr PM9. Had the best feel to it and was the most comfortable and ergonomic design for me in a subcompact 9mm.

As one who owns both, it's worth noting that the Shield is much softer shooting than the LC9.

Iff'n that matters to ya...

Of the one you listed - Nano, Shield, Kahr, LC9 - it would be a Shield or PM/CM from Kahr.

The LC9 is the worst firearm in the group, and it's not even close. The Nano is a nice firearm, but I felt it to be very top-heavy.

The Shield is very nice, but a little bigger than say a PM9. I have trusted my life to a PM9 for years now. I am looking at picking up a Shield at some point, but for how small and accurate the PM9 is, it's very hard to beat.

Shield here.

For you? I have no opinion as there are so many fine choices depending on your skill level, mindset, training or lack thereof, recoil tolerance, body shape, carry style, etc - too many variables. You list some very fine choices and any you choose would be excellent.

My main carries are a Beretta Px4 Storm subcompact and a Glock 26. BUG (back up gun- secondary choices) would be a Ruger LCR .38 Special, Colt 1903 Model M, Glock 42, or a Beretta Pico if they ever release them.

Good Luck!

VooDoo

Risky said:

You also have the Remington R51 coming out this year but opinions are mixed on it's viability.

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Are you referring to the opinions of people that haven't even held one yet? They haven't been released yet. What I've seen from the media events was very positive.