Uncle posted recently about Walther’s new 9mm PPS, a pocket pistol at 6.3″ L x 4.4″ H x 1.04″ W. Here’s the review, and here it is with a .380 PPK (6.1″ L x 3.8″ H x .98″ W) for comparison:
There’s also an ad on page 50 of this month’s American Rifleman with an actual-size overhead image, so you can see how thin 1.04 inch really is.
I dunno…. Much more below the fold.
Seems to me, if you’re looking for a pocket 9, why wouldn’t you go instead with the Kel-Tec PF-9 (right), which at 5.85″ L x 4.3″ H x .88″ W is a lot shorter and thinner than even the PPK, and a LOT cheaper to boot? Unless, of course, you live in Kalifornia, where no Kel-Tec pistols will ever be on the DOJ’s approved handgun list.
Well, in Kali you could choose the Kahr PM9 (below), which is a lot smaller than the PPS, smaller than the Kel-Tec in most respects, and at 5.3″ L x 4.0″ H x 0.9″ W is even shorter, thinner, and barely taller than the PPK. But like the Walther, it costs a lot of money.
Or you could go with the Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra Compact (at right), which at 6.5″ L x 4.5″ H x 1.5″ W is the biggest of all these guns, but costs a lot less than either the Walther or the Kahr. I suppose the Walther and Kahr would be expected to have a better trigger, but again, I dunno — my Bersa Thunder 380’s trigger is pretty damn good.
Opinions, anyone?
Pingback: SayUncle » Carry Stuff
The PPK has the sleekest, smoothest and most rounded lines of the lot of ’em. Granted, the Kahr runs a close 2nd in the race, but it still is a blockier gun that the classic Walther.
My choice though would likely be the Kel-Tec. Not ’cause it’s the best gun of those listed, but because it’s the most carryable of ’em all, and especially in hot weather.
The gun you carry, vs. the one you leave at home, etc.
But that stainless PPK beckons. *sigh*
Jim
Sloop New Dawn
Galveston, TX
I’m kinda stuck on the Bersa .380, it’s been pretty good to me. I picked up a Taurus millenium pro in 9-mil a while back. Its great for hot days and looks alot like th Kahr PM9. Cheap too. Its down side is the sights seem to be off, way off, on a bech rest it shoots several inches low at 15ft. Maybe this is just my handling or I expect too much from the short barrel. I’m going to get rid of it. The mag release is in a bad spot as well and prone to being released by gloves or large hands. Maybe I’ll try out a Kel-tec.
Well, I have a Kel-Tec P3AT, a Kel-TEc PF9, and a Kahr K9.
The P3AT is ALWAYS with me, right in my pants pocket (it looks just like a pocket knife clipped in there).
I used to carry the K9 when I couldn’t conceal one of my 1911s (I have all three sizes); but since I bought the PF9, I haven’t even fired my Kahr.
Ever try a “Polish Pounder”? Radom p-64 in 9×18 Makarov. Small, reliable, accurate, more power than a .380, costs less than a Bursa.
This gun looks like and reminds me of the S&W .380 made of pot metal a few years ago that S&W forgot to tell us was only good for a 1000 rounds or so before it self destructed. Have never trusted S&W since they got in bed with Clintoons and sold American Shooters out. Holding a grudge? You bet!
Jim, I agree with Petey, I love the Bersa .380, which is pretty much a PPK but with a (cough) painted finish (cough). But it’s not a pocket 9!
Vinnie, thanks! I hadn’t heard of the Radom before! According to wiki it’s only slightly larger than the PPK at “160 mm long and 117 mm high,” which in my handy calculator comes out to 6.299″ L x 4.60″ H — right in between the PPS and the Bersa. Verry interesting.
Craig, we’re gonna have to agree to disagree on S&W. I really like S&W revolvers (and I think they’d make a killing in the pocket pistol market if they revived the teeny I-frame) but I have to admit I’ve never owned an S&W semi-auto, and really have never felt the desire either.
Chris, thanks for stopping by! Most California gun owners seem to yearn for all the AR goodies we can’t have here; I yearn for Kel-Tec pistols, and the PF-9 in particular, especially since your review of it a while back.
Craig S. I understand your feelings on that, but that was when S&W was owned by a British firm. Now S&W is 100% American now, so I think it is about time we forgive S&W with the understanding that the management team there today wouldn’t have done it.
I have a p32 and a pf9. I love them both and carry one or the other all the time. I have to admit the pf9 kicks a bit harder than I like to shoot for fun, but it carrys very well. I hope they come out with a clipdraw type system for the pf9. I love it for the p32.
everyone I have known who has owned a PPK has got rid of it, b/c it was a jammamatic. Of course, this is a small sample size, but that’s the closest thing I have to direct experience. Of course, you will never hear anything negative in the gun press…
My Dad has a Kel Tech .32, and a couple other folks I know have the P3AT, which I have considered getting – I carry a Glock 30 pretty much everywhere, but it never hurts to have a backup, and something smaller might come in handy in some occassional circumstances. If open carry wasnt illegal around here, I would prolly carry my Para P-14 most everywhere in a belt slide security holster – not totally in your face open, but it would be nice not to have to worry about printing, or the muzzle sticking out below the cover garment when you lean the wrong way. But I cant do that in Tx, so I stick with the Glock 30, in a IWB holster, and it is fairly discreet – of course, I am a fairly large individual 😉 YMMV.