I currently have a P3AT as a Pocket gun for when I can not make my M&P 40 work with my wardrobe (ie Preaching on a Sunday morning). My mom has decided that she would like to have my p3at as her ccw, which is fine because I am not a fan of .380. Now I am trying to decide if mom does finalize this Do I want a 642/442 or the PM40?
That are about the same size, both would conceal in my front pocket and they are similar in number of rounds. The price difference is $200 more for the PM40. Any recommendations?
Well, you have to ask yourself some questions. Are you a revo man? Can you shoot one platform better than the other one? Price of ammo? Prefer the ease of reloading with the semi-auto over a revo? Prefer the slightly higher capacity of the semi-auto versus the slightly higher maintenance needs? Higher inherent reliability of revos?
Many issues need to be answered before you can decide.
As a pm9 owner i have to say neither the pm9 nor the pm 40 are for everyone . My pm 9 is dead nuts reliable ( FOR ME ). The pm series has been plagued with complaints , part justified , part due to shooter error . In order to minimize the " thickness footprint " of the Kahr line the owner ( Justin Moon ) chose to relocate the feedramp to the side . Now if all is right this does not hurt anything . However if the pistol is the least bit off , or the shooter does not have a firm grip and wrist , it can lead to frustrating experiences with the " full sized " Kahrs , much less the sub compacts . If your willing to put the effort into learning the quirks of the action IMHO there is no better " pocket rocket " than the Kahr pm series . However most folks want to buy something that does not have a learning curve. So i must advise you not to get a pm kahr unless you are willing to spend some time , ammo , and expense to train yourself into it's needs . If you allready have the skillset you will love the kahr , if you are willing to build the skillset you will love the kahr , if you want a small gun that will go bang when you buy it dont get a PM of any flavor . The PM line are fine guns , and i will stake my life on mine , but just like everyone can buy a dodge viper , but not everyone can " drive one to any part of potential or function " its a buyer beware thing .
However, when I am Off-Duty I carry Revolvers due to simplicity and ease of use, as well as reliability. In a small gun I find the revolver to be a "hair" more reliable than an autoloader.
If you are going to carry in your pocket I would favor the 642/442 option over the PM9. I find the revolver to draw from the pocket easier. Yes, it has a bit of a bulge, but a good pocket holster will conceal it.
My 442 goes in my weak side pocket, I'm dating myself with that terminology, as a BUG to my N-Frame when I am Off-Duty.
Both of the guns you mentioned are in the same size and weight category, and either will conceal equally well in a pocket. But there are some significant differences between them. I would say the 642 revolver has the advantages of:
1. Better reliability
2. Lower cost
And the Kahr MP40 has the advantages of:
1. Greater energy per shot (about twice as great)
2. Quicker reload
3. More capacity (5+1 vs. 5)
I personally own a 642 and a Kahr MK9 (small but all steel and heavy). I like reliability, and would favor the 642 over a polymer Kahr for that reason. I do trust my steel Kahr, but carry it on the belt rather than in a pocket.
I'm all for the 642 recommendation--at 15 ounces it's a great little pocket carry.
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