Pocket 9mms — Just Right Or Too Much Of A Good Thing?

A new generation of .380s got people thinking about pocket pistols, and it didn't take long for makers to offer micro autoloaders in 9mm. Should you run right out and buy one? Tarr says it's wise to study and try before you buy. He'll be telling all about it in the September 20 issue of SGN.

With so many states on the CCW bandwagon, micro 9mms like this Ruger

LC9 are all the rage. Is the additional power compared to a .380 ACP worth

the added recoil?

The Kahr CM9 is a less expensive version of the PM9. It is supplied with one

six-round magazine and the front sight is plastic, but it functions just as well.

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Tarr started out skeptical of the Kahr CM9, but found himself converted

after shooting sessions. It was very controllable, and had very user-friendly

sights.

While Kimber is best known for 1911s, the Solo Carry is a compact DAO

pistol with good sights and an ambidextrous safety that works like the one

on a 1911.

The Solo is a great-looking little pistol, but Tarr argues that Kimber may

have inadvertently overachieved in the goal of making it smooth and snag-free.

If, like Tarr, you find it hard to get a handle on the Solo, Kimber recently

announced the CDP with ample checkering on the front and back of the frame.

With the extended baseplate installed on the magazine, it is possible to get

all three fingers on the LC9, something not possible with any of the other pistols.

Being able to get all your fingers on the LC9 helps control recoil,.But Tarr

thinks the excessively long trigger pull makes extended shooting a chore.