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Yeah the CW9 is basically a less-fancified P9. Same dims as a P9.

They had a P9 "Covert" that was a P9 with the grip chopped to PM9 length.

Once they came out with the PM9, they quit making the P9 Covert. The PM9 has the shorter grip and a shorter barrel & slide assy as well.

PM9 is just about as big as you can get and still be pocketable IMHO. CW9/P9 are just too big for a pocket and would be much better suited to IWB IMHO. I think your typical double-stack 9mm are too fat for IWB and would be better for OWB.

IMHO!!!

Flint, PM9 is substantially smaller than a CW9. The CW9 in your pic (or is that a P9?) is indeed not much smaller than some other compact pistols except that it is notably thinner than most.

This is not a "pocket pistols vs. full size guns" debate somehow crossed with a "revolver vs. auto" debate is it? Maybe we can also somehow sneak in a comparison between 9mm and .45ACP to get the gun board trifecta.

Taurus PT111 and Glock 26 are not exactly pocket pistols. If you are interested in something that big (double stack), then look into a Kel-Tec P11, S&W M&P9c, and probably whatever that subcompact Springfield XD is called and maybe even a Walther P99/SW99. There are a ton of guns in that 10-12 round double-stack 9mm 3" barrel category.

The Ruger LCP, at least around here, is not much more if any more expensive than a new P3AT. The Kahr .380 is going to be about the only other reasonable choice in that size category. I hated shooting the Ruger LCP. If you are in this size class, then maybe check out a P32 just because it is much easier to handle than an LCP or P3AT depending on your hand size etc.

In between the G26/PT111/P11 size guns and the LCP/P3AT size guns you will find things like the Kel-Tec PF9, Walther PPS and Kahr PM9. Single-stack, narrow compact pistols. The PF9 is the thinner. A Kahr CW9/P9 is just a little longer than the Kel-Tec PF9 and with about 3/8" longer grip than the PM9, but like $200 less expensive. I haven't shot a PPS but they are kinda spendy.

I guess it all depends on what the issue is with concealment and your mode of carry. I have shot most of these guns and to me, the best balance of firepower, concealment, price and ergos/handling is the Kahr CW9. The PM9 is a surprisingly easy to handle pistol for the small size and packs a wallop, so if you can't find a way to conceal the slightly larger CW9 then you may be better off with the more expensive PM9. IMHO if you are going to pocket carry, the PM9 is the class of the bunch.

Among this whole range of guns I think just about the only ones that can really be pocket carried easily will be the P3AT/LCP/P32 and the PM9. PF9 and PPS are probably just on the edge of being really pocketable and then only if you are wearing baggier pants and don't mind a fat-looking thing printing kind of like carrying a paperback book in your pocket. I think the CW9/P9 and of course G26/P111/P11 are just too big to pocket carry for most people.

Just MHO ...

BTW my next gun purchase is probably a CW9. I'm on the hunt for the right deal right now.