Re: Stuck on what pocket rocket to get
While I don't want to be shot with either, there's a huge difference in ballistics between a .380 and 9mm in most load offerings, most courses I've been to instructors and leo's would rather carry nothing than a .380, reliability is usually hit and miss and the hitting power is just non-existent, especially in these super short barrels. That said none of these pocket guns will be anywhere where near spec due to the short barrels. I've seen some reports comparing both wound depth and channel dia. between the .380 and 9mm (both out of 3.25" barreled Taurus's) and in all loads total wound volume was at least twice as large with the 9mm. Some .380 loads did okay in penetration but made very small channels, other made bigger channels but had horrible penetration. Everyone has to make their own decision but myself I do not consider the .380 acceptable for defense, and I'd find a way to carry a larger gun if needed to get 9mm power.
If you want small my understanding is the Rohrbaugh 9mm (6+1) is still the smallest "common" offering. However, it's expensive, it's picky about the ammo it likes (non +p 115gr rounds seem to run the best in it, though some guys run 124 and 147 without issue) and it's not something to run thousands of rounds through, though there are guys that have. If I remember right the recoil springs are only good for a couple hundred rounds, and proper lubrication with them is important. So there are a lot of trade offs to get into that small of a package. It's essentially the same size as the LCP .380 and it's almost an inch shorter in length and 3/4 inch in height than the LC9. It's also expensive somewhere around $1000.
That said I've had one for awhile, I've ran probably 500 rounds of 115gr gold dots and winchester silver tips through it since new and it's ran fine, no issues. It shows more wear than you'd expect with a full frame gun after 500 rounds, but again it's not a range gun, it's a find ammo it likes, and shoot a couple mags through it here and there to refresh ammo and cycle it a few times. The trigger on them is super smooth, one of the best double actions I've ever had, and they seem to have a good rep with customers who do have issues. It's a pain to take down, and mag changes are painfully slow (mag release is on the bottom of the magwell).
It's a very purpose specific gun and a love/hate gun for most people, you either accept it's trade offs for the fact it's smaller than many pocket .380's and still 9mm, or you get something bigger that you can put a lot of rounds through. It's amazing the carry options it offers compared to even a small J frame or glock 26. It's actually quite comfortable to fire and very accurate for a pocket gun. I was amazed how easy it was to conceal it and I found myself carrying a lot more. Yes with enough effort and planning you can conceal and carry even a full size gun about anywhere but the R9 is just so easy to conceal in about any pocket etc. easily.
The Kahr PM9 is another one where guys either seem to get a really good one or a bad one. The glock 26/27 are not nearly as compact but they are true reliable workhorses.
