CM9 or P380 for Pocket Carry?

[Tomac]

As much as I would prefer to carry a 9mm (I normally CCW a compact 9), I'm looking for a true pocket pistol for those times when I simply can't carry the compact.
Right now it's down to the Kahr CM9 or P380.
Weight is not an issue, ability to carry in, say, my back pocket in something like a DeSantis Nemisis is.
I love the size/weight of the P380 but the only one I could find locally is $549 (online not much better).
I can get the CM9 for much cheaper online but there aren't any locally for me to compare sizes.
Also, in such a small pistol am I better off w/a more-controllable .380 or more powerful 9mm?

Anyone w/a CM9 or both who can help me resolve this dilemma? TIA!...
Tomac

[RRP]

I'm looking for a true pocket pistol for those times when I simply can't carry the compact.
~

The PM/CM9 will fit in your pocket, but in my opinion, it's not a true pocket pistol. You'd have to be wearing damn baggy pants to keep it from printing.

The P380 can easily be concealed in your pocket.

[bonjorno2]

get both it's much easier that way... wait for awhile and get the cw380

get the cm9 now. your welcome and you will thank me later. However, the cw380 won't be out for sometime IMO but I could be wrong!

[Bagstrap]

I pocket carry PM9 in front shorts pocket with a Uncle Mike's #3 pocket holster. No issues at all.

[JFootin]

The CM9 is a bit too big for back pocket carry, marginal in the front pocket. The wait for the CW380 would be worth it, IMO. If you don't want to wait, the Taurus TCP is a great little 380 with a super nice trigger, it has a lifetime warranty and can be purchased for less than $200 in the plain blued version or about $50-60 more for the shiny or black stainless version.

[Bagstrap]

I wear baggy/loose cargo like shorts. Decent size pockets. Pretty much forget its there.

[Ikeo74]

The new CW380 is due out soon. It will be priced the same or less than the CM9 and is the same size as the P380. If you can wait it will save you money compared to the P380. As others have said, get both a CM9 and a CW380.

[Tomac]

Looks like the CW380 is what I want, thx for all the input!
Now all I have to do is wait until they become available/affordable...
Tomac

[deadeye]

I wear blue jeans and t shirts in the summer. Carry my CM9 pocket and IWB. Never a problem. It disappears either place. Use a Sta-Put or Recluse for pocket and a nylon IWB I found on E-Bay for IWB.

[kwh]

I have every day carried a cm9 in my front pocket for over a year. I stand working most of the day. For me it is a natural action to reach into my front pocket. I wear business casual pants. The pockets are plenty big enough, never an issue. The cm9 is too large to fit into my back pocket. I use my Kel-Tec P.32 in an Uncle George Holster for that. Also, I am not entirely sure that a small .380 is easier to control for double taps than the CM9. Furthermore, the 9mm pistols have a better reliability record than any of the pocket .380's. Buy the CM9 first, you may find you will not need the CW380. But need and want are two different things,get both.

[kerby9mm]

If I were to pocket carry which I don't I would carry my M&P 340 357mag. Smooth lines 13oz & 100% RELIABLE. There is a 38+P model cheaper & less recoil. I have learned from reading this forum to check out reliability reports on any model gun. The CW380 isn't out yet & the P380 has had its share of problems. I have a 380, a Sig p238 equinox which I shot from the box at the store & has yet to fail. I just decided that 380 is not what I want to carry. For me its my JFrame mk9 or mk40.

[nate39]

I agree that the CM9 isn't the best pocket carry. I knew that when I got it but I wanted 9mm. While my IWB holster is on the way and will be my normal means to carry, I have found that with my cargo pants and baggy carpenter jeans, both with decent size back pockets, that it fits very well and doesn't print in my back pocket and is more comfortable than in the front. This using a nemesis.

[Tomac]

I appreciate all the input but I already CCW a compact 9mm, I'm looking for something very small in either .380 or 9mm (calibers I already have, don't want another or I'd go back to carrying a .32 INOX Tomcat) that's capable of true pocket carry. The wife's Sig P238 is just a tad big for that.
Keep it coming!...
Tomac

[kwh]

I had the same dilemma 9mm vs. .380 for pocket carry. (For various reasons waist carry was not an option.) I went to the local gun show, wearing my normal work pants, and tried multiple pistols in the pocket. In my case, I found no advantage in printing, or ease of draw to the .380's. Weight is not an issue for me. Pocket holsters of course is a must. I actually found that it was easier to draw and grasp the CM9 than a smaller .380's. The CM9 also fit better in my pocket than any other compact 9mm. with the possible exception of the Diamondback 9mm which I did not want due to reliability issues. Important side-note wear pleated pants. I wear Chinos and informal dress pants, tucked-in collared shirts . I blend in well in public and have never negligently flashed=another advantage to pocket carry. Also, no questions to explain belt clips or, is that an insulin pump or are you just glad to see me in case of a man hug or bumping into someone. Long story short ,which to carry depends on the pants material and style. Slim tight pants = .380.

[Tomac]

That's a major consideration. I wear jeans most of the time when in public and my previous 'light' CCW was an INOX Tomcat in a DeSantis Trickster. Slipped into my back pocket like a 2nd wallet, carried it for years w/o printing or comment.
I would like to duplicate that level/ease of CCW in a .380 or 9mm.
Tomac