PM9 IWB holster options for the slender.

[KennyFSU]

Just picked up a PM9 and love it. This is replace my current CCW which is a PF9. I used a one piece kydex holster which worked great and was wondering if anyone else made one that was similar. Here is a pic:







One thing that bothered me was that fact that the kydex was creating more holster wear on the PF9's blued finish. I realized that this is due to the thin (cheap) finish on the gun itself.

Will the PM's finish be a lot more durable? Mine is SS and I'm hoping it will stand up to kydex a lot better, anyone have any experiences? Thanks.

[KennyFSU]

Size comparison:

[Thunder71]

Try the Silent Thunder, it's a leather lined kydex.
http://giholsters.com

[KennyFSU]

Thanks for the suggestion, that is a very nice quality holster but I should have mentioned I much prefer a belt clip rather than a belt loop.

EDIT: I found the belt clip type ones on that site, thanks.

[Thunder71]

They have a few options, glad you found them.

[Ljutic]

I bet Stephen at RKBA can replicate you current holster for a whole lot less than the Silent Thunder. Silent Thunders are excellent holsters, but if you are happy with what you have there are folks that can replicate it for you.

[JFootin]

Here is what, IMO, you should look at: the PJ Clip-on IWB Holster. It is made of Kydex, weighs about an ounce—light as a feather. Very good adjustable retention. I have one for my CM9. Wear it at about 8:30. It is the only holster I own that literally vanishes from my consciousness when I am wearing the gun in it! I mean I cannot feel it there AT ALL, can't feel the weight of the gun there, or its mass when I move around. It and the gun seem to become part of my body. I don't have pics of mine, yet, but here are a couple of pics of one made for a Walther PPS.




Note how there is not one extra millimeter of length or width. It holds the gun up tight against your body. It is SUPER THIN. It has a small but effective sweat shield that doesn't get in the way when you draw. And this absolutely perfect 24/7 carry holster is only $40 shipped from one of the nicest guys in the holster business!

[MO_Soldier]

Try the Silent Thunder, it's a leather lined kydex.
http://giholsters.com

This is IMO the best holster out there it seems. I'm ordering one to fit my PM9 Black with my new Crimson Trace Laserguard arriving shortly. Got it for $125.40

Here is what, IMO, you should look at...

I'm glad you chimed in. I was going to recommend your recommendation and was relieved that you beat me to it!

[KennyFSU]

Jfootin that's exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks a lot.

[OldLincoln]

One thing that bothered me was that fact that the kydex was creating more holster wear on the PF9's blued finish. I realized that this is due to the thin (cheap) finish on the gun itself.

Will the PM's finish be a lot more durable? Mine is SS and I'm hoping it will stand up to kydex a lot better, anyone have any experiences? Thanks.

The stainless will hold up better as it isn't darkened, but it will show some holster wear simply because Kydex is hard on a gun's finish. Even leather holsters will show wear although less than Kydex as they are usually stiff and hard against the gun, especially those with a suede inside as they absorb gun oil and collect dust which rubs against the gun.

I admit to being biased, but the deciding factor for me selecting the Silent Thunder was that it is lined with soft leather. As they say, it is "Permanently lined with premium Hermann Oak Leather, the holster will protect your firearm from wear and provide a quick and "silent" draw." My PM9 has the black slide and very little wear after over a year of carry in my Silent Thunder.

[KennyFSU]

Thank you for the input Lincoln, your experience is helpful.

[JFootin]

I put my shiny CM9 in the PJ holster and don't worry about it. The Silent Thunder is a good holster, but it is thicker, stiffer and heavier. And it costs well over twice as much as the PJ. I actually bought a ST, so my opinion is from experience. It did not seem to disappear on me like the PJ does. It was indeed thicker, stiffer and heavier. And the straw that broke the camel's back: the sweat shield dug into my spare tire and made me so uncomfortable that I had to take it off within an hour. Ron was very gracious about it and refunded my money when I sent it back. The Garretts are very nice people to do business with.

Now, not everyone is built like me, and there are many very satisfied ST customers. But I'll bet they would have been every bit as happy or more with a PJ and $50 staying in their pockets, if they had just known!

[Thunder71]

Along with the little added weight and thickness comes durability... I haven't tried or even held a PJ Holster, while I believe everything you say about them I can't help but think they look very flimsy. Thin kydex isn't recommended for IWB holsters, it will be interesting to see how long it lasts before you have to send it off to be replaced.

FWIW - you can order the Silent Thunder with full, half, or no sweat shield.

I may have to try one, they are cheap enough... I just hope they aren't too cheap, if you know what I mean. I personally don't mind spending a few bucks on a holster, after all - it's what keeps my firearm secure and ready if I need it.

[JFootin]

Along with the little added weight and thickness comes durability... I haven't tried or even held a PJ Holster, while I believe everything you say about them I can't help but think they look very flimsy. Thin kydex isn't recommended for IWB holsters, it will be interesting to see how long it lasts before you have to send it off to be replaced.

Believe me, it is not flimsy. Kydex is incredible stuff. Dressed, I weigh about 195, and with the gun in it and falling right on it, I would be very surprised if it broke. Now, if it was empty and I fell on a rock jutting up, maybe. But then, I'd be headed to the hospital with internal injuries.

FWIW - you can order the Silent Thunder with full, half, or no sweat shield.

Well, I need a sweat shield, and it was already minimal sized. The one on the PJ is almost the same size but a little more rounded. Doesn't seem much different, but I could wear this PJ 24/7 'til I die and it would never get uncomfortable. And the ST was getting very uncomfortable, sharply digging into me, in an hour.

I may have to try one, they are cheap enough... I just hope they aren't too cheap, if you know what I mean. I personally don't mind spending a few bucks on a holster, after all - it's what keeps my firearm secure and ready if I need it.

I understand. That is why I don't own any of the cheap nylon holsters. But I do look for value and the PJ is value. Just as important, Paul is every bit as nice as Ron and Sheryl to deal with. And like them, he will try to make things right or give your money back if need be.

Edit: BTW, why get one if you like your ST? Now, you really ought to get one of those James Dean beauties, whether you need it or not! It is such an astounding work of art and a pleasure to look at and wear. And the price is HALF what comparable holsters from the likes of Milt Sparks go for, even quite a bit less than the ST. And I would put his workmanship on the top of the heap. It's really an extraordinary opportunity to know this gifted holster maker so early in his career.

[KennyFSU]

I just put in an order with Paul at PJholsters. I didn't realize he was the exact same person who made my PF9 holster! Now I'm absolutely certain I will love it. My last was made from .060" kydex (thinnest he makes) and jfootin is correct; extremely durable and I have no fear of it breaking based on my activities.

I actually think kydex does indeed wear more on the gun itself, however, the "wear" is often confined to small areas on the gun (near the muzzle and the slide release). A leather holster seems to spread the wear more evenly over time (especially if sand is present and the gun usually moves around more when the leather is worn in). With kydex, the gun moves around less and will never get worn in or stretched. I appreciate everyone's input!

I got to shoot the PM for the first time. 300 rounds of ammo, 300 holes in the target; zero failures, however, the flush mag failed to hold the slide open on the last round several times (Federal 115gr FMJ). Is this a common occurrence? Thanks all.