Author Topic: Ah, now I get it  (Read 6699 times)

Offline Moonshine

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Ah, now I get it
« on: September 10, 2011, 07:13:56 PM »
OK, over the years I've carried a number of pocket guns, in addition to more serious belt guns.

A Smith 642, and later a 442.  Good shooting, easily pocketable, but I've never been comfortable with just 5 rounds of .38 +P and a speed strip.

A Kahr MK9 (and also an MK40).  Good shooting, plenty of power with seven 9mm +P's, but way too heavy for pocket carry.

A kahr P380.  So light I don't even feel it, but this is my yard mowing or knocking around the property gun, as I won't leave home with just a .380.  

So my primary hot weather off duty and pocket gun for the past few years has been a Kahr PM9.  Unlike others, mine has run 100% from day one, it's light enough for pocket carry (although substantial enough that I never forget it's there), and it shoots quite well for me.  Not the perfect pocket gun, but pretty darn close.

Then I started looking at the pup.  Excellent reputation, check.  Even lighter than the PM9, check.  Slightly smaller than the PM9, check.  Owners are rabidly loyal to the thing, check.  Hmmmm.  OK, so after giving it some thought I plunk down my money and I buy one.  And I was, frankly, a bit disappointed.  Oh yes, quite light, easily splitting the difference between the PM9 and the P380.  And somewhat smaller than the PM9, so even more pocketable.  OK, so far so good.  But the thing felt like a 2x4 in my hand.  OK, not a 2x4, but a 1x3, very square, and not especially pleasant.  And that ubershort front strap, with just enough room for one finger made it exceedingly difficult to control for strings longer than 2 shots.  And these things are not cheap.  And I won't keep a gun that's not a shooter (for me), no matter how well it carries.

So, what did I do?  Well, of course, like any die hard gun nut, I put more money into it.  A set of VZ grips and one of yankee2500's grip extensions arrived yesterday.

And now I get it.  The VZ's make a tremendous difference in how the gun fits my hand.  The tapered edges make if feel like a pistol rather than lumber.  And the mag extension allows me to get a second finger solidly on the thing, and suddenly it's quite shootable.  I can hit, I can hit fast, and yeah it bucks a bit, but I can keep the rounds going where I want them to as quickly as I can pull the trigger.  Truly, I think the VZ's make the biggest difference (for me, anyway), but I do like the mag extension, despite never having liked the things previously.  I bought a hooked extension because that's all yankee had in stock, but as soon as he gets back from vacation I'll be hounding him for a straight extension, as I think it'll work better for me.

So, although it took a bit of tweaking to get me here, you can now count me among the pup disciples.  Another hundred break in rounds and I'll be ready to qualify with the pup and start carrying it.
« Last Edit: September 10, 2011, 07:35:48 PM by Moonshine »
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Offline tracker

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2011, 07:21:56 PM »

Welcome and well said--my sentiments exactly on the upgrades and tactile feel improvement.

Offline kjtrains

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2011, 07:26:21 PM »
Good news, there, Moonshine;  Glad the R9 is working out so far.
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Offline xaman

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #3 on: September 10, 2011, 08:43:02 PM »
Awesome, glad it's fitting you now.

I feel the same way about the VZ grips.  The rounded feel is more pleasant for me.  

I've got a straight extension and like it a lot.  I tried to order another, but of course he was out of stock, so I'm considering a hooked.  What makes you think the straight will work better for you, if you don't mind me asking?

Offline Douglas

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2011, 09:35:32 PM »
Quote
So, what did I do?  Well, of course, like any die hard gun nut, I put more money into it.


Truer words never spoken.  ;D

Offline Moonshine

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #5 on: September 10, 2011, 11:53:12 PM »
Quote
 What makes you think the straight will work better for you, if you don't mind me asking?

Not at all.  With the hooked extension I have to choose between trying to fit my pinkie on it, or curling it under.  And it doesn't really fit well in either spot.  Based on the pics I've seen it appears that the straight extension would give plenty of room for my ring finger on the frontstrap/extension, and my pinkie can curl under the mag.  I' used to doing that with other pocket guns.  Hence, I think the straight extension will work best for me.  
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell

Offline Moonshine

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #6 on: September 10, 2011, 11:53:40 PM »
Quote


Truer words never spoken.  ;D

Yeah, it's a disease.  
 ::)
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell

Offline xaman

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2011, 12:07:26 AM »
Quote

Not at all.  With the hooked extension I have to choose between trying to fit my pinkie on it, or curling it under.  And it doesn't really fit well in either spot.  Based on the pics I've seen it appears that the straight extension would give plenty of room for my ring finger on the frontstrap/extension, and my pinkie can curl under the mag.  I' used to doing that with other pocket guns.  Hence, I think the straight extension will work best for me.  


Thanks, that's pretty much what I'm thinking too.

Offline backupr9

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #8 on: September 11, 2011, 10:21:44 AM »
Quote
Awesome, glad it's fitting you now.

I feel the same way about the VZ grips.  The rounded feel is more pleasant for me.  

I've got a straight extension and like it a lot.  I tried to order another, but of course he was out of stock, so I'm considering a hooked.  What makes you think the straight will work better for you, if you don't mind me asking?

I also have the hooked extension and note that it is really hard for me to work the mag release because of it.  I, too, am awaiting availability of the straight one...quick reloads are not likely in any case, but with arthritic hands I really have to work at it with this one as opposed to the standard R9 mag.
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Offline Moonshine

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #9 on: September 11, 2011, 11:15:45 AM »
I'm finding that the mag extension makes releasing the mag catch easier for me.  Since the mag has to be pushed up/in to free up the heel clip mag release the extra area on the mag extension is making it easier for me to exert that upward pressure as my thumb hits the mag catch.  Having had button type mag releases accidentally pressed in my pocket more than once I understand why Rohrbaugh went with the heel clip mag release, and I like it, but it is taking some practice to get back up to speed with a heel clip.  The last one I used was on a very early Seecamp .32.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." - George Orwell

Offline theirishguard

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #10 on: September 11, 2011, 12:43:43 PM »
good show   Tom
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Offline Robar233

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Re: Ah, now I get it
« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2011, 10:46:48 PM »
Moonshine,

 I am sorry I did not see this post sooner. I have or do own many of the pistols you mention. I did like the feel of the R9 better than the MK40 then PM40 I owned. They felt boxy to me. Right from the start I liked the feel of the R9 better than the Kahr.
 I bought both the straight and hooked magazine extensions and for me, the the straight model feels the best.
 I have been reading about the VZ grips and I am going to have to buy a set. I am not a huge fan of the Hogue grips on my Robar. They are very flat as you mention and the checkering is wearing out the lining of my pockets.
 I guess even a Porsche can use a couple of add on items!

 Robar233