In 9mm the PM9 is the smallest you can actually carry comfortably and still have an adequate caliber, the new PM45 is an unknown, but if the reliability is there, that is also something to consider.
Now, there are a lot of gun people on FR, and I will not claim to be the all-knowing-guru, but I have 30 years of shooting, collecting and the last 15 ears in dealing with CCW issues. On occasion I provide instruction on how to carry and what to carry. My weekends are spent at the largest gun shop in the state providing the same advice there that I would give you here.
The new walther pps is about the same size as a kahr pm9/pm40. I own a pm9 and have ordered a walther pps. I don’t care for the trigger on the pm9. It’s too small. THere’s not enough room in the trigger guard for my finger. I’m hoping the pps is a little more comfortable. If not, I’ll have to start looking at something else. I might end up going for one of those new little 5 shot scandium revolvers by smith and wesson. The problem I have with carrying a handgun is that I get sick of the nuisance and start leaving it home. I starting to think I’d be better off with a little .32 if it means I have it on me more often.