9mm pistols are perfect for every situation, from concealed carry, to patrols to home defense.
Compared to other caliber handguns, you get the ideal balance of power, size, and recoil.
Table of Contents
What To Look for in a 9mm Pistol
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a 9mm pistol, such as the frame size, the gun’s round capacity, and the ability to customize it to fit your needs.
Frame Size
Guns come in various sizes to fit your particular needs.
They are available in subcompact/micro-compact, compact, and full size.
Full-size pistols will have improved recoil, faster follow-up shots, and are perfect for home defense and competition shooting.
Compact and subcompact pistols have a smaller profile, making them a go-to choice for concealed carry, but they will have a lower capacity, a smaller grip, and are less accurate.
Capacity
9mm pistols are perfect for those who want a large round capacity in a small package.
For instance, if you purchase a .45 ACP, you may only have 7 to 9 rounds compared to ten plus.
As mentioned earlier, based on the frame size and model, your capacity will change.
Customization
Some weapons are fully customizable, while others allow you to add accessories such as lasers, flashlights, and optics.
Below are the 12 Best 9mm Pistols.
#1. M&P 9 Shield Plus 9mm TS 10/13 Rnd 3.1″
- Brand: Smith and Wesson
- Length: 6.1”
- Barrel Length: 3.1”
- Capacity: 10+1 Rds, 13+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.11 lbs
The M&P 9 Shield Plus 9mm TS 10/13 RND 3.1” is a micro-compact like the standard Shield, but with a slimmer profile making it perfect for concealed carry.
They constructed the Shield Plus out of Polymer with a corrosion-resistant Armornite finish.
Weighing just 1.11 pounds, it is super lightweight, compact, and perfect for a daily carry.
It is shipped with both a ten and thirteen-round magazine, with the ten-round magazine being flush with the grip.
The thirteen-round clip has a double stack to offer a serious number of rounds in a compact magazine.
It has an 18-degree textured grip providing you with a natural point of aim.
If you already own sights for a standard Shield, you can also equip them on the Plus model.
It also comes with Smith and Wesson’s lifetime service policy.
If you are looking for a super lightweight 9mm with a slim profile, the M&P 9 Shield Plus 9mm TS 10/13 RND 3.1” is an excellent option.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#2. Glock 19 G5 Front Serrations 9mm Luger 4in Black nDLC
- Brand: Glock
- Length: 7.28”
- Barrel Length: 4”
- Capacity: 15+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.48 lbs
The Glock 19 Gen 5 Front Serrations 9mm Luger 4in Black nDLC sets a high standard for polymer handguns with its history of reliability and high performance.
It has a compact polymer frame, a 4” barrel, and a 7.28” overall length, making it a superb choice for concealed carry, home defense, and the range.
Owners have fired thousands of rounds through their Gen 5 Glock 19s, and they are remarkably reliable.
The gun includes three fifteen-round magazines, which is plenty for any situation.
It is highly customizable, making it perfect for those who like to add aftermarket parts.
If you are ready for one of the best concealed pistols on the market, purchase the Glock 19 Gen 5 Front Serrations 9mm Luger 4in Black nDLC today.
It is available from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#3. P365XL 9mm Optic Ready
- Brand: Sig Sauer
- Length: 6.6”
- Barrel Length: 3.7”
- Capacity: 12+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.29 lbs
The P365XL 9mm Optic Ready by Sig Sauer is an upgraded version of the popular P365 with a longer barrel and improved capacity.
It comes with two twelve-round magazines that sit flush on the sub-compact frame.
You can take advantage of the increased sight radius with Xray3 Day/Night front and rear sights.
Other features include an integrated carry magwell, an extended beaver tail, and is optics ready.
It weighs only 1.29 pounds with a polymer design and is perfect for concealed carry, self-defense, and a day at the range.
The P365XL 9mm Optic Ready by Sig Sauer is an excellent option for those who want a lightweight firearm that is optics ready.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#4. M&P M2.0 Compact 9mm 4″ BBL 15 RD
- Brand: Smith and Wesson
- Length: 7.3”
- Barrel Length: 4”
- Capacity: 15+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.48 lbs
The M&P M2.0 Compact 9MM 4” BBL 15 RD is one of the best 9mm pistols on the market with its excellent features and capacity.
It is perfect for professional use, self-defense, and target practice with its compact frame and 15 round capacity.
It included two 15 round magazines with the firearm.
The custom aggressive grip comes with four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts for a better grip, providing improved comfort and accuracy.
Its 18-degree grip angle gives the M2.0 a natural feel for added comfort.
The low barrel bore axis reduces recoil, and the extended stainless steel chassis improves barrel flex to take out your target.
They constructed the M2.0 with a durable polymer and Armornite finished hardware.
If you want a 9mm that will be dead on target with an extended capacity, the M&P M2.0 Compact 9MM 4” BBL 15 RD is a great pick.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#5. Hellcat 9mm Micro Compact
- Brand: Springfield
- Length: 6”
- Barrel Length: 3”
- Capacity: 11+1 Rds, 13+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.15 lbs
Springfield’s Hellcat 9MM Micro Compact has a slim profile with a 3” barrel with a 6” overall length, making it perfect for a daily concealed carry.
On the micro compact frame, the pistol’s eleven-round magazine is flush with the grip, and it also includes an extended thirteen-round magazine.
It features a striker-fired action, and its polymer frame reduces the weight to only 1.15 pounds, making it a simple choice for concealed carry.
It features adjustable front and back Tritium night sights and is milled to fit your favorite micro reflex sights.
If you are looking for a 9mm micro-compact perfect for self-defense or a daily carry, the Hellcat 9MM Micro Compact is an excellent choice with its slim profile and large capacity.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#6. SD9VE 4″ 9mm Stainless 16+ 1RD
- Brand: Smith and Wesson
- Length: 7.2”
- Barrel Length: 4”
- Capacity: 16+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.42 lbs
Smith and Wesson’s SD9VE 4” 9mm Stainless 16+1RD is a beautiful weapon with a large capacity and outstanding features.
It is a semi-automatic double-action pistol with a striker-fired operating system.
At 1.42 pounds, it has a polymer frame and has a stainless-steel barrel and slide.
It comes with two sixteen-round magazines and has a Picatinny rail to add your favorite attachments.
With a 4” stainless-steel barrel with an overall length of 7.2”, your shoots will be right on target.
A downside is that it has about an 8.5-pound trigger pull, which may make some shooters shy away from this reliable pistol, but the self-defense trigger is designed for beginners to think about each shot before pulling it.
If you are looking for a reliable handgun with an impressive capacity and affordability, Smith and Wesson’s SD9VE 4” 9mm Stainless 16+1RD is a simple choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#7. Sig/Wilson Combat P320 Straight Trigger
- Brand: Sig Sauer/ Wilson Combat
- Length: 7.9”
- Barrel Length: 4.6”
- Capacity: 17+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.82 lbs
The SIG/Wilson Combat P320 Straight Trigger is a premium pistol designed for high-performance shooting.
The standard P320 is a powerhouse, but the SIG/Wilson Combat P320 model has several upgrades that take it to the next level.
It has several improvements over the standard P320, including an extended beaver tail, an undercut trigger guard, relief thumb cutouts, and grip enhancements.
The polymer grip module has a beautiful sunburst design, and a resigned grip for improved recoil control and smoother reloading with an ergonomic design.
It is paired with a ledge-style rear battlesight and a fiber optic front sight for improved aiming.
It also comes with a 17+1 round capacity allowing you to get more shots off between reloads.
This is one of the most unique and beautiful pistols you could own.
It is also available with a black or tan finish.
If you are looking for a high-performance pistol, look no further than the SIG/Wilson Combat P320 Straight Trigger.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#8. P320 Compact 9mm Pistol With Contrast Sights
- Brand: Sig Sauer
- Length: 7.2”
- Barrel Length: 3.9”
- Capacity: 15+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.62 lbs
The P320 Compact 9mm Pistol with Contrast Sights by Sig Sauer is a solid choice for home defense, the range, or concealed carry.
With a compact design, a large 15+1 round capacity, and a 3.9” barrel, you are getting a reliable pistol with a small profile.
It has a smooth trigger pull of about four pounds and is a striker-fired pistol with contrast sights.
Customers who bought this pistol have fired thousands of rounds, and it just keeps going.
If you want a reliable home defense pistol, the P320 Compact 9mm Pistol with Contrast Sights by Sig Sauer may be right for you.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#9. XD-M Elite 3.8″ Compact OSP
- Brand: Springfield
- Length: 6.93”
- Barrel Length: 3.8”
- Capacity: 14+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.69 lbs
Springfield Armory’s XD-M Elite 3.8” Compact OSP is an optics-ready compact with a 3.8” barrel and a 6.93” overall length, making it excellent for concealed carry.
The XD-M Elite includes upgraded features compared to a standard XD-M providing an overall improved shooting experience.
It includes a passive safety system with a grip safety below the beaver tail and a trigger safety for faster engagement.
It has an ambidextrous design with slide stop levers on both sides of the gun and a dual magazine release system.
With a forge steel slide with a Melonite finish that is machined with optics-ready features, you can equip your favorite optics easily.
It also includes two fourteen-round double-column stainless-steel magazines.
If you are looking for an optics-ready compact with an ambidextrous design, the XD-M Elite 3.8” Compact OSP by Springfield Armory is a top pick.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#10. PDP Full-Size
- Brand: Walther
- Length: 6.5”, 7”, 8.5”
- Barrel Length: 4”, 4.5”, 5”
- Capacity: 10+1 Rds, 18+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.63 lbs
Walther’s PDP Full-Size comes with several size options, with a 4” to 5” barrel and a 6.5” to 8.5” overall length.
The 7.5” and 8.5” models have an impressive 18+1 round capacity, while the 6.5” model has a 10+1 round capacity.
This full-size pistol is perfect for home defense or target practice with its high-quality features.
The package includes a beaver tail, a standard back strap, and two stainless steel magazines.
This full-size pistol feels natural in your hands with an ergonomic design, and the slide includes SuperTerrain serrations.
It is also red dot ready.
If you are looking for a full-size pistol with up to an 18 round capacity, the PDP Full-Size by Walther is an excellent choice.
It is available from Brownells. Here’s where to buy it: www.Brownells.com
#11. 1911 Emissary 5″ 9mm Pistol
- Brand: Springfield
- Length: 8.4”
- Barrel Length: 5”
- Capacity: 9+1 Rds
- Weight: 2.75 lbs
The 1911 Emissary 5” 9mm Pistol by Springfield Armory takes the classic 1911 platform and gives it several upgrades, making it one of the best 9mm pistols you could own.
It has a VZ Thin Line G10 grip with a grenade-style texture, which gives you an excellent grip while looking beautiful.
It has a Tri-Top slide with 40 lines per inch serrations and comes with a 5” stainless steel bull barrel.
A downside is that it has a smaller capacity of 9+1 rounds compared to other full-size pistols.
However, once you get a grip on this pistol, you will fall in love with its accuracy, reliability, and style.
If you are looking for a 1911, the 1911 Emissary 5” 9mm Pistol by Springfield Armory is your best choice.
It is available from Palmetto State Armory. Here’s where to buy it: www.PalmettoStateArmory.com
#12. Glock 17 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Nitrite
- Brand: Glock
- Length: 8.03”
- Barrel Length: 4.49”
- Capacity: 10+1 Rds
- Weight: 1.55 lbs
The Glock 17 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Nitrite is reliable, simple to use, and deadly accurate.
The Glock 17 Gen 3 is one of law enforcement’s favorite pistols for many reasons.
With the Gen 3, you get a finger grooved grip for enhanced control.
If you are not a fan of the grip, Glock removed them in Gen 5 pistols, and almost everything on this pistol is customizable.
It has a full-size polymer frame, and Black Nitrite finished hardware.
Since this pistol is California compliant, it only has a 10+1 round capacity.
If you want a handgun that you can rely on, the Glock 17 9mm Luger 4.49in Black Nitrite is an excellent choice.
It is available from Sportsman’s Warehouse. Here’s where to buy it: www.Sportsmans.com
References
9mm vs. .40 Caliber: How Do The Cartridges Stack Up?
9mm versus .40 Smith & Wesson: Which Caliber Is Better For Self-Defense?
See Also
Best Concealed Carry Revolvers
Best Non-Lethal Self Defense Weapons
Best Reflex Sights For AR 15’s, Pistols, & Shotguns
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2004 and has served over 18 years as a communications maintenance technician with three deployments to the Middle East.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University and a bachelor’s degree in Information System Security with a concentration in Digital Forensics from American Military University.
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