The 9mm Luger is a favorite chambering for self-defense pistols, and it’s particularly popular in smaller sizes, such as in pistols with barrel lengths measuring less than 3.75 inches and overall lengths shorter than 7 inches, which we’ve compiled below. Magazine capacities of these pistols vary from not very many to quite a few, so we’ve listed those round counts as well. Also, some states have capacity maximums, so that may help folks decide on the best carry pistol for them without running afoul of local laws.
Gun Tests shooters have tested many of these pistols over the years, and our team has had strong opinions of these shorties because their small sizes often means poor triggers, bad sights, and problematic function. With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top 5 9mm Subcompact pistol list. We haven’t tested every pistol on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite smaller 9mm in the comments below.
10
ISRAELI WEAPON INDUSTRIES MASADA SLIM M9SLIM13 9MM LUGER, $415 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This is a simple, but rugged and reliable, handgun. We did not like the disassembly, but there are worse designs. This is a lot of gun for the price. Overall Length, 5.9 in. Overall Height, 4.8 in. Barrel Length, 3.4 in. Maximum Width, 1.1 in. Magazines, (2) 13.
9
TAURUS G3X 1-G3XSR9031 9MM LUGER, $310 (February 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We liked the Taurus G3X 9mm. It isn’t expensive, but it does a good job at what it is designed to do, serve as a reliable personal-defense pistol. The Taurus G3X compares favorably against similar Glock models. Overall Length, 6.3 in. Overall Height., 5.2 in. Maximum Width, 1.2 in. Barrel Length, 3.2 in. Magazines, (2) 15.
8
SIG SAUER P365
9MM LUGER, $599 (December 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
Small enough to fit in a pants pocket. Carries 10+1 rounds of 9mm. Felt recoil is less than with a 38. It’s easy to see why this pistol is one of the top-selling handguns in the country. Overall Length, 5.75 in. Overall Height, 4.1 in. Maximum Width, 0.985 in. Barrel, 3.1 in. Magazines, (2) 12.
7
KELTEC P15 METAL P15MBLK 9MM LUGER, $634 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We like the metal-frame KelTec. Some raters felt it was a waste of money because the polymer-frame pistol is a good shooter. Others felt that the metal frame makes a significant difference in handling and comfort. You are not likely to mount a combat light in concealed carry, but just the same, there is no option to do that with this handgun. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.8 in. Maximum Width, 0.9 in. Barrel, 4.0 in. Magazines, (1) 12, (1) 15.
6
SMITH & WESSON M&P9 SHIELD PLUS 13246 9MM LUGER, $553 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A step up from the previously tested 9mm Shield. The new pistol has an improved trigger and more capacity. Overall Length, 6.1 in. Overall Height, 4.6 to 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 0.85 in. Barrel, 3.1 in. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 13.
5
SMITH & WESSON M&P9 SHIELD EZ M2.0 12436 9MM LUGER, $499 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We liked the way this pistol handles and operates. Racking the slide is easy enough. The trigger is good and accuracy more than adequate for a pistol of its size. This is a crackerjack all-round defensive handgun. Overall Length, 6.8 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.46 in. Barrel, 3.675 in. Magazines, (2) 8.
4
FN REFLEX 66-101408 9MM LUGER, $499 (February 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
After the smoke had cleared, the Reflex 9mm had exhibited no misfires, failures to feed, or failures to fire. Recoil is modest for the pistol’s size. Cocking serrations and grip treatment are well done. This is a well-designed pistol. Overall Length, 6.0 in. Overall Height w/flush-fit magazine, 4.5 in. Overall Height w/extended magazine, 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Barrel, 3.3 in. Magazines, (1) 11, (1) 15.
3
RUGER MAX-9 NO. 3500 9MM LUGER, $544 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
This is a more sophisticated pistol than we expected. The sights were the best of the test. There was no fault with the magazines, capacity, or general accuracy. The pistol features a manual safety, which you may use or ignore. Overall Length, 5.95 in. Overall Height, 4.6 to 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.04 in. Barrel, 3.2 in. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 12.
2
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY HELLCAT PRO9MM LUGER, $575 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
We liked the Hellcat Pro 9mm a lot. It is reliable and useful, and there isn’t a pistol this size with quite this performance. The SIG P365 XL Spectre is a good pistol, but we simply did not see a difference worth the surcharge for the SIG. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.06 in. Barrel Length, 3.7 in. Magazines, (2) 15.
1
SIG SAUER P365 XMACRO COMP 365XCA-9-COMP 9MM LUGER, $800 (September 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The XMacro is in some ways a dream come true for concealed carry. The pistol is reliable and easy to shoot well. The compensator seems effective, the night sights are excellent, and the grip is comfortable. We truly believe the XMacro shoots as well as larger SIG P320 or Glock 19-type handguns. This is a good shooter, and the capacity doesn’t hurt. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 5.2 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Barrel, 3.1 in. Magazines, (2) 17.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SHADOW SYSTEMS CR920 COMBAT SUB-COMPACT 9MM LUGER, $699
(February 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Despite a nagging shooter error that was easily addressed, we really liked the CR920. It is compact, has good sights, and proved reliable. The pistol is pricey, but we feel that the CR920 is a class act. Overall Length, 6.38 in. Overall Height w/flush-fit magazine, 4.2 in. Overall Height w/extended magazine, 4.6 in. Maximum Width, 1.0 in. Barrel, 3.41 in. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 13.
SIG SAUER P365 XMACRO TACOPS 365XCA-9-TACOPS 9MM LUGER, $749 (February 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
A slightly bigger gun that could be called compact or subcompact. There aren’t hard-and-fast rules about these things. Offered greater velocities with its 0.6-inch-longer barrel. Compared to the Shadow Systems and FN Reflex pistols, the Tacops is easier to shoot well, but it is a bit more difficult to conceal. We strongly advise trying it on for size at your friendly local gun shop. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 5.2 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Barrel, 3.7 in. Magazines, (4) 17.
SIG SAUER P365XL SPECTRE P365V001 9MM LUGER, $1100 (March 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We really liked the Spectre. There is a lot of bling in this pistol, and the piece handles nicely. The fit and finish are good, the flat trigger is excellent, and the pistol is reliable and accurate. The screw that holds the sight fell out, but that seems to be an anomaly. We would buy this pistol if we were flush with funds. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.8 in. Maximum Width, 1.1 in. Barrel, 3.7 in. Magazines, (2) 12.
KELTEC P15 POLYMER P15BLK 9MM LUGER, $445 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The P15 is slim, trim, and compact. We are unaware of a similar pistol that is any smaller or thinner. The KelTec is reliable. The front strap doesn’t feel rough until you fire the pistol extensively, but then some raters did not agree at all, and felt that the pistol offered good purchase. Overall Length, 6.6 in. Overall Height, 4.8 in. Maximum Width, 0.9 in. Barrel, 4.0 in. Magazines, (1) 12, (1) 15.
SMITH & WESSON CSX 12615 9MM LUGER, $549 (May 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We liked several of the features offered in the CSX, with magazine capacity being a big one. But it was less accurate than the SIG tested in the same month. Depending on whether the shooter wants accuracy and speed, or a pistol that more easily accommodates different hand sizes and shapes, a good choice could be the CSX. Overall Length, 6.1 in. Overall Height, 4.25 in. Maximum Width, 1.13 in. Barrel, 3.1 in. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 12.
SIG SAUER P938 LEGION 938-9-LEGION 9MM LUGER (May 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Small, dehorned, fairly accurate and festooned with the Legion logo, this P938 would do well for the shooter who likes precision and panache. Overall Length, 6.0 in. Overall Height, 4.3 in. Maximum Width, 1.17 in. Barrel, 3.0 in. Magazines, (3) 7.
KAHR K9 K9093A 9MM LUGER, $750 (March 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The K9 is an excellent option for EDC. The metal frame mitigates recoil for faster follow-up shots. The grip angle is comfortable. While the trigger pull is long, it is smooth and clean. Needs forward slide serrations. Overall Length, 6.0 in. Overall Height, 4.5 in. Maximum Width, 0.9 in. Barrel, 3.5 in. Magazines, (2) 7.
TAURUS GX4 1-GX4M931 9MM LUGER, $398 (September 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Taurus is the most compact. Other features are appealing, and the Taurus has a changeable backstrap. The sights are basic, the grip treatment is good, and the trigger is manageable.Overall Length, 5.6 in. Overall Height, 4.2 in. Maximum Width, 0.9 in. Barrel, 2.75 in. Magazine, (2) 11.
GLOCK 43X CONVERSION 9MM LUGER, $803 (September 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B+
If you have an existing Glock 43X pistol, the Shield Arms upgrades and magazines are worthwhile. Overall Length, 6.5 in. Overall Height, 5.05 in. Maximum Width, 1.1 in. Barrel, 3.4 in. Magazines, (1) original 10, (2) Shield Arms 14.
SAVAGE ARMS STANCE 67001 9MM LUGER, $408 (September 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
We realize that this is a concealment pistol and, as such, its groups are acceptable. We would still like to see them tighter. The B grade reflects average accuracy. Overall Length, 6.2 in. Overall Height, 4.4 in. Maximum Width, 1.01 in. Barrel, 3.2 in. Magazines, (1) 7, (1) 8.
SMITH & WESSON EQUALIZER TS 13591 9MM LUGER, $476 (December 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Equalizer is a good-shooting pistol. We were able to connect at longer range than we would have thought with this lightweight pistol. The good shooting characteristics of this handgun, the ability to mount a red-dot sight, a light rail, and reliability make it a good handgun for personal defense. Overall Length, 6.8 in. Overall Height, 4.9 in. Maximum Width, 1.4 in. Barrel, 3.675 in. Magazines, (1) 10, (1) 13, (1) 15.
CANIK TP9 ELITE SC HG5610T 9MM LUGER, $419 (June 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The Canik TP9 Elite Sub Compact is a reliable handgun, and it is accurate enough. We did not like the too blocky grip design. The extended magazine was not a favorite of ours. Overall Length, 6.7 in. Overall Height, 4.6 in. to 5.0 in. Maximum Width, 1.45 in. Barrel, 3.6 in. Magazines, (1) 12, (1) 15.
