The 9mm Luger cartridge, also known as the 9×19 NATO or 9mm Parabellum, has become the favorite chambering for self-defense pistols in all handgun sizes. But it’s probably most popular in the compact size, or in pistols that are best suited to everyday carry (EDC).
Gun Tests shooters have tested dozens of these pistols over the last few years, and we’ve often NOT liked some market favorites because we’re able to shoot several pistols side by side, which really shows the deficiencies and strengths of each firearm.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled our Top Ten 9mm Carry Pistols list. We haven’t tested every pistol on the market, of course, so we’ll be interested to see which one is your favorite 9mm in the comments below.
10.
WILSON COMBAT VICKERS EDITION GLOCK 9MM LUGER, $1375 (July 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
This is a sterling performer, with a sterling price tag, which gave us pause and caused the downgrade. There was nothing wrong with the pistol whatsoever. Reliability is the foremost attribute of the Glock pistol. The trigger action and sights are the primary Wilson improvements. This is a pricey Glock, but it is nonetheless a Glock improved to the greatest degree possible. Overall Length, 7.4 in. Overall Height, 5.04 in. Weight Loaded, 30.75 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.7 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.1 in.
9.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY ECHELON EC9459B-U 9MM LUGER, $650 (June 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
Rob Leatham, longtime pro shooter for Springfield Armory, said that he would take the blame for the Echelon if things were wrong. We think we need to give him and their engineers credit instead. We found their new pistol to be loaded with good features and a couple of great surprises. Overall Length, 7.9 in. Overall Height w/o optic, 5.4 in. Overall Height w/optic, 6.0 in. Weight Loaded, 2.2 lbs. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.5 in.
8.
GLOCK 49 MOS PA495S203MOS 9MM LUGER, $620 (August 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Glock 49 is a good shooter and is reliable. In combat fire and recoil comfort, the Glock more than held its own. It will be a good addition to the Glock line and will be the best choice for many shooters. Overall Length, 7.32 in. Overall Height, 5.04 in. Weight Loaded, 27.75 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.5 in.
7.
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. Weight Loaded, 19.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 9.6 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.0 in.
6.
WALTHER PDP COMPACT 5-INCH 2844222 9MM LUGER, $570 (August 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Walther’s accuracy is good, and the pistol’s grip texture and SuperTerrain cocking serrations are appreciated. Reliable. The biggest gun in this list, some will dispute this is a compact, but it’s in the name. We liked the Walther’s accuracy advantage off the bench. Overall Length, 8.0 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Weight Loaded, 34.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 5.0 in.
5.
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. Weight Loaded, 25.3 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 10.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.4 in.
4.
GLOCK MODEL 47 PA475S204MOS 9MM LUGER, $630 (June 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
While not earth shattering, the incremental improvements designed into the Glock 47 make an already very good platform even better. If you like your Glock 17 (or your 19 or 45 for that matter), do yourself a favor and take a good look at the new Model 47. Overall Length, 7.9 in. Overall Height w/o optic, 5.25 in. Overall Height w/optic, 6.0 in. Weight Loaded, 33.6 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 16.2 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.5 in.
3.
SIG SAUER P320 LEGION 9MM LUGER, $1400 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
A nicely made pistol with good features and our choice of the two pistols tested for competition. Reliability was not a concern, and the pistol is more accurate than most 9mm pistols we have tested. Overall Length, 8.2 in. Overall Height, 5.5 in. Weight Loaded, 42.4 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 17.9 lbs. Barrel Length, 3.9 in.
2.
WALTHER PDP F-SERIES 4-INCH 2842734 9MM LUGER, $599 (June 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Walther PDP F may be designed for the female hand shape, but our male raters liked the gun as well. Our female raters do not like larger grips and found the PDP F to be an excellent fit. It is also a great shooter, well worth the tariff. While it is less expensive than the Shadow Systems MR920, it is a better shooter. Overall Length, 7.25 in. Overall Height, 5.4 in. Weight Loaded, 31.0 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 14.0 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.0 in.
1.
SHADOW SYSTEMS MR920 ELITE SS-1009 9MM LUGER, $979 (July 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The MR920 Elite and its less-expensive sibling, the MR920 tested in the past, are good handguns we have looked at extensively. The new-out-of-the-box Elite features a threaded barrel, lightened slide, and an excellent trigger action. This is a formidable defensive handgun. Overall Length, 7.4 in. Overall Height, 5.04 in. Weight Loaded, 27.5 oz. Slide Retraction Effort, 15.8 lbs. Barrel Length, 4.1 in.
HONORABLE MENTIONS
SMITH & WESSON 2023 SPEC M&P9 METAL M2.0 13974 9MM LUGER, $949 (May 2024)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Smith & Wesson offers a lot of value with grip inserts, a knife, and four magazines in a large lockable case. You may even remove the compensator if you desire. This is a great-shooting pistol, simply an ace overall for personal and home defense.
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.
COSAINT ARMS COS21 COMMANDER 9MM LUGER, $2600 (October 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The lightest of the three tested this month, we thought it would make a great carry or house gun. We didn’t adjust the scoring because of the price, but many shooters won’t pick this one because of the money.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY 1911 DS PRODIGY 4.25 IN. PH9117AOSD 9MM LUGER, $1650 (October 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
We felt the Prodigy was heavy enough to shoot quickly and light enough to carry comfortably. The Hex red dot is included in the price.
SHADOW SYSTEMS MR920 COMBAT 9MM LUGER, $830 (June 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Shadow Systems 9mm is based on a Glock, one of the most reliable firearms ever designed. However, the pistol goes above and beyond a Glock, sporting improvements that make the MR920 a very ergonomic and fast-handling pistol. We liked the sights and the trigger action as well as its practical accuracy.
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.
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY HELLCAT PRO HCP9379BOSP 9MM 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.
TAURUS G3X 1-G3XSR9031 9MM LUGER, $310 (Feb. 2023)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
It isn’t expensive, but it does a good job as a reliable personal-defense pistol.
SAR USA SAR9 COMPACT X 9MM LUGER, $632 (Sep. 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
Larger and more expensive. The SAR9cx was the most accurate and fastest pistol in this group.
SMITH & WESSON M&P9 SHIELD EZ M2.0 12436 9MM LUGER, $499 (July 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
We liked the way this pistol handles and operates. Racking the slide is easy enough. KAHR
K9 K9093A 9MM LUGER, $750 (Mar. 2022)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
An excellent option for EDC. Metal frame mitigates recoil for faster follow-ups. Grip angle is comfortable.
SIG SAUER P365 365-9-BXR3 9MM LUGER, $599 (Dec. 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
Small enough to fit in a pocket. Carries 10+1 rounds of 9mm. Felt recoil is less than a 38.
RUGER MAX-9 NO. 3500 9MM LUGER, $544 (Sep. 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
This is a sophisticated pistol. No fault with the magazines, capacity, or general accuracy.
SMITH & WESSON M&P9 SHIELD PLUS 13246 9MM LUGER, $553 (Sep. 2021)
GUN TESTS GRADE: GRADE A
A step up from the previously tested 9mm Shield. The new pistol has an improved trigger and more capacity.
Mentioning magazine capacity would have been nice. In my state ( Connecticut ) there’s a 10 round (+1) maximum. You put a great mini review otherwise. Keep up the good work.
I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS COMMENT. AN INCREASING NUMBER OF STATES, INCLUDING NY, CA, MD, NJ, ETC., HAVE 10-ROUND LIMITS ON MAGAZINE CAPACITIES. UNTIL THE SUPREME COURT ACCEPTS A CASE CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE MAGAZINE CAPACITY LIMITS, THE INFORMATION WILL BE NECESSARY FOR THOSE LIVING IN RESTRICTIVE STATES.
I understand why the glock 48 didn’t make the list. But 10 rounds is the only option for some states and the shield arms mag makes it a 15 rounder. Slim, compact and still a glock works for me. Just thought it should have been included at least in honorable mention.
Might want to define what the team regards as “compact”. Most of the “top ten” seem pretty large to me. All have 3″ barrel or less to be “compact”?
I found the metal-framed KT P-15 accurate, but a pain (literally) to shoot. The screws kept backing out no matter how much thread lock I used, so I got rid of it rather than send it in. I picked up a Sig P-365 XL for $550, and with a Hogue grip, it fits my hand well. It’s been 100% reliable through over a thousand round.