Best 9mm Pistols [2024]: Ranked by Size and Use

Handguns chambered in 9mm are the most popular handguns in the United States for good reason: they have a relatively high capacity, their ammunition is inexpensive and plentiful, they have less recoil than most other calibers, and they can be very effective for self-defense.

But which pistol is the best 9mm pistol?

We’re going to tell you which pistol is best for you depending on the purpose you’re looking to fulfill and the size of handgun you want to shoot.

Types of 9mm Pistols

There are three main types of 9mm pistols that you should know about.

• Concealed Carry Pistols
• Home Defense Handguns
• Range Guns

Concealed Carry Pistols (CCW): The purpose of a CCW gun is that they are lightweight and compact so that they are easy to conceal.

9mm concealed carry handguns come in various shapes and sizes and can range from pocket-sized single stacks to compact combat pistols. 

Also, if you are looking to get a CCW gun, you should look at CCW insurance.

Home Defense Handguns: Since a firearm designed to be used inside the home doesn’t need to be concealed, you should look at a full-size handgun here – these full-size guns are easier to shoot and usually hold more ammunition.

Range Guns: Range guns fall into a few categories, and they can be plinkers for fun, competition guns, or just an extensive collection of fun guns that mostly see life at the range. 

How Did We Choose the Best 9mm Pistols?

Writing about what is considered the top 9mm pistols was a bit of a team effort. Everyone has different opinions, taste and even budgets. So, to help write this comprehensive article, I worked with other Gun University writers and team members to help. This includes Army Rangers, multiple types of veterans (even a submariner but we won’t hold that against him), and more. Furthermore, our writers have been featured in some of the biggest publications and competed at the highest level. So, hopefully we can really tackle all sides of this issue, and to help create a truly beneficial list of 9mm guns.

Author’s Choice of the Best 9mm Pistols:

In the below table, you can find our favorite 9mm pistol in each of the categories listed above.

However, in many cases, there was a good close second or third in that category. So, if you’d like to see what those other pistols are, and how they compared in that category, you can click the link below and jump to that section:

• Best Overall 9mm Pistol
• Best Concealed Carry 9mm Pistols
• Best Budget Handguns (Most Affordable)
• Best Home Defense 9mm Handguns
• Best 9mm Pistol for the Shooting Range

Best 9MM Pistols By Category

Best Overall Glock 45 Gen 5		Author’s Choice Well-suited for a variety of roles Bare-bones basic reliability	Check Price
Concealed Carry SIG P365		Best-in-class capacity Small and lightweight Included night sights	Check Price
On a Budget Canik TP9SF		Cheap = inexpensive, not bad Remarkable quality Extremely affordable Excellent trigger for any gun, much less a budget one	Check Price
Home Defense Springfield Echelon		Great ergonomics Excellent optics system (VIS) Light and crisp trigger with a tactile reset	Check Price
Shooting Range H&K VP9		Great trigger Paddle or push button mag release Very reliable	Check Price
Best For Women S&W Shield EZ 9MM		Easy to operate Multiple safety options Small and portable	Check Price
Competiton CZ 75 TS Czechmate		Modular for competition Includes comp-ready accessories Crisp and light trigger pull	Check Price

Spec Comparison of the Best 9mm Pistols

List of the Best 9mm Pistols:

While all of the guns we’ve discussed for the categories are solid ones in their own right, the following are my best picks for each category. The best 9mm pistols are:

1. Glock 45 Gen 5 (Overall)
2. Sig Sauer P365 (Best CCW)
3. Canik TP9SF (Best Budget)
4. Springfield Echelon (Best Home Defense)
5. H&K VP9 (Best Shooting Range)
6. S&W Shield EZ 9 (Best for Women)
7. CZ 75 TS Czechmate (Best Competition)

Review of the Best Overall 9mm Handgun

It was really hard for us to do, but we had to pick the best handgun for most shooters and needs.This 9mm pistol isn’t necessarily the best in any particular category but is the best overall.

If you’re not sure which 9mm to get and you’re looking for your first 9mm pistol or maybe just a great general-purpose handgun, this is it.

Glock 45 9mm Review

I believe that the Glock 45 is not the best gun to ever exist and nor is it the best 9mm to exist. However, it makes my author’s choice as the best pistol, because it’s a jack-of-all-trades gun that can efficiently serve as a concealed carry gun, a capable home defense firearm, and a fun range gun. 

Therefore, because this firearm is in all categories like CCW, home defense, range, and more, I give it the overall best 9mm gun you can check out. You won’t be disappointed if this is your first, or your only gun.

Glock 45 Pros and Cons

Reviews of the Best Concealed Carry 9mm Pistols

One of the most popular uses for 9mm pistols is for concealed carry.

This is because 9mm pistols have a higher capacity than larger caliber pistols of the same dimensions while still having enough power to be effective as a defensive tool.

Concealed carry-specific 9mm pistols are small and lightweight so that they’re easy to conceal.

Best 9mm Pistol for Concealed Carry:

• Sig Sauer P365
• H&K VP9sk

Sig p365 Review

When the Sig P365 first came out, it was a game-changer and I had to get my hands on it. It’s super well-constructed, and Sig has managed to squeeze a double stack’s capacity into a single sized gun. The P365 is small and light with a slim grip and comfortable hand feel, so it’s easy to carry and shoot with one hand for most shooters of all sizes. When you consider its modularity, the P365 is not that far off from the Sig P320 Compact, but the smoother design makes it a purpose-built gun that’s better suited for concealed carry than the P320. It comes in capacities of 10, 12, and even a 15-round extended magazine and the modular design lets you buy a base model and swap out any accessories you want. 

I personally love the combination of the size and feel of the gun. If you are interested in other versions of the P365, they also have the P365 XL, which has a larger capacity, and the Sig P365 SAS which has been slimmed and smoothed so as to not snag.

The P365’s recoil spring mechanism offers great impact absorption and lets you regain your sights the same way the P320 does. However, since the P365 is a subcompact pistol, it can be challenging to shoot compared to the more massive firearms on this list. With proper self-defense ammunition, the weapon can be a little snappy, so practice makes perfect. That said, the P365 comes with a striker-fired trigger made of clean metal that has consistently let me make fast and accurate follow-up shots without the risk of getting jammed.

Now, unfortunately, the P365 isn’t leftie-friendly. It doesn’t have ambidextrous controls, and while this doesn’t affect me personally, it excludes quite a few shooters out there. Another downside is that while the base model does come with factory installed night sights, it doesn’t let you mount an aftermarket optic.

Even so, because of its small size but full capacity, the Sig P365 is my favorite CCW gun. If you’d like to read more about why we think the P365 is the best concealed-carry handgun, check out our full Sig P365 review.

Sig P365 Pros and Cons

H&K VP9sk Review

I believe the H&K VP9sk has some of the greatest ergonomics for a concealed carry pistol. One of the things I enjoy most about this weapon is that it comes with a variety of interchangeable grip panels – now I can find the perfect grip with just the right contours for my hand.

As we’re talking about CCW guns, I’ll admit the VP9sk is a little thicker than the Sig P365. Therefore, it is not the smallest option you can get and doesn’t ride as comfortably as an appendix carry. Still, it has serrated slides with a smooth finish on both the front and the rear, reducing muzzle flip for a really smooth shooting experience. All things considered, I still don’t feel as though the size of the VP9sk is that much of a deal-breaker, and it is still comfortable. I think the size is just right and coupled with the grips, I personally handle this model better than I do other smaller-sized CCW firearms. 

The trigger is perfect right out of the factory and doesn’t need any modifications or aftermarket swaps. As for dependability, I’ve fired at least 1000 rounds and haven’t had any problems. I’ve fired 9mm ammo of various types, and it has given me great accuracy throughout with no issues or malfunctions. 

While it was loosely inspired by the HKP30 (which is a hammer-fired pistol), the VP9sk is striker-fired and has a flush fit magazine with a 10-round capacity. It’s super easy to control and allows quick follow-up shots, plus it’s a cinch to reload thanks to the beveling on all sides of its magwell. 

As for the VP9sk’s not-so-great qualities, the paddle style mag release is a sticking point among 9mm-lovers. I personally am not bothered by it, but what I do take issue with is the anchoring. My hands are on the larger side, so anyone in the same boat will find that the takedown lever is too far back to get a good handle on it. And forget about a forward anchor point – there’s no place to comfortably set your support-hand thumb. 

Someone with smaller hands and a smaller build could probably get the best out of this pistol without suffering the awkward hand feel, but besides that, the VP9sk has a lot of features and it is backed by a good reputation. I have used this product in many different situations and it has never let me down.

To read through the full review of this pistol specifically, you’ll find the H&K VP9sk Review here!

H&K VP9sk Pros and Cons

Reviews of the Best Budget 9mm Pistol

Let us reiterate here – cheap does not necessarily equate to bad. Or substandard. Admittedly, you should be skeptical of weapons that are too inexpensive, but in this case, we can recommend a couple of handguns that are remarkably good for their price.

There are a couple, in fact, that aren’t just good for their price, they’re pretty darn good in general!

Best Budget 9mm Pistol:

• Canik TP9SF
• Taurus G3C

Canik TP9SF Review

Don’t let the low price of the TP9SF fool you! It’s a super reliable, beginner-friendly polymer gun with one of the best stock triggers that I’ve fired on any gun. And that includes Glock, Cz, Sig, and others.

For a budget gun, the trigger reset is quite impressive, and its pull is short, smooth, and consistent every single time. A stable trigger safety prevents misfires,and other controls are placed at a “goldilocks” distance that’s just right for many shooters – most folk should have no problem getting a comfortable grip on this full size pistol.

The slanted slide gave me a clear view of my target, and it’s nicely serrated down the front and the rear for the right amount of traction. It’s got an excellent feel to it – if I was blindfolded, I could be convinced I was firing a Sig P320 or a G17.

All in all, the TP9SF is a solid gun for the price, but one serious issue I just can’t ignore is the lack of an ECI. There’s nothing to indicate whether your pistol’s chamber is loaded or empty, and that’s a risk I’m just not willing to take. 

Now, do I think that it’ll fully replace a higher-end duty pistol? No. But if you’re looking for a bare-bones budget gun that’ll get the job done…You need to look into the Canik.

If you read any of our reviews on duty pistols, you’ll have noticed that we bring up the Canik…a lot. And that’s because this 9mm is definitely worth your time. It’s not only worth being at the top of my list for the best budget gun, but it’s also worthy of inclusion on home defense pistols.

Check out our full-length Canik TP9SF review here!

Canik TP9SF Pros and Cons

Taurus G3C Review

There are some people who believe Taurus makes good revolvers but bad semi-autos. I have to disagree. In fact, I believe the opposite is true; the G3C is an excellent low-price gun and, size-wise, is a healthy medium in between the Glock 17 and Glock 19. 

The Taurus-G3 Compact has several things going for it, including the ability to take Glock sights and SIG P226 magazines. There is a lot of aftermarket support, so you can add a ton of accessories, such as the Taurus G3C TORO red dot sight or an OEM Taurus Captive Recoil Spring. 

The gun itself isn’t a mind-blowingly awesome race gun, but it is a simple, effective design. The striker-fire trigger has a short reset, and the magazine sits well with an extended pinky rest pad. A well-positioned mag release makes it easy for anyone with average-sized hands to use and the aggressively textured front strap and backstrap gives me a solid, non-slip grip. The magazine is adequate, and the accuracy is reasonable for a small pistol, but watch out for the slide bite if you have a high grip!

Now, it’s worth noting that it has a similar issue to the no ECI on the Canik TP9SF. The G3C’s witness windows are virtually useless because they only indicate at 6 and 12 rounds – anything below or in between, and you’re basically blind. Releasing the mag is also a bit tricky because there’s no real bevel and it makes reloading a pain.

That said, it’s definitely reliable—how often do you get to say that about a sub-$300 pistol?

Wanna know more? Read our full Taurus-G3C review.

Taurus G3C Pros and Cons

Reviews of the Best Home Defense 9mm Pistols

If you’re interested in getting a 9mm handgun for self-defense but you’re not interested in carrying it concealed and would rather keep it for your home, then you should check out this list of the best home defense pistols.

These pistols are full-sized for higher capacity, ease of operation, and have the ability to add a pistol light. Although some could be carried concealed as well, most people will find them a bit too large for this task.

Best 9mm Pistol for Home Defense:

• Springfield Echelon
• Sig Sauer P226

Springfield Echelon Review

The Springfield Echelon came out swinging!

This full-size polymer striker-fired 9mm pistol was introduced to replace the Springfield XD line, and they got just about everything right with this pistol. It has all the standard features you would expect on a duty-grade handgun. Plus, many aftermarket options people are adding on after purchase with slide milling and grip modifications.

These features include very wide and tactile slide serrations both front and back. There are even ledges or flares machined into both sets of slide serrations that make slide manipulations easier. The frame is factory stippled, which we found was in the Goldilocks Zone of not too smooth and not too rough. It also has a ‘gas pedal’ feature for your thumb to help drive the gun on target. Springfield undercut the trigger guard for a high grip. No need to send your frame off for stippling or your slide off for milling. It comes ready with all those extra features.

The chassis system in this is similar to a Sig P320, but it has a bladed trigger safety and a double sear for added safety. This system lets you have multiple frame options with interchangeable backstraps. I also love the magazine release; it’s ambidextrous and has the ideal height for a mag release. 

While optics ready handguns are not new, what is new here is the VIS optics mounting system. This unique system does away with mounting plates and can accept over 30 red dots right out of the box. Time will tell if this is the system all gun manufacturers will go to in the future, or if red dot footprints will standardize, but we are excited about this feature.

This is not a competition gun, but it shot flat and remained reliable in our testing. Accuracy was also on par with other duty handguns in its class and did not let us down. The gun has a threaded barrel for you to attach any muzzle devices, and it also comes with multiple sights. Plus, the Picatinny rail allows you to mount a light, so with a light and a red dot, the Echelon is ready. 

Truth be told, it has a light recoil, but pretty reasonable considering it’s a polymer striker-fired pistol. I also had a minor issue with the slide release location because I had a difficult time not riding it. My buddies who tried the Echelon said it was fine though, maybe that was just me.

Ergonomics, reliability, accuracy, and extra features like a novel mounting system for optics make this modern pistol an excellent choice for home defense.To read more, check out our Springfield Echelon Review.

Echelon Pistol Pros and Cons

Sig P226 Review

Runner-up on my top picks for 9mm home defense is the P226, which is a legendary firearm that’s served in various law enforcement and military circles for decades now. It’s a big, all-metal full-sized firearm that is easy to control and ergonomic.

The P226 comes in .357 and .40 S&W calibers as well, but I opted for the 9mm for home defense because it’s a lot easier to handle. This is important since my family might need to use it as well. 

All home defense guns should have a good grip, and the P226 has a contoured one that has a bit of texture to it so it won’t slip around in your hand. This makes it a lot easier to reach and manipulate the controls, but you could swap out the grip if you wanted to.

I chose the P226 as my go-to 9mm for home defense when I saw how accurate it was. Its tight barrel makes it very easy to aim and you don’t have to be a very experienced shooter to hit your target. The controls are top-notch, and the modern variants incorporate a rail for a light, and of course, SIG night sights.

My home defense guns stay in my house where my kids are, so a good safety system is a priority and the P226 has one I trust. It’s got a few safety features including a firing pin safety block and a safety intercept so you don’t have to worry about any accidents.

The P226 is equipped with a DA/SA trigger system that requires a deliberate trigger pull for the first shot, and light and short pulls for any follow-up shots. However, this system comes with a heavy trigger pull that could throw off your aim. This pistol also produces quite a bit of recoil which can take some time to get used to, so it’s best to practice shooting it in case of an emergency. 

SIG P series pistols tend to be expensive, making them a hard sell in the face of other handguns.

The P226’s weight and reliability make it an outstanding home defense weapon that’s very easy to shoot and handle. It is very durable so it could have more than one use outside of home defense, like competition shooting, but there are better options for that out there (we get to them later). That said, the P226 is still one of the best 9mm pistols I’ve ever used for home defense. For our full review of the P226 click HERE!

Sig P226 Pros and Cons

Best Handgun for Women

As you can see, we’ve written extensively on best pistols for women in the past and although women too have different types such as best for the CCW, and easiest to shoot (like the 380 calibers) the easiest to shoot and thus overall best 9mm pistol for women is:

S&W M&P Shield 9 EZ Review

To round out my list for home defense I would be using the M&P Shield 9 EZ. This pistol is a continuation of the EZ line S&W released back in 2018. It’s specifically designed to make the manual operation of the firearm much easier for newer shooters or those with diminished hand strength. 

It has plenty of features that make the operation of the firearm simple, such as a scalloped slide, magazine thumb studs, and minimal felt recoil.

I let my wife test this one out for me to get her opinion. She liked that the trigger mechanism felt crisp, and I have to agree with her; it felt much more satisfying than the usual spongy feel most striker-fired guns tend to have. The trigger system and short reset made taking follow-up shots a breeze and added to the ease of handling. 

While I don’t find it to be anything too special as far as firing is concerned, it’ll still hit the mark without too much effort. I like that the controls on the gun are mostly ambidextrous, but my issue is that the slide-stop and takedown levers on the left side of the frame are fixed, which can be a bit inconvenient.

The biggest issue we came across is some issues with mag feeding. The Shield 9 EZ has a lower capacity compared to the Sig P226 and has trouble feeding the magazines. I also noticed some increased muzzle rise and recoil when using defensive rounds such as Sig V-Crown loads, but it wasn’t unmanageable.

The S&W M&P Shield 9 EZ does have a few issues, but its ease of use, low recoil, and reasonable price make it a great choice for new shooters and those with less hand strength. 

To see our full review of the S&W M&P Shield 9 EZ, check it out HERE!

S&W M&P Shield 9 EZ Pros and Cons

Best Shooting Range 9mm Pistol

Honestly, any 9mm pistol that is good for concealed carry or home defense will also be just fine for the shooting range.In fact, if you’re using a 9mm pistol for a defensive purpose, you BETTER take it to the range often to practice.

However, we understand that you may just be interested in picking up a 9mm handgun for trips to the shooting range. Whether you like target practice, “plinking,” or you’re getting into pistol competitions, here are some great 9mm pistols for the range.

So, here is my favorite shooting range pistol:

H&K VP9 Review

Coming in as my top pick for the range, I’d have to include the H&K VP9. H&K released their very first striker-fired pistol back in 1970, and it was a complete flop. So, maybe that’s why it took them 40+ years to release one that’s actually worth it. And that gun happened to be the H&K VP9. 

This gun comes in two primary models: the VP9 and VP9-B (the latter of which has the “American-style” push-button magazine release). I decided to try the VP9-B out when I heard about its ergonomic design and impressive performance. 

I find the VP9-B to be amazingly reliable and accurate because it’s always given me consistently tight groups when I’m shooting it at the range. The VP9-B’s trigger is brilliant, and it’s a lot better than most of the ones you’d find on striker-fired guns. It’s very crisp and doesn’t take long to reset, which is always a good thing if you want rapid-fire between targets. The VP9-B has very low recoil and makes follow-up shots a piece of cake – so you see why it’s my go-to 9mm on the range.

The VP9-B is insanely customizable – it comes with 6 different grip panels and 3 backstraps, so you can really adjust it to fit your hands. Another great feature is that the mag release and slide lock are accessible from both sides, which means it works for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.

The VP9-B also has a trigger-mounted safety that prevents it from firing if you accidentally drop it, and it won’t fire unless the slide is in battery. I should also point out that it’s very durable – I’ve had my VP9-B for a few years and it still works great. 

Now, the pistol works well by itself, but it does have a rail in case you want to add any accessories. My only real issue was that the aftermarket is a bit small, so you don’t have a lot of options to choose from. 

That doesn’t stop the VP9-B from being an overall joy to shoot. We go into more detail in our full H&K VP9-B gun review, so make sure to check that out if you’re interested.

H&K VP9 Pros and Cons

The Best Competition 9mm Pistol

Below is my take for the best competition 9mm pistol. Granted there are some specialized pistols with a price increase that is astronomical. But the below is a good startard, well-loved, and reliable competition pistol.

CZ 75 TS Czechmate Review

The CZ 75 TS Czechmate is one of the top-tier competition-grade handguns in the world. Built from the standard CZ 75 frame, the Czechmate takes all the custom features competition shooters love and shoves them all into one convenient package.

For one, you can easily swap between a standard barrel and a compensated one, which is ideal for when you’re competing. The Czechmate has some great features that make it very easy to use. It comes configured for open division competitions with a compensator and C-More dot sight options. It’s also got an angled grip that’s wider than most single stack guns but still very comfortable to hold, especially if you have larger hands. This pistol is set for right-handed shooters by default, but it does have an ambidextrous safety and mag release, so anyone can use it.

The Czechmate’s ergonomic design makes it easy to cycle as well, even if you’re using an optic that sometimes gets in the way. This is partly due to the lack of recoil – I expected a bit of a kick since it’s a powerful gun, but I could barely feel it. 

Czechmate also has a flat-faced trigger that turns up at the bottom, so if you’re ever using one, you’ll be able to relocate it quickly between shots. All of this makes it super easy to shoot multiple rounds with minimal breaks in between. I found it easy to reload as well; it has a large magazine release that functions smoothly and the mags go right in without any problem. 

The Czechmate features an outstanding trigger, incredible ergonomics, and more upgrades than you can shake a stick at. These upgrades include an optic, compensator, magazine well, and more. My only issue is that the gun and the upgrades are incredibly expensive – the investment is only really worth it for pro competitions.

Even so, the Czechmate is an out-of-the-box option for competitors who don’t mind paying a pretty penny for the gun, but if you can ever just shoot one, I recommend it for the blissful experience.

For more on this pistol be sure to check out the CZ 75 TS Czechmate Review.

CZ 75 TS Czechmate Pros and Cons

For First Time Gun Buyers

If this is your first gun or perhaps just your first 9mm handgun, then there are definitely some things you should also consider so as to not only get the most out of your gun but keep it safe and those around you.

• Gun Cleaning Kit: Responsibly owning a 9mm pistol also includes knowing how to care for it. And that means breaking it down, cleaning it, and reassembly. You can check out our list of the best gun cleaning kits to choose the right one for you.
• Shooting Glasses: If you’ve never shot a gun before, then you may not be aware of the reasons why you’d need safety glasses. But all it takes is one piece of hot brass in your eye and 5you could be looking at serious injury. Check out our article on the Best Shooting Glasses to determine the right fit for you.
• Hearing Protection: It’s pretty obvious, but…guns go bang. And it doesn’t take much to start causing hearing damage. Protect your ears and hearing by picking up some premium ear pro. There are many different great options available too. Find out the best for you in our Best Shooting Hearing Protection review.
• Storage: Finally, if you’re going to be a safe gun owner, you’re going to want to properly store your pistol. Leaving it out and about where anyone can just snatch it up isn’t an option. Check out our favorite gun safes here.

Best Ammo for Your 9mm Pistol

You’ll find that each of these pistols may or may not prefer different ammo. However, one thing definitely remains the same. You’re going to want to buy two types of rounds: one for the range and one for actual self-defense.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are many different types of 9mm pistols on the market. Each one was, usually, designed with a specific purpose in mind. Hopefully, in this article, I’ve helped to show you the different uses of the 9mm, and which pistols are the best in that class. This way, you can buy a pistol with confidence and know that you’ll have a great 9mm for the purpose at hand.