Due to its size a 9mm handgun is now one of the most popular self-defense calibers for concealed and open carry. In this review we will look at a range of 9mm caliber handguns across all price ranges.
If you would like to skip the review and just go to the best compact 9mm handguns then here is a quick list.
- S&W M&P9 2.0
- Springfield XD(M)
- Glock 19 Gen 5
- HK VP9
- Sig Sauer P365
- Ruger SR9c
The 9mm is a weapon that provides a good balance between ease of firing and stopping power.
It is a lightweight pistol that has moderate recoil with less chance of over penetration.
Ammunition can be found nearly everywhere and comes in a variety of configurations, FMJ, hollow point and frangible.
So let’s take a closer look at the handguns in our list.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0
There have been some changes made to Smith & Wesson's M&P pistol hence the new model number 2.0 tacked onto the name. The changes are added frame strength, additional stippling around the grip with a heavy texture, beaver tail has been removed,
small front serrations have been added and they slimmed down the top of the slide.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 2.0
This gun is comfortable and has a good feel in the hand. They shoot smoothly and once again this is a reliable compact 9mm worth every dollar.
Springfield Armory 9mm XD(M)
Priced less than the HK but similar to a Glock it's a great first gun to buy and a solid performing compact.
This handgun will give you the most value for you money. It is packed with features and shoots flawlessly. Great fun to shoot with.
Springfield Armory 9mm XD (M)
Glock 19
Known for its reliability, the G19 is by far the most popular handgun in the United States. It is a striker fired polymer frame pistol that other handguns in the same class are compared to and sets the standard for this class of handgun.
Glock 19
The gen 5 Glock 19 can be configured with upgrades to the slide, barrel and grip. It also has a rail that allows a flashlight or other accessories to be attached.
HK VP9
The Heckler & Koch VP is an excellent choice for a striker fired weapon. It offers interchangeable backstraps and grip panels and has to be one of the more comfortable and smoothest 9mm pistols on the market.
Some of the features are a striker fired indicator, ambi controls, luminescent 3 - dot sights and a 5.4 pound trigger. There is also a VP9SK model that has the same features but in a smaller package.
The Glock and HK feel different when fired but I cannot say one is better than the other.
"HK VP9"
Sig Sauer P365
The Sig Sauer P365 has been built to be as streamlined and snag free as possible. This model retains what we liked in prior models such as the flush-fit, 10-round magazine, reinforced polymer frame and stainless-steel slide.
Sig Sauer P365
This is an excellent shooting pistol that is known for its ease of use, reliability, modularity and accuracy. It is a compact that can be quickly changed to meet your requirements and give you a custom handgun.
Ruger SR9c 9mm
This compact 9mm handgun comes in four versions. The versions differ in color and magazine size with one having a 17+1 round magazine.
This handgun is at the lower end of the price scale but performs well and gives you every thing you need in a compact 9mm handgun.
Only one version has the 17+1 round magazine, the other versions have a 10+1 round magazine.
Ruger SR9c 9mm
Conclusion
Anyone looking for a compact defensive gun will be okay with any of the handguns mentioned in this article. These are some of the best guns in their class on the market.
These compacts are about as big as you want for concealed carry, any larger and you will need to start making some adjustments to your clothing, such as an oversize shirt or untucked shirt.