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. 

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, if you’re in seeing a list of individual guns in each category, you can scroll down (or click the category of pistol below) and see how each gun ranked with more detail.

• Best Overall 9mm Pistol
• Best Concealed Carry 9mm Pistols
• Best Cheap 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		Editor’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 SIG P226		Very Controllable Rail Allows for Light Attachment Proven Combat Prowess	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 & Light Trigger Pull	Check Price

Spec Comparison of the Best 9mm Pistols

List of the Best 9mm Pistols:

The best 9mm pistols are:

1. Glock 45 Gen 5 (Overall)
2. Sig Sauer P365 (Best CCW)
3. Canik TP9SF (Best Budget)
4. Sig Sauer P226 (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. They squeezed a double stack’s capacity into a single-sized gun. The P365 is small and light, so it’s easy to carry and comfortable for most shooters of all sizes. The P365 is a purpose-built concealed carry gun that comes in capacities of 10, 12, and even a 15-round extended magazine. 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 is a great gun but is still a subcompact pistol, so 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.

Therefore, because of its small size, but full capacity, this makes the Sig p365 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 personalize the perfect grip 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. However, 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. 

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 as of yet there has been no problem or any malfunctions and has given me great accuracy.

This product is impressive because it 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

H&K VP9sk Deals

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

It’s a super reliable polymer gun with one of the best stock triggers that I’ve fired on any gun. And that includes Glock, Cz, Sig, and others.

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 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 face, I believe the opposite is true. The G3C is an excellent low-price gun.

The Taurus G3 Compact has several things to recommend it, including the ability to take Glock sites and SIG P226 magazines. There is a lot of aftermarket support.

The gun itself isn’t a mind-blowing awesome race gun, but it is a simple, effective design. The trigger is good, the magazine adequate, and accuracy reasonable for a small gun, but watch out for the slide bite if you have a high grip!

It’s definitely reliable, and how often do you get to say that about a sub-$300 pistol?

Wanna know more? Read our full Taurus G3C review.

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
• S&W Shield EZ 9

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 set of slide serrations that making slide manipulations easier. The frame is factory stippled, that 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.

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 reliable in our testing. Accuracy was on par with other duty handguns in its class, and did not let us down. The picatinny rail allows you to mount a light, so with a light and a red dot, the Echelon is ready. Ergonomics, reliability, accuracy, and extra features like a novel mounting system for optics make this pistol and excellent choice for you 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 is equipped with a DA/SA trigger system that requires a deliberate trigger pull for the first shot and light, and short follow-up shots.

The P226’s weight and reliability make it an outstanding home defense weapon that’s very easy to shoot and handle. The controls are top-notch, and the modern variants incorporate a rail for a light, and of course, SIG night sights.

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

For our full review on 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 manual operation of the firearm much easier for newer shooters or those with diminished hand strength. It has plenty of features that make operation of the firearm simple such as a scalloped slide, magazine thumb studs, and minimal felt recoil.

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. The biggest issue we came across is some issues with mag feeding.  

To see our full review on 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 find the VP9 to be amazingly reliable and accurate 9mm entry and an overall joy to shoot.

Check out our full H&K VP9-B gun review!

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 shove them all into one convenient package.

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. The Czechmate is an out-of-the-box option for competitors who don’t mind paying a pretty penny for the gun.

If you can ever just shoot one, I recommend it for the blissful experience.

For more on this pistol be sure to checkout 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.

Range ammunition is commonly referred to as “ball ammo” due to the rounded shape of the bullet’s nose. This round shape carries its own advantages and disadvantages.

When fired, these bullets don’t really slow down when going through obstacles. This can actually limit the effectiveness of a one-shot ethical stoppage because energy is not transferred well into the target. However, this can be an advantage if needing to shoot through thin walls or barriers to hit your target. Also, the rounded nose of the bullet allows for a smoother transition up your gun’s feed ramp in order to minimize jams.

Lastly, ball ammo can be MUCH cheaper. While it doesn’t have the full stopping power of other ammo, it can be much more cost-effective, particularly when shooting large quantities while you would at the range. That’s why it’s important to choose quality range rounds and good working ammunition. Here is a recommendation for each and where to find them: