9 mm Luger is one of the most popular calibers, being fairly light on recoil, affordable, and easy to find. Not only it is powerful enough to stop a threat fired from a concealed gun, but it’s powerful enough to be used by the majority of military and federal law enforcement agencies.
9 mm ammo is used in guns of all sizes and all purposes, including self-defense, range shooting, home-defense, etc.
9mm guns have many purposes and categories, however, we’ve limited this article to a few that you are most likely considering.
Concealed carry guns
When it comes to self-defense, smaller guns are easier to conceal and that is the main reason why people go for smaller guns for personal protection. Compact and subcompact are often chosen, but some people find full-size guns suitable for CCW. Because different people find different sizes and shapes suitable, there are indefinite options for CCW handguns.
Top 9mm Concealed carry pistols:
Home-defense guns
Another field where 9mm guns find widespread use is home-defense. While many guns are designed to be suitable for concealed carry, others can be larger because you don’t have to worry about size when using your gun for protection at home. Because you don’t have to carry it on you, you can go as bulky as you want and typically get a larger magazine capacity.
The bigger and heavier gun will also have less recoil meaning it is easier to shoot. The most important rule about a home-defense 9mm gun is: all adult members of the household should be able to handle it.
Top 9mm Home defense pistols:
Range guns
While some people possess pistols strictly for self-defense, there are shooters who simply want to have fun at the range. Certain 9 mm guns are designed for concealed carry, and there are other categories in which range guns fall into, including competitive shooting, plunking, target shooting, etc. That doesn’t mean that specific pistol can’t be used for other purposes, it simply means that some features work better for a specific purpose.
Top 9mm Range pistols:
Carry on reading to find some of the most popular 9 mm caliber handguns. Our list is not exhaustive, but rather a limited selection of guns that are bestsellers often found among the favorite guns when it comes to this caliber.
Spec Overview
Sig Sauer P320: Most popular multi-purpose

- Modular
- Comfortable to shoot
- Can be too big for CCW
- Pricey magazines
You can switch many of its main parts to get almost a completely different handgun, including one suitable for concealed carry, or change a backstrap to fit your hand size. It is also available in other calibers, .357SIG, .40S&W, and .45ACP.

Weight – 26 oz.
Capacity – 13+1 rounds
Action – Double Action Only
S&W M&P9 Shield M2.0: Most popular for CCW

- Good size for conceal carry
- Textured grip
- Can be snappy
- Long reset

Weight – 20.9 oz.
Capacity – 8+1 rounds
Action – Double Action Only
H&K VP9: Most popular for home-defense

- Durable and reliable
- Customizable grips
- On the expensive side for its class
The full-size gun features a Glock-like safety and 15-rounds magazine capacity. It features a Picatinny rail for further accessorizes, but there are other variants of this gun for those who prefer to have additional features integrated. Variants of this 9mm handgun are also available for those who prefer to have a smaller sized gun, such as VP Tactical, VP9SK, etc.

Weight – 29.84 oz.
Capacity – 15+1 rounds
Action – Double Action
Glock 17: Most popular for home-defense

- Durable
- Reliable
- Big for concealed carry
It is a full-size handgun, but it still has its many fans when it comes to concealed carry. Since its introduction in the early eighties, many variations of this gun were designed and became popular for their reliability and durability, such as Glock 17L, Glock 17C, Glock 17MB, Glock17M, Glock 18(selective-fire variant of 17), etc.

Weight – 22.04 oz.
Capacity – 10+1 rounds
Action – Safe Action
Glock 19: Most popular for home-defense

- Good size for home-defense
- Great aftermarket
- Safety features
- Can be bulky to conceal for some shooters
It is slightly smaller than G17, earning its place in a “compact” category, however, it still provides the performance of a full-size gun. G19 is handy because its reduced size makes it easier to conceal and carry every day, without much compromise on the capacity.

Weight – 20.99 oz.
Capacity – 10+1 rounds
Action – Safe Action
Sig P365: Most popular for CCW

- Compact size
- Lightweight
- Great capacity
- Can be snappy
“America’s #1 selling gun”, is also available as P365XL, featuring a higher magazine capacity while staying on the concealed-carry-size side.

Weight – 17.8 oz.
Capacity – 10+1 rounds
Action – Double Action Only
Ruger LC9s: Most popular for CCW

- Great for deep-concealment
- Thin and light
- The tiny grip can be an issue for some shooters
For those who love small size 9mm handguns, LC9s makes a perfect concealed carry weapon. It features a single-stack 7-round magazine, although some parts are interchangeable with LC9 (it is available from the factory with an extended 9-round magazine).

Weight – 1 lbs.
Capacity – 7 rounds
Action – Double Action
Glock 34: Most popular for range shooting

- Heavier weight for less felt recoil
- Longer sight radius
- Great for range
- Not versatile
G34 has plenty of firepower with a 17-rounds magazine. The most recognizable feature of this gun is cut out of metal on top of the slide, reducing the weight of the front slide and improving the balance.

Weight – 25.77 oz.
Capacity – 10+1 rounds
Action – Safe Action
Walther PPQ M2: Most popular for range shooting

- Great trigger
- Long sight radius for accuracy
- Not much aftermarket
- Costly magazines
Walther PPQ has an excellent smooth trigger. It is not easy to conceal due to its size, but it makes a perfect gun for those who are thinking along the competitive lines.

Weight – 24 oz.
Capacity – 15+1 rounds
Action – Double Action
Is there a handgun on your mind that didn’t make it to this list? What’s your favorite 9 mm gun?
Let us know in the comments.
Interesting, so many of the Glock pistols included are being shown in the California compliant 10+1 round capacity magazine. Most of the states in our country are still free to use the original pistol with the original capacity.
New York too has a 10 pound Mag Law
Not here in NJ, we’re down to 10 rounds! Looking forward to retiring to GA
I’m sorry about NJ, I lived there back in the “good ole days” and would go shooting on the train tracks, in a wooded area, in the 90’s! I don’t know about GA. Just fyi, Bloomberg and gang are looking at NC and GA as 2 possible “hits” this next election cycle. I’m in VA, where we hope to get our Rights back, this election. If our old governor re-takes the Governorship, he has said that he will exec order a 10+1 round limit and propose an AWB! This guy had reinstated the 1994-2004 “AWB” during his tenure! This is incredulous and a simple “way to CONTROL” the masses! Btw: I’m with VCDL and a member of almost every other major PRO-2A org.
FWIW- I’m familiar with most, good choices overall. With the prices of guns and ammo at an all time high, you missed one on the CCW listing for best value. Have numerous friends that agree. Taurus G3c comes with 3-12 rnd mags, excellent trigger & reset, & features for half the price of the Glocks. Takes optional Glock sites, Tenifer finish, & now made in GA. all for about $300 now if you shop. Check Sootch00’s reviews,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAGxE-CtZH0
I agree! I own and carry either a Glock 19 or a Taurus G3C 9mm (12+1)! Now with the Taurus G3 TORO and G3C TORO lines at around $300.00, I do not know why they are not listing them. I own another Taurus and other owns I can carry, but those are my two primaries.
New York too has a 10 round Mag Law
No Springfields, I like the 1911s and xds
Me too Bill; I love my Springfield Range Officer 9mm! Heavy with little recoil.
sar b6 9 mm a great gun 17 round capacity turkish made for the military ,accurate and reliable a clone of the cz75 without all that weight.
I’ve had a b6c. I prefer the CM9 from sar myself. But carry both the CM9 and the cz p10c
They are missing some very good and reliable carry pistols: many 1911 and 1911A1 firearms. Also, what about the Taurus G3 and G3C or G3 and G3 TORO lines at about half the price of several listed, yet holding up well?
The S&W M&P9 SHIELD M2.0 has a 3.1″ Barrel Length. The M&P9 M2.0 Compact has 4′ or 3.1″
century Arms Canick is my choice. Accurate and easy to handle.
I agree with fingerman I have or have had most of these pistols and still have the 365 also the Taurus G3c Second strike is the reason I bought it I feel better using millitary and Russian ammo 365 has 12rds mag n 15 rd. mag backup the G3c has the 12 rd. mag that is supplied . are fine more options for the 365 I replaced the trigger. All in all I find this article misleading
I think the list is on point missed the Canik TP9SFX in home defense and range categories. For the money the weapon is just stupid solid and one of the best shooting pistols around. The Magazine capacity is insane at 20rds.
**A few honorable mentions
Canik Tp9sf, IWI Masada
Just purchased both, amazing firearms at a great price point
No mention of Kimber micro 9 that you can put Crimson trace lasergrips on
have you looked at the Hell Cat
The barrel length of the Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm 2.0 Shield is 3.1 NOT 4
Taurus Slim Line is very Easy CCW for warm places like Florida . I also purchased a Sig Saur P365 and
is an easy to conceal weapon too, but a lot pricier.