The quintessential 9mm caliber brings a ton of power in a concealable size. Check out the best 9mm pistols every shooter should have in their arsenal right now.
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10 Best 9mm Pistols You Should Add in Your Holster Right Now
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1. Glock 17
No list of the best 9mm pistols is complete without the Glock 17. Now in its 5th generation, it upgrades what Glock has set out in previous generation of this 9mm with a simplified build and tridem night sights for improved visibility in low light.
The Glock 17 is the Goldilocks of pistol sizes – compact enough to work extremely well for concealed carry, but large enough for you to grip it comfortably without significant cramping or discomfort.
Glock established the standard for what the best 9mm pistols should look like and perform and what its competition should aspire towards if they want to topple the brand recognition Glocks have enjoyed over the years.
2. Zev Technologies OZ9
Zev Technologies fuses the classic silhouette reminiscent of the Glocks with a state-of-the-art steel receiver never seen in guns of the past at a price point that’s hard to beat.
Built in-house from the ground up, the OZ9 feels really balanced in the hand with minimal recoil. This allows the shooter to fire round after round without breaking a sweat, making it a top choice in the competitive range.
3. Beretta 92FS 9mm
The 92FS has been the top choice for military and police forces for a reason – it’s so accurate it even surpasses the US military’s stringent requirements and is the pistol of choice in active service.
Thanks to its open side short recoil delayed locking block system, its reliability and precision set the bar many pistols must hurdle the past 25 years. Because it’s such a widely used pistol, you can easily find many options for customization.
4. HK P30S
It’s a wonder how HK managed to fit so many bells, whistles, and safety features in the P30S’s ultracompact frame. Elite forces in the police and military swear by HK pistols, and it’s easy to see why the moment you put a P30S through the ringer.
On top of the top-notch build quality, elite-level accuracy, and great ergonomics for its size, HK’s commitment to rigorous testing even before the guns leave the factory is a testament to their commitment to only bringing in the best of the best 9mm pistols to ever grace gun store shelves.
5. STI VIP
User-friendliness is the name of the game for the STI VIP. Its recoil master system contains the recoil motion through a plastic sleeve and its tactile nylon grips feel extremely nice in the hand even for long shooting periods.
All these bells and whistles come at a price, of course – the VIP isn't named the VIP for its budget value. If you have cash to burn, it’s worth adding the STI VIP to your EDC because it's one of the best 9mm pistols to get, period.
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6. Sig Sauer P365 XL
As one of the ultra compact pistols on this list, the P365 XL brings the ultimate in concealability without compromising on shooting performance. Its longer grip and barrel allow 12 round magazines to fit in this pistol – a feat absent in its smaller brother the P365.
Its slide is red-dot optics ready, making it one of the few ultra compact pistols to do so. It also has a large trigger travel for its size that makes it a joy to use even if you have larger hands.
7. Walther Personal Defense Pistol (PDP)
The Walther PDP takes the best features from its stellar PPQ line and add several key upgrades like a 15-round capacity and a satisfying trigger snap you need to try. Its best-in-class accuracy and sleek design make it a top choice for anyone looking for a reliable handgun to add to their EDC that also serves as a stellar conversation piece.
It’s also red-dot ready out of the box, so you can attach any optic of your choosing to make this 9mm pistol your own.
8. Browning Hi-Power
The Browning Hi-Power is one example of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. It’s been a part of many best 9mm pistol lists the past few years, and its sheer number of options indicate that there’s one for every type of shooter.
Its steel frame makes it a little heavier than the polymer frame found in more modern pistols but make no mistake – if you can get your hands on one, take the opportunity. They’re not in production anymore, but you’re guaranteed to find one in good firing condition in the used market if you know where to look.
9. CZ P-09
CZ’s P-09 brings the old-school charm of the classic SB-01 to the modern age with its polymer frame. Its outstanding ergonomic feel and lower bore axis makes firing consecutive shots much faster and much more accurate than some of the other best 9mm pistols out there.
The modern version comes with interchangeable backstraps and a Picatinny rail to accommodate a variety of grip sizes. Its large size, however, makes this more appropriate for home defense than for concealed carry.
10. Glock 19
The Glock 19 boasts the feat of being one of the best 9mm pistols in the market for multipurpose use. It works just as well as concealed carry as it does on the range or for home defense. Its no-frills nature makes it a top choice for those who just want a solid gun that works when you need it to.
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Because of its ubiquity, you’ll never be spoiled of choice in the aftermarket if you want to customize it for your needs.
How much does it cost to get into reloading a 9mm pistol? Travisp11 lays it all out:
Loading ...You can never go wrong with any of the best 9mm pistols on this list. No matter what your requirements and your budget are, there’s going to be one that fits your needs.
What is your favorite 9mm pistol? Let us know in the comments below!
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