Choosing the best compact 9mm pistol is not a decision you can afford to get wrong as it can save your life. The best concealed-carry handguns should be lightweight and compact for comfort and ease to carry.
Check out this roundup of the best compact 9mm pistol available in the market today.
RELATED: 5 Best Compact 9mm Handguns
10 Best Compact 9mm Pistols You Need for Your Everyday Carry
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1. Canik TP9 Sub Elite Cas
This Canik TP9 Sub Elite Cas is a variant of an outstanding line of concealed carry handguns. Like other CAS variants, the Canik TP9 Sub Elite Cas features a fiber-tritium sight and patented FT Bullseye, enabling you to engage your targets accurately in various light conditions.
The integrated FT Bullseye sight further streamlines the pistol’s snag-free design. But the icing on the top is the ability to use the iron sights and patented FT Bullseye in tandem when you want.
What’s more, the pistol’s flat-faced trigger breaks 90-degrees offering short reset and pre-travel distances. This, in turn, guarantees fast and accurate follow-up shots.
Features:
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- Serrations
- Striker indicator
- Flush-mounted fiber-tritium sight
- 90-degree aluminum trigger
- Loaded chamber indicator
- Ambi slide stop
- Side changeable magazine catch
2. Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact
Next on the list is the Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0 Compact handgun that features a four-inch barrel and half-inch shorter grip length. As far as usability goes, it has an 18-degree grip angle that pairs exceptionally well with the aggressive texturing for enhanced control.
What’s more, the trigger on the M&P M2.0 Compact is light and crisp with an audible and tactile reset. Ergonomically, this compact handgun series has four interchangeable palm swirl grips that are perfect for most shooters.
A combination of low barrel access and an extended stainless-steel chassis guarantees you enhanced shootability. Lastly, the nine-caliber comes with two 15-round magazines, while the 40-caliber comes with two 13-round magazines.
Features:
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- It is available in two calibers
- Has a light trigger
- It comes with magazine sleeves
- Has great ergonomics
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Note: Both pistols come with magazine sleeves that allow you to use full-size magazines.
3. CZ P10 Micro
There is no doubt the CZ P10 Micro is among the best compact 9mm pistols available in the market today. The CZ P10 Micro comes in a one-inch width, 4.3-inch height, and an overall length of 6.3-inches and has a commendable weight of 20.1 ounces. This size and weight make for a perfect concealed carry pistol.
Features:
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- Front and rear slide serrations
- A staggered proprietary seven-round magazine
- Fixed three-dot sights
- A rail for accessories
- Reversible magazine release
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4. Sig Sauer P320 XCompact Spectre
The Sig Sauer P320 XCompact Spectre features a laser engraved grip module that offers a great bite to the grip and, of course, great looks. It also features an engraved X on the top of the slide in case you have any doubt about the P320 XCompact Spectre being an X-series gun.
The lightning cuts reduce in size progressively along with the 3.9-inch slide. Also, as an X-series gun, you can expect it to come optics-ready with a removable plate cover and X-Ray 3 day and night sights. Besides the skeletonized trigger, you will also love the distressed finish on the slide that is unique for every handgun.
Features:
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- It has a skeletonized trigger
- A longer barrel
- It comes with an engraved grip module
- Custom work engravings
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Note: You can also directly mount optics like Romeo One Pro, Romeo 2, Delta Point Pro even the RMR directly onto the slide.
5. Glock 26 Gen5
Undoubtedly, the Glock 26 Gen5 is among the most renowned best compact 9mm handguns in the gun world today. Of course, it comes endowed with the legendary GLOCK Marksman Barrel that guarantees improved accuracy with an enhanced polygonal rifling and barrel crown.
What’s more, it features front serrations that offer a tactile surface for when you are gripping the slide. This will give you excellent traction even with sweaty or wet hands.
Features:
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- Removable finger grooves
- An Ambi slide
- Superior hard-surface finish
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RELATED: Best Full Size 9mm Handguns For Less Than $750 | Best Handguns under 1000
6. Ruger Max 9
Even as a micro pistol, Ruger Max 9 comes packed with a ton of features hence why it is one of the best compact 9mm pistols available in the market today.
With a lightweight of only 18 ounces and measuring in at six inches long and an inch wide, the Ruger Max 9 will comfortably conceal in your pocket, inside your waistband, or even a purse. This is also partly thanks to the handgun’s three-inch barrel.
That’s not all. It has a commendable capacity of 12+1, which is more than enough for any self-defense confrontation. What’s more, it has a comfortably sized grip with an averagely aggressive texture. Also, the 12-round magazine adds some extra room so that your hand fits perfectly on the grip.
Lastly, the Ruger Max 9 is designed around a precision CNC machined fire control housing. As a result, it has a hammer-forged barrel and hardened steel slide for accuracy. The Ruger Max 9 is also available in a pro model, but each pistol comes optic-ready for a micro red dot sight.
Features:
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- It comes with a manual safety
- Tritium fiber day and night sight for changing light conditions
- Adjustable iron sights
7. Springfield Armory Hellcat
A best compact 9mm pistol list wouldn’t be complete without the world’s largest capacity micro-compact handgun. It features a patented flush-fit magazine of 11+1 rounds and an extended magazine of 13+1 rounds to go with the adaptive textured grip for the ultimate everyday carry handgun.
A non-proprietary rail lets you customize your EDC handgun with lasers and lights that fit and meet your needs. Lastly, the Gen 2 trigger features enhanced ergonomics to provide a more enjoyable shooting experience.
Features:
- Reversible magazine release
- Loaded chamber indicator
- Serrations on the top slide
- A hammer-forged barrel
- Comes optic-ready
8. Mossberg MC1SC
Judging by the dehorned slim profile that offers you a snag-free draw, the MC1sc was designed for concealment. That’s not all. Its loaded weight of only 22 ounces and its lightweight but sturdy polymer construction make it the perfect EDC.
It features a grip palm swell that has a natural feel and is comfortable to hold. That does not mean that the grip panel is not aggressive enough for maximum control.
Features:
- Comes with superior ergonomics
- It has a flat-profile trigger
- Features snag-free dovetail sights
- Clear-count polymer magazines
9. Walther PPQ SC
Elegance and comfort don’t get better than the PPQ Sub-compact. Additionally, it is a jack-of-all-trades that fits the bill for home defense, concealed carry, and even taking to the range with excellent performance.
The PPQ Sub-compact allows you to effectively switch from a 10 to a 15-round magazine to suit your needs when it comes to versatility. For instance, the 10-round magazine makes for great concealed carry, while the 15-round one offers you the performance and feel of a full-sized pistol.
Features:
- Ambi slide stop
- Quick-defense trigger
- Ambidextrous grip
- Reversible magazine release
10. FN 509 Compact MRD
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This striker-fired pistol features a 3.7-inch barrel and comes in a 12+1 capacity. It is also designed to accept other higher-capacity FN 509 magazines. The optics mounting system on the FN 509 Compact MRD will accept almost all available red dot sights to co-witness with the blackout iron sights.
Features:
- Improved controls
- Superior texturing
- Backstraps for better recoil management
- Comes with a flat-faced trigger
There is a lot that goes into choosing a gun you might need to depend on for self-defense. The best compact 9mm pistol for you might not be the best option for another due to variables like usability, weight, personal preference, and comfort. However, narrowing down your available choices is the first step towards landing the handgun, and that is what this list does for you.
Loading ...Which of these compact pistols have you had the best experience with? Let us know in the comment section below!
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