Top 10 Best 9mm Pistols
Top 10 list of the best 9mm pistols on the market. Yes, this is a very general and subjective topic. But I thought I would go ahead and give my opinion on some of the best 9mm handguns you can buy today. I take various factors into consideration, such as quality, durability, reliability, cost, ergonomics, accuracy, aesthetic appeal, track record, field stripping, availability of accessories, and availability of parts. My hope is that this can serve as a useful resource if you are looking to buy a 9mm handgun.
A 9mm pistol is a great option because ammunition prices are reasonable, it has manageable recoil and adequate stopping power. Make sure you buy high-quality defensive ammunition to provide adequate stopping power for home defense. I will focus on home defense and range guns here.
Most of the guns on this list will be too large for concealed carry. But manufacturers offer compact and subcompact variations for many of the guns on this list.
If you are looking for a handgun that is strictly for home defense and you don’t expect to take to take it to the range that often then you probably want to look at pistols in a larger caliber like .40 S&W or .45 ACP.
If you like the .45 ACP, then keep an eye out for my list of the best pistols on the 1911 platform. You might also consider a revolver chambered in .357 magnum. Most revolvers in .357 magnum can also shoot .38 special which is a cheaper round with less recoil and less stopping power.
If you want a range gun for target practice, then consider a .22 caliber rimfire pistol because this offers the cheapest ammo, lowest recoil, and lowest stopping power.
You will also find suggestions for gun maintenance and shooting supplies that I highly recommend below. Please VOTE for your favorite 9mm below. Enjoy!
1) Glock 17 or Glock 19 (Generation 4)
No surprises here, this is the gun that started the polymer craze. It is one of the most popular guns on the market. It is a quality pistol and the most reliable money can buy.
The Glock 17 is a full-size pistol. While the Glock 19 is a compact model. Choose whichever feels best in your hand. If you can only purchase one pistol, this is what you want.
The only complaints I have are that Glocks are just plain ugly and their ergonomics are not great. But this is a quality piece at a reasonable price. You can pick up a Gen 4 for around $.
2) Beretta 92fs or Beretta M9
There is a reason the US military has used this pistol for decades. This is an amazing all metal pistol. It has a heavy but comfortable feel and looks a bit like 1911. This is a quality gun that is known for reliability and accuracy.
Ergonomics feel a little better than the Glock. The Beretta 92fs and M9 are the same guns. The M9 has markings like the guns used by the US Military. You can pick this gun up for around $.
3) Springfield XDm 9mm
This is a great polymer gun with lots of advanced features. It comes with a match grade barrel and is a very reliable shooter. I do not care for the design and styling of the gun. But with all the features in this quality gun, it earns it spot on our list.
The Springfield XD is also a nice gun, but if you are going Springfield choose the XDm because for a little more money, you get a much nicer gun. You can pick this gun up for around $.
4) CZ 75 SP-01
You will probably see this all metal gun at the top of most lists and rankings. When it comes to fit and finish I would tend to agree. It is probably the softest shooting and most accurate as well.
Most competition shooters prefer this gun, and it is very popular in Europe. This is a quality gun, and it is arguable the best 9mm pistols ever made. There are variants of the CZ 75 like the Phantom that are also great.
I am not a fan of the aesthetic appeal of this gun and availability and cost of parts in the US is not as good as other guns on this list. You can pick this gun up for around $.
5) Smith and Wesson M&P 9
A relative newcomer but has established itself as an excellent polymer 9mm pistol. Used by law enforcement and has a great set of features. Excellent ergonomics and reliability. A good looking gun as well. You can pick this gun up for around $.
6) Sig Sauer 226
A quality gun that narrowly lost to Beretta in the Army trials in the late 70s. This is a reliable all metal gun that is used by the navy seals. Probably the best looking 9mm pistol on the market. It has a very aggressive and rugged styling that I love. However, the high price makes this gun fall in my rankings. The other guns on this list are simply better values. You can pick this gun up for around $.
7) Sig Sauer SP2022
Sig Sauer’s polymer 9mm pistol is a quality piece at a bargain price. This is the best option to get a Sig Sauer for the price of a Taurus. You can pick this up for about $.
8) Baby Eagle 9mm
This all metal gun is built like a tank. The fit and finish are not as good as I would like but this is a quality gun. It is based on the platform of the CZ 75, however, this is not a CZ clone. Pick one up and feel the difference. You can pick this up for around $.
9) EAA Witness Match Elite
A great high quality and highly accurate all metal gun. Styling is a little plain and awkward. Not a very popular gun either so parts can be a little harder to come by. You can pick this gun up for around $.
10) Walther P99
An excellent polymer gun. Walther has an excellent track record of producing quality firearms. Styling is a little awkward. You might also consider the newer model Walther PPQ. You can pick one of these up for around $.
Honorable Mention
You might also consider the Beretta PX4 Storm, Walther PPQ, Taurus PT 92, Smith and Wesson SD9 VE, Ruger SR9, and EAA Witness. FNH, Kahr, and HK also make some nice guns.
