When choosing the best compact 9mm handguns, narrowing your options down can be challenging. Many firearms today offer high levels of consistent reliability and durability and come with more features and options than ever before.
Ask yourself these questions to help you find the best match. What will your handgun’s purpose be? Do you need a handgun for carry, home defense, sport, competition shooting, or recreational shooting? Are you looking for a specific brand or model, or are you looking for a reasonable price point?
Here is IFA Tactical’s selection of the top four 9mm handguns available on today’s market. We recommend you do your due research, try them out at the range if you can, and decide which handgun is the best fit for you.
1. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0 9mm Compact Crimson Trace
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield M2.0 Compact Crimson Trace is a compact semi-automatic pistol 100% designed and made in the United States.
Although the original M&P Shield M2.0 was already an excellent choice without laser sights, this version comes with a built-in red tactical laser sight made by Crimson Trace, with an autonomy of up to four hours, ideal for plinking and self-defense.
The Crimson Trace laser sight projects a bright laser dot and is fully adjustable for windage and elevation, allowing you to sight in and adjust the built-in laser beam to your preferences. S&W also offers models with a green laser beam instead of red, with or without tactical light.
The Shield M2.0 9mm comes with manual safety and accepts either a flush-fit 7-round magazine or an 8-round magazine extended grip magazine. The 8rd magazine gives you a little extra room for a secure grip and a comfortable hold.
This 9mm handgun with laser sight features an ultra-reliable strike-fire double-action mechanism, meaning it is always ready to fire when you are. Its anti-slip textured grip is comfortable to hold even over extended periods.
Field-stripping is quick and straightforward, thanks to its sizable take-down lever. Disassembling this handgun does not require pulling the trigger, making it very safe to take apart and maintain. This handgun is perfect for concealed carrying at just 19 oz. and less than 1” of overall width.
If you’re looking for a compact gun made by one of the world’s most reputable gunmakers, the SIG Sauer P320 XCompact is one of the best choices you can make.
The full-size version of the P320 won the XM17 Modular Handgun System competition. It was selected by the Department of Defense to replace the Beretta M9 as the standard service pistol in the U.S. Army and Air Force.
The P320 XCompact is simply a more compact version of the full-size pistol, featuring a steel slide with front and rear serrations, a polymer frame with fastback cut, and a short Picatinny mount for lights and laser sights. The frame also features an undercut trigger guard and a textured grip for additional comfort.
This pistol also comes standard with high-visibility TruGlo TG-H3 tritium front and rear sights, making it easy to aim and acquire targets under any conditions, even in the most unfavorable low-light environments.
It doesn’t matter if you’re right-handed or left-handed; the P320 XCompact is fully ambidextrous, thanks to its slide catch/slide release lever on both sides and a reversible magazine release button. With a laser installed on the Picatinny mount, the P320 XCompact becomes one of the best 9mm pistols with laser sight you can carry.
Best of all, even though it’s a compact pistol, it comes standard with a 15-round, double-stack magazine, allowing you to carry up to 16 rounds of self-defense 9mm ammunition before needing a reload.
3. Glock 19
In 2020, the Glock 19 was declared the most popular handgun in America. If you’re familiar with Glock pistols, you may already know why, but if not, the G19 is one of the longest-running modern mid-size pistols available on the market.
The G19 is the compact version of the full-size Glock 17, favored by military forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians worldwide. It is a popular handgun for carry, duty, and backup use and one of the most common handguns ever made.
Lightweight, easy to carry, easy to operate, yet featuring the world-standard 9x19mm chambering and a high capacity, the Glock 19 became the standard of comparison for this class of handgun and 9mm caliber handguns in general.
The Glock 19 is a mechanically simple pistol featuring only 34 parts, contributing to its legendary reliability. Its standard flush-fit magazine accepts up to 15 rounds, although the G19 can also accept any magazine compatible with the Glock 17, potentially extending the G19’s capacity to anywhere between 17 and 33 rounds.
The frame features a picatinny rail mount, ideal for installing an adjustable laser module or tactical light of your choice. You can also install guide rod lasers projecting a red or green laser beam or a Crimson Trace grip-mounted green laser, freeing the rail for another accessory. These options make the Glock 19 one of the best compact 9mm with laser sight you can have today.
The Glock 19’s Safe-Action trigger features a 5.5-pound smooth trigger pull with a crisp break, making trigger control easy. It also features a reversible magazine release and ambidextrous slide stop for added versatility and ease of use.
4. Heckler & Koch VP9
The Heckler & Koch VP9 is one of the world’s most rugged striker-fired pistols, suitable for everyday concealed carry, duty use, target shooting, and tactical applications. It features a high-durability, cold hammer-forged polygonal barrel, providing high accuracy, far beyond what one might expect from a 4.1” barrel.
The H&K VP9’s standard magazine capacity is 15 rounds, putting it on par with other pistols of its size. The back of the slide features a pair of levers H&K calls charging supports, making it easier for the shooter to pull the slide and chamber a cartridge.
The VP9 also features grips with comfortable finger molds and interchangeable side and backstraps, with 27 different grip configurations possible. No matter the size of your hands, you can make the VP9 fit your hands comfortably.
The trigger is crisp and easy to operate, and the controls are fully ambidextrous, making this handgun enjoyable to shoot for people of all backgrounds and statures. You won’t go wrong when you take this pistol to the range, and it is designed to last for years.
The “VP” stands for “Volkspistole,” which is German for “People’s Pistol.” Its ambidextrous controls and ergonomic design certainly help it live up to the name. It’s definitely a people-pleaser.
Shop at IFA Tactical for Your Next Handgun Purchase
If you’re looking for the best 9mm handguns on the market, IFA Tactical can help you out. We carry an extensive range of firearms, from the Beretta 92FS to the Walther PPQ. Contact us for everything related to your gun and ammunition needs.
Contact Us
If you’re looking for the best 9mm handguns on the market, let us help you out. We carry the firearms listed above as well as other favorites such as the Beretta 92fs and the Walther PPQ Contact us for everything related to your firearms and ammunition needs.
