Several 9mm pistols are considered in the top tier among handgun experts, but there is no ultimate best 9mm pistol. Some are best handguns for home defense, and others may be best for concealed carry.
Once you handle one of the many handguns for sale, feel how comfortable the grip is, and actually have the opportunity to fire the weapon, you can decide if it meets your requirements.
Origin of the 9mm
George Luger designed 9mm ammunition in 1902 to fit his new Luger handgun.
The Germans adopted the weapon as the standard handgun for the army and began to mass-produce it.
The simple design and accuracy possible when shooting 9mm rounds made it one of the most popular weapons of World War I.
Today, a large number of nations, including the United States, have made weapons using 9mm cartridges part of their standard law enforcement and military arsenals.
The 9mm Today
Many companies manufacture high-quality handguns that use 9mm ammunition.
In addition to the American military, many civilian law enforcement agencies use 9mm handguns: Over 60% of police departments in North America use this type of ammo.
Why 9mm?
The 9mm ammo is still in use today because it is small, easy to the chamber, and minimizes any recoil.
Less recoil means more accurate shooting, which is essential in stressful situations.
Types of 9mm Ammunition
One of the attractions of a 9mm handgun is the availability of different types of 9mm ammunition depending on what you want to do.
There are five main types:
1. Full Metal Jackets (FMJ)
This is the most common type of 9mm ammunition sold. Generally, a copper jacket encases the lead bullet. FMJ ammunition is popular for target shooting.
2. Unjacketed
Unjacketed bullets do not have an outer copper jacket. This slows the velocity of the round and lessens the power at the point of impact.
3. Hollow Point or Jacketed Hollow Point (JHP)
JHP rounds are copper jacketed (normally) with a hollowed-out center in the lead bullet.
The hollowed-out center enables the lead to expand or mushroom out when it hits the target. This creates a much larger hole and increases the stopping power of the individual round.
4. OTM or Open Tip Match
Competition shooters use OTM 9mm rounds. Manufactured in a way similar to hollow points, the design improves the accuracy and creates a much smaller hole on impact than a JHP round.
5. Ballistic Tip
Ballistic tips have a hollow lead tip with the cavity filled by a tough polymer. This increases the aerodynamic stability of the round, making them extremely accurate.
Hunters favor ballistic tip rounds.
What are the Best 9mm Handguns?
Most experts say that among the top ten are the Glock 19, the Smith and Wesson Shield, the CZ 75B, and the Beretta 92.
Glock 19
The Glock 19 is one of the most famous weapons in the world. Even though most 9mm weapons have little recoil, the Glock 19 has a reputation for having less than any competitor’s brand.
This handgun is also known for its durability no matter what the environment or conditions under which it is used. This firearm is also extremely reliable, and rarely jams or breaks.
There are many different accessories available, allowing you to customize it.
A Glock 19 is one of the best handguns for home defense available.
The Smith and Wesson Shield
The Smith and Wesson Shield is designed to be one of the most concealable guns sold.
The Shield has a decent capacity, standard 10 round magazine with larger magazines available. The smaller, lightweight 20.8-ounce design makes it an excellent gun for people with smaller hands, and it is an ideal firearm for women.
Many consider this handgun the perfect personal protection weapon.
CZ 75B
The CZ 75B was developed in the Czech Republic. It combines performance with great aesthetics. This handgun is a popular choice for many European Police officers. It is a heavier weapon than the other three weapons reviewed here, but the weight helps diminish recoil, making it very accurate.
It is too large and heavy for most people to use for concealed carry, but it is perfect for home defense.
Beretta 92
The Beretta 92 is the United States military handgun of choice. The military version is known as the Beretta M9, and it has been the favorite among the troops since 1985 due to its rugged construction and accuracy.
This 9mm handgun is also used by many European police forces.
