{"id":9524,"date":"2026-04-12T16:00:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/the-best-9mm-handguns\/"},"modified":"2026-04-12T16:00:50","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T16:00:50","slug":"the-best-9mm-handguns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sawahsolutions.com\/range\/the-best-9mm-handguns\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best 9mm Handguns"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nine millimeter semi-automatic handguns are the most popular type of firearm in the United States. You might not hunt deer with a Glock, but if you own a handgun for self-defense\u2013as most gun owners do\u2013it probably uses a detachable magazine and is chambered in 9mm Luger. Many hunters carry these firearms into the woods for protection in case things go sideways with another human, and you can make a solid case for their use against charging bears, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The popularity of 9mm handguns has incentivized gun companies to offer scores of models with a wide range of features, capacities, and capabilities. These days, it seems like every gunmaker (even those you wouldn\u2019t expect) offer an all-black semi-auto. If you\u2019ve been scrolling through sporting goods websites wondering how to narrow the field, you\u2019ve come to the right place.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As I did with this article on 10mm handguns, I asked Scheels to send me some of their newest, most sought-after 9mm models, and I ran them through a gauntlet of testing to see how they stack up against each other. You might not agree with my assessment, but I hope the info below is helpful as you choose your first\u2013or next\u20139mm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Jump to: The Ultimate 9mm Showdown<\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Contest and Contestants<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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There are so many 9mm handguns on the market, it\u2019s nearly impossible to select a group to test without leaving out someone\u2019s favorite (I myself am partial to the HK VP9). But I think this list offers a good mix of brand-new models and time-tested favorites: the Ruger RXM, Glock G19 Gen 5, Sig Sauer P320, Walther PDP, Canik Mete SFT, Springfield Echelon and the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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From left to right, top to bottom: Walther PDP, Canik Mete, Ruger RXM, Springfield Echelon, Sig Sauer P320, Glock 19, Springfield M&P 2.0.<\/span><\/p>\n

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As you can see, I left out sub-compact models designed specifically for concealed carry. You generally don\u2019t need to conceal a handgun when you\u2019re out in the field, so you might as well go for the higher capacity and easier shootability of a larger model. All of these guns land in the $500-$700 range, they all offer capacities between 15 and 18 rounds, and they\u2019re all optics-ready (more on that below).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To choose a winner, I pitted these handguns head-to-head across eight categories:\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Each pistol received a score from 1-7 based on their ranking, and their total scores are tallied at the end. If two guns tied, their scores were averaged.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But before we get to that, here are the major specs for each handgun.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The Ultimate 9mm Showdown<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Ruger RXM<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Glock 19 Gen 5<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Sig Sauer P320<\/p>\n

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Springfield Echelon<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Walther PDP<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Canik Mete SFT<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n Slide Length\n <\/th>\n\n 7″\n <\/td>\n\n 7″\n <\/td>\n\n 7.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 7″\n <\/td>\n\n 8″\n <\/td>\n\n 7.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 7″\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Overall Height\n <\/th>\n\n 5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5″\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Weight\n <\/th>\n\n 23 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 22.5 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 28.5 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 24.5 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 26 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 28 oz\n <\/td>\n\n 27 oz\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Optics Ready?\n <\/th>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n\n Yes\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Trigger Weight\n <\/th>\n\n 5.5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 5.5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 4.5 lbs\n <\/td>\n\n 5,5 lbs\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Barrel Length\n <\/th>\n\n 4″\n <\/td>\n\n 4″\n <\/td>\n\n 4.7″\n <\/td>\n\n 4″\n <\/td>\n\n 5″\n <\/td>\n\n 4.5″\n <\/td>\n\n 4.25″\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Capacity\n <\/th>\n\n 15+1\n <\/td>\n\n 15+1\n <\/td>\n\n 17+1\n <\/td>\n\n 15+1\n <\/td>\n\n 18+1\n <\/td>\n\n 18+1\n <\/td>\n\n 17+1\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n Price\n <\/th>\n\n $430*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $540*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $500*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $650*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $700*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $475*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n\n $670*<\/sup>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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