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9mm pistols are the most popular self-defense handguns available on market: they have a relatively high capacity, less recoil than most other calibers, are effective for self-defense, and 9mm ammunition is relatively inexpensive and easily available in large quantities. 

Saying that there is a single best full-size, compact, and sub-compact 9mm pistol is like saying there’s the best burger.

With so many fine firearms available to shooters today, picking the right option can be overwhelming.

So, to help you with your decision, we have compiled a list of best 9mm pistols on the market to give you the know-how to pick your gun. 

Types of 9mm pistols

There are many different types of 9mm pistols on the market today. However, if you are just starting out, these are the three main categories you will come across:

Home Defense Handguns: One of the good things about home defense guns is that you can go as big and bulky as you want without any problem. A gun designed to be used inside the proximity of your home doesn’t need to be concealed. In fact, bigger and heavier handgun models come with a huge magazine capacity and are easier to deal with recoil. 

Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW): The main purpose of a CCW is that it is lightweight and compact which makes it easy to carry around without getting noticed. 9mm concealed carry handguns are available in various shapes and sizes ranging from pocket-sized single stacks to compact combat pistols and everything in between. 

Range Guns: Are designed specifically for training, practice, or shooting competitions. 

SafeSide Tactical’s Best-Selling 9mm Pistols

In the below table you can find our best-selling 9mm pistols in each of the categories we have discussed above.

However, if you are interested in reading a detailed review of each of these individual guns, you can scroll down to scoop up more serious stuff. 

Some of the best 9mm pistols by category
Use	Pistol		Top reasons to choose
Best overall	SIG P320 Compact		Number 1 best-seller Well suited for a variety of roles Modular
Concealed Carry (CCW)	SIG P365		Small and lightweight Best-in-class capacity Compact and best for use as CCW
Home Defense	SIG P226		Offers great control Rail allows for light attachment Proven combat prowess
Best for women	S&W Shield EZ 9mm		Super easy to operate Comes with multiple safety options Lightweight and portable
Shooting range	Canik METE SFx		Great trigger Red-dot ready Range ready out of the box
Competition	G34 9mm Long Slide		Highly accurate pistol Comes with an extended barrel Widely used as a competitive pistol for USPSA, IPSC, GSSF, and other sports shooting organizations.

SIG P320 Compact -Best Overall Pistol

The SIG SAUER P320 Compact comes equipped with a smooth and crisp trigger that offers unprecedented accuracy and reliability. Its unmatched modularity and state-of-the-art features have made it one of the most sought-after firearms on the market today. 

The reason why it makes it to the top of our best 9mm pistols list is that it's a jack of all trades; that efficiently serves as CCW, a capable home defense firearm, and a range gun. 

SIG P365 -Best Concealed Carry Pistol

SIG SAUER P365 sets a new standard for CCW. It's small, it's light, and comes with a capacity of a double-stack squeezed into a single-sized gun. 

P365 is a purpose-built concealed carry that is available in the capacities of 10, 12, and even 15-round extended mags.

SIG P226 -Best for Home Defense 

SIG SAUER P226 has proven itself as a top-notch home defense firearm through its aggressive use in the military and law enforcement. It's a large, all-metal full-sized gun, that is easy to control and ergonomic. 

This bad boy is also equipped with a DA/SA trigger system that requires a slightly stronger trigger pull for the first shot, and short and light to fire follow-up rounds. Available in multiple variants, P226 is very lightweight and reliable which makes it an outstanding home defense weapon.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ 9mm -Best for Women

S&W M&P Shield 9 EZ is a lightweight and easy-to-operate firearm and one of our most popular guns among the new lady shooters.

This pistol is a combo of the EZ series Smith & Wesson released in 2018. This variant has been specifically designed to make the manual operation of the gun easier for the new shooters. It comes equipped with a scalloped slide, mag thumb studs, and minimal recoil all of which make it simple to operate. 

However, there are some slight issues with reloading magazines. 

Canik METE SFx -Best for Shooting Range

Coming down to our top picks for the range, we’d have to include the Canik METE SFx.

The Canik METE is a striker-fired pistol that is available in two primary variants: the SFx which has a 5.2-inch barrel and the SFT which has a 4.46-inch barrel.

Featuring a premium, light-pull trigger, Canik METE is available with a 20+1 magazine and an 18+1 magazine. The firearm comes range ready with a molded hard case as well as an IWB/OWB holster and a speed loader. Priced at less than $550 this firearm is the best bang for your buck for the range.

Glock 34 -Best for Competition

Promising high accuracy for target engagement -G34 features an extended barrel, longer slide dimensions, and elongated distance between sights. It is commonly used as a competitive pistol for IPSC, USPSA, GSSF, and many other shooting sports, and also as a mainstay in many SWAT teams.

The best thing about Glock pistols is a massive aftermarket that allows you the freedom to customize your firearm to a crazy extent. 

Apart from G34 being a poor CCW pistol, it serves best in any other role. 

Four things you should look for in 9mm pistols

The most important element in choosing a 9mm handgun is its purpose. Apart from that, four other factors can be detrimental to your choice, including:

• Reliability and durability of the firearm
• Safety of the modern firearm
• What kind of warranty does your 9mm handgun come with
• Is there a big aftermarket for the handgun you plan to purchase

Unlike something better comes on the market, 9mm handguns are here to stay. Hopefully, you’ll leave here equipped with the right knowledge to choose your next 9mm pistol. 

Products used:
https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/sig-p320c-9mm-39-10rd-blk-73800
https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/sig-p365-9mm-compact-pistol-w-night-sights-64684
https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/sig-p226-legion-9mm-44-gry-15rd-6798
https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/sw-shield-20-9mm-ez-8rd-w-safety-night-sights-84131
https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/canik-mete-sfx-9mm-52-20rd-blk-96443https://www.safesidetactical.com/shop/g34-gen-3-9m-17r-as-40366