Best 9mm Pistol for 2021

Picking the best 9mm pistol is a complex decision whether you’re a fan of the Glock 19, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield, Taurus G2C, Sig 365 & 320, Walther PPQ, or a variety of 9mm handguns from other manufacturers.

I have a top pick, but not everyone looks for the same features that make the best handgun for them.

Affordability, performance, and ease of use & maintenance are the main factors that I consider. In the end, your own personal experience is what’s going to move a pistol from just being in the popular handguns category to be the one you think is the best pistol.

Here are the top handguns that rank best for me. These models sell by the hundreds each month at Green Top online and on our showroom floor.

If the trend continues, it’s likely that we’ll see these topping the list again in 2021.

Best 9mm Pistols at a Glance:

1. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield E-Z 9mm
2. Glock 19
3. Sig Sauer P320
4. Walther PPQ M2 9mm
5. Sig Sauer P365
6. Springfield Hellcat Micro-Compact 9mm
7. Ruger Security 9
8. Taurus G2C

This gun is, by far, the easiest 9mm on the market to chamber a round. The slide requires much less effort to pull back than any other model, making it perfect for anyone with hand strength issues. 

Description:

Inspired by Law Enforcement, but built for personal protection, the Shield EZ is the latest gun in the M&P 2.0 line of products. It was meticulously designed by the experts at Smith & Wesson to be simple to use and feel good to shoot. With details such as an 18 degree grip, a picatinny rail, and a loaded chamber indicator, this sidearm will provide the confidence you need when it matters most.

Benefits:

• Durable, Corrosion Resistant Finish
• Stainless Steel Slide and Barrel with Armornite Finish
• 2 easy-to-load magazines
• Disassembles without pulling trigger
• Picatinny-style Rail
• Tactile Loaded Chamber Indicator
• Windage adjustable, White Dot Rear Sight

Glock is the most thoroughly tested, tried and true brand carried by law enforcement the world over. The Glock 19 is big enough to get your hand on, but still small enough for concealed carry. There are also a wide variety of aftermarket accessories available for it, such as rail lights, lasers, and night sights.  

Description:

The Glock G19 Gen5 Pistol is the ideal firearm for home and personal defense or recreational target shooting. Featuring easy-access control for both right-and left-handed shooters, the Glock 19 Gen5 offers reliable performance in an extremely versatile, compact handgun.

Benefits:

• Great for home and personal defense as well as recreational target shooting
• Small and light enough for everyday concealed carry
• Double semiautomatic action with a 15-round capacity
• Includes three 15-round magazines
• Comes with 2 interchangeable back straps
• Safe Action system prevents accidental discharge
• Reversible mag catch and ambidextrous slide stop lever allows for easy-access control
• Updated and modified barrel rifling and crown provides improved precision

The Sig Sauer P320 Compact’s light, crisp trigger and short reset make it not only accurate but a pleasure to shoot as well. The modular system also allows the owner the flexibility of using the fire control mechanism in a full-size frame—even one designed for a different caliber. This feature gives the purchaser increased magazine capacity, sight radius, and ammunition options without having to buy multiple guns. 

Description:

With a unique modular design, the Sig Sauer® P320 Compact offers the user the flexibility to change calibers, sizes and fit. Small, medium and large complete polymer grip modules ensure comfortable and optimal fit for the widest range of hand sizes.

The P320 features a unique 5-point safety system, standard on all models: Striker Safety, Disconnect Safety, 3-Point Take-Down Safety System, Takedown is Prohibited Without Removal of Magazine, System Prohibits Takedown Without Slide Locked to the Rear, Rotation of Takedown Lever Allows Disassembly Without Tools or Trigger Manipulation.

Benefits:

• Quick & Safe Take-Down w/ No Tools or Trigger Manipulation Required
• Double-Action Striker Fire Operating System
• Comes with 2 Magazines

This is probably the best feeling 9mm on the market. The amazingly comfortable grip makes it a pleasure to shoot. 

Description:

Features include low-profile, three-dot polymer combat sights, Tenifer coated slide and barrel, front and rear serrations, and ambidextrous slide stop. 

Benefits:

• Three safeties
• Ambidextrous magazine release button
• Ergonomic Walther grip
• Quick defense trigger
• Checkered trigger guard
• Mil-spec 1913 picatinny rail

This is a micro-9 that still fills the shooter’s hand, but is also small enough for comfortable concealed carry. The ability to use this pistol in conjunction with optical sights is a great bonus!

Description:

The Sig Sauer P365 XL Pistol is the perfect balance of micro-compact concealability with full-size shootability.

The P365 XL packs 12+1 capacity in a micro-compact, highly concealable size yet maintains the comfort and shootability of a full-size pistol.

The first P365 offered in the XSeries family, the XL comes standard with an extended slide, 3.7" barrel, and the brand new 365 XSeries grip module with extended beavertail and integrated magwell.

The new slide and grip module only add about 1/2" to the overall length and height of the micro-compact P365, while increasing the capacity to 12+1 rounds of 9mm. It still maintains the crisp, clean P365 trigger pull, but with the "X" signature flat profile trigger that breaks at 90 degrees. Also standard are the signature XRay3 Day/Night sights with a rear sight plate assembly that allows direct mounting of the new SIG SAUER RomeoZero or the RMSc reflex optics. Never has so much versatility and capability been squeezed into such a perfectly concealable size.

Benefits:

Two 12-round steel magazines included 
Optic ready sights with X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights
5.6" sight radius 

Size matters! This tiny 9mm packs a lot of rounds in a very small package, making it a top choice for concealed carry. 

Description:

The Springfield Hellcat™ Micro-Compact Pistol is the highest capacity micro compact 9mm in the world and the next generation of defensive pistol from Springfield Armory. Its patented magazine holds a class leading capacity of 11+1 and is the result of years of development and engineering as well as intensive collaboration with top engineers, shooters and self-defense experts. The Hellcat offers a paradigm shifting approach to red dot sight integration for an EDC pistol.

Benefits:

Adaptive Grip Texture™
High-hand beavertail
Undercut trigger guard
Flat trigger body and nickel boron-coated trigger group

Like the Glock 19, the Ruger Security-9 is big enough to wrap your hand around, but small enough for concealed carry. The biggest selling point is that it’s over $200 less than a Glock 19 Gen 5 and is made in America by a company that stands behind its products. If you’re looking for affordable reliability, you can’t go wrong with this one. 

Description:

The Ruger Security-9 Pistol is compact for easy concealment. The mid-sized Security-9 is designed to fit a variety of available holsters and concealed carry options. The Secure Action used in the LCP II and Security-9 is derived from the reliable and proven hammer-fired LCP fire control system. The Secure Action combines the smooth trigger pull of the LCP with the short, crisp feel and positive reset of a single action. Internal, Secure Action hammer provides strong ignition force yet allows for easier slide racking when compared with many striker-fired pistols. Front cocking serrations enable positive slide manipulation. Safety features include bladed trigger safety; manual safety; neutrally balanced sear with significant engagement and strong spring tension; and hammer catch to help prevent the hammer from contacting the firing pin unless the trigger is pulled.

Benefits:

Rugged construction with blued, through-hardened alloy steel slide and barrel
High-performance, glass-filled nylon grip frame
Precision machined, hard coated aluminum chassis with full-length guide rails
Textured grip frame provides a secure and comfortable grip
Dovetailed, high-visibility sight system
Drift adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight
Sights can be easily changed out for different color options (available separately)
Safe, easy takedown with no special tools or trigger pull
Includes two alloy steel magazines

This is a great size for everyday carry and still packs 12 rounds in the magazine. This gun ranks #1 in bang for your buck—selling for under $300.

Description:

The Taurus G2C Pistol is designed specifically for everyday carry and gives the perfect balance of comfort and confidence in any situation.

Benefits:

User-friendly magazine makes the Taurus easy to handle
Lightweight polymer frame and thin profile
Loaded chamber indicator, manual and trigger safety
Textured grip and melted edges for added comfort and easy concealment
Accessory rail included