These micro 9mm handguns are more than ready for everyday carry and backup-gun duty.
The top micro 9mm handguns available today:
Nothing beats a micro 9mm pistols and revlovers when it comes to capacity, concealment and power. Richard Mann gives us his top 6 picks when it comes to these small and stout self-defense guns.
SIG Sauer P365
Groundbreaking, SIG squeezed full-sized capacity into a micro 9mm pistol’s concealable package with the P365. The 10+1 capacity with its flush-fit magazine and the option to up it to 13 round with an extended mag. It has XRAY3 Day/Nights sights, comes in at 1-inch in width and weighs 17.8 ounces. Hard to beat with a price tag of $599.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield 2.0
Smith & Wesson has refreshed the Shield with a refined trigger and a more aggressively textured grip. The slide’s edges have a softer bevel and fish-scale-like serrations. It has a maximum capacity of 8+1, weighs 18.3 ounces and it’s offered with or without a thumb safety. A version with a Crimson Trace laser is also available for only $499.
Ruger LCRx
This revolver’s monolithic frame is made from aerospace grade, 7000-series aluminum. It also has a stainless-steel cylinder and, at 17.4 ounces, it’s not all that heavy for a six-shot 9mm revolver. It comes with three full-moon clips to make reloads easy and has a suggested retail of $669.
Ruger EC9s
This very affordable polymer-framed semi-automatic has a capacity of 7+1 and weighs 17.2 ounces. It’s 6 inches long, less than 1 inch wide and the sights are integral to the slide. It comes with a finger extension you can add to the magazine, but its most attractive feature is that it’s less than $300.
Ruger SP 101
For those who like the feel of steel, Ruger’s SP 101 is right up your alley. This five-shot, all stainless-steel, double-action revolver has enough weight to tame the recoil of the hottest 9mm +P loads. It ships with three full-moon clips, and though a bit heavy, that weight and the cushioned rubber grips make it extremely comfortable to shoot at $719.
Glock 43
Among the most anticipated Glocks ever produced, the G43 lived up to expecations. At 6.26 inces in overall length and 17.95 ounces unloaded, the 6+1 pistol runs on the larget side of micro pistols, yet is concealable as ever. Aggressive grip texturing makes it easy to shoot, large magazine catch helps lightning-fast magazine reloads and is more than affordable at $449.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the 2018 Shooter’s Guide issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.
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