![Best Micro Compact 9mm Pistols For Everyday Carry [Field Tested]](https://gundigest.com/wp-content/uploads/EDC-X9-2-review-target-768x481.jpg "Best Micro Compact 9mm Pistols For Everyday Carry [Field Tested]")
These micro compact 9mm handguns are more than ready for everyday carry and backup-gun duty.
The best concealed carry handguns are small, and most shooters today tend to prefer 9mm. Put together, these two concepts create the hottest new class of CCW guns on the market: the micro compact 9mm. This budding category of firearms has developed a lot in just the past couple of years, with new models being released almost too fast to keep track of. Here are our picks of the best micro 9mm handguns available in 2023, including both pistols and revolvers.
How We Chose The Best Micro Compact 9mm Handguns
The genesis of any of our lists is testing. Every gun chosen for the best micro-compact 9mm has been carried, shot and combed over by the Gun Digest team. Well, these and numerous other guns that did not make the cut.
We’ve taken these guns to the range, sent thousands of rounds through them with various ammo—self-defense and range—and evaluated how they performed. Furthermore, we’ve also carried them in everyday situations to make certain they have the stuff for EDC and not just another gun taking up space in your safe.
Overall, these are the handguns that provide the best performance, reliability, ergonomics and comfort for EDC.
Best Micro Compact 9mm Handguns
- Overall Pick: SIG Sauer P365
- Best Options: Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP
- Best High-End: Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0
- Best Larger Micro Gun: Glock 43
- Best Value: Taurus GX4
Best Micro Compact 9mm Comparison
| Model | Barrel Length (inches) | Overall Length (inches) | Height (inches) | Width (inches) | Weight (ounces) | Capacity | Frame Material | Sights | Safety | Trigger Pull (pounds) | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIG Sauer P365 | 3.1 | 6 | 4.8 | 1.1 | 17.8 | 10+1, 12+1 | Polymer | XRAY3 Day/Night Sights, optics ready | N/A | 4 | $600 |
| Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0 | 3.25 | 6.75 | 5.25 | 26.9 | 15+1 | Aluminum | Concealment Battlesight with red fiber optic front sight | Thumb | 4 | $3,422 | |
| Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP | 3 | 6 | 4 flush magazine, 4.5 extended magazine | 1 | 17.9 | 11+1, 13+1 | Polymer | Steele, tritium front, U-notch rear, Shield SMSc footprint | Trigger | 5.5 | $843 |
| Glock 43X | 3.41 | 6.06 | 5.04 | 1.10 | 20.64 | 10+1 | Polymer | Polymer, dot front, white outline rear | Trigger | 5 | $485 |
| Taurus GX4 | 3.06 | 6.05 | 4.4 | 1.08 | 18.70 | 10+1 | Stainless steel | Steel, white dot front, textured rear; optic-ready models available | Trigger | 7 | $424 |
SIG Sauer P365
P365 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.1″
Overall Length: 6″
Height: 4.8″
Width: 1.1″
Weight: 17.8 oz
Capacity: 10+1, 12+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: XRAY3 Day/Night Sights, optics ready
Safety: N/A
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs
MSRP: $600
Pros
- Accurate
- Reliable
- Modularity
Cons
- High Price
- Limited Grip Size
Essentially creating this class of handguns, of course, we’re kicking off the list of best micro compact 9mm guns with the P365. Getting so much right from the start is also our top pick for these small shooters.
We find a ton to like about the Sig pistol, from its modularity to its ability to melt away on the body and its relative accuracy. However, what got our attention in testing is the P365’s clockwork reliability. It simply keeps on ticking no matter what it’s fed.
Shooting-wise, we found the pistol accurate out to 25 yards in controlled fire. Up close, the 9mm shines combining a fast reset and the ability to jump targets quickly.
The overall accuracy is what most of us walked away most impressed over.
Surprising, because the gun only weighs in at a hair under 18 ounces unloaded. But smart texturing and ample grip real estate offered us supreme control.
Overall, this comes out as our top pick for micro 9mm handguns—also it tops the list of our best concealed carry guns. There’s a reason why the P365 has become among the most prolific microcompacts available today.
Check out our P365 review to get the inside out on the pistol.
P365 Deals
| Guns.com | $552 |  |
| Sportsman's Warehouse | $570 | |
| Palmetto State Armory | $800 | |
Wilson Combat EDC X9 2.0
EDC X9 2.0 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.25″
Overall Length: 6.75″
Height: 5.25″
Width: 1.4″
Weight: 26.9 oz.
Capacity: 15+1
Frame Material: Aluminum
Sights: Concealment Battlesight with red fiber optic front sight
Safety: Thumb
Trigger Pull: 4 lbs.
MSRP: $3,422
Pros
- Exceptional shootability
- High-quality trigger
- Durable
Cons
- High price tag
- Heavy for a concealed carry
- Thumb safety
Some of our reviewers consider the EDC X9 the perfect concealed-carry pistol. These are bold words but especially backed up by the 2.0 generation’s performance.
Outfitted with a compensator, the 1911 micro compact 9mm was the most shootable of all the guns we tested. No stretch, this gun could double as a competition pistol.
In addition to the compensator, the EDC X9 has enough heft to eat up the already polite 9mm’s recoil, making double taps lighting fast.
Of course, the trigger was an exception—light, crisp and a reset no bigger than a minute.
Being a Wilson, the gun is also as reliable as the day is long. However, we did find—as is the case with most 1911s—proper lubrication is a must to keep it ticking.
We won’t go as far as to say the EDC X9 2.0 is for everyone. First off, the price tag is steep, not to mention, it’s a weightier gun than almost anything we tested. Plus, not everyone who carried the pistol carried for having to disengage a thumb safety on a carry pistol.
For those comfortable with a time-test system, however, Wilson has cooked up what can only be described as a masterpiece—one you can trust your life to.
Read our entire Wilson EDC X9 2.0 review.
X9 2.0 Deals
| Guns.com | $2,700 | |
Load Up On 9mm Ammo Knowledge:
- How to Choose the best 9mm Ammo for Self-Defense
- Best Self-Defense Handgun Caliber – 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP?
- Medium-Bore Comparison: .38 Spl vs 9mm Ballistics
Springfield Armory Hellcat OSP
Hellcat Specs
Barrel Length: 3″
Overall Length: 6″
Height: 4″ flush magazine, 4.5″ extended magazine
Width: 1″
Weight: 17.9 oz.
Capacity: 11+1, 13+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: Steel, tritium front, U-notch rear, Shield SMSc footprint
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 5.5 lbs
MSRP: $843
Pros
- Excellent capacity
- Optics ready
- Comfortable in larger hands
Cons
- Brusque recoil
- Gritty Trigger
- Heavier Slide
A direct competitor to the Sig masterpiece, the Springfield micro compact 9mm is on par with the standard bearer and even exceeds it in some circumstances.
Especially notable, the Springfield touts the gun's class-best capacity, with 11+1 on board with its flush-fit magazine.
As a bonus, the grip geometry is expanded a bit compared to other guns in this class, making it slightly more comfortable for our larger-handed reviewers.
We love the original Hellcat but the OSP model–optics ready–is where we put our money in this line of guns. If you can add a red dot, you should.
For a 3-inch barreled 9mm, the gun is very shootable, though most of our shooters found it snappy. For those who find it too jumpy, Springfield offers a compensated model that does a number on recoil.
Perhaps the one major nit to pick from some of our reviewers was the trigger proved gritty and not quite as refined as other guns we test.
Even with this, the Hellcat more than earned its place as one of the best micro 9mm guns out there today.
Find out the whole story in our Springfield Hellcat review.
Hellcat Deals
| Gritr Sports | $580 | |
| Palmetto State Armory | $770 | |
| Sportsman's Warehouse | $600 | |
Glock 43X
G43 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.41″
Overall Length: 6.06″
Height: 5.04″
Width: 1.10″
Weight: 20.64 oz
Capacity: 10+1
Frame Material: Polymer
Sights: Polymer, dot front, white outline rear
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 5 lbs.
MSRP: $485
Pros
- Runs like a Glock
- More grip space
- Aftermarket support
Cons
- Optics compatibility limitations
- Stock capacity limited
Boring is generally pejorative, but in the case of Glock, it's high praise.Like nearly every other Glock we’ve handled, the G43X is boring—it’s accurate for a micro compact 9mm, chews through everything it's fed and almost never stumbles.
In essence, it’s everything you want in a potential concealed-carry gun.
The one hitch in its giddyap is capacity.When it first came out, we were perplexed about why Glock insisted on a single-stack, which keeps its onboard at 10+1.
Admittedly, this is enough firepower to handle most circumstances, yet teeters on the edge. However, along with reliability, the other thing you can count on with Glock is a thriving aftermarket.
Luckily enough, there are plenty of options to up the round count of the G43X, including a 15-round flush-fit option from Shield Arms.
A side note, our larger-handed reviewers tended to appreciate the longer grip on the pistol, which prevented overhang.
Other than that, it’s a Glock… which most should know what that means.
Learn more about this pistol in our Glock 43X review… we also test the Glock 48 in it too.
G43X Deals
| Brownells | $555 | |
| Gritr Sports | $525 | |
| Palmetto State Armory | $657 | |
Taurus GX4
GX4 Specs
Barrel Length: 3.06″
Overall Length: 6.05″
Height: 4.4″
Width: 1.08″
Weight: 18.70 oz
Capacity: 10+1
Frame Material: Stainless steel
Sights: Steel, white dot front, textured rear; optic-ready models available
Safety: Trigger
Trigger Pull: 7 lbs.
MSRP: $424
Generally speaking, we don’t exactly do backflips over Taurus—or haven’t in the past. However, the Brazilian company got a lot right with its minute GX4 pistol.
Aside from an extremely small package with plenty of firepower (11+1), the gun performs reliably.
What shined through was the gun's accuracy, with it producing groups as small as 1.14 inches at 10 yards. Not shabby with any pistol, but especially one with a barrel just a tick over 3 inches.
Add in it is a comfortable shooter, produced no malfunctions in our time with it and is easy to conceal, it’s a heck of a package. Especially for the price, which comes in at nearly half of what most micro 9mm ring up.
Is it perfect? Not by any stretch.
With pocket-pistol dimensions, those with larger hands are likely to find it difficult to get a grip on it. And its recoil is brisker than other guns in its class.
These factors far from preclude it from consideration—particularly for the budget-minded.
See how Taurus made a turn in out GX4 review.
GX4 Deals
| Sportsman's Warehouse | $300 | |
| Brownells | $330 | |
| Palmetto State Armory | $394 | |
- 11 Top Picks For Concealed Carry Handguns
- 7 Standout Concealed Carry Revolvers For Personal Defense
- 6 Concealed Carry Insurance Options To Protect Your Six
- Carry Right With 8 Top Concealed Carry Holsters
- 4 Must-Have Concealed Carry Upgrades
- Gallery: 9 Greatest 9mm Single Stacks
- Best Caliber for Self Defense: 9mm, .40 S&W or .45 ACP?
- Concealed Carry: Is The .380 ACP Enough For Self-Defense?
- Concealed Carry: What About +P Ammo?
Next Step: Get your FREE Printable Target Pack
Enhance your shooting precision with our 62 MOA Targets, perfect for rifles and handguns. Crafted in collaboration with Storm Tactical for accuracy and versatility.
Subscribe to the Gun Digest email newsletter and get your downloadable target pack sent straight to your inbox. Stay updated with the latest firearms info in the industry.
Jesus… anyone ever hear of Kahr???
And you guys are the supposed experts?
So I have the shield plus it’s great I have the max 9 it’s great but I mostly carry the Taurus gx4 cuz it’s so easy to conceal I carry one in my pocket and or in my waistband. And forget it’s there. Taurus has best bang for the buck
GX4 is tops and not even listed. Taurus of today isn’t the Taurus of ten years ago.
I agree
love my Glock 43x small and easy to carry and to me very accurate
It’s ironic, I came to read this article to find a ‘backup’ 9mm auto that’s SMALLER than the Shield 2.0 I carry, and what do I find? An article about a bunch of handguns BIGGER than my shield lol.
Where are the tiny, flat, small single-stack 9mms you’d ankle holster? These are all big guns in the ‘small’ category.
Sorry to all the gun snobs, but it’s hard to beat the Taurus GX4.
I have to agree with Jeff and Bill. Everything I have heard and read about the Taurus GX4 has been good. I always do my own research when purchasing anything, especially a gun, rather than trust the advice of one expert.
Poorly written article. I can’t believe this was published in a commercial magazine! “The Ruger SP 101 is HEAVY, but that weight helps tame the recoil”. So what does it weigh? Why call attention to this feature and make this claim, and not provide the relevant facts so the reader can compare this to the weight you listed for other guns in your review? Kind of an important fact to back up your claim, wouldn’t you say?
Also, for the P365 you state “and the option to up round on tap to 13 rounds”… so do you up a round every time you load a round into the magazine and “down” a round each time you fire it? Stop with the cutesy tean-age phrases and just clearly say what you mean, like a grown-up.
Pipe down boomer, you’re overanalyzing.
They ought to make shun after you. The Condescendo
Every one of these sites is controlled by the “Hollywood” gun manufactures and nothing on those that make decent firearms for a realistic price. You can take these people with a grain of salt.
You’re just gonna leave it at that then? How about your recommendations?
And the winner and still champ…… The Glock 26 also known as the Baby Glock. 🙂