First Look: Four Affordable 9mm Carry Handguns

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If you’re looking for an affordable 9mm pistol that’s easy to carry, you should check out the June 2021 issue of Gun Tests magazine.

Hi, I’m Todd Woodard. I’ve been the editor of Gun Tests for more than 20 years. And finding affordable concealed-carry handguns has never been harder.

Gun Tests Contributing Editor Bob Campbell and his South Carolina test team recently fired four smaller 9mms head to head to find the best performance and value. Those handguns were the: Ruger SR1911 No. 6722 9mm Luger, $775; the Tisas Regent BR9 9mm Luger, $558; the Citadel M1911A1-CS CIT9MMCSP 9mm Luger, $479; and the Zenith Tisas ZIG PCS9 9mm Luger, $549.

The Ruger SR1911 is the most expensive gun tested. We liked the fit, finish, handling, and accuracy of this handgun.

Subscriber Only: Click here to read our full review of the Ruger SR1911.

The Tisas Regent BR9, a Hi-Power clone, is a viable defensive firearm for some shooters. But the cocking effort is very high, 24 pounds, which may disqualify it for some shooters.

In this test, our shooters said the Citadel pistol is reliable and handles well. Problems were that it had less accuracy than the other pistols, and its front sight was too gray.

The Zenith Tisas PCS9 looked great, and we felt the grips were the best of the test. Unfortunately, the extractor gave us problems, and the slide-lock safety wasn’t properly fitted.

Subscriber Only: Click here to read our full review of the Zenith Tisas ZIG.

Also in the June 2021 issue, we provide the grades and Buy/Don’t Buy ratings for more than 40 more 9mm handguns in an accompanying Value Guide sidebar.

Gun Tests doesn’t accept commercial advertising, so we can offer reviews of firearms without the temptation of going soft on an advertiser’s gun because they pay us. 

If you’re interested in choosing good rifles, pistols, long guns, ammo and accessories without the influence of advertising subscribe to Gun Tests today.

Watch the first look video on our YouTube channel.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Wow, there is nothing affordable about most all those choice. You could buy a RIA 9mm/45 1911 A1 govt, Tissas .45 1911A1 govt, Taurus G2/G3, Kel-Tec P-11, SKYY, and even a Springfield Armory XD cheaper than most of those guns listed.
    At those prices, you could almost get a Hellcat, Sig P-365, most any Glock, Ruger EC-9, SR-9 or even the Ruger Security 9 at $359. The Ruger Max 9 at $500 is another from Sportsman’s Outdoor Superstore (just a quick Google search).
    Affordable would be Taurus G2 $240, Kel-Tec P-11 $270, Walter Creed usually under $300, Canik TP9 SA about $400 or less. Probably wouldn’t trust a Citadel with all problems they’ve had with shotguns.
    Affordable should be something a poor person can actually buy without saving for months to acquire.
    You could almost buy a Springfield Armory Ranger Officer for price of that Ruger and guarantee it would outshoot the thing. I bought a stock government 1911A1 Springfield years ago that was capable of 1/2″ out of the box with handloads and it would be still probably $200 less than that Ruger is at today’s prices.

    • Most of the cheaper firearms you listed are sub-par junk. It is not economical to purchase something that lasts for a short time only to be replaced with more ca$h out of pocket.

  2. Tough crowd. Good to read. Useful info. Hey Todd, Now all you need to do is get all the manufacturers to lower their prices. But I will still have to make my own choice. Thanks, and stay the course.

  3. “RIA 9mm/45 1911 A1 govt, Tissas .45 1911A1 govt, Taurus G2/G3, Kel-Tec P-11, SKYY, and even a Springfield Armory XD cheaper than most of those guns listed….. Taurus G2 $240, Kel-Tec P-11 $270, Walter Creed usually under $300, Canik TP9 SA about $400 or less.”

    “Most of the cheaper firearms you listed are sub-par junk.” Most would be 6 as a minimum.

    Pretty harsh. We all have “opinions” of course. I understand “affordable” is subjective. But many of those Junk guns have tested out very well. Not all my choice but but hardly “junk”.

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