VALUE GUIDE: 9MM HANDGUN RANKINGS

1

VALUE GUIDE: RECENT 9MM HANDGUN RANKINGS

GUN NAME

ISSUE

GRADE

COMMENTS

Springfield XD(M) 4.5 XDMT9459FDEHCE TB 9mm, $505

Apr.

2019

A

Our Pick as a personal-defense, home-

defense, and tactical pistol.

Glock G34 Gen5 MOS PA3430103MOS 9mm, $710

Apr.

2019

A

The Gen5 guns are the best yet, with superior accuracy and features over earlier Glocks.

CZ-USA CZ P0-9 91620

9mm Luger, $402

Apr.

2019

B

Best Buy. CZ has managed to pack a lot of value into the P0-9. 19-round magazine.

FNH FNS-9L Longslide 66725 9mm Luger, $570

Apr.

2019

B

Heavier trigger than the other pistols.

Accuracy wasn’t as good.

Glock 45 9mm Luger, $546

Jan.

2019

A

Fast from concealed carry. The action allows a trained shooter to make fast hits. Reliable.

Beretta APX Compact JAXC921 9mm Luger, $449

Jan.

2019

B

Magazines were difficult to load. Slide was difficult to rack. Takedown button too tight.

SIG P320-M17 320F-9-M17-MS 9mm Luger, $770

Jan.

2019

B

The grip fits most hands well and the sights are excellent. The DAO trigger was too heavy.

Beretta 92 FS JS92F300M

9mm Luger, $562

Jan.

2019

B

Shows the age of its design with a slide-mounted decocker and long DA trigger pull.

Taurus G2S 1-G2S931

9mm Luger, $204

Nov.

2018

A

Best Buy. The Taurus pistol was reliable and controllable in rapid fire.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield

SW180021BW 9mm Luger, $400

Nov.

2018

A

The Battleworn Shield is reliable, accurate enough, and compact enough for EDC.

Bersa BP9MCC

9mm Luger, $295

Nov.

2018

A-

Reliable, feels good in the hand, and offers excellent handling in fast-paced drills.

Honor Defense Honor Guard

HG9SCF FIST 9mm Luger, $400

Nov.

2018

A-

The FIST option is viable. We tested it against barricades with excellent results.

Ruger EC9s 3283

9mm Luger, $231

Nov.

2018

B-

Most accurate handgun of the test, despite its light weight.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact 11686 9mm Luger, $476

June

2018

A

Pleasing trigger action, good gripping

surface, a rail, and grip inserts.

Glock G19X G5 PX1950703

9mm Luger, $594

June

2018

A-

Has many of the good features of the Gen5s. Fast from leather, fast on target, reliable.

Ruger SR1911 L’wt Commander 6722 9mm Luger, $739

June

2018

B

For those who like the single-action 1911 cocked-and-locked, this is a good choice.

SIG Sauer P225-A1 Nitron 225A-9-BSS-C 9mm Luger, $880

June

2018

B-

Slim grip appeals to shooters with small hands. No rail and low magazine capacity.

Log on to Gun-Tests.comto read complete reviews of these products in the designated months.

Highly-ranked products from older reviews are often available used at substantial discounts.

GUN NAME

ISSUE

GRADE

COMMENTS

Glock 17 Gen5

9mm Luger, $545

Mar.

2018

B-

A credible firearm, but the sum of its parts is not a great leap forward.

CZ-USA CZ P-10 C 91520

9mm Luger, $480

Feb.

2018

A-

Best Buy. Well-designed sights, decent

trigger, ambi slide lock and magazine catch.

Lipsey’s Glock 17RTF2 Vickers FDE 9mm Luger, $630

Feb.

2018

A-

Our Pick. Includes Vickers Tactical sights, a mag guide, and mag basepads.

Beretta 92FS w/Wilson Combat Upgrades 9mm Luger, $550

Feb.

2018

B

Smooth, well finished, and the most accurate handgun tested. Grip did not fit all shooters.

Arex Rex Zero 1 Standard FDE 9mm Luger, $634

Feb.

2018

B

Fit, finish, and an absence of internal tool marks show high build standards.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0

11537 9mm Luger, $599

Dec.

2017

A

A refined striker-fire pistol with a crisp trigger, excellent grips, and good accuracy.

Springfield Armory XD MOD.2 4-In. Service 9mm Luger, $565

Dec.

2017

A-

Easy to shoot due to the fiber-optic front sight, textured grip, and consistent trigger.

Ruger American Pro Duty

8605 9mm Luger, $579

Dec.

2017

B+

The American is capable and ran well with good accuracy. Grip inserts gave trouble.

Kimber Micro 9 Desert Tan (LG)

3300168 9mm Luger, $659

Oct.

2017

A

The laser grip complements the large sights on this micro pistol.

SIG Sauer P938 Emperor

Scorpion 9mm Luger, $639

Oct.

2017

A

With large sights, a crisp trigger and toothy grips, this was easy to shoot and control.

Springfield Armory XD-E 3.3 XDE9339BE 9mm Luger, $519

Oct.

2017

B

Trigger geometry took some getting used to.

Decocker was hard to manipulate.

Walther PPS M2 2805961

9mm Luger, $451

Sept.

2017

A

The Walther PPS M2 is a class act. It was the most expensive pistol tested this month.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield

180021 9mm Luger, $394

Sept.

2017

A

Best Buy. Well designed grip checkering, good sights, and a decent trigger action.

Glock 43 Subcompact Slimline G43 PI4350201 9mm Luger, $445

Sept.

2017

B

Accurate enough for personal defense,

reliable, and fast handling.

Honor Defense Honor Guard Sub-Comp. HG9SC 9mm Luger, $449

Sept.

2017

B

The only defect was the problematic slide lock, which was too heavy to operate quickly.

Taurus 709 Slim 1-709031FS

9mm Luger, $198

Aug.

2017

A

Best Buy. We would buy this gun, and we would carry it for personal defense.

Kel-Tec PF-9

9mm Luger, $257

Aug.

2017

A-

The Taurus outshot the Kel-Tec, but that doesn’t mean the PF-9 is out of the running.

1 COMMENT

  1. I saw your recommendation of the Springfield XD(M) Elite 4.5 handgun as a personal and home defense weapon. It sounded like what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I live in NY State and they don’t sell it with a magazine that fits NY’s laws so I cannot legally purchase it (presuming that anybody has the weapon in stock anywhere in the country). So, my question is, what would you say is the next best thing that is purchasable in NY?

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