5 Best 9mm Handguns for Self-Defense

The word “ultimate” has long been common currency among firearm enthusiasts. But if there is a combat and tactical pistol for which this term is absolutely appropriate, it is the Beretta M9. This legendary semi-auto handgun has not only won the historic contract with the US military in 1985, but also achieved a triumphant contract renewal after more than two decades of hard use in the world’s toughest and most extreme conditions, from the scorching deserts of Iraq to the frigid heights of the Afghan mountains. A contract renewal after this kind of use and abuse means a product that has kept its promises--and then some. Simply put, there is no pistol today that is as durable, reliable, dependable, easy to use, safe and accurate as the Beretta M9, the handgun that has rightfully earned the nickname of “World Defender.”

When we talk US military standards, we talk hard numbers, not opinions. The M9 has been put through impossibly-rigorous durability and reliability tests that greatly exceed any kind of real-life situation--and it has passed them all with flying colors. For instance, it will keep functioning in temperatures as low as -40 F and as high as +140 F, and it consistently fires over 35,000 rounds of commercial ammunition before a failure. It will keep functioning reliably even after being buried in the sand or snow, or being repeatedly dropped on hard surfaces like asphalt or concrete. Beretta’s engineering experience and the quality of the steels used enable this kind of reliability, on which America’s servicemen and women depend every day.

Another official test that the M9 had to pass was at the firing range. Even here, the demands of the US military far exceed most conditions in which a handgun is used--and even here, the M9 delivers. As per government testing guidelines, this pistol is capable of firing 10-shot groups of 3 inches or less at a distance of 50 meters (approximately 55 yards), with consistency and reliability. With other brands and models of premium pistols, this kind of accuracy may only be attained with extensive (and expensive) modifications and customization with after-market parts, while the M9 offers it right out of the box.

The M9 offers a variety of tactical features that make it equally safe, easy to use and dependable in the holster of military personnel as well as for home or personal defense. Its reversible magazine release enables the use of either hand for tactical magazine changes, while its ambidextrous safety-decocker makes the pistol flexible for right- or left-handed persons or for shooters trying out different gripping or shooting styles. Its Bruniton finish with military-style markings is highly resistant to sweat and corrosion, and after shooting, a tool-free disassembly latch makes it simple and quick to take the pistol apart for cleaning. These and countless other useful features make the M9 the choice of the US military, as well as individuals wanting the absolute best for sport or self-protection.

Features

• Ambidextrous safety
• Open slide design
• 3-dot fixed sights
• Disassembly latch
• Reversible magazine release

The Springfield Armory SA-35 is based on one of the most prolific and popular pistols in small arms history, the P-35 "Hi-Power". Springfield Armory's SA-35 gives today’s shooters a modern take on a revered classic. Featuring subtle but significant upgrades to John Moses Browning and Dieudonne Saive's original P-35 design, the 9mm SA-35 captures the appeal of the “wood and steel” era of arms making while offering the upgraded enhancements of today’s defensive pistols. The SA-35 features rugged forged steel parts for strength and durability, improved ergonomics and enhanced controls, a factory tuned trigger, modern sights, an improved feed ramp design, and an increased 15-round capacity.

Features

• Checkered Walnut Grips
• Matte Blue Finish
• 4.7" Cold Hammer Forged, 1:10 twist barrel
• Modern sight configuration with a white dot front and serrated tactical rack rear

The Sig Sauer P320-M18 Pistol was recently issued to all branches of the U.S. Military and was chosen as the official sidearm of the U.S. Marine Corps. The P320-M18 is the commercial version that brings the same unprecedented accuracy, extreme reliability and unmatched durability the military demands. 

The P320-M18 comes standard with SIGLITE night sights and a removable night sight rear plate. The slide is optic ready and directly compatible with the ROMEO1 PRO. The slide and grip module are the same coyote tan as the military version, and it includes (1) 17 round magazine and (2) 21 round magazines. The P320-M18... chosen by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S Military, now available to you for the first time. 

Features

• Optic-Ready Coyote PVD Slide with Removable Night Sight Plate Compatible with ROMEO1PRO and Deltapoint Pro Optics
• Carry Length Coyote Grip Module
• Ambidextrous Manual Safety

Designed for professionals, the Glock 17 Gen 3 is trusted by law enforcement officers and military personnel around the globe because of its unsurpassed reliability, optimal magazine capacity of 17 rounds in the standard magazine and its low weight. With the signature "Safe Action" trigger system, the GLOCK 17 9mm Luger pistol is safe, easy, and quick - precisely what you need in critical situations.

Features

• 2 Magazines included
• Polymer frame with accessory rail
• Textured, finger grooved polymer grip

Built for competition right out of the box, this metal-framed 9mm pistol is designed to give competitive shooters the edge. The Competitor comes with a 5-inch barrel, has an enhanced sear for lighter, crisper trigger let-off, and includes a flared magazine well for fast and efficient reloads. Boasting a new look, the aggressive lightening cuts on both the top and sides of the slide ultimately reduce the amount of weight in front of the chamber and, in return, help improve the recoil balance point. The slide is cut for optics, includes a fiber optic front sight, and blacked out serrated rear sight. The Competitor comes with an oversized mag release that is reversible for both right and left-handed users and ships with a total of four magazines. Smith & Wesson is proud to introduce the Performance Center M&P9 M2.0 Competitor.
Features

• Metal frame design with 5" barrel
• Slide lightening cuts on top and sides
• Optimal 18-degree grip angle for natural point of aim
• Four interchangeable palmswell grip inserts for optimal hand fit and trigger reach - S, M, ML, L.
• Textured polymer front strap
• Flared mag well for fast reloads
• Fiber-optic front sight and blacked-out rear sight
• Reversible over-sized magazine release
• Slide cut for optics
• M2.0 flat face trigger for consistent finger placement that allows for more accurate and repeatable shooting
• Enhanced sear for lighter, crisper trigger let-off
• Picatinny-style rail
• Forward slide serrations with new aesthetic
• Low barrel bore axis makes the M&P pistol comfortable to shoot, reducing muzzle rise and allowing for faster aim recovery
• M&P’s patented take-down lever and sear deactivation systems allow for disassembly without pulling the trigger
• Comes with four 17-round magazines