It can be difficult to find the best EDC 9mm compact pistols for concealed carry. There are hundreds of options on the market. Many of them look good, but fail to perform when put to any serious use. In this article I’m going to include some great 9mm options for every day concealed carry. I will also include some important considerations for red dot optics, lights, and more.
In recent years there have been noticeable changes in the firearms industry for 9 mm pistols, mostly for the better. We’ve also seen an increase in interest about concealed carry, over the last few years. This means more options on the market, as companies look to expand their offerings.
Generally this means more quality firearms available at reasonable prices. However, I’ve also seen a huge increase in 9 mm handguns that are heavily marketed, but have serious quality control issues. In fact, some of the largest firearm manufacturers have serious safety and reliability issues.
In this list I plan on including a wide variety of firearms that are good options for everyday carry (EDC). Many of these guns are are polymer striker fired guns, with a few other options for variety. Here’s a quick overview of the 7 best EDC 9mm compact pistols.
7 Best EDC 9mm Compact Pistols
- Glock 43x MOS
- Smith and Wesson 986 Revolver
- Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS
- HK VP9sk Optics Ready
- Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus 9mm Micro Compact Pistol
- Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact Pistol
- Heckler & Koch P30SK V3
Before we get into the details of each every day carry pistol, I want to make a few things clear. First, this isn’t an exhaustive list. These are firearms and manufacturers I have experience with. I trust them to be reliable. There are some large firearm manufacturers that I do not trust to be on this list, for good reason.
It’s also important to note that the links to these pistols are affiliate links. If you purchase from these companies we receive a small percentage for the referral. It costs you nothing extra and helps support the website. We thank you for the support.
In the next section we need to review some of the objective criteria that you need to consider when picking your best 9mm pistol. Before we do that, don’t forget to join the email list below for more tactical and fitness content.
Top 3 Criteria for Picking a CCW Pistol
The most important factors to consider when picking an EDC pistol are reliability, capacity, and shooting performance. If you’ve read any of my other articles on shooting, then these criteria should come as no surprise. Moreover it’s important to put some metrics behind these three criteria.
Reliability for the Best EDC 9mm Pistols
This is an easy to define metric. How often does the pistol fail to function? As a competition shooter, I shoot more 9 mm luger rounds in a year than the average shooter might shoot in a decade. I won’t shoot a pistol in a match unless it will go through more than 1000 rounds without a malfunction. I expect at least that level of reliability from a gun I might bet my life on.
Two of the three duty guns I’ve carried have never malfunctioned, with over 20,000 rounds through each of them. These guns aren’t special, nor are they expensive. This is also why I do not recommend 1911 or 2011 style firearms.
To be perfectly clear, these guns are great to shoot, and you can’t beat the trigger pull on an expensive 1911 / 2011. But, I have never seen one of those firearms meet my reliability criteria. Even 2011 guns marketed to LEO’s fail with alarming regularity.
Whichever pistol you choose, make sure you test it thoroughly. I recommend at least a thousand rounds of 9mm practice ammo, and a few hundred self defense rounds, to make sure your pistol works with your brand of hollow points. Check out the links above to see my recommendations for practice and defensive rounds.
Capacity for the Best EDC 9mm Pistols
If you’ve read my analysis of 11 Research Based Concealed Carry Tips from Criminal Video Analysis, you know there are some surprising takeaways. Most relevant to our discussion is the fact that criminals often attack in groups of 2 or more.
If you look at historical gunfight stats for police officers, we see that over the last 100 years officers have maintained a 30% hit rate. I see no reason to think your average CCW holder will do any better.
In my analysis of 1800 gunfights we see that most common self defense pistol rounds require at least 2 rounds to strike the target before they flee, or become incapacitated. If we combine these key statistics we have a very good idea of our ideal magazine capacity.
If we plan on having to deal with 2 bad guys, and we know that we need to hit them with at least 2 rounds each, at a 30% accuracy rate, that means we need 12-13 rounds in the gun. Remember, this is a worst case scenario with multiple bad guys, and no ability to flee the situation.
This is why I generally recommend carrying a firearm with at least double digit capacity. This normally rules out single stack semi-automatic pistols. Obviously, this may not always be possible, however, you need to understand that you’re assuming some risk if you choose to carry fewer rounds, in some of the smaller guns.
Best EDC 9mm Performance Shooting
Most of shooting a pistol well is the ability to grip it with a full firing grip. Any good shooter can tell you that the more pressure you can comfortably put on the grip of the pistol increases your ability to control recoil, and shoot more accurately.
You should carry a pistol that allows you to comfortably grip the gun. I won’t carry a pistol if it’s small size won’t allow my pinky to fit on it. For certain firearms, like J Frame revolvers, that means I need larger grips to shoot the pistol well.
Moreover, a heavier, metal framed gun is going to be a little more forgiving to shoot than a very light polymer gun. The downside is that it will be heavier to carry around all day.
I tend to recommend a pistol with a shorter barrel length and a longer grip. This allows me to grip it properly. It doesn’t affect the ability to shoot, especially at self defense distances.
Now that we’ve covered some of the criteria you should consider when selecting your best EDC 9mm pistol, let’s get to the full list of the guns.
7 Best EDC 9mm Compact Pistols for Concealed Carry
Most of these guns won’t be a big surprise to many of you, but I bet there will be several that you won’t have considered. In each section I’ll review the pistols key features, and list the price that you can currently purchase them for.
Keep in mind that most of these pistols have different versions in different colors, calibers, or sizes. Moreover, some come with different triggers, safeties, and other mechanical features. I recommend following the links to learn about the options available to you.
I would also encourage you to check out this incredibly in depth review by T Rex Arms. They put several of the pistols on this list through a very thorough 2,000 round evaluation and came away with some great points to keep in mind.
I particularly liked that Brantley Merriam was there to evaluate. He is a nationally ranked Grand Master shooter in USPSA. He lent a lot of credibility to the review process. Check out this video for the full review.
Glock 43x MOS
The Glock 43 x MOS (9mm) is probably the best handgun (of the small guns) for almost everyone on this list. It also came out on top in the T Rex Arms review. It occupies the space between the the compact, and subcompact pistol designations. Overall, it’s quite small, with a 3.4 inch barrel (6.5 inch overall length), and a slimmer profile than the Glock 19. Here’s a quick overview video.
It comes with a 10-round magazine from the factory. While an overall 11 round capacity isn’t bad, that can be substantially increased with the excellent Shield Arms S15 magazine. This is an all metal magazine that fits flush to the bottom of the Glock 43x. It increases the overall capacity to 15+1 in the gun. Optionally, you may want to add in the metal magazine release from Shield Arms, so the factory one doesn’t get chewed up.
Like other Modular Optic System (MOS) Glocks, this slim frame will fit any type of compact dot, provided you purchase the correct adapter plate. You could also use some of the Holosun optics that are designed to fit to the Glock without an adapter plate.
As of this writing you can purchase the Glock 43x for $485, which is very close to the Blue Label price. This makes it one of the best concealed carry guns on the list, and a great value for money.
To put the value in perspective, you could add in the awesome Holosun EPS red dot optic, adapter plate, and the Streamlight TLR 7 pistol light for a total around $680. That whole setup is cheaper than several of the guns on this list. Now let’s get to a very interesting option that many of you won’t have considered.
Smith and Wesson 986 Revolver
The Smith and Wesson 986 Revolver is a real wild card on this list of the best 9mm EDC pistols. You won’t find a polymer frame here! Most shooters don’t realize that revolvers come in 9mm. This is a real shame, because revolvers make excellent EDC guns, provided you don’t mind reduced capacity, and increased recoil. Check out this video.
I like that this revolver has adjustable rear sights. It also seems that Smith and Wesson has paid a lot of attention to the double action trigger pull. They’ve made the cylinder out of titanium to make the trigger pull even crisper.
Another great feature is the 7 round cylinder capacity which is much higher than a traditional revolver, of this size. The only bad news is that all this comes at a price. As of this writing, the 986 costs a little over $1200. Next let’s talk about one of the best do it all pistols ever made.
Glock 19 Gen 5 MOS
The Glock 19 MOS Gen 5 is probably the best 9 mm handgun for all around use. It’s issued to police officers, and carried by Green Berets, as well as thousands of legally armed civilians. It’s a compact framed 9mm pistol with a double-stack magazine capacity of 15 rounds. It features a reversible magazine catch, and like all Gen 5 Glocks, it has a nice internal factory mag well, and the distinctive Glock grip angle.
Glock states it has a 5.8 pound trigger from the factory, which I would categorize as ok, but not great. Its barrel is just over 4 inches in length. Most shooters will find that the compact frame provides plenty of room to maintain a good grip. You can also add larger grip panels according to your personal preferences.
Because it’s the largest semi-auto on this list you have the most room to add in lights and lasers on the accessory rail. It can also use larger full sized lights like the Surefire X300, which has 1000 lumens of output.
The Glock G 19 is one of the best pistols on the market today, and is the best option for all around use. As of this writing you can pick one up for $620. Next on our list of best EDC 9mm pistols, is a great option from HK.
Heckler and Koch VP9SK Optics Ready
The HK VP9sk Optics Ready is a great concealed carry option for those that want a little more performance out of their striker-fired pistol. I’ve carried a VP9 for several years, and I’ve found it to be very reliable. Moreover, it has one of the best factory triggers out of any polymer gun.
I also really enjoy the modular grip panels. It has a system where you can change the back strap, and sides panels to fit your hand. This is by far one of the best features of the pistol. The SK comes with night sights, and a rear sight that is angled for one handed slide manipulation. Check this video out.
Another interesting option on the VP9 series of pistols is that it comes with a paddle style magazine release. This means you can use your strong hand to dump the magazine, without having to break your master hand firing grip. While this does take some practice to get used to, it really works well.
Like many HK pistols it isn’t the cheapest option around. The VP9sk goes for $899 as of this writing. I recommend this gun if you’ve already shot a VP9 and enjoy this style of firearm. Now let’s get to another great option from Smith and Wesson.
Smith and Wesson M&P Shield Plus 9mm
The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus 9mm Micro Compact Pistol is a great no nonsense pistol, with a very generous capacity. This S&W Shield variant comes with a total magazine capacity of 13+1. The pistol below isn’t optics ready, nor does it have a picatinny rail. However Smith and Wesson does make versions with a manual safety, and an optics-ready slide. Check out this video for more.
The Shield comes with a very crisp, flat faced trigger. Many shooters prefer these triggers as they can feel lighter than a traditional curved trigger. This pistol is also very lightweight, coming in right at 20 ounces. This would make it an ideal gun to carry for long periods of time.
In the T Rex Arms review, the Shield performed very well. As of this writing the M&P Shield can be purchased for around $570. While this isn’t an amazing price, it is reasonable given all the features it comes with. Next let’s talk about a similar offering from Springfield Armory.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact Pistol
The Springfield Armory Hellcat Micro-Compact Pistol is a similar offering to the M&P Shield. It’s a micro compact pistol that can hold 13+1 rounds. It’s roughly an inch in width, and it has the shortest grip out of all the pistols on this list, with the supplied 11 round magazine.
The Springfield Hellcat also comes in at a featherweight 17 ounces. This would make it an excellent choice for those that need a very compact, lightweight pistol for their EDC needs. Check out this video.
It features a flat faced trigger with a built in trigger safety. Like other pistols on this list, you can purchase it in many different varieties. It comes in a tan or black color, with optics ready variants as well. The version linked above is non optics ready, with included tritium night sights.
You can see that it has a small rail up front if you want to mount a light or laser. As of this writing you can pick the Hellcat up for $529, which is right in line with other pistols in its class. Now let’s finish this list of the best EDC 9mm pistols with an interesting option from HK.
Heckler and Koch P30SK V3
The Heckler & Koch P30SK V3 is a slightly older sub compact pistol from Hecler and Koch. It has some great advantages for those that concealed carry often. First, it has a decent magazine capacity at 10 rounds, which makes it compliant with states like California that have strict magazine capacity limits.
It also features a double / single action trigger pull, with an exposed hammer. I really like having exposed hammers for concealed carry because you can place your thumb on the hammer when reholstering. This allows you to feel if the hammer moves due to clothing pinched in the holster. If you carry appendix inside the waist band then I think this can give you real peace of mind. Check this video out.
It features similar modularity to the other VP9 variants with the side panels, and back straps. It also has the excellent paddle magazine release that allows you to maintain your strong hand firing grip.
One of the downsides for some shooters is that you need to master two trigger pulls, a long double action, and a short crisp single-action trigger pull. If you’ve never shot a double / single gun, I’ve found that it is easy to train. In fact, when I shoot my CZ Shadow 2, which is double / single, I find that I rarely miss on the first shot. If you practice, this won’t be an issue for you.
Like the VP9sk, this gun isn’t cheap. It goes for $850 as of this writing. I think this is the best option for those that like this style of pistol, and want a little extra security of the double single action trigger. Now that we’ve covered the best EDC 9mm pistols, let’s quickly review some tips on using red dot sights, lights, and other accessories, in the next section.
Red Dot Sights, Lights, and Accessories
This is one area where you need to be honest with yourself, and about your intended use case. One thing many self defense minded shooters don’t understand is the acceptance of risk, and the probability of use for any of these pistols.
I work with undercover law enforcement officers, who regularly bet their life on these compact pistols. The vast majority of them have never had to use them. They are purposefully putting themselves in situations with armed criminals.
Your first line of defense is to pay attention to your surroundings and stay away from places where you are likely to have to use a pistol to defend yourself.
Moreover, the choice to carry a smaller gun increases your risk by reducing your ability to shoot fast and accurately. You’ve already sacrificed some ability to protect yourself when you eschew a full-size gun.
Red Dots, Lasers, and Lights for EDC Guns
If we keep these things in mind, then you need to realize that you aren’t incurring much additional risk if you decide to keep your EDC pistol slick. I often advise shooters, who have a lot of time with red dot optics, to keep the same sighting system on their EDC gun. If you’re more comfortable with iron sights, then use those. You aren’t giving anything up.
If I had to pick the most important accessory, I would choose a pistol light. The light gives you the advantage of seeing your target clearly, and it can take away their ability to see you well. It also allows you to see a clear outline of any set of iron sights, eliminating the need for more expensive tritium sights.
I can tell you that my personal EDC pistol has no lights, lasers, nor red dot sights. I chose it because it has the same manual of arms as my duty gun did at that time, and shot the same rounds. While my department has since moved on, I carry the same gun because I see no reason to change it.
Be realistic about your needs. If you are going to put the time in to become a good red dot shooter, and practice shooting with your pistol light, then go for it. If you know you won’t do that, then keep your EDC firearm slick. Let’s finish this list of the best EDC 9mm pistols up.
Final Thoughts
This has been a long article, and you certainly have a lot of different options to choose from. I think your best option is to try and shoot these guns at a local gun range that does rentals, or borrows a buddies if you can. You’ll find that some pistols just feel right in your hands, and are easy to shoot, where as others feel off.
If you watched the T Rex Arms review, you’ll know that several of the reviewers disagreed about their individual preferences amongst extended magazine types , triggers, and the compact size. You will certainly have your own preferences and you’ll be able to quickly discover what they are with just a mag or two through a gun.
As always, the gun matters less than your willingness to train, and maintain proficiency with your firearm. Grab some ammo and get training! Don’t forget to join the email list below.
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