9mm is the most popular concealed carry caliber for good reason: it is affordable to practice with, easy to control, and lets a small pistol hold plenty of rounds. But “a 9mm” covers everything from pocket-sized pistols to full-size duty guns. Here is how to narrow it down.
Start with size
Carry pistols fall into rough size classes. Smaller is easier to hide; larger is easier to shoot well.
- Micro-compact: the smallest double-stack 9mms, usually with barrels around 3 inches and 10 to 15 rounds. Easy to carry all day, but snappier to shoot.
- Subcompact: a little larger, with a fuller grip and often more capacity. A popular middle ground.
- Compact: barrels around 4 inches and a full grip. Still concealable for many people and much easier to shoot accurately.
- Full-size: the easiest to shoot and the highest capacity, but harder to conceal.
Be honest about how you dress and how you will carry. The best carry gun is the one you actually carry every day.
Fit and controls
Hold as many pistols as you can. You want a grip that fills your hand, a trigger you can reach with the pad of your finger, and controls (slide stop, magazine release, any manual safety) you can work without shifting your grip. If you can, rent or borrow a few models at a range before you buy.
Capacity, sights and optics
Most modern carry 9mms hold 10 to 15 rounds or more, with extended magazines available. Many are now optics-ready, with a slide cut for a small red dot sight that makes it easier to aim fast. Night sights are a good upgrade if you are sticking with iron sights. Some states limit magazine capacity, and many pistols come in 10-round versions for those states.
Manual safety or not?
Many carry pistols have no manual safety and rely on a long, consistent trigger pull and a good holster that covers the trigger. Others offer a thumb safety. Neither is wrong; pick one and train with it until it is automatic.
Holster and belt
A quality holster is as important as the pistol. It should cover the trigger guard completely, hold the gun securely and stay put when you draw. Pair it with a sturdy gun belt. Browse concealed carry holsters and spare magazines for your model.
Carry ammo and practice
Carry quality jacketed hollow points and practice with full metal jacket of a similar bullet weight. Before you trust a load for carry, run a few boxes of it through your pistol to make sure it feeds reliably. Shop 9mm ammo for both.
Know your carry laws
Carry laws vary a lot. Some states allow permitless carry, others require a permit and training, and rules differ for where you can carry. Check your state’s current laws before you carry.
Buying a 9mm carry pistol online
Browse our 9mm handguns or all semi-auto pistols. Your pistol ships to the FFL dealer you choose, where you complete the background check and pick it up. Read What Is an FFL Transfer? to see how it works. You must be 21 or older to buy a handgun.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Federal, state and local laws change and vary by location; check the current laws where you live before you buy, ship or carry.
