Low capacity is a common gripe with small carry guns. With the flush mag, the much-carried SIG P938 allows 6 +1. Same goes for the uber-popular GLOCK 43. Even though 9mm is a relatively compact cartridge, guns that barely edge out six-shot revolvers in terms of capacity still seem to make all the top ten lists.
But especially in the cooler months, a lot of people tend to pack something larger that carries a bit (or a lot) more than that. Plus all of these make very serviceable home defense or truck guns, too. So, in no particular order, here are the best higher-capacity 9mm semis, with links to our full reviews.
Ruger Security-9
Capacity: 15 +1
Price: $250-$300 via Cabela’s or Brownells
TTAG Verdict: A solid, dependable pistol that’s an ultra-affordable choice for carry, home defense or as a truck gun. Here’s our full review.
SIG SAUER P365 Micro-Compact
Capacity: 10 +1
Price: $499 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: This one just sneaks in under the wire in both cost and capacity. But SIG’s new super-popular, extremely packable concealed carry gun packs an exceptional number of rounds in an eminently concealable package. Here’s our full review.
Taurus PT111 Millennium G2
Capacity: 12 +1
Price: $250-$300 via Cabela’s
TTAG Verdict: Yep, a Taurus. As a standalone product, this is an awesome gun. Our reviewer was thoroughly impressed and would’ve expected something like this at a price point closer to $500-$600. Here’s our full review.
Smith & Wesson SD9VE
Capacity: 16 +1
Price: $330, sometimes on sale for $250 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: A dead nuts reliable inexpensive gun that’s a pleasure to shoot for a touch over three bones. It has one glaring flaw in the trigger, but that’s easily remedied for $20. At that price, you really can’t afford not to buy one…or four. Here’s our full review.
Walther Creed
Capacity: 15 +1
Price: $343 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: Good ergonomics, an OK trigger, OK sights, OK reliability and OK accuracy. It’s a good gun at a great price. Perfect for the budget-conscious new shooter looking for a more-than-merely-adequate home defense pistol. Here’s our full review.
CZ P-10 Compact
Capacity: 15 +1
Price: Around $500, maybe $520 via Brownells or Cabela’s
TTAG Verdict: OK, so it’s slightly over the price line, but it’s a better gun than the G19. A five-star gun in every way. Here’s our full review.
Springfield XD Mod.2 Service Model
Capacity: 16 +1
Price: $399-$499 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: Five-star gun. If you’re a trigger snob, deduct one star and head over to FN and Walther. If not, the XD Mod.2 Service Model’s a total no-gripe zone, and a no-BS duty weapon for concealed carry. Here’s our full review.
Smith & Wesson M&P9 M2.0 Compact
Capacity: 1t +1
Price: $399-$470 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: A great value on a quality S&W pistol. The M2.0 is a significant upgrade to the earlier M&P, particularly in the trigger. It’s hard to do much better in this category. Here’s our full review.
Remington RP9
Capacity: 18 +1
Price: $280-$330 via Brownells, $399 via Cabela’s
TTAG Verdict: It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable and, considering the price, it’s a surprisingly solid, sensible choice. Here’s our full review.
SIG SAUER SP2022
Capacity: 15 +1
Price: $500 via Cabela’s
TTAG Verdict: Full stop, one of the best affordable handguns on the market for the money. SIG SAUER quality with a sticker price below GLOCK’s “perfection.” And it’s hammer-fired unlike the rest of this bunch. The only sticking point is the DA/SA trigger, which could stand some improvement, and the double action might be a little hard for newbies. Here’s our full review.
SCCY CPX-2
Capacity: 10 +1
Price: $250 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: Great reliability for the price, and there’s something to be said for a good looking, cheap compact gun. This is a good choice for new shooters, too. Here’s our full review.
Ruger American Pistol
Capacity: 17 +1
Price: $400 via Brownells
TTAG Verdict: This pistol gives the GLOCKs, Springfields, and M&Ps of the world a run for their money. It may not be better in every way, but it’s better in some and at least as good in others. Which was good enough for me to buy one. Here’s our full review.