The best 9mm Micro Compact 9mm pistols are the new wave in personal defense. Designed to slot inside the waistband without a hint of printing, they are small enough to stow comfortably when you don’t need them, and devastatingly efficient when you do.
The P365 Nitron was the trailblazer that changed the game. But the big names have responded and this diminutive sector is now a total dogfight.
So what is the best micro compact 9mm carry pistol for sale in 2023? Here are our top picks for your gun safes.
1. Springfield Armory Hellcat
- Price: $529.99
- Barrel length: 3 inch
- Total: 6 inch
- Weight: 1.1lb
- Capacity: 11+1
Has the Hellcat dethroned the Sig? Yes, finally we think this is the King of the Highest Capacity Micro Compacts.
Not everybody will agree, and they might have valid reasons for the small package dispute. But for us the versatility and level of engineering that goes into this 6 inch polymer pistol take it to the top.
Ready for Optic
The Hellcat OSP comes with optics cut for a new micro red dot optics that could well be the Hex Wasp. That seems like overkill, but a lot of older shooters have discovered the beauty of a 9mm handgun paired with a snag free reflex site. Custom slide work later can be expensive.
It goes to town on the slide work and Adaptive Grip Texture compared to the likes of Glock. It is a nicer grip angle and that Adaptive Grip Texturing is better than the old Grip Zone.
These were always slightly fussier guns, but they do sit well in the hand. And this is a trailblazer that offers the best in class capacity.
As for that staggered almost a double stack magazine capacity, it’s a clever thing indeed. This is best in class capacity and that is a big selling point. As is the dual captive recoil spring that helps contain the muzzle flip.
We love the Springfield Armory Hellcat harder than most here and it’s a great choice for your EDC.
Springfield Hellcat RDP is a Monster
We blame John Wick for this wild trend for compensators and reflex sight. But we kind of love the sheer audacity of the Springfield Hellcat RDP as an every day carry.
2. Sig Sauer P365
- Price: $479.99
- Barrel length: 3.1
- Weight: 1.12lb
- Capacity: 10+1
The Sig Sauer P365 changed the game and was the undisputed champion of its own new genre for a good long time. The P365 X-Macro could still be the best micro 9mm pistol to be honest, but it costs a lot more.
The little Sig redefined pistol packaging and has since evolved into a line-up in its own right. The P365 XL and P365 XMacro are all stars a little further up the scale in the compact class.
Sig gave us a gun we never dared to ask for. Now it is still the benchmark for the sector in many, many ways.
You can also find them with a manual safety, which we like as an option for every day carry.
3. Glock 43x
- Price: $448.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.4
- Total: 6
- Weight:1lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Glock pushes the boundaries of the best micro compact 9mm handgun spec with. The barrel is just that touch long, but it is basically the best CCW here because of that.
It’s our favorite sub-compact pistol and it’s close enough to star here too.
Previous generations of Glock basically didn’t do much wrong. This gen 5 G43x is pretty much perfect in your hand. You get class leading Glock reliability and high capacity, better, there’s a useful loaded chamber indicator and you need to mod exactly nothing.
Of course there are a mass of customs slides, just about everything you could ever want for your 9mm handguns. As well as almost every kind of mag extension, threaded barrel and grip modules for added comfort and style.
You can, though, unbox this 9mm pistol, slot it straight into your IWB holster and basically be sure it will work. That’s the Glock magic and this might be the best Glock of 2023.
The MOS Version is optics ready too and that is a potent handgun. We also love the full size Glock 17 for home defense.
4. Taurus G2C
- Price: $237.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.25
- Weight: 1.38lb
- Capacity: 10+1
The Taurus G2C was almost as revolutionary as the class leading Sig P365 9mm handguns, in that it bought this new genre of semi automatic pistol to the people for around $230.
It was never the number one in terms of quality, but it was always top value for money.
Now the price for this little polymer frame gem has risen slightly, and you can spend more money on the Taurus GX4. We’ll get to that soon. But there’s a purity to the G2C that we love.
The trigger is unique, the plastic feels slightly cheap and the slide isn’t the most refined. It is not ready for micro red dot sights either. But it offers a snag free draw, or an accessory rail down low for lights/lasers or you can put a Crimson Trace on it.
And when you get this capacity that hides anywhere for this kind of money, you can live with its shortcomings. As an everyday carry beater gun, it works.
5. S&W CSX
- Price: $549.99
- Caliber: 9mm Luger
- Barrel: 3.1
- Total: 6.1″
- Weight: 1.2lb
- Capacity: 10+1
Give S&W credit for daring to be different with a hammer-fired approach to the 9mm concealed carry pistol.
It is good to see options and we applaud S&W for reworking the frame to create new semi-automatic 9mm pistols. Is it the best in class? Well there aren’t many real rivals honestly. So yes.
Is the Smith & Wesson CSX the best micro 9mm? That’s a different question and the answer is probably no.
You get a frame mounted thumb safety, secondary safety on the trigger pull and flat face trigger, extended mag release and the option to carry cocked and locked.
It’s an aluminum alloy frame and stainless slide that just kind of works.
6. Ruger Max-9
- Price: $350.99
- Barrel: 3
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 0.67lb
- Capacity: 12+1
We hope Ruger don’t mind us saying that it’s normally the budget offering. But look at that fiber optic Tritium luminescent on this double stack Max-9 and tell me it’s not a little more serious.
The stainless steel slide serrations are nice, the larger magazine works well to give you a little extra real estate, and rounds of 9mm ammo.
It is optics ready if the high visibility Tritium front sight isn’t enough, and the reversible magazine release is nice for left handed shooters. Does that make this semi-auto pistol a real rival for Sig’s P365 et al? Kind of…
The Max-9 Ruger can take 10 rounds in the flush fitting magazine that is state compliant, or 12 rounds that puts it right into the top tier.
The grip will work for anybody that liked the Taurus 9mm handguns and only the fact it’s currently priced at Glock money makes it harder to sell. If it comes down, grab one as your new personal defense EDC.
7. Taurus GX4 Micro Compact Pistol
- Price: $299.99
- Barrel: 3 inch barrel
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 0.67lb
- Capacity: 11+1
Yes the Taurus GX4 might be a slightly better Taurus G2C, but it seems to hit the spot for you the buying public and has found an audience. This is the best gun on a budget.
You get a steel guide rod, better grip, interchangeable backstraps and other niceties like a flat faced trigger. It’s a smoother trigger set-up in this pistol too.
That fixed sight isn’t the best here still and the white dot rear sight set-up is just as basic But then this is a Taurus G2C deluxe that a lot of people like.
So order yours with confidence. It is a solid little striker fired pistol for the money and is definitely one of the best concealed carry handguns of 2023 with a flush fit magazine or extended magazine.
The G2C might be the winner per dollar spent, but this is a better gun that still offers exceptional value.
8. Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus
- Price: $399.99
- Barrel: 3 inch barrel
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 0.67lb
- Capacity: 12+1
The M&P Shield Plus has probably evolved into one of the top carry guns for sale in 2023.
You now get as many rounds of 9mm as you do in all the others and 13+1 with an extended magazine. Sometimes we need to remember that too.
Because that aside, this is exceptional. The steel slide work is better than most, and you can order night sights or an EZ with a grip safety too now.
You can also get a modded Performance Center model. They are some of the best concealed carry guns you will see.
9. Kimber R7 Mako
- Price: $479.99
- Barrel: 3.37 inch barrel
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 0.67lb
- Capacity: 11+1
A 1911 legend joins the ranks of the striker fired subcompact 9mm pistols with the Kimber R7 Mako. Kimber has done well…
Is it any good? Yes, it seems so and we love the slide that is ready for red dot sights. People like this much more than the Kimber Micro 9 pistols that we kind of love to hate around here.
With a few tweaks this could easily be a winner.
If you want Kimber 1911s, go here.
10. Beretta APX A1
- Price: $399.99
- Barrel: 3.3 inch barrel
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 0.67lb
- Capacity: 6+1
Beretta is starting to make an impression in this sector after years of standing awkwardly in the corner of the party. Alone.
Now the polymer framed Beretta APX A1 is still a niche choice, but it could have a place.
On a technical level, the new wave of guns are worth considering. And Beretta seems to have reined in its ego and gone for a lower price point.
That could work.
You Want a Slimmer Gun?
Single stack magazines are fading out of fashion and you basically don’t want one, even though you think you do.
They don’t print, it’s true, and you can get a smaller version of the Smith & Wesson Shield, the standard Glock 43.
But these are better.
You could also opt for a Kimber Micro 9, which is a stainless steel hunk of metal. Lots of people like the Micro 9 and we’re thinking about including it. But Kimber has done better now.
11. Sig Sauer P938
- Price: $715.99
- Barrel: 3.15
- Total: 6″
- Weight: 1lb
- Capacity: 7+1
The Sig P938 is an old school all metal single action trigger 1911 that has been simplified to cope with the size reduction.
It is a whole model line and you can order a $600 example or spend more than $900 on a limited edition. The Sig P938 Legion sits in the middle of those prices and is porobably our favorite.
Sig has some other intriguing options if you want to go with a slightly bigger barrel too. Including the X-Macro carry gun that we kind of love. Also the full sized Sig P320 X and some other full size version of the gun you see here.
Where to Buy Yours
Palmetto State Armory, Guns.com and Sportsman’s Guide are our current favorites when it comes to buying guns online.
Now Palmetto State Armory has evolved into arguably the best online gun store by a mile. You can gt everything at Palmetto State Armory, from one of the company’s legendary cheap AR-15s through to a custom 1911 or belt fed semi-auto rifle.
Palmetto State Armory also has some great ammo deals on offer. Check their daily deals for big discounts as well, you never know what you’ll find there.
Guns.com has an Amazon presentation style. It’s a site that brings you offers from numerous vendors. So if you’re looking for a particular gun, or just the best price on a best seller, then it is always worth a look.
Sportsman’s Guide has some unique deals and partnerships, and is amazing at bulk ammo deals right now.
- Palmetto State Armory – Great deals.
- Guns.com – The highest capacity micro compact 9mm guns.
- Sportsman’s Guide – Get a great new gun today.
What About the Subcompact 9mm class?
You will see a few of the same guns in the subcompact 9mm class. The Glock in particular was designed to bridge this gap between the subcompact 9mm pistols and these micro guns designed for deep concealment. The Glock G43x is the perennial winner in our best subcompact 9mm Luger category.
But you do get some interesting opposition there that just can’t slide in here. The colt Defender 9mm just about gets into the 9mm subcompact class. Things like that..
Check out our posts on the best subcompact 9mm firearms here.
Also check out our piece on the best full size 9mm handguns here to get a CZ Shadow, a Colt 1911 and more with a long cold hammer forged barrel.
Gun Parts & Accessories
You might need a reflex sight, spotting scopes, extra mags, gun cleaning kits, range gear, accessories, there’s always something. Spotting scopes, optics can get expensive, too, as can reflex sights.
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“Paralysis by analysis”….I’ve done so much copious research…I’m lost!!!..[.Taurus G2,3,4…
Barettas little 9’s/Ruger EC9S….et. al. etc….anything else?>>>As brief as possible/Plz.
Thanx fer helpin’ a old man!!!
Chuck Geary
OK I’ll try. Taurus GX4 beats G2C, and really it’s a tighter, better Ruger EC9s with years of industry R&D between those releases. The little Beretta APX is much better with the mid life refresh, but I’d still say from all those the GX4 is the best option.
It has a much better trigger than the G2C and unofficially, even though they’re both still going strong, the GX4 really does look like a mid-life refresh of the G2C with lots of improvements.