Today, 9mm is the most popular caliber for daily carry, with a wide variety of concealed carry handguns available. The size of your handgun plays a big role in how easy it is to conceal. Micro-sized guns are the easiest to hide but are often chambered in .380 or smaller. I carry a .380 occasionally when nothing else works.
Opinions on the best way to carry are endless—whether it’s inside the waistband (IWB), outside the waistband (OWB), appendix, or ankle carry, everyone has their preference.
For those seeking a compact 9mm, I’ve put together a list of my top five favorites. There are plenty of other great 9mm concealed carry handguns out there, of course. But these five are guns I have personally carried, trained with at the range, and found to be extremely durable and reliable.
If you’re on the hunt for a new concealed-carry handgun, check out these top five contenders.
1. Glock 43
It probably won’t surprise you that a Glock pistol is the first on the list. Glock tends to find its way to the top of just about any handgun list. This isn’t surprising because Glock has been producing some of the most reliable guns on the market for decades.
For concealed carry, it’s hard to beat the Glock 43. Since its introduction, the Glock 43 has maintained a strong reputation for its simplicity and reliability. It’s slim and easy to conceal because of its single-stack design. Ammo capacity is somewhat limited compared to other pistols, but it is extremely reliable.
The Glock 43 is incredibly lightweight, tipping the scales at just over one pound when unloaded. Its six-round magazine capacity may seem modest, but its thin profile makes up for that.
It’s perfect for those who prioritize concealment over anything else. Paired with a quality IWB holster, it barely prints under clothing. Its trigger pull and grip angle are consistent with what you’d expect from Glock, making it familiar to anyone already carrying the brand.
In terms of price, the Glock 43 typically retails between $450 to $550 depending on location and any additional features you may want to add. For a carry gun that offers Glock’s well-known reliability, that’s not a bad deal at all.
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 6.26 inches
- Height: 4.25 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.41 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 6+1
- Weight: 17.99 oz (unloaded)
- Price: $450 – $550
2. FN Reflex
Next up is the FN Reflex, a lesser-known but excellent option for concealed carry. What’s unique about the FN Reflex is that, while it looks and functions like a striker-fired pistol, it actually uses an internal hammer system. This design gives it an extremely smooth trigger pull while maintaining a compact and sleek form.
Where this gun really shines, though, is in ammo capacity. The FN Reflex offers an 11-round capacity in a subcompact package, or 15-round with an extended mag. This is pretty impressive for a gun that’s about the same size as the Glock 43.
It has a great trigger pull, which is partly because of the internal hammer. A pivoting trigger safety keeps the hammer from being released unless the trigger is pulled.
Ergonomically, the FN Reflex is comfortable and easy to shoot. You can choose between an optics-ready or standard model when making your purchase.
Will it’s a new breed for FN, you can easily see the FN 509 DNA on this gun. For the price, which typically falls around $450 to $550, you’re getting a lot of gun packed into a small frame.
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 6.2 inches
- Height: 4.27 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.3 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 15+1
- Weight: 18.4 oz (unloaded)
- Price: $450 – $550
3. Ruger Max 9
The Ruger Max 9 has rapidly gained popularity for its combination of features and price. This is a solid option for those who want a carry gun that’s both optic-ready and budget-friendly. Ruger offers this handgun with a pre-cut slide for mounting micro red dots, something you don’t always find in guns within its price range.
I’ve had my Max 9 for some time, and I can say it’s one of the best guns for the price. For a complete budget-friendly setup, you can also check out the Ruger Ready Dot optic. It retails for under $100 and doesn’t use a battery.
When it comes to capacity, the Ruger Max 9 holds 10+1 or 12+1 depending on which magazine you use. I like to use the flush-fitting 10-round mag because it provides the most concealment.
The trigger pull is smooth, and the overall feel of the gun is designed for quick deployment from a concealed position. Its slim design and lightweight frame make it comfortable to carry all day, whether IWB or OWB.
One of the biggest selling points for the Ruger Max 9 is its price, which typically ranges between $350 and $450. For what you get — including the ability to mount optics out of the box — it’s a tough deal to beat. I have the Ready Dot mounted on mine and use a Safariland Species holster with it.
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 6 inches
- Height: 4.52 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.2 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 10+1, 12+1
- Weight: 18.4 oz (unloaded)
- Price: $350 – $450
4. IWI Masada Slim
The IWI Masada Slim is one of those handguns that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. After carrying mine for a while, I can say it’s a hidden gem in the concealed carry world.
IWI — known for their rifles and larger handguns — decided to make something compact, and they did this by making a compact, slim version of the Masada 9 pistol.
I’ve done some range training with this gun and it’s a blast to shoot. Speed drills, accuracy drills, mag changes, and everything in between are surprisingly easy to do even though this is a smaller gun.
The Masada Slim offers a 13-round magazine capacity and comes optic-ready right out of the box. Its ergonomics are well-thought-out, which makes it comfortable to shoot.
What makes this gun stand out is its price-to-performance ratio. For a gun that’s durable, well-made, and comes optics-ready, the Masada Slim’s retail price of around $400 to $500 makes it an exceptional value.
It’s compact enough to carry IWB but just large enough you can carry it OWB as well. This would be a good daily carry for anyone.
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 6.24 inches
- Height: 4.57 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.4 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 13+1
- Weight: 20.2 oz (unloaded)
- Price: $400 – $500
5. Kimber Micro 9 Rapide
For those who love the feel of a 1911 but want something small enough for concealed carry, the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide is a dream come true. This is a compact 9mm with all the design elements of the classic 1911 but scaled down for easy concealment. It doesn’t have a grip safety, but everything else functions the same as a classic 1911 pistol.
Kimber makes some nice premium handguns and the Micro Rapide is one of my favorites. I’ve owned a lot of Kimber pistols over the years, but this is one I will probably hang on to.
The Kimber Micro 9 Rapide features a 7-round magazine capacity and offers the kind of precision you’d expect from a 1911. Its finish and slide cuts make it visually striking, but it’s not just about looks. The gun handles extremely well, with a crisp trigger and tight tolerances that make it accurate and easy to shoot.
Of course, the Kimber Micro 9 Rapide comes with a higher price tag, typically retailing around $900 to $1,100. It’s for those who appreciate fine craftsmanship and are willing to pay a little extra for a carry gun that blends style and performance.
Specs
- Caliber: 9mm
- Length: 6.1 inches
- Height: 4.07 inches
- Barrel Length: 3.15 inches
- Magazine Capacity: 7+1
- Weight: 15.6 oz (unloaded)
- Price: $900 – $1,100
Conclusion
As I said in the beginning, there are a lot of other great concealed carry handguns on the market, but searching for one can often be a bit overwhelming. So, if you need a new concealed carry gun and want a 9mm, maybe this list will help you narrow your search.
The prices vary greatly among these top five concealed carry handguns, but they are all great quality guns. Find the one that works for you and your budget, grab a good quality holster, train with both, and you will be ready to carry.
