6 Top 9mm Compacts

This review of the Smith & Wesson M&P Carry Comp 9mm highlights its versatility for concealed carry and combat. The pistol features a 4.2-inch barrel, aluminum frame, and a robust optics mounting system. Notably, it demonstrated exceptional reliability by firing 2000 consecutive rounds without a single malfunction, making it a strong contender in its price range.

This expert review of the Glock 45 Gen 6, based on 630 rounds fired, finds it performs similarly to previous generations but with notable improvements. The grip texture, forward serrations, and trigger guard undercut enhance control, while the flat-faced trigger offers a slight, though not revolutionary, improvement. The presenter, a seasoned firearms instructor, highlights the pistol's reliability with various ammunition types and anticipates strong aftermarket support, while also recommending legal coverage for gun owners.

This review of the Ruger LCP II in .22LR highlights its 'Light Rack' feature, making it easy to operate. While acknowledging the general unreliability of .22LR ammunition, the reviewer finds this model's ergonomics and ease of racking to be a significant advantage, especially for its intended role as a pocket pistol or backup gun. It's noted to fit LCP Max holsters, and a kydex pocket holster with a push tab is recommended for secure draws.

This video addresses the question of the best beginner pistol for women, recommending the Sig Sauer P365 XMACRO in 9mm and the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0 Comp in .380 ACP. The instructor highlights the compact and slim nature of the P365 XMACRO, noting its popularity among female carriers, and discusses the Bodyguard's capacity and a minor ammunition issue encountered during testing. Both are presented as solid choices for new firearm owners.

This review highlights the Kimber Micro 9 Comp, a compact 9mm pistol praised for its comfortable grip texturing and flat profile, making it easy to handle. The speaker emphasizes its exceptional reliability, citing 1,642 days of use with zero malfunctions across their Kimber firearms. The pistol is equipped with night sights and a 7+1 capacity, making it a strong contender for concealed carry.

This video from SPN Firearms provides a comparative look at the Springfield XD-S pistol series across 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP calibers. The review highlights the performance of Doubletap Hollow Point ammunition in each caliber, with specific mention of 200-grain rounds for the .40 S&W. The presenter, demonstrating significant experience with the XD-S platform, also showcases popular holsters like the Hawk Holster Stash and Blacksmith Tactical OWB. The overall assessment praises the XD-S series for its reliability and value, particularly on the used market.

The Rock Island Armory AL22M is a new 22 Magnum revolver manufactured by Alfa Proj in the Czech Republic. It offers the reliability of revolvers, including restrike capability, making it suitable for new shooters and defense. Accuracy testing at 20 yards showed consistent groups, and its technical specifications are comparable to a Smith & Wesson K-frame.

The Rock Island Armory AL9.0 is a 9mm revolver imported from Alfa-Proj, offering impressive accuracy and a comfortable shooting experience for its price point. Despite a minor reliability hiccup with copper shavings, it proved accurate with various ammunition types, featuring a good trigger and adjustable sights. It's a solid budget-friendly option for those seeking a 9mm revolver.

The Beretta 92X Performance and CZ Shadow 2 are both top-tier 9mm DA/SA competition pistols. The CZ Shadow 2 excels with its excellent sight picture and trigger, while the Beretta 92X Performance offers a lighter DA pull, shorter reset, and zero take-up. Both demonstrated high reliability with steel-cased ammo and exceptional accuracy, making the final choice a matter of personal ergonomic preference and specific trigger feel.

This review compares the SIG Sauer P320 X-Five against the standard P320 Full Size, highlighting key differences in trigger pull, magazine capacity, sights, and overall balance. The X-Five features a heavier 5-inch bull barrel and a competition-oriented sight setup, while the standard P320 offers a more traditional grip feel. Both pistols demonstrate the P320 platform's modularity, with slides being interchangeable.