When shooters hear 9mm, first thoughts are drawn to the automatic style. Rarely do revolvers come up in the conversation. This oversight should happen a lot less now that the ejection of spent cartridges has improved.
Velocities for the 9mm are over 1100 sq. ft per second, giving the cartridge excellent stopping power. Recoil is reduced, less than the 45 ACP and .357 Magnum. A 9mm revolver is excellent for concealed carry and home defense applications.
Best 9mm Revolvers
Each of the 9mm Revolvers highlighted below brings solid performance characteristics under any shooting environment. The revolvers are well built with a unique set of features that make the shooting experience profound.
An interesting bit of history surrounds the 9mm cartridge. The 9mm Luger and 9mm Parabellum are the same round, with Parabellum being a Latin-based term meaning “prepare for war.” The company that created the cartridge used the motto; “Si vis pacem. para bellum” , which means, “if you want peace, prepare for war.”
Charter Arms Pitbull 9mm 5-Shot Revolver
Charter Arms has been crafting quality, affordable firearms for over five decades. The founder, Douglas McClenaghan crafted his vision after working at Colt Firearms and Sturm Ruger. His first weapon, a .38 Special 5-shot revolver he called The Undercover.
The 9mm rimless Pitbull Revolver features the same extractor assembly as the Charter .40 caliber rimless revolver. The unique coil assembly ejects the spent cartridge allowing the shooter to reload immediately.
The Pitbull comes in a Stainless and black Nitride finish. This proprietary finish gives the Pitbull a striking look and considerable hardness, which also reduces friction. There are no moon clips on the Pitbull, making loading and unloading much more effortless. The Stainless Pitbull is California compliant.
Features of the Charter Arms Pitbull
- It weighs 23 ounces fully loaded
- An affordable and solid revolver
- Barrel length is 2.2 inches
Smith & Wesson Model 929 9mm Luger
Smith and Wesson has been building firearms for 169 years. Throughout its history the company has created iconic handguns and long guns that no other maker can match. Smith and Wesson is the single largest supplier of self-defense weaponry to law enforcement across the world.
S&W’s Model 929 features a 6.5-inch barrel with a sturdy weight of over 44 ounces. The 929 is an 8 round capacity revolver with a Partridge front sight and adjustable rear sights. S&W designed this 9mm from the ground up with hand cutting and fine-tuning for incredible precision.
The Model 929 comes from Smith and Wesson’s large N frame group. The model was introduced in 2014 as a competition-capable moon clip revolver. The firearm is a Performance Center revolver designed by Jerry Miculek with his signature on the frame.
Performance Center through Smith & Wesson offers limited-run, high-tech firearms for sophisticated shooters.
Features of the Smith &Wesson Model 929 9mm Luger
- Titanium alloy cylinder and removable compensator
- Chrome trigger and hammer with stop
- PC tuned action
- Single/Double action
- Stainless frame and barrel, synthetic grip
- Lifetime warranty
Ruger SP 101 9mm Luger
Sturm Ruger began in 1949 in the back of a small machine shop in Connecticut. Its first handgun was the 22 caliber pistol designed from a German Military 9mm Luger and a Colt Woodsman. Since 1949 the company has produced over 25 million firearms.
Ruger’s SP101 is a compact good looking revolver with a satin stainless finish and rubber grips. Grips are built to be changed out quickly if you wish. Barrel length on the SP101 is 2.25 inches with a RH twist rate of 1:16.
Ruger has designed the SP101 to be extremely comfortable while shooting. Grips are a combined rubber with a synthetic insert and no exposed metal in the backstrap. The grip frame on the SP101 accommodates a wide range of custom grip types.
Maintenance and re-assembly is quick and easy; integrated subassembly takedown requires no special tools for the job. For an extra measure of security, the transfer bar mechanism provides against accidental discharge.
Front sights on the revolver are the Black Ramp type with integral rear sights. The five-round capacity SP101 is shipped with three moon clips, acting as speed loaders for quicker loading and unloading.
Features of the Ruger SP101 9mm Revolver
- The SP101 is a heavier firearm at 25 ounces
- Excellent performance characteristics
- Triple-locking cylinder for positive alignment
Taurus Holdings Model 905 9mm Luger
Taurus is still a young pup with a global distribution network that compares favorably to other manufacturers on this list. The Georgia company is owned by a Brazilian firm, Taurus Armas. The Brazilian firm is one of the largest small arms manufacturers in the world.
The Model 905 is a striking-looking revolver with its Matte Black Oxide finish. The revolver also is featured in satin stainless. The 905 is excellent for concealed carry and anyone looking for an affordable, big-caliber revolver.
Five-round capacity and rubber grips give the Model 905 a lethal profile. For safety, the Taurus features a transfer bar mechanism. Frame and cylinder material is a steel alloy, while the barrel is stainless steel. 905 is a small frame size making the revolver easy to carry and conceal.
Overall length is a compact 6.5 inches with a snub-nosed 2-inch barrel. Weight on the Taurus is a stout 21 ounces unloaded. Sight’s, front and rear, are fixed.
Features of the Taurus Model 905 Revolver
- Extremely affordable
- Double/Single Action
- Taurus Stellar Clips for easy unloading
- Built to Taurus Zero-tolerance
Chiappa Charging Rhino Gen II 60DS
Chiappa is an Italian manufacturer that is quickly gaining a reputation for quality and unique designs. The company has been crafting firearms for over 60 years. The family-owned business has used technology and its immense experience to offer firearms like no other company.
The Charging Rhino is considered by many to be one of, if not the best 9mm revolver on the market. The revolver is lightweight, and the quality of build is the first thing shooters notice.
Several unique features give the shooter the ability to fine-tune. Hammer, springs, and trigger are separated for an individual replacement or adjustment. Plus, the trigger travel stop is adjustable. The Charging Rhino is finished in a Kobalt Kinetics Slate Cerakote.
Grips on the Rhino are just as distinctive with a five-finger groove. A six-inch barrel features a fiber-optic sight. Ten moon clips are included to give shooters the ultimate adjustments in loading and unloading.
Features of the Chiappa Charging Rhino Gen II 60DS
- Double action only
- Single trigger system and manual feed
- Hefty weight at over 2 pounds
- Ergal frame, steel barrel, and breech shield
Smith & Wesson Model 986 9mm Luger
Smith & Wesson’s Performance Center revolvers are without question one of the best handguns on the market. Excellent profile and quality build make these revolvers a must-have.
Model 986 is a snub-nose model with a 2.5-inch barrel in a stainless finish. The 7-round cylinder is an unfluted type for efficiency and striking good looks. Model 986 is built from the ground up with cutting-edge technology.
Model 986 is based on the mid-size L Frame, giving the revolver a smaller profile. The 986 weighs in on the hefty side at 31.4 ounces. Shooters can choose either the Red Ramp or Partridge front sights with the adjustable rear sights.
Cylinder material is advanced titanium with the frame and barrel made from stainless steel. Grips on the 986 are impressive, with several custom wood types available.
Features of the Smith & Wesson Model 986
- Trigger overtravel stop
- PC tuned action
- Bossed mainspring
- Lifetime warranty
Ruger LCR Model 5456 9mm Luger
Ruger’s LCR is a quality revolver that is built with excellent materials but remains lightweight. The 5-round revolver features a small profile for excellent concealed carry. The hammerless Model 5456 is easy to fit in places where a hammered model will not go.
At an affordable price point, the LCR has a lot of features for the money. Front sights are pinned ramp types and are replaceable if the shooter wants. The rear sights are integral u-notch. Advanced technology has saved a lot of weight in the LCR, coming in at only 17.2 ounces.
A matte black finish and barrel length of only 1.87 inches gives the LCR an imposing profile look. A RH twist rate of 1:16 makes this revolver extremely accurate. Overall length is a compact 6.5 inches and a height of 4.5 inches.
The monolithic frame is made from an advanced 400 series stainless steel. Ruger has added a patented friction-reducing cam that results in a smooth non-stacking trigger pull. Weight is reduced significantly by the patented polymer fire control housing.
Excellent durability is achieved with the high-strength stainless and the PVD finish.
Features of the Ruger LCR Model 5456
- Recoil is reduced with the Hogue Tamer Monogrip
- A variety of grip styles can be installed
- Shipped with three moon clips
- Double actin trigger for quick firing
Rock Island Armory AL9.0 9mm
Rock Island can trace its roots back to the turn of the century when it was called Bingham and Co. Through the decades, the company changed hands, and as recently as 1985 came to be known as Rock Island Arms.
The new AL9.0 is a solid revolver with a good-looking profile. The AL9.0 leans more to traditional styling, and with that comes less recoil than most 9mm firearms. Several technology features make this a must-see for shooters and hunters.
Cylinder rotation design enables the cylinder to turn by the exact spacing distance, ensuring the barrel is adjusted for safety. High strength guarantees a long life for shooters firing endless rounds of 9mm. Trigger pull on the AL9.0 is a strong 11 to 13 pounds of pressure.
Front sights are Ramp type, and rear sights are adjustable. The 6-round cylinder features a blued finish, with the 4-inch barrel having a RH twist at 455mm.
Features of the Rock Island AL9.0
- The loaded weight is 1.72 pounds
- Single/Double action
- Fitted rubber grips
