9mm Revolvers That Are Perfect for Self-Defense

These are the top 9mm revolvers on the market today.

The iconic 9mm Luger is more popular than ever for concealed carry guns. And why not? Bullet velocities over 1,100 feet per second give it more stopping power than a .380 ACP, yet less recoil than a .40 S&W, 45 ACP or .357 Magnum. For concealed carry or home defense, it's a solid round to consider. Especially since 9mm ammo is usually less expensive than the bigger rounds.

We know that the 9mm cartridge is not traditionally thought of as a revolver cartridge. It's usually used for semi-automatic handguns like the Glock 19. However, revolvers chambered for the round offer excellent concealability and are often rated for +P rounds, allowing you to squeeze a bit more power out of the cartridge.

Today we're looking at the best 9mm revolvers on the market today. These centerfire wheelguns offer excellent concealability and reliability at affordable price points any shooter can appreciate.

Charter Arms Pitbull

Aside from having a cool name, the Pitbull is a solid revolver for under $500. It has a 2.2-inch barrel length, a five-shot capacity, and comes in at 23 ounces in weight fully loaded. Charter Arms offers this single/double-action revolver in both a black nitride and stainless steel finish. The stainless model has a neoprene grip while the black nitride has a rubber one. The stainless model is also California compliant. This gun has a dual coil spring assembly within the extractor. The company says this makes rimless loading and unloading easier without the use of moon clips.

Ruger SP101

This revolver has a nice look thanks to the satin stainless steel finish and black rubber grips. The grips can also be changed out easily if you prefer a different look and feel. This firearm has a 2.25-inch barrel with a 1:16 rate of twist. It has a five-round capacity, an integral rear sight and a black ramp rear. Ruger ships this gun with three moon clips that act as speed loaders for quicker reloading and unloading. This one is a little heavy for CCW at 25 ounces, but this gun gets rave reviews for how it performs.

Smith and Wesson Performance Center Model 986

This is one of the more expensive options on this list, but it also offers a few features the other guns on this list do not. This firearm has a 2.5-inch barrel and a titanium cylinder. The ammo capacity is better than most other 9mm revolvers, as it holds seven rounds, putting it on par with some single-stack semi-autos in that category. This is a double/single-action gun and it has a stainless steel frame and barrel. That does add to the weight a bit at 31 ounces. It has a red ramp front sight and an adjustable rear. The grip is a custom wood giving this gun a classic look Smith & Wesson sure know how to build great-looking firearms.

Taurus 905 Series

A solid snub nose revolver option for anyone looking for solid protection without breaking the bank. Taurus builds two variants of this revolver. One with a matte black oxide finish and the other matte stainless. It's only about a $50 price difference between the two. This 9mm pistol has a five-round capacity and rubber grips. A transfer bar mechanism helps make this a very safe firearm. Both models come in around 21 ounces unloaded, making it an easy carry.

Ruger LCR

The Ruger LCR 9mm is a solid self-defense option that is easy for anyone to operate. There are some law enforcement officers that like to use this one for a back-up. Built for concealed carry, this Ruger revolver comes in at a trim 17.2 ounces, making it a breeze to conceal in a holster or purse. The hammerless design and 1.87-inch barrel help make this gun easy to draw from concealment quickly without snagging on anything. Combine that with the ease of operation and crisp trigger pull and you have a solid platform for a new shooter. The cylinder is stainless steel with a PVD finish and the grips are Hogue Tamer Monogrips. Ruger includes three full moon clips with this firearm. You get a lot for your money with the $600 price tag.

Ruger LCRx

This model is close to the LCR. It has the same stainless steel cylinder, the same Hogue grips, and 1.87-inch barrel with a 1:16 rate of twist. It also includes three moon clips to allow you to reload faster. The LCRx has a ramp front sight and an integral U-notch for the rear. The big difference between this and the other LCR is the external hammer that allows single-action use of the firearm. This also ups the weigh just a hair to 17.4 ounces. The price point is identical for these two guns. We'd recommend the hammerless LCR for newer shooters and the LCRx for the more experienced ones.

Rock Island AL9.0 Revolver

This is still a new addition to the scene. The AL9.0 has garnered a lot of attention for its ergonomic grip and light 1.5-pound weight. It is the perfect revolver for those who do not like polymer semi-automatic pistols like those from Sig Sauer or Walther. Or it may be for those who simply want something that is going to be a little easier on the hands. It has a nice, classic look to it that reminds us of a Colt Python. This revolver holds six rounds, has a four-inch barrel and blued finish, and a single/double-action trigger.

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NEXT: THE 5 BEST HOME DEFENSE SHOTGUNS