Which pistol should I pick for concealed carry?

For concealed carry, consider compact or subcompact pistols that weigh under 28oz. Popular choices include striker-fired 9mm pistols with polymer frames for lightweight daily carry. Use our selector to find options matching your hand size and experience level.

What's the best handgun for beginners?

Beginners should look for pistols with manageable recoil, simple operation, and proven reliability. 9mm striker-fired pistols with polymer frames offer the best balance of ease-of-use, affordability, and training cost. Avoid high-recoil calibers and complex manual-of-arms.

Should I choose a polymer or metal frame pistol?

Polymer frames are lighter and better for carry, while metal frames (steel/aluminum) absorb recoil better and provide more stability for shooting. Choose based on your primary use case: carry weight vs shooting comfort.

What caliber should I choose: 9mm, .45 ACP, or 10mm?

9mm offers the best balance of manageable recoil, capacity, and affordable training ammo. .45 ACP and 10mm provide more stopping power but with increased recoil and cost. For most users, especially beginners, 9mm is the optimal choice.

What new guns were released at SHOT Show 2026?

The 2026 SHOT Show featured new pistol releases from major manufacturers. Browse our collection to see the latest 2026 handgun models, including new concealed carry pistols, competition guns, and innovative firearm designs debuted at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.

Where can I see the 2026 SHOT Show new pistols?

Gun Selector features all the new 2026 SHOT Show pistol releases. Filter by the 2026 SHOT Show badge to see the latest handgun models announced at the show, with detailed specs, pricing, and comparison tools.

smith-wesson

S&W M&P9 Shield X

$599 MSRP

ErgonomicsFlat TriggerPopular

Featured in: Best CCW Pistols Top 9mm Handguns

S&W M&P9 Shield X - 9mm striker handgun by smith-wesson

Specifications

Caliber 9mm

Capacity 13+1

Weight 20.6 oz

Barrel Length 3.6"

Overall Length 6.87"

Height 4.9"

Width 0.9"

Frame polymer

Action striker

Size Class micro

Trigger Reach 2.58"

Optic Ready No

Release Year 2025

Country of Origin USA

Carry Analysis

Comfort Index

Heavy

0.68

Weight-to-size ratio measures how heavy the gun feels for its dimensions. Lower values indicate a lighter carry experience.

Pocket Index

Mid-Size

8.44"

Diagonal footprint measures concealability. Lower values mean easier pocket or IWB carry.

Overview

Retains the 18-degree grip angle of the M2.0 series for natural pointing.

Similar Handguns

Compare the S&W M&P9 Shield X to these similar 9mm pistols:

Canik Mete MC9 Prime

9mm | 17+1 | 23.3oz

$650

Canik Mete MC9 Tactical

9mm | 12+1 | 21.8oz

$529

HK CC9

9mm | 12+1 | 18.4oz

$699

Sig P365 XL

9mm | 12+1 | 20.7oz

$649

S&W M&P9 Shield Plus

9mm | 13+1 | 20.2oz

$553

S&W Shield Plus Carry Comp

9mm | 13+1 | 20.2oz

$649

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