Recoil, or kickback, is a factor that can disrupt your shooting comfort and accuracy. It creates bad habits in those sensitive to it and can turn some people off shooting altogether.
Even though handgun recoil is generally low to moderate compared to rifles and shotguns, it can be incredibly annoying for smaller framed shooters or anyone struggling with hand and wrist weakness. That’s why we have compiled some of the best low recoil 9mm pistols (and one revolver) for you to review in order to decide which is best for your shooting needs.
Comparison Table of the 5 Best Low Recoil 9mm Pistols
BRAND
SIG SAUER, INC. – P365
DETAILS
- Type: micro-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.1”
- Capacity: 10+1
- Frame material: polymer
SMITH & WESSON – M&P9 SHIELD EZ
- Type: sub-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.675”
- Capacity: 8+1
- Frame material: polymer
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY – 1911-A1 EMP COMPACT
- Type: micro-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3”
- Capacity: 9+1
- Frame material: Stainless
CHARTER ARMS PIT BULL 4.2″ LARGE 9MM REVOLVER, STAINLESS
- Type: sub-compact Revolver
- Barrel length: 4.2”
- Capacity: 5
- Frame material: Stainless
GLOCK G26 GEN3 3.4″ 10RD 9MM PISTOL
- Type: sub-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.4”
- Capacity: 10+1
- Frame material: polymer
What is Felt Recoil?
Newton’s Third Law of Motion states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction, so the energy release of gasses down your gun’s barrel is felt back through your hands and arms.
You feel recoil, or kickback, resulting from incredible forces that propel a bullet at approximately 1000 feet per second. Although you aren’t getting the full effects of that pressure due to energy transfer back into the gun itself, what you feel is pretty significant for the split second it occurs.
Factors That Affect Recoil
The weight and design of the gun will affect the recoil, as will the weight of the cartridge you are shooting. A well-fit grip can help you control your handgun after firing and keep you from feeling the worst of the kickback. Weight also helps keep your barrel stable, and the overall design can absorb some of the impacts from this force.
The heavier your cartridge load, the greater the force created. When you will be firing multiple rounds back to back for target shooting, you want to look for a lower grain option to avoid fatigue early in your practice.
Hand Sensitivities and Issues
The most common reason people concern themselves with recoil in a handgun is hand sensitivities or issues with age, injury, or hand size.
Women, in particular, may find that some handguns, even smaller lightweight options, may have a handgrip that is wider than what is comfortable. The recoil then pushes into the lower bones on the thumb and pointer finger, creating discomfort and sometimes bruising and tenderness.
Past injuries, surgeries, and conditions such as arthritis can also exasperate the energy felt and make shooting uncomfortable.
Ways to Reduce Handgun Recoil
Unlike rifles, handguns don’t offer many options to help offset or reduce recoil. Your best options are to find guns with a decent weight to help absorb that energy and keep the muzzle stable and to experience the grip yourself before buying to ensure you are getting a good fit.
Some aftermarket grips can help with the overall experience to provide more comfort through the use of padding or size. Still, many semi-auto handguns are polymer and may not provide options for changes.
You can also use a lower grain weight cartridge to create less energy than a higher grain charge.
The Best Low Recoil 9mm Handguns
Low recoil is associated with a stable handgun, comfortable grips, and standard velocity or reduced recoil ammunition. The following picks are quality brand choices popular across various shooting styles to offer comfort and accuracy with little worry of uncomfortable kickback.
Keep in mind that the least recoil felt is going to be based on various factors, although these low recoil handguns can help you find what you need.
1. SIG SAUER, INC. – P365
- Type: micro-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.1”
- Capacity: 10+1
- Frame material: polymer
Sig Sauer arguably creates the best micro-compact firearm for concealed carry. Their P365 series offers high magazine capacity with low weight and a smooth profile specifically designed for multiple comfortable carry options. The tactile, easily actuated trigger and smooth slide action are perfect for smaller hands or anyone who has hand and wrist weakness.
Available with your choice of internal or manual safeties and ambidextrous safety selectors for further comfort. Weighing in at only 1.1 pounds unloaded, it can carry a 10-round magazine to provide one of the most competitive and affordable options available for everyday carry.
Pros
- Micro-compact size is perfect for day to day carry
- Comes with two 10-round magazines
- Easy trigger and slide racking force
Cons
- Their 380 version is even smaller and lighter
2. SMITH & WESSON – M&P9 SHIELD EZ
- Type: sub-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.675”
- Capacity: 8+1
- Frame material: polymer
Smith & Wesson is known for compact, easy-to-carry designs popular for concealed carry options. Their 9mm EX option is engineered for comfortable racking and offers a narrow handgrip to accommodate smaller hands. The textured grip and 18-degree angle lend themselves well to recoil control, and the polymer frame is lightweight and easy to handle.
It comes with an 8-round magazine and three white dot sights with adjustable rear windage. The Picatinny under-frame rail works for easy light or laser sight mounting accessories. The magazine release button is also reversible for your comfort. Plus, the friendly price point makes this an excellent choice for smaller-framed shooters looking for a dependable 9mm option.
Pros
- Compact and easy for everyday carry
- Easy to rack and comfortable recoil control
- Significantly less trigger force in comparison to competitive models
Cons
- Smaller 9mm concealed carry options exist
3. SPRINGFIELD ARMORY – 1911-A1 EMP COMPACT
- Type: micro-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3”
- Capacity: 9+1
- Frame material: Stainless
Incredibly well-balanced, the Springfield Armory has reengineered the 1911 around the 9mm cartridge to create an enhanced micro pistol that offers popular 1911 features in a compact package. Perfect for carrying and comfortable shooting, the forged frame and durable, easy to rack slide are designed to last.
The 10-round magazine offers one of the highest compatible pistol options, and the fiber optic sight allows you to stay on target even in dim lighting. The single-action trigger is a comfortable pull and isn’t difficult for smaller hands. The reduced grip radius also works well for a narrow grip and helps make recoil easier to control.
Pros
- Everything you love about 1911 in a compact carry version
- Perfect for smaller hands
- Easy to rack
Cons
- The grip is very aggressive but can easily be changed out if needed
4. CHARTER ARMS PIT BULL 4.2″ LARGE 9MM REVOLVER, STAINLESS
- Type: sub-compact Revolver
- Barrel length: 4.2”
- Capacity: 5
- Frame material: Stainless
While we compiled top pistol picks, we kept coming across the Pit Bull series of revolvers as excellent low recoil choices and had to add it for variety.
The Charter Arms Pit Bull offers a series of 9mm revolvers, and their compact design makes them ideal for day-to-day carry scenarios. Holding a 5+1 capacity, unloaded, it only weighs 23 ounces, making it a comfortable option for anyone concerned with size and heft. The unique dual coil spring assembly creates a smooth loading and retention and offers fast reloading.
The stainless steel barrel is sleek and durable, and the adjustable sights provide a degree of customization to help you stay on target. The full, black rubber grip is comfortable and works well with narrow grips and offers excellent recoil control and energy absorption. It provides a standard revolver hammer as well.
Pros
- Compact and lightweight for easy carry
- Durable design for recoil control
- The rubber grip is incredibly comfortable
Cons
- Small size may not work well with larger grips
5. GLOCK G26 GEN3 3.4″ 10RD 9MM PISTOL
- Type: sub-compact pistol
- Barrel length: 3.4”
- Capacity: 10+1
- Frame material: polymer
Glock is one of the most recognized brand names in firearm history, and for a good reason. They consistently put out a quality handgun that has been recognized by law, military, and civilians around the world. The Glock G26 is a subcompact, double-action 9mm option with a 3.4-inch barrel length and comes in around 25 ounces, making it extremely easy to carry. Its nickname, “Baby Glock,” was given due to its popularity with women and smaller framed shooters.
The black interchangeable backstrap grips allow you to customize your handhold, and the fixed sights help keep you on target even in low light. The 10+1 capacity is among the highest in the industry, and the polymer molded frame provides the housing for dependable shooting.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable for concealed carry
- Preferable for smaller hands
- Low recoil and narrow grip for comfort
Cons
- No known concerns
Wrapping It Up
If you have concerns about handgun recoil, these low recoil handgun options are some of the best to consider. All are amazing picks for quality, reliability, and handling and provide a smaller grip with a comfortable, easy to control option.
Having shot just about all of these at one point or another, we know you can’t go wrong whichever you choose. They handle beautifully and offer very low recoil and comfortable racking when appropriate. We’d love to hear which is your preference below!
And, as always, please share!