American Tactical Mil-Sport Carbine: American Tactical starts this 9mm carbine build with a lower CNC-machined from a billet of aluminum and matches it to a forged upper. The company adds a nitrided 16-inch barrel that is threaded and fitted with a flash suppressor. A free-floating KeyMod handguard allows for the addition of virtually any rifle accessory. On the tail end, American Tactical opted for the popular Super-Stoc, designed by famed instructor and holster-maker Bill Rogers. The Mil-Sport Carbine feeds from Glock-pattern magazines.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32-35.5 inches
Weight: 6.38 pounds (empty)
Stock: Rogers Super-Stoc
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 31+1
MSRP: $900
Beretta Cx4 Storm: Few companies can match the futuristic styling of the Cx4 Storm. Likewise, few can match the quality of this Beretta build. Designed to meet the needs of all shooters, the safety, charging handle and even case ejection can be changed to either side by the owner. While a rail allows for the addition of an optic, Beretta includes adjustable sights with the gun. Owners of the company’s 92 and Px4 series pistols should also be happy to know that the pistol magazines are completely compatible with the Cx4 Storm.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16.6 inches
OA Length: 29.7 inches
Weight: 5.7 pounds (empty)
Stock: Polymer
Sights: Adjustable
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 17+1
MSRP: $800
CMMG Mk9 T: CMMG makes an AR-style 9mm carbine called the Mk9 T. This gun has all of the typical AR-15 parts, including an adjustable stock, an A2-style pistol grip and a birdcage flash suppressor. The controls are identical to other AR rifles, so experienced shooters will feel right at home with this gun. It uses Colt-pattern magazines, which have proven to be very effective over the years. CMMG uses a nitrided M4-profile barrel made of 4140 steel. Around it, the Mk9 T has an RKM series free-floating handguard with KeyMod attachment slots.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16.1 inches
OA Length: 32 inches
Weight: 6.3 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 32+1
MSRP: $1,150
CZ Scorpion EVO 3 S1: When the .32 ACP Skorpion disappeared from CZ’s catalog a few years ago, I was disappointed. However, the company resurrected the name with a new series of 9mm guns including this one: the Scorpion EVO 3 S1 Carbine. This 16.2-inch-barreled rifle has a folding stock that is also adjustable for length of pull. CZ includes M-LOK attachment points on the handguard. The controls are ambidextrous, and the sights are made of metal for increased durability.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16.2 inches
OA Length: 24.5-34.75 inches
Weight: 7 pounds (empty)
Stock: Folding, adjustable
Sights: Adjustable
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 20+1
MSRP: $1,049
Dark Storm Industries DS-9 Typhoon: The DS-9 Typhoon is a high-quality 9mm rifle that feeds from Glock-pattern magazines. I had a chance to test one of these rifles and found that it was extremely accurate with moderate recoil and absolute reliability. I was impressed by the build quality, and the finish was impeccable. If you want an AR-pattern rifle in 9mm, the DS-9 is one to look at. For readers in restricted states, Dark Storm Industries also offers state-compliant versions of its guns.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32-36 inches
Weight: 6.25 pounds (empty)
Stock: Magpul CTR
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated Semi-auto
Finish: Black, OD green, FDE
Capacity: 17+1
MSRP: $1,195-$1,295
Diamondback DB9R: A new entry in the pistol-caliber carbine market is the DB9R from Diamondback. This new AR runs on Glock magazines. Diamondback equips this gun with a 16-inch barrel that is threaded with an A2-style muzzle device. The company also uses a free-floating handguard with KeyMod attachment points. QD attachment points are located on both the handguard and the Rogers Super-Stoc for slings. I tested a Diamondback AR before and found it was well built and accurate. I look forward to seeing how this one runs.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32 inches
Weight: 6.63 pounds (empty)
Stock: Rogers Super-Stoc
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 33+1
MSRP: $919
Excel Arms X-9R: Rather than merely copying the AR platform, Excel Arms offers a different approach to the 9mm carbine in the X-9R. This rifle’s receiver is CNC-machined from a billet of aluminum with a custom handguard and a crossbolt safety. It has a side charging handle and is fed from Glock-pattern magazines. The X-9R also has an adjustable buttstock. The monolithic upper allows for the installation of glass or iron sights without the timing issues sometimes seen in two-part assemblies.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32-36 inches
Weight: 6.25 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 17+1
MSRP: $795
Hi-Point 995TS: Hi-Point Firearms provides handguns and carbines to shooters on a tight budget, many of whom would not otherwise be able to afford a self-defense weapon. The American-made 995TS is the company’s aggressively priced 9mm carbine. It is compatible with the company’s pistol magazines, and the action will hold open after the last round is fired. Hi-Point offers a lifetime “no questions asked” warranty that remains in place even if the carbine is sold to another shooter.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16.5 inches
OA Length: 31 inches
Weight: 6.25 pounds (empty)
Stock: Polymer
Sights: Front post, ghost-ring rear
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $315
JP Enterprises GMR-13: JP Enterprises’ GMR-13 is available with either a JP-15 or PSC-11 blowback-operated upper receiver mated to a dedicated 9mm lower receiver. This carbine is designed to cycle with virtually no recoil. This attribute yields fast sight recovery and 3-MOA accuracy from a pistol cartridge. Designed from the start with the needs of law enforcement in mind, the GMR-13 accepts the same G17 pistol magazines as Glock 9mm pistols for carbine/sidearm compatibility.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 14.5 or 16 inches
OA Length: 36 inches
Weight: 6.88 pounds (empty)
Stock: EXOS Defense Ti-7
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Varies
Capacity: 10+1, 17+1, 31+1
MSRP: $1,499
The SUB-2000 folding rifle feeds from standard handgun magazines but pivots around its center to fold into a remarkably compact package. The SUB-2000 action rests in the back half of the gun while the barrel comprises the front half. Once deployed, the two components lock rigidly in place for hard use and proper accuracy. The Keltec SUB-2000 is available in either 9mm or .40 S&W, and operates via unlocked blowback. Given that this is a rifle shooting a pistol cartridge, recoil is unremarkable and follow-up shots are easily achieved. When stoked with proper ammunition, the SUB-2000 is effective out to 100 meters. The SUB-2000 folds up to stow in a modest backpack yet deploys to serve as a proper defensive firearm should the need arise.
Rock River Arms LAR-9 Mid-Length A4: Rock River Arms has been in the AR-building business longer than many of the companies now in the market. The company’s 9mm LAR-9 carbine uses the same controls and quality parts found on the company’s other AR models. It feeds from Colt-style stick magazines and comes with a number of features, including a single-stage trigger, a Hogue rubber grip, an A2-style muzzle device and a mid-length handguard. Rock River Arms states the LAR-9 will create 1.5-inch groups at 50 yards with quality ammunition.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 36 inches
Weight: 7.1 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: A2 front
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 20+1
MSRP: $1,180
Sig Sauer MPX Carbine: Released in June of last year, the top-shelf Sig MPX Carbine features a 16″ hammer-forged barrel; full-length aluminum KeyMod handguard; dual- sided selector switch, magazine release, charging handle and bolt release; three-position collapsing stock with integrated QD sling cups; and AR-style controls. What’s not to like?
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 28.5-33 inches
Weight: 7.6 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: Folding front and rear
Action: Piston-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 30+1
MSRP: $2,016
Stag Arms 9T: The Stag Arms Model 9T is a premium rifle with a dedicated 9mm lower receiver, a Diamondhead VRS-T handguard and 32-round magazines. The included Diamondhead premium folding sights allow this gun to be used for home defense as it ships, while the Picatinny rail allows for the easy addition of a red-dot sight.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.5-35.75 inches
Weight: 7.9 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: Diamondhead flip-up
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 32+1
MSRP: N/A
Known to some shooters as the company that makes the semi-automatic reproductions of classic guns like the M2HB and German MG34, TNW Firearms also makes the Aero Survival Rifle, a pistol-caliber carbine with a removable barrel for compact storage. These guns can quickly be converted to other calibers if needed. The rifle is a blowback-operated gun with a side charging handle. A Picatinny rail runs along the top of the receiver for an optic.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16.25 inches
OA Length: 29.5-33 inches
Weight: 5.5 pounds (empty)
Stock: Collapsible
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Matte black
Capacity: 33+1
MSRP: $829
Wilson Combat AR9: If another company can give Sig Sauer a run for top pistol-caliber carbine, it is Wilson Combat. The AR9 is a blowback-style rifle that can be ordered with a wide range of options. Like some of the others, this gun is fed from compatible pistol magazines. Unlike some of the other guns, you have the option of three different magazines: Glock, Smith & Wesson M&P or Beretta 92. The gun locks open on an empty magazine and offers match-grade accuracy.
Caliber: 9mm
Barrel: 16 inches
OA Length: 32.75 inches
Weight: 6.25 pounds (empty)
Stock: Rogers Super-Stoc
Sights: None
Action: Blowback-operated semi-auto
Finish: Armor-Tuff
Capacity: Varies
MSRP: N/A
Sure, we all love ripping 5.56mm NATO rounds through a good ol’ AR, but that’s not the only game in town. There are plenty of companies selling 9mm carbines that offer less report, recoil and muzzle flash traditional rifles. When compared with handguns, 9mm carbines also have an edge, boasting an increased magazine capacity, bullet velocity and long-range accuracy. Ammo affordability is a consideration, too. With all this in mind, we took the liberty of rounding up 15 9mm carbines that are worth a close look.
