The market for compact handguns is booming, but a growing number of guns are also going the other direction.
Long slide handguns are traditionally considered competition firearms for IPSC, IDPA and 3-gun contests, as their additional length offers improved accuracy and increased velocities. We’re also seeing a number of non-competitive shooters buying long slide guns for target shooting and home defense.
Whether you’re looking for another target pistol or planning to compete on a national level, there’s never been a better time to be in the market for a lengthy 9mm. Long slide 9mm handguns come in a variety of configurations, from single-action 1911s to polymer-frame, striker-fire guns.
Here’s a look at some of the best long slide 9mm pistols available today:
CZ 75 CTS LS-B
The CZ 75 CTS LS is a product of CZ’s Custom Shop, and this Single Action Only (SAO) 9mm features a matte black slide and black Poly Coat frame, adjustable Champion rear sight and plain black front sight, beavertail frame, rubber grips and 18-round magazines. The CTS LS-B incorporates additional competition-specific features like an extended firing pin and magazine release, a reduced weight spring package, a polymer guide rod and an ambidextrous extended manual safety. The custom aluminum single-action trigger breaks cleanly at 3.5 to 4 pounds, helping to improve accuracy. Available only through the CZ Custom Shop, the CTS LS-B is a serious competition gun with the credentials to help improve your score.
Price: $1,600
FNS-9 Long Slide
FNH USA is building on their already successful line of FNS striker-fire pistols with the addition of the FNS-9 Long Slide. Like other FNS pistols, it features a polymer frame with two interchangeable back straps and a stainless steel slide (available in matte black or matte silver) with an external extractor and loaded chamber indicator. Its five-inch barrel is made of cold hammer-forged stainless steel and has a polished feed ramp and chamber. The three-dot fixed sights are dovetailed into the frame, and the controls are ambidextrous, a big advantage for southpaw competition shooters. Magazine capacity is 17 rounds, and the FNS-9 Long Slide weighs 26.5 ounces unloaded.
Price: $749.00
Glock 34
Glock’s competition-minded
34 offers a 5.31-inch barrel and an impressive 7.55-inch sight radius. Like other members of the Glock family, it features a carbon steel Tenifer slide and textured grip surface with a modular back strap system. Its adjustable low-profile rear sights are designed specifically for competition and allow for rapid target acquisition and maximum ease of use. The Glock’s overall length is similar to that of standard five-inch 1911s, and the polymer frame keeps weight to a minimal 25.95 ounces unloaded. Glock’s dual-recoil spring assembly is designed to extend the life of the system, which is a major consideration when purchasing a competition gun that will likely see high-volume shooting. The trigger is set at 4.5 pounds, and the standard magazine capacity is 17 rounds.
Price: $679.00
Kimber Aegis II
The
Kimber Aegis II is a striking gun, with a matte black steel slide, an aluminum frame with satin silver finish and fluted rosewood grips. The fixed
Meprolight Tactical Wedge tritium night sights offer a 6.8-inch sight radius, and the solid aluminum match-grade trigger comes factory pre-set between four and five pounds. Other features on the Aegis II include a beavertail grip safety, bobbed hammer, front and rear slide serrations and a KimPro II finish on both the slide and frame. The ramped barrel is made of match-grade steel, and the Aegis II also features a match-grade stainless steel bushing.
Price: $1,331
PARA Ordnance Pro Comp 9
Designed with help from
IPSC World Champion Travis Tomasie, the
PARA Ordnance Pro Comp 9 is a purpose-built competition gun with a host of high-end features. These include a stainless steel frame, slide and 5-inch match-grade barrel. The rear sight is adjustable, and the fiber optic front allows for rapid target acquisition in dim light. The Pro Comp 9 also comes with a full-length guide rod, skeletonized match trigger, a beavertail grip safety and two magazines. A set of
VZ G10 Operator grips and
Ionbond PVD finish give the Pro Comp 9 unmatched form and function.
Price: $1,299
SIG Sauer P226X6
The
SIG Sauer P226X6 is a dedicated competition gun that is only available through
SIG’s Mastershop, and even though it isn’t cheap, it represents one of the top-end competition long slide 9mms. The P226X6 features low-profile adjustable sights, a stainless steel beavertail frame, stainless slide with front cocking serrations and a single-action adjustable trigger that ranges from 2.2 to 3.5 pounds. Its custom wood grip plates offer a comfortable, secure grip while complimenting the stainless frame and slide. The front strap is checkered, and the large magazine well makes reloads quick and easy. The six-inch barrel results in a sight radius just over eight inches for optimum accuracy, and the gun includes two 19-round magazines.
Price: $2,950
Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro
Smith &Wesson’s Pro Series line adds upgraded features to the company’s standard production series guns while maintaining a price point below the
Performance Center guns. The
M&P Pro 9mm is a fantastic out-of-the-box competition gun. This striker-fire pistol boasts a prodigious 17+1 capacity and comes with a five-inch barrel, Novak Reduced Glare rear and fiber optic front sights and three interchangeable grip sizes with ample texturing for a secure hold. Its stainless black slide has large, aggressive serrations for easy manipulation, and the trigger pull is set at 4 to 5 ½-pounds.
Price: $689
Springfield XD(M) 5.25-inch Competition
The
XD(M) features a long 5.25-inch barrel with a cutout to reduce weight and improve balance. Its rear sight is fully adjustable, and its front fiber optic sight offers high visibility in most lighting conditions. The XD(M)’s steel slide has a Melonite finish, as does the hammer-forged barrel. Its polymer frame has a heavily textured surface for improved grip, and the trigger is set at 5.5 to 7.7 pounds. A grip safety offers an added level of confidence, and the 29-ounce XD(M) has an overall length of 8.2 inches. The gun comes supplied with three 19-round stainless steel magazines.
Price: $795.00
Walther PPQ M2 Five-Inch
On the heels of the popular
PPQ M2 four-inch model,
Walther has introduced a version of their striker-fired semiauto with a more competitive slant. It features a Tenifer-coated slide and barrel, large ambidextrous slide stop, a 5.6-pound Quick Defense trigger with a .1-inch reset and polymer low-profile three-dot sights that are screw-adjustable for windage. The cross-directional gripping surface provides a firm hold, and the comfortable ergonomic grip reduces fatigue during long shooting sessions on the range. The slide has front and rear serrations for easy operation, and the PPQ M2 features two drop safeties and a firing pin block safety. The five-inch version has an overall length of 8.1-inches and a capacity of 15 rounds.
Price: $699.99
