We’ve all been there. You’ve picked out a suppressor, but can’t decide on which handgun to attach it to. To make things worse, manufacturers do a poor job of documenting which pistols are suppressor-ready. I’ll do what I can to help, giving you my list of six suppressor-ready pistols, meaning handguns with threaded barrels straight from the factory. From there, you’ll have the best suppressed 9mm pistol to suit your needs, and be (mostly) good to go. 

Some suppressor-ready pistols also include raised or suppressor height sights, which allow you to see over the top of your suppressor. Not all the pistols on our list have raised sights from the factory, so I highly recommend adding some to any weapon you intend to suppress. Let’s jump in and take a look at the best suppressed 9mm pistol list.

Best Suppressed 9mm Pistols

When selecting a suppressor-ready 9mm pistol, it’s essential to consider factors such as suppressor compatibility, thread mounting, cycling requirements, and overall performance. Below is an overview of notable models that come equipped with factory-threaded barrels, making them ready for suppressor attachment.

S&W M&P 2.0

The Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 is a full-sized, striker-fired 9mm pistol renowned for its reliability and user-friendly design. This suppressor-ready model features a factory-threaded barrel with a 1/2×28 thread pitch, accommodating most standard 9mm suppressors. It comes equipped with suppressor-height white dot sights, ensuring clear sight alignment when a suppressor is attached. 

The pistol includes four interchangeable backstraps, allowing shooters to customize the grip for optimal comfort and control. Its durable Armornite® finish provides enhanced corrosion resistance. The M&P 9 M2.0 also boasts an improved trigger system with a crisp break and tactile reset, contributing to better accuracy and a more enjoyable shooting experience. At an MSRP of around $679, it offers a balance of performance and value for those seeking a suppressor-ready handgun.

CZ P-09

The CZ P-09 is a full-size polymer-framed 9mm pistol known for its high capacity and ergonomic design. The suppressor-ready variant has a 5.15-inch cold hammer-forged barrel threaded at 1/2×28, suitable for most 9mm suppressors. It also features low-night sights that remain functional with most suppressors. 

The P-09 utilizes CZ’s Omega trigger system, offering a smooth double-action/single-action operation and the flexibility to switch between a de-cocker or manual safety, depending on user preference. With an impressive 21+1 round capacity, it stands out from most other options on this list. The MSRP is approximately $529, making it an affordable option for those seeking a reliable, suppressor-ready sidearm.

Walther PDP Pro SD

The Walther PDP Pro SD is a performance-driven 9mm pistol designed for versatility and precision. It features a 5.1-inch threaded barrel, ready for suppressor attachment, and an optics-ready slide compatible with various red dot sights. 

The PDP Pro SD incorporates Walther’s Performance Duty Trigger, which provides a consistent and crisp trigger pull and enhances accuracy. Its SuperTerrain slide serrations offer improved grip for easier manipulation under various conditions. The ergonomic design includes a textured grip that fits comfortably in the hand, promoting better control during firing. The PDP Pro SD costs about $900.

FN 509 Tactical

The FN 509 Tactical is a robust 9mm pistol engineered for tactical applications. It features a 4.5-inch cold hammer-forged, stainless-steel barrel with a 1/2×28 thread pitch, accommodating a wide range of suppressors. The pistol comes with suppressor-height night sights that co-witness with mounted optics, thanks to FN’s Low Profile Optics Mounting System™, which accepts most miniature red dot optics. 

Its enhanced grip texture and interchangeable backstraps ensure a secure and customizable hold. The fully ambidextrous controls cater to both left- and right-handed shooters. It offers substantial firepower with a standard 17-round magazine and an extended 24-round magazine. The FN 509 Tactical is designed to meet the rigorous demands of tactical shooters. However, it’s also pricey, with an MSRP of $1104.

Best Suppressed 9mm Pistol: Springfield Echelon

The Springfield Armory Echelon is a modular 9mm pistol that emphasizes adaptability and user customization. Its barrel is factory-threaded, making it suppressor-ready out of the box. The Echelon features a revolutionary optics mounting system that allows for direct mounting of various red dot sights without needing adapter plates.

The pistol includes a crisp trigger with a tactile reset, enhancing shooting precision. Focusing on versatility, the Echelon is suitable for various applications, from personal defense to competitive shooting. Springfield Armory’s commitment to innovation is evident in the Echelon’s design, offering shooters a reliable and customizable platform. The suppressor-ready version has an MSRP of $739. 

Beretta M9A3

The Beretta M9A3 is a modernized version of the classic M9, tailored for enhanced performance and suppressor compatibility. It features a factory-threaded barrel with a 1/2×28 thread pitch, accommodating most standard 9mm suppressors. The pistol includes removable tritium night sights, ensuring visibility in low-light conditions. 

Its Vertec-style thin grip and interchangeable wrap-around backstraps offer improved ergonomics that accommodate various hand sizes. A MIL-STD-1913 Picatinny rail allows for easy attachment of tactical accessories. The price typically ranges between $1000 and $1100. 

Best Suppressed 9mm Pistol: Cycling Consistency? 

Probably not, but there are some exceptions. When I bought my first suppressor, I was ecstatic to get it home and start slinging some quiet rounds down range. Imagine my surprise when I fired the first shot and realized my CZ 9mm wouldn’t cycle. 

Admittedly, I spent a lot of time researching suppressors to find a good multi-caliber option compatible with several different items in my gun safe. However, I didn’t consider how the extra weight would (and did) impact the function of my handgun.

Handguns are precisely engineered to cycle with the weight of the factory barrel. When you add several ounces to the front of the weapon, the extra weight will often prevent it from cycling. 

As it turns out, most semi-automatic handguns require a Nielsen Device to cycle properly with a suppressor. Nielsen Devices are more commonly called “boosters” or “pistons.” The booster consists of an extension and a spring that threads directly to your barrel. The booster will capture some of the gasses emitted by your weapon when it fires and direct them back toward the slide, which helps the handgun cycle.

Do You Need A Booster?

Most likely, yes. The easiest way to find out is to drop your magazine, clear the chamber, and rack the slide to the rear. Does your barrel tilt up? If so, then you almost certainly need a booster. Many modern handguns have a barrel that angles up when the slide moves to the rear, making it easier for the cartridge to operate correctly in the chamber. 

You probably don’t need a booster if you have a fixed barrel. Using a Nielsen Device on a fixed barrel can damage your threads or the booster. 

Do You Need A Nielsen Device? 

I noticed a difference in the way my weapon cycles and recoils. A standard pistol recoils back and up, causing the barrel rise we’re all familiar with. 

When I shoot with a suppressor, the extra weight helps hold the gun flat and can even cause it to dip. Once I added the booster, I felt like the gun moved up with recoil and then dipped below level, almost swimming or bobbing. 

The good news is that you can overcome this with a little practice. Think about how you usually respond to recoil and the amount of resistance you typically apply to get your gun back on level. When your weapon has an extra pound to pound and a half on the front, that little bit of force you are used to applying will lead to the muzzle dipping down.

Over time, I learned to relax a bit more than I would when firing an unsuppressed weapon. Now, I let gravity and the suppressor’s weight do most of the work. However, if I haven’t fired a suppressed handgun in a while, I may still catch myself fighting the swimming motion (recoil up and dip down) of the barrel. 

Best Suppressed 9mm Pistol: Ammo Considerations

Most ammo is supersonic, which means it travels faster than the speed of sound. You will hear a crack or snap when it breaks the sound barrier. The suppressor doesn’t do anything about that. It reduces the noise created by the explosion of gunpowder and gasses emanating from your barrel’s end.

If you want to eliminate the crack, you’ll need subsonic ammo, which travels slower than the speed of sound. A good suppressor and some high-quality subsonic ammo will drastically reduce the noise of your weapon. The loudest part will likely be the sound of the slide cycling a new round. 

If you don’t want to pay a little extra for subsonic rounds (or can’t find any), you can use standard ammo. You’ll still hear the crack on the back end of your shot, but the weapon should be quiet enough to shoot without ear protection. 

However, you need to make sure you aren’t using higher-pressure ammo (i.e., +P), as it can damage your suppressor and booster. Your suppressor’s user manual should list what types of ammo and pressure limits your device is rated for. Don’t exceed those limits. 

Choosing The Best Suppressed 9mm Pistol

If you’ve been shooting for a while, you probably have a favorite handgun brand. In that case, I recommend sticking with what you know. Shooting and caring for your suppressor-ready handgun will be easier if you are already familiar with the weapon system and brand.

Check out the Echelon if you are a diehard Springfield shooter. I like CZ’s line of suppressor-ready 9mm handguns. They’re simple, priced well, and easy to maintain. It all comes down to what weapon fits your budget and your shooting preferences. Also, remember that you can buy threaded barrels for most major handgun makes and models.

The bottom line is that any weapon on our list of the best suppressed 9mm pistols can be a great addition to your gun safe. Just make sure you invest in a quality suppressor to go with it.