Recommended Handguns
Higher Purpose Training has no affiliation with any of these companies and receives no compensation from any companies for endorsing their products. We have simply had good experience with these companies’ products and desire for our students to have the best experiences training in class and invest only in quality gear.
Semi-Automatic Handguns
Higher Purpose Training recommends modern striker fired or single action, full-size or compact handguns chambered in 9mm. This recommended list of brands and models is not exhaustive.
We recommend that if you are new to defensive handgun training you should avoid weapons with external safeties. We also recommend you avoid double-action/single-action (DA/SA) handguns and double action only (DAO) handguns. These features can make it more challenging to train.
Glock
Glock 19
Glock 17
Glock 34
Glock 19x
Glock 45
Glock 47
Glock 43x
Glock 48
​
Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson M&P
Smith & Wesson M&P Pro
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield no thumb safety
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus no thumb safety
Smith & Wesson M&P Shield EZ no thumb safety
Smith & Wesson Equalizer no thumb safety
​
Sig Sauer
Sig Sauer P320 no thumb safety
Sig Sauer P365 no thumb safety
Sig Sauer 365X no thumb safety
Sig Sauer XL no thumb safety
Sig Sauer P365 X Macro
Sig Sauer P365 X Macro Tacops
​
Canik
Canik METE SFT or SFT Compact
Canik METE SF Compact or METE SFX Pro
Canik SFT Pro
Canik TP9SA Mod.2
Canik TP9SF
Canik TP9SF Elite
Canik TP9SFX
Canik TP9 Elite Combat Executive
Canik METE MC9
​
Walther
Walther PDP Full-Size
Walther PDP Compact
Walther PDP F-Series
Walther Q4 Steel Frame or Steel Frame OR
Walther PPQ M1
Walther PPQ M2
Walther Q4 Tac M1 or Tac M2
​
CZ
CZ P-10 C
CZ P-10 F
CZ P-10 S
CZ P-10 SC
​
Heckler & Koch
HK VP 9
HK VP30
​
FN
FNS-9
FNS-509
​
Palmetto State Armory
PSA Dagger Full-Size 9mm
PSA Dagger Compact 9mm
​
Springfield Armory
Springfield XD Elite
Springfield XDm
Springfield XD Mod.2
Springfield Echelon
Springfield Hellcat
Springfield Hellcat Pro
​
Ruger
Ruger Max-9 no thumb safety