The Smith & Wesson SD9 2.0 is a full-size striker-fired 9mm built for home defense at the bottom of the price list, and it has an MSRP of $349. It holds 16 rounds at 22.7 oz, and the flat-faced Self Defense Trigger replaced the curved trigger of the original SD9, with a smoother take-up, a crisper break and an audible reset.

One magazine comes in the box, so a spare is the first thing to buy after it. The slide carries more serration coverage than the original SD9 did, and holsters, lights and lasers that fit the old pistol fit this one. The barrel is stainless with a 1 in 18.75 twist, slower than the 1 in 10 S&W uses across the M&P line. The pistol is not optics ready, and the trigger safety is the whole of the safety system, with no thumb lever and no grip safety on it.

If you're cross-shopping, the Ruger Security-9 has an MSRP of $389, shares the 4.0-inch barrel and holds 15 rounds at 23.8 oz, 1.1 oz more, and it is hammer fired. The PSA Dagger Compact has an MSRP of $300, matches that count on a 3.9-inch barrel at 22.4 oz, 0.3 oz lighter, on a 4.78-inch grip against the SD9's 5.5, so it keeps more of itself under a shirt.