Miller Precision Ranger 9SC

The Ranger 9SC is the smallest pistol in Miller Precision's Ranger 9 family. It comes in a 4-inch subcompact size, with a carry magwell, a functional grip safety and night sights. It's the one to look at if concealment is your top concern.

The Ranger 9 line is built around a linkless barrel, which makes takedown and cleaning easier and lets you swap to a ported or threaded barrel without a gunsmith. The company's patent-pending ambidextrous magazine release sits on the grip, and a patent-pending ambidextrous slide stop works from either side. There's also an easy-adjust trigger that lets you change take-up and overtravel without taking the pistol apart.

Like the compact 9C, the 9SC has ambidextrous safeties, so every main control works from either side. Night sights are standard. The optic plate system lets you mount a red dot and still use the iron sights, and an RMR/SRO plate comes with the pistol.

Options include a black DLC or silver PVD finish, a choice of grip textures, and a standard or V-ported barrel. The trigger comes curved or flat, in black or blue. You choose the finish and barrel when you order.

In the box you'll find two Atlas Gunworks magazines, a soft case, Lucas Oil, takedown tools, a punch and 1911 tool drivers. That's a complete starter kit for keeping the pistol clean and running.

The carry magwell is shaped to stay out of the way under a shirt, while still helping on reloads. If you want a small 1911-style 9mm with real ambidextrous controls and a barrel you can change without a trip to the gunsmith, the Ranger 9SC is a good place to start.