Handguns With Threaded Barrel

In a word, a threaded barrel offers versatility to any handgun. With a standard barrel, what you have is what you have. A threaded barrel can be fitted with many other devices such as compensators and suppressors. A barrel that comes threaded from the manufacturer will not compromise performance, as an added after-market threaded barrel might. Properly machined, they will not affect the slide or overall action of the pistol.

Take a look at the end of the barrel. If it’s a standard handgun it will have a slightly rounded taper and no threads. A threaded barrel is, as its name indicates, a barrel that has been machined by the manufacturer to accept additional devices screwed onto it. Muzzle suppression devices can reduce flash, noise and most importantly, recoil. Reducing recoil allows a larger number of shooters to enjoy the handgun. Threaded barrels are available in rifles, a small number of revolvers, but are widely available in semi-automatic pistols.

When non-shooters think of a muzzle attachment on a pistol it’s almost always a silencer, but that’s not the case. Compensators are the most often used devices with a threaded barrel. A compensator diverts the gas released when a bullet is fired upward, lessening the recoil. A popular use of compensators, aside from taking the jolt of recoil away for smaller shooters’ is in pistol competition. With lowered recoil not forcing the barrel up after each shot, a competition shooter can remain on target easier and fire quicker without having to regain target acquisition.

Suppressors are federally regulated under the National Firearms Act. They are commonly called silencers, though they do not eliminate all sound from a handgun. A suppressor works differently than a compensator by baffling the gas in the main tube to dampen the sound. Not all ammunition works the same with a suppressor. Sub-sonic 9mm ammunition is dampened dramatically, but other cartridges not as much.

Suppressors require a special application process with the ATF, plus an added $200 to purchase a tax stamp for it. It is a long application process. Compensators can be purchased online or from a local sporting goods store without any application.

There are a lot of pistol manufacturers producing models with threaded barrels. If you’re starting your search for a threaded pistol, the variety of options can make choosing one difficult. Below are some popular pistol brands and models to help get you started in your search:

Walther is an established pistol manufacturer. They produce variants of their pistols that come with threaded barrels.

The PDP is a striker-fired pistol that comes in a few unique variations. The PDP Pro series offers a threaded barrel. The PDP Pro is optic ready in compact and full-size versions, with a 4.6-inch and 5.1-inch barrel, respectively. Both come with a polymer frame, enhanced grips, a performance trigger, and a 17-round and 18-round capacity.

The Walther P22Q is a rimfire pistol chambered in .22LR. Standard models don’t include a threaded barrel, but there are options that do. It’s a compact hammer-fired pistol with a polymer frame. It comes standard with a 10-round magazine, and a 3.42-inch barrel. The P22Q is a great rimfire pistol, and the threaded barrel options only build on its best features.

Heckler and Koch (HK) are quality pistols. They have a few offerings that come with threaded barrels. The HK VP9 is a polymer-framed pistol chambered in 9mm. Available in multiple configurations, the VP9 Tactical comes from the factory with a threaded barrel. It comes standard with suppressor height sights and an optic ready slide. All VP9 models have a standard capacity of 17 rounds.

The HK USP was initially introduced as a service pistol for law enforcement. It became popular on the civilian market. Like the VP9 the USP also has variants that come with barrel threads, the most notable being the USP9 Tactical. It’s a hammer-fired polymer frame pistol chambered in 9mm and comes standard with a 4.86-inch barrel. The USP can also be chambered in .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

Another threaded pistol is the Mark 23. Like the USP, the Mark 23 is a hammer-fired polymer frame pistol, chambered in .45ACP instead of 9mm. It also has a longer 5.87-inch barrel. If you want a more compact 9mm, the USP9 fits the bill. If you want a larger frame pistol chambered in .45ACP, the Mark 23 is the way to go.

Beretta: The M9 Beretta is a go to choice for many enthusiasts. There are many versions of the M9, the latest is the M9A4. It comes standard with a threaded barrel. The M9A4 is an aluminum framed, hammer-fire 9mm pistol with a standard capacity of either 10, 15, or 18 rounds. Each model has a 4.9-inch barrel and is offered in a multitude of finishes.

The M9A4 Centurion has the same features, with a few upgrades. It comes optic ready from the factory, has upgraded grip panels, and an enhanced mag well. This is a good choice for defense and duty and has a threaded barrel.

Canik, based in Turkey, is known for high-quality pistols that fit many budgets. The Mete series opens with the Mc9, a gun without a threaded barrel. The SFX and SFT are both threaded models with improved offerings in the SFX Pro and SFT Pro. They are similar in construction with polymer frames, striker fired in 9mm. The only difference is the size.

The SFX is larger with a 5.75-inch barrel and 20-round standard capacity. The SFT has a 5-inch barrel and 18-round standard capacity.