Pistols Like the TEC-9: Currently Made Alternatives

The Intratec TEC-9 has been out of production since about 2001, and used examples are getting harder to find in good condition. Many people who ask for a TEC-9 are really after the same idea: a 9mm that holds a lot of rounds, is simple to run and does not cost much to feed. Today that idea is covered by several families of currently made firearms that are more reliable, easier to service and easier to buy. This guide explains those categories in general terms. It does not describe any specific inventory, and what is in stock changes daily, so check the catalog for current listings.

Why not just buy a used TEC-9?

You still can in many states, and collectors do. But a used TEC-9 has drawbacks: no factory support, limited spare parts, magazines that are getting scarce and expensive, and legal restrictions in several states that name the model directly. See TEC-9 legal status by state and TEC-9 magazines and parts before you commit to one. For a shooter rather than a collector, a current design usually makes more sense.

Category 1: Large-format 9mm pistols

Large-format pistols are handguns built on rifle-style or carbine-style receivers, sold as pistols because they have no shoulder stock and a barrel under 16 inches. They are the closest modern equivalent to the TEC-9's size and feel. Common types include:

AR-pattern 9mm pistols: built on AR-15-style receivers adapted for 9mm, often using widely available pistol magazines. They benefit from a huge parts and accessory market.
Roller-delayed and delayed-blowback designs: pistols derived from well-known European designs, known for smooth recoil and reliability.
Compact blowback carbine-style pistols: simple polymer or aluminum designs from several current makers, often with rails for optics and lights.

Things to know:

They are heavy and long for a handgun, just like the TEC-9 was.
Adding a shoulder stock to one can create a short-barreled rifle under federal law, which must be registered with ATF first. Rules on pistol braces have changed several times in recent years, so check current ATF guidance.
Some states restrict pistols with features common on these designs, such as a threaded barrel or a magazine outside the grip. Check your state before ordering.

Category 2: Pistol-caliber carbines

A pistol-caliber carbine (PCC) is a rifle chambered in a handgun cartridge such as 9mm, usually with a 16-inch barrel and a shoulder stock. PCCs are easy to shoot accurately, light on recoil and cheap to feed, and they are legal as ordinary rifles in more places than large-format pistols. Popular layouts include:

Takedown and folding carbines that pack into a small case.
AR-style 9mm carbines that share controls with the AR-15.
Carbines that take common handgun magazines, so one magazine type feeds both your pistol and your carbine.

Because a PCC is a rifle, federal rules let adults 18 and older buy one from a dealer, though some states, including Colorado and, since July 2026, Virginia for certain semi-automatic long guns, set the age at 21. A PCC also counts as a long gun for shipping to your FFL.

Category 3: Full-size and compact 9mm handguns

If what you liked about the TEC-9 was capacity in a handgun, a modern polymer-frame 9mm pistol delivers more of it in a far smaller, lighter and more accurate package. Full-size service pistols commonly hold 15 to 17 rounds in a standard magazine, and many compact and micro-compact designs hold 10 to 15. They are easier to carry, have better sights and triggers, and are supported by a huge holster and parts market.

For carry, pay attention to:

Size and weight versus how you plan to carry.
Optic-ready slides if you want a red dot.
Magazine capacity in your state, which may be capped at 10 or 15 rounds.

Category 4: Rimfire options

Intratec also made the TEC-22 in .22 Long Rifle. Today, .22 LR pistols and carbines in many styles, including some that copy the look of larger firearms, are the cheapest way to practice. They are a good choice for new shooters and for plinking.

Choosing between them

For the range and plinking: a PCC or large-format pistol gives the TEC-9 experience with better reliability.
For home defense: a PCC or full-size 9mm handgun with a light is easier to shoot well under stress than a large-format pistol.
For concealed carry: a compact or micro-compact 9mm pistol. A large-format pistol is not a practical carry gun.
For collecting: a used TEC-9 or AB-10 where legal, bought through a dealer, or a current firearm with a similar retro look.

9mm ammunition

All of these share the TEC-9's biggest advantage: 9x19mm is the most common centerfire handgun cartridge in the country. Full metal jacket loads in 115 and 124 grain weights are the standard for practice, and jacketed hollow points are the norm for defense. Buy practice and defensive ammunition that your specific firearm feeds reliably, and test defensive loads before relying on them. Some states, including California and New York, add background checks or dealer requirements for ammunition, and some cities restrict delivery, so check local rules before ordering ammunition online.

Legal checks before you order

Confirm the firearm is legal in your state and city, especially if you live in a state with assault weapon or magazine laws.
Check the minimum age: 21 for handguns from a dealer under federal law, and 21 for some long guns in a few states.
Check for waiting periods, permits and rosters of approved handguns in your state.

Our guide to buying a pistol online covers how shipping to your FFL works, and our city pages summarize state rules for the areas we cover.

Not affiliated with Intratec. We do not sell TEC-9 pistols, which have not been manufactured since about 2001.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.