CMMG Banshee Beats SPC9 and P90 in New Compact 9mm Showdown
November 7, 2026
Shifting ATF and NFA rules have quietly made short-barreled 9mm platforms a lot more appealing to everyday shooters, and in a video from Honest Outlaw, the host puts three of them head to head to see which actually earns a spot in the safe. The lineup covers the B&T SPC9, a CMMG Banshee, and a customized FN P90, with an eye toward recoil, compactness, suppressor use, and how much fun each one is to run.
Key points
- CMMG Banshee takes first place: the video credits its AR-style controls, Glock-magazine compatibility, delayed-blowback system, and lower cost for making it the most practical and reliable of the three.
- B&T SPC9 lands second: described as a modern, AR-controlled take on the APC9 with roughly a 7.5-inch barrel and solid compatibility with rapid-fire trigger setups.
- FN P90 finishes third: a Strike Industries chassis adds a vertical grip and AR-like ergonomics, but Honest Outlaw says the top-loading mags, odd controls, and weak trigger still hold it back despite the compact size and 5.7x28mm capacity.
- Barrel length matters: the host argues 9mm hits peak velocity around 8 inches, so longer barrels on pistol-caliber guns don't buy much.
- Forced-reset triggers get a mention: framed as a pricier alternative for faster firing, with repeated reminders that legality varies by state and isn't legal advice.
Quick take
None of this is revolutionary hardware, but the regulatory shift is what makes the comparison worth watching, and the Banshee's pick as the practical winner tracks with how most shooters actually use these guns.
Watch the full video: Honest Outlaw