This is also asked in another post here, but its buried about four pages down so I don't know if anyone will see it.

I haven't had the chance to shoot any M&Ps but carry a 3913LS. I really like it very much but have held a BB gun that is a duplicate of the M&P and like how it fits my hand. I use it for living room practice so don't laugh too hard now.

Has anyone had the pleasure of shooting both? Id like your views on how you would compare them and which you would prefer. I know we all would love to own both but life being what it is...
Thanks for looking and your thoughts.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

You should try an M&P for yourself before deciding. The M&P is thicker than the 3913 and none that I've shot had a decent trigger - let alone as nice a trigger as my 3913.

That said, I vote for the 3rd generation - on trigger alone - not to mention looks, price, reliability, accuracy and resale value.

Yes, looks don't matter on a defensive handgun, but like our cars, houses and women its nice that they look good.

That M&P is one ugly pistol. Regards 18DAI.

Thanks. I agree what you said about looks. If you saw me, the gun would cease to be an issue. I really am lucky and blessed to have my 3913. I never heard of the 3rd Gen before I was told about the 3913. I did quite a bit of reading up on it and then went down and purchased it the next day. I traded a Ruger LCR for it. Never looked back. The only thing I've done to it is installed a spurred hammer and hogue grips.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

If I had to choose I would go with the 3rd generation. Nothing against the M&P but I am a big fan of all the 3rd generation pistols. I own a 5903 and love it.
Good luck,
Howard
My 5903

I previously owned a 5906 and currently own an M&P40. I prefer the balance and "feel" of the M&P, as well as the consistent trigger pull first shot to last (and I shoot it more accurately). I don't like slide-mounted safeties, either.

That's like asking whats better; Coke or Coke Classic. Both are delicious. It really comes down to preference. I have both, I like both, I carry both. If I had to choose just one; I would get a part time job or go sell plasma every other week until I could afford both.

I'm also going to have to be in the both category. I love my M&P and I want another 3rd gen after I had to sell my old 5906.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I have several 3rd gens, all DA/SA and I will never carry one for self defense because of the trigger type. I think the DA/SA trigger is better than the DAO but still no good for concealed carry for me. The striker fired guns are great, one type of trigger pull. No safety, no heavy, long first pull and then a change. The plastic gun is lighter and at the same time holds more ammo. The changeable grip inserts allow it to fit just about any hand and there is a ton of aftermarket support. I love to shoot my 3rd gens, but depend on my M&P .40 compact. And my favorite 3rd gen is a 4513TSW that's been converted to SA.

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Morality >religion

You can sell plasma 3 times a week actually..... Believe me I know

I own several 3913 including an LS which is my preference of them for carry. I also own M&P9c & 40. For carry, I would always pickup the LS first. For straight out shooting I prefer the M&P because it fits my hand better and holds more rounds. I've done trigger work on all of them and could never part with the LS or my M&Ps. You need to own both!

What kind of trigger work? New & trying to educate myself. There is another thread going about trigger "stuff". Thanks!

I responded, with my own questions, on the other post.

I have both a 5906 and an M&P9. I shot my M&P as well as I do my 5906 the first time I fired it. I like them both BUT even though the M&P is my carry gun I could trade or sell it for something I like better but that 3rd generation 5906 will stay with me forever.

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

Go with a third generation. My opinion is a 4506 or a 4566. My agency used to issue the 4566 and we recently transitioned to the M&P 45......we have had issues out the wazoo, up to and including every M&P in the agency being recalled. We were then issued all new guns, of which, we are still having issues. Some guys are on their third pistol.....not a reassuring prospect when you have to bet your life on it.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

I've got a 4513TSW & M&P 45c. While I love both, there are about 3x-4x more accessories for the M&P than my 4513! If I had been able to find a holster maker like Crossbreed/Comp-Tac for my 4513, I might not have wanted to get an M&P.

Then another thing sealed the deal. I'd hate to lose/get stolen/get confiscated my 4513TSW as it was my Father's & bequeathed to me. For that reason alone, it sits in a case, loaded, upstairs.

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Gen1 4513TSW
M&P 45c

The only M&Ps I like are the FS 45 and the 45c. Both are great guns with sucky triggers-maybe some day S&W will get good triggers out to the public instead of offering a PC job for $100+.
That being said, the .45 compact is a really great carry gun. Try one in .45, you'll like it.

I would say 3rd gen. I am however partial to steel framed guns. The only polymer guns i like are the Glock 19. If you can handle the weight then get the 3rd gen preferably the 5906

Not to change the thread, but what was wrong with your M&P45's? I have both a 4566, MP45 FS and MP9 FS, like them all and just wondered what was wrong, and what to look out for on the MP45, since I have one of the LEO versions.
Thanks.

From what I've seen & felt, Apex Tactical is a very good friend for the M&P.

I really like my 3rd Gens, have two setup (and used) for carry, and plan to keep them - but if I was starting over today, I would look long & hard at the M&P. Both are good and neither is a mistake.

Just my opinion and maybe worth what it cost.

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July 4, 1776 not Jan 30, 1909

Hard call. Not sure I'd have a consistent answer for myself, let alone something to offer anyone else.

I own a 3913 and have done some shooting with a M&P 9c. I also own a M&P 40c & 4040PD.

Between the 4040PD and the M&P 40c ... the M&P is the better handling, more controllable gun under live-fire.

Now, the 3913 is one of my all-time personal favorites when it comes to a compact, reliable, fast-handling and accurate 9mm pistol. I think I've owned mine since '98. I really like the balance.

However, my SW999c (compact 99 series 9mm in the standard configuration, what is now called Anti-Stress by Walther) has a much better trigger in both DA & SA than my 3913. On any given day I can often wring a bit more practical accuracy out of the SW999c, too. The grip profile feels smaller, as well. Then, there's the 10-rd vs. 8-rd magazines to consider, I suppose.

Anyway, the M&P 9c I handled and tried on our range, while not having quite as smooth and nice of a trigger as my other 9's (it was the first time the M&P 9c was being fired, so the trigger hadn't had a chance to break in) ... did offer a very nice balance & heft. It was also quite accurate (despite the trigger) and had outstanding recoil management and controllability. It made me reflect that I probably ought to have bought a M&P 9c instead of the M&P 40c.

Now, I have no plans to ever get rid of my 3913 (or CS9), nor my SW999c. My pair of Glock G26's serve me well for their intended purpose, as well.

That M&P 9c certainly made a good argument for owning one, though.

One of the other instructors just bought his 3rd M&P, a M&P 9c. I know he has come to like some of the Apex parts in a couple of his M&P's. The first time he test-fired his new M&P 9c, though, in box-stock condition, he was very enthusiastic about how well it handled and fired, and how much better the stock trigger was compared to his other M&P's.

Now, aside from being a long time 1911 owner & user, I happen to like a good traditional double action (DA/SA) pistol for most defensive needs. I spent 20 years with various issued 3rd gen S&W's (and I don't mind my early production Ruger KP90DC, either ).

The M&P model line has shown me that S&W can indeed adjust to the current market demands for a lightweight, plastic service weapon and offer some interesting refinements to the concept.

Bottom line, though, is that I tend to prefer the M&P chambered in .45 ACP best.

If I were still working as a regularly employed cop, I'd prefer to carry an issued M&P 45 or 45c instead of the 4566TSW & 4513TSW models I carried prior to my retirement. Go figure.

Then again, if I'd had the opportunity, I'd have willingly carried an issued 3913TSW instead of the 4513TSW I was carrying in my plainclothes assignment, too.

See? Told you I didn't have a clear answer for myself, let alone anyone else.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

That's disappointing to hear. Can you tell us about some of the issues your dept. is (were) having? Were these older guns before S&W upgrades? Curious minds would like to know.

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Ray K
Mount Dora, Florida

I was issued a 5906 for several years, then we transitioned to the 5946. After about 7-8 years of the 5946's, the guns started to fall apart.

We then went to 9mm M&P's when they first came out with them. (The T&E guns we received were actually prototypes). Later added 200 of the M&P9c's for those who were authorized the smaller gun. No issues so far.

Starting on our fifth year with the M&P. I've had an M&P9c for about 6 months after they became available.

I prefer to carry the M&P9c off duty vs. the 3913. For what it's worth, the 3913 is my all time favorite 3rd gen S&W.

I like the M&P9c's consistent trigger pull vs. the DA/SA of the 3913.

I like the size vs. the capacity of the 9c. I shoot the 9c better than my Glock 19 (this was a shock to me when I shot them side by side).

With that said, my 3913 is going no where. It lives in a kitchen drawer. It's a good house gun to have at hand for unexpected knocks at odd hours. It slips in the pants when taking the trash out at 0300. It has earned it's place in my home as an off-duty gun over the years.

But if I had to pick between the two for a CCW cary gun, I'd go with the M&P9c in a heartbeat.