New to forum; contemplating S&W M&P9

[Redlegvzv]

Hi folks:

I am new to this forum, as I am mostly (gasp) a Ruger guy. Having said that, for various reasons I am contemplating the purchase of an M&P9. I want to own a 9mm pistol, American-made, with a polymer grip assembly and an integral picatinny rail. I have narrowed my choices to the M&P9, the Ruger SR9, and the SR9c (mostly because the SR9c gets such good reviews, particularly on its trigger.)

I was contemplating the M&P45, but decided to go with 9mm because it is so much cheaper. The gun will be for HD, SD, and range shooting. It will not be concealed so size is not a major factor.

Since I have to wait a while to purchase due to California's wait laws (just bought a gun) I would appreciate any thoughts as to why some of you went with the M&P rather than the Ruger. Any thoughts on options/variants for the M&P9 also appreciated very much. Particularly interested in rail-mounted lights and lasers for the M&P9 (home defense use.)

Thanks in advance for any comments.

[dren17]

I purchased and M&P 40c a couple weeks back with the crimson trace. Let me tell you its the best gun I have ever shot. The grip feels amazing, very accurate. I was very surprised with the accuracy out of the shorter compact model. I have heard the regular model is just as good.

[Playfos]

After doing similar research and trying the various pistols, I ended up going with the M&P 9. I really like the fit, feel and weight. I bought the M&P for HD, SD and range shooting as well.

I was so impressed with the M&P 9, I recently purchased the M&P 15 and have no regrets whatsover. S&W makes a quality product.

[crispy]

I have both the SR9c and the M&P 9 Pro 5".

Most here probably don't realize how good out of the box the SR9c trigger is. It is nice. It was darn close to the stock trigger in the Pro. Much better than the standard M&P full size. Of course, since then I've put the Apex Competition kit in the Pro and it is untouchable in terms of how easy it is to shoot.

Since it is not for concealed carry, I'd go with the M&P 9 Pro 4.25". It comes with night sights and has a great trigger out of the box. If you were to go with the standard full size M&P or the M&P 9c, I'd highly recommend the Apex Duty Carry Action Enhancement Kit. But once you add the kit, you're right up in the Pro price range.

I will say this, the slide on the M&P's is SOOOO much easier to rack than the SR9c. Slides like butter with the stock spring and rod. The Ruger is TIGHT. My SR9c is now loaded up with Speer Gold Dots and is reserved for SD/HD. I trust that it will work perfectly if I ever need it for that. It goes to the range only occasionally. Its the gun I trained my wife on.

But the 9mm I take to the range all the time, and the one I shoot USPSA and Steel with, is the M&P. Blazingly fast and smooth. I had a buddy that wanted to shoot steel. He took his SR9 as I was able to loan him some magazines. Not on par with the M&P. The next week he bought a Pro like mine.

The SR9/SR9c is a perfectly good pistol. You won't go wrong for your intended purpose. But sometimes one's intended purpose expands and if it does, the M&P will do more. You're going to spend at least a $100 more for the M&P over the SR9c but its worth it. Of course, if the role isn't going to creep, then you might as well look at the S&W SD9. Its perfectly suited for your intended uses.

I'm not dogging on the SR9 family at all. In fact, I recently recommended it to my Dad. Its perfect for what he needed and its only $400. Also, I feel better with him having a gun with the safeties that the SR9 has. If you end up going with the SR9, make sure you get the third generation model so that you get the same trigger as the SR9c.

[turbo38gn]

Take your pick, any of the M&P's will work. Since you mentioned the 9, I'd recommend the MP9fs, it will give you all around pleasure and be capable of fulfilling all your wants and needs. These guns are tac drivers. I have 4 M&P's and 2 extra conversiopn barrels.. If you wanted options and like the 45 caliber, get the 40FS and add a 9mm conversion barrel.. that gets you a little more fire power with the 40 and the 9 saves a few bucks on the range ammo... After you fall in love with this gun, then you'll want the 45, that gun amazes me. I like it better than my 1911's!!

[Redlegvzv]

So there is a conversion kit to convert the M&P45 (or is it the M&P40?) to 9mm?

[jmathis84]

It is the 40 that canbe converted to 9mm. I will add another plus for the M&P series. I was a Glock die hard shooter for 4 years. I bought the M&P 40 on a wim this year for fun. I shot it and was hooked. I sold my glocks and picked up a SD9. I am gonna get a M&P9 soon as soon as the funds show up. I am beyond pleased with this line of firearms.

[turbo38gn]

Originally Posted by Redlegvzv

So there is a conversion kit to convert the M&P45 (or is it the M&P40?) to 9mm?

Sorry for the confusion, I simply meant if you like the larger 45 caliber, the 40 was bigger than the 9. And yes, theyu make a 9conversion barrel to fit the 40 also a 357sig for the 40

[grampa p]

After considering the SR9C and the M&P9c and M&P9 I chose the M&P 9 because I liked the way it fit my hand. It's awesome. Go with what feels best to you.

[Redlegvzv]

This has been a very helpful thread. I am pretty close to pulling the trigger (pun intended) on the M&P9 full size. Have never owned an S&W but there is a first time for everything.

The caliber conversion kit idea is intriguing, but I already own good 45 and 380 cal. guns. And a 22. And a 357. So that is probably enough calibers. Too many calibers and keeping the right ammo around starts to get problematic.

Thanks to all who responded.

I am still interested in laser and light accessory information. If no one posts about it in this thread no doubt this forum has plenty of info.

[BobC357]

I just settled on the M&P9 and a M&P9c -- basically the same gun but one is a bit smaller. I've been a revolver (S&W Mod 28-2) user for 40 years but after trying the M&P, I got these -- one for me and one for the wife. They both feel right and the different grip inserts are ideal for the wife's small hands. The 28 is still the range gun of choice but for utility and carry, the M&Ps are a better fit. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Donn]

I've got all three, FS, Compact and Shield, all 9's. Never considered the SR9 at the time of purchase, it was either M&P or Glock. M&P felt better in my hand. I transitioned from a 1911, so this bad trigger business was never an issue with me. That said, the Shield has a much better trigger than the others. It goes out the door with me pretty much every day. All three are like the Energizer Bunny, they keep going and going. The FS is usually a range gun, but I have carried it on occasion. No slam on the Ruger, I've handled/fired SR9's at the range. It's a nice piece. Don't know if this is a fair measure but it works for me. Any number of police departments issue Glocks or M&Ps. Don't know of any that issue SR9s. There must be a reason other than cost.

[158Grain]

I would start researching what you can sell your Rugers for. Once you try something from the M&P line you will be converted. I have a 40fs and love it. It is my HD gun that sleeps in the nightstand, but is also one of my favorite range guns. Another advantage of the full size M&P's, if you ever decide to get a compact you can use the same mags with a magazine adapter sleeve.

[sarge1967]

I have an M&P9. It is an OK pistol. It really needs the trigger parts that APEX sells to make it a great pistol. So plan on an additional $100.00+ to get it really where it should be.
The Walther PPQ is an option I would look at as well. Ready to go right out of the box. Best stock trigger of any of the striker fired pistols hands down.

[AFrost20]

I went with a MP9 and love it. I will be picking up a compact version or the Shield (whichever I can find first) to be my carry gun very soon. The trigger is a little "iffy" but the apex kit makes it perfect, IMO.

[kablamo]

I was Inbetween the 9c or the sr9c. I chose the s&w based on feel, no mag safety, and no manual safety. I just purchased an m&p 9 full size. That being said get what YOU like

[sshakrr]

Having an M&P9 FS, Shield 9mm and a Ruger SR9, You can't go wrong with any of them. All very accurate and reliable for the $. I did end up having to send in my FS M&P9 for ejector issues. Its better, but still not as good as the Shield or SR9. Wont stop me from using it tho.

[bobnieder]

As far as the laser/light options for the M&P, I agonized over whether to get a gun-mounted laser or light or both for quite a while. There are plenty of options out there (Streamlight has nice lights and lasers, and you can occasionally pick up a bargain in the classifieds on a Crimson Trace grip-mounted laser), but I decided against either. I figured that the less complicated my home defense set up is, the better my chances of handling it effectively. I have a separate small flashlight with a lanyard with low output/high output/strobe select, and a set of TruGlo TFO's for night sights. The TruGlo sights are nice and bright and easy to sight, and one flick of my flashlight's switch, and I've got illumination, if I need it.

I also decided that I didn't want to train and target shoot with attachments on my pistol. If you expect to use them at crunch time, it better be something you've used consistently, so that you don't have to think it through while your adrenaline is pumping. Just my thoughts.

(BTW, I'd go US product over Croatian)

[jajo]

I have an M&P 9 FS and think its a very good pistol; especially in this price range. I like Rugers too and own 3 of them.

But my M&P serves me in the roles you cited in the OP. I like the overall feel and balance of the gun, the ergonomics, and the flawless function. Well over 2000 rounds without an issue. You need to put the guns you are considering in your hands before deciding. Some range time would be even better.

Not a fan of lasers or mounted lights, but that's just me.

Personally I think the trigger is fine but I'm not competing with it in sanctioned events. If I wanted a target or competition pistol, I'd look at something more expensive.



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[rraisley]

If you're not going to carry it, I'd recommend the M&P9 full size. If you're going to carry, then IMHO, the 9C doesn't carry that well, except under a jacket (9C was my first carry gun, bought for my CWP class - I then bought a Ruger LCR, and eventually ended up with a Kahr PM9 for carry).

With either one, though, if you're enamored with the .45, get yourself an M&P40 (or 40C). You've got all the power you need that way, then get a 9mm conversion barrel and mag, and you can practice as cheaply as you like. You'll pay for the barrel and mag with less than 1000 rounds of shooting.

Oh, and I see nothing wrong with the trigger in my 9C. I'm sure an Apex would be better, but unless you're in competition, I doubt you'll have a problem with the standard one. Plus, I've seen some good videos that easily remove the "grittiness", should your gun have it (I don't feel mine does).

[justcruisen67]

I can tell you from experience I have both the M&P9 and a SR9c, I prefer the M&P over the SR9, I got the SR9c due to availabilty of the M&P9c, sheild is just to small for my hands, the 9c fits better. Having shot both the M&P for me shoots better but its not a apples to apples comparison. However I wouldnt feel hampered carrying either. I am a fan of rugers, have a LCR and a GP100, and have had a P85, P89 back in their "clunky" days. The SR series is a huge step up for them and as usual they are Ruger dependable. I will say that I feel the Trigger on the SR9c is better than the stock M&P trigger, however if you practice with your guns the difference in my opinion is minimal, not enough to affect how the paper is punched. The main reason I went with the SR9c was the availablity like i said before, but having the option to CC if i wanted and the option of running it with a full size mag (has 10 + 17 rounders) however i do like it better with the 10 round with the pinkt extension. Either way you wont be disappointed, I would say go with what fits you best and which you shoot the best, I would recommend trying to shoot both as that may tip the scale one way or another. I never thought I would get rid of my XD9 kit (like the XDM just in a XD) but after picking up a M&P and then shooting one that was all she wrote, XD was down the road to a new home. Best of luck in which ever you choose!!

[Flavorman]

I have an H&K p30 and was looking for a 22. Bought the M&P 22 and loved it so much I had to have the M&P9. For half the price it's just as good, if not better than the H&K. I just wish I started with the M&P series...I'd have an extra $950 in my pocket!

P.S. bought 2 M&P 15-22's over the holidays....it's an addiction...

[BobC357]

The LGS is taking back the 9c and getting me a Shield instead. The 9 and 9c are almost the same so, the shield will be a better fit for us.