I have a chance to pick up a NIB Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Carry and Range Kit for what I consider to be a very good price. However, I've never even held an M&P pistol so I'm not sure what to expect. I'd be interested in hearing your opinions of the pros & cons.

I've had a 40 kit on order since 1-28 and still waiting. Where did you find yours. They are on backorder from S&W.
Most folks love the gun.

spricks

A local private party seller has one that's never been fired for which he's asking $425.00.

that is a good price. i got my .40 cal kit in march from a local gun shop for $499. My friend got his 9mm kit from cabelas for $549.

i would check around. they have been off backorder for almost 2 months now. bladetech was the delay from what i understand. around here there are plenty of them in either caliber

Thanks guys. I know it's a good price. But I'm more interested in hearing your honest opinions, pro or con, regarding the performance & quality of the M&P pistols.

I T & E'd a number of M&P's for my department when we were considering dumping our Glock 22's because so many would not run with lights attached.

The M&P's are great guns and I don't think anyone anywhere will dispute that. I found the triggers a little harder to work with than the 5 1/2 lbs.

I'd still buy Glock in 9pm over Smith unless I was after Smith's frame mounted safety. Glocks are the AK47 of pistols.

That being said you can't go wrong with a m&P if that's what you want.

They are very reliable and duty gun quality.

Emory

Love my M&P 9mm. Fits my hands well and is a very good shooter. Mine must have been made on a good day as my trigger feels real light. Actually had a follow up shot surprise me as the trigger reset was so short and light. Now that I've become used to it, I love it. Using it to get into IDPA competitions.

Prior to my first handgun purchase, I went to the range and rented two guns: a Glock 17 and a Smith and Wesson M&P9 full size. I put 10 rounds through one, and then through the other. I did this several times, and then decided which one I liked the best. (A friend was with me and he did the same thing.)

In the end, we both agreed that the G17 was a fine weapon, but that the M&P9 was (very slightly) better. Neither of us could get comfortable with the 2 x 4 that Glock calls a grip. We both liked the trigger on the Glock better. (Even today, after good use on my M&P9, I still don't like its trigger.) If it matters to you, we both thought the M&P9 is a more attractive weapon, but it's not hard to be more attractive than a Glock. (Weapon aesthetics mean nothing to me and played no part in my decision.)

I don't keep track of how many rounds I shoot, but there are at least 1000 rounds through the M&P9 since January and it has been flawless. The front site dot blew off after a couple hundred rounds, but that hasn't bothered me or anybody else shooting the gun. We can only wish that we are such great shots that the missing front dot gives us trouble!

Let's start with the cons. I can shoot most of my other pistols -- G26, 92FS, etc. -- more accurately than my fullsize M&P 9. Obviously YMMV. The changeable backstrap wasn't much of a deal for me; I tried them all and went with the standard that came on it. Again YMMV. The tricky takedown tool in the grip is unnecessary, you can use a finger and leave the tool stowed.

For the pros: it looks great and functions flawlessly. The 17 round mags work. I put a threaded barrel in mine and it cycles just fine with a GemTech Multimount. I have carried it in a Blackhawk Serpa, and I assume the BladeTech in your carry kit is similar. If you want a polymer pistol and you're an SW fan, M&P is a good way to go.

I'm going to start off by saying I own the M&P9 Carry and Range Kit (which has been Massachusetts crippled), and the M&P45. Both of them are full sized.

The M&P9, I purchased a couple weeks ago, and have put a 100 rounds through. The gun never had a failure even as I rapid fired the weapon. I don't mind the trigger, I like that it has a clear point of okay if I go any further it's going bang. The only issue I've had is with the Massachusett's compliant magazines. They are supposed to hold 10 rounds, but they were only holding nine. I've sent all three from the kit back to Smith and Wesson last Monday (they were at S&W at 10:30am on Tuesday) and I still haven't gotten them back yet... Which annoys me a bit, and I am going to call them on it.

When comparing it to the M&P45, I can say that it is a bit smaller in terms of the grip. I actually prefer the fat grip I have with the 45 but the 9 still does the job to a point in which I am happy with it.

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-Roy