Compact Weapon Questions

[99vortec]

I'm looking to purchase a M&P compact for concealed carry and I'm stuck in between the M&P 40c and M&P 45c. I have two .40 caliber guns already (M&P .40 full size, and Sig Sauer P226) and was looking to get a small, light easy to conceal gun but wanted to add a .45 to the collection at the same time, but I am worried about the recoil on a .45 that small. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Rangel]

Typically, the S&W M&P's have less kick/recoil than most guns from other manufacturers of the same caliber guns, including some of the more expensive and even (suprisingly) heavier ones.

I really like my Springfield 45 Xdm, but I am surprised that even though it weighs quite a bit more than the S&W M&P 45 of the same barrel length and magazine capacity and they are equal in my eyes and hands in terms of build qualiity and structural integrity, the M&P's recoil is about the same, and it's accuracy equal, if not better. S&W did one heck of a job with the M&P series.

Typically it's a simple matter of physics, that the smaller and lighter the gun, given the same caliber bullet, the more recoil you're going to have, but there are a number of variables there between guns and brands--more we than we typically realize meets the eye or feel of the hand until we've shot them.

But I think we can safely say that the 45 will have more kick than your other smaller caliber guns of about the same weight and size and that you're going to have to hold on harder and adjust your 'style' a bit to get the same accuracy your probably accustomed to, if you 'move up' in caliber, but using a smaller gun'.

Don't get me wrong--I love my full sized 45s. But smaller, subcompacts and the ammo available for them, have come so far along in quality and accuracy that I am more 'charmed' when a new compact or sub compact comes out than when a 45 or 10mm comes out.

Given that the recoil will be a bit more on the 45 than the 40 and will only increase as the gun moves down in size, I lean towards 40s more and more. As much as guns, especially SMALL guns have improved lately, ammos probably improved even more and brands like Hornady and Corbon in a self/home defense situation are more than adequate and closer to a 45 than most realize. Do some google research on 9, 40 and 45 ballistics comparisons and I think you'll be surprised in some ways.

I also feel that with the smaller guns, paying for after market, high quality night sights is very, very important, and that if it is something you might consider, a laser is a nice addition.

lt is VERY important to make sure that with the smaller guns, that the grip it comes with, fits very securely in your hand, or if not--make sure there are some aftermarket handle grip scales or grip tape and after market magazines with 'pinky' or other extensions that will make it do so. That extra $30 or so dollars you invest can make a huge difference and anybody can do those simple mods.

If you can't hold onto any pistol because like some people do, they bought it for appearance--'sex appeal' over functionality---whether it's a 25, 32 or a 45, you might as well buy a bag a of marbles and throw handfulls at the target and save a whole bunch of money, but risk looking mighty foolish doing so.

Don't get me wrong--if I had my druthers and enough money, I'd like to have just about every caliber out there. Santa Claus--I'd LOVE a Barrett 50 caliber with a nice Zeiss scope! Just the thing for shooting grapefruits, one by one, out of trees a mile away!

But for now--I think the smart money is with the smaller guns and 40 caliber and below, keeping a magazine of the high priced Hornady or Corbon 'critical defense' ammo and maybe a magazine for the bedide, with some ammo like Glaser safety slugs, if you live in a place where bullets--typically 9mm and above, can go thru walls too easily, putting loved ones and neighbors at risk.

For fun--go to Walmart or some other discount store and buy a good brand of flat or round tips, save a bundle on that ammo and have more fun, shooting longer for less money, 'out on the range'.

While the Sigarms 238 in 380 caliber is a fine little gun, especially if you get the slightly extended magazine with the curl that gives your hands a more secure grip, the Compact S&W M&P's, and BG380 already have that and are also fine guns indeed.

I want to see the upcoming compact Sigarms pistol, similar to the 238, that's going to shoot 9mm. I'm not much for trigger jobs. I don't typically feel i need one, but the trigger on those Sigs are undeniably smoother and if you want that sweet of a trigger standard, in an all metal pistol and often with night sites standard, the 'over the top' price we typically think we're paying for the Sig name suddenly isn't 'over the top' any more--it may even be cheaper. I much prefer to 'buy American, but some (not all) of those Sigs have an extra silky smooth touch to them that the Swiss and Germans can sometimes be quite good at.

We're at a time where many companies all over the world are making some pretty good darn guns and each one is different and you need to see what suits you best for the right reasons.

Unless you have unlimited money, given the variety of and quality of compacts and subcompacts and the advances in ammo that help them to shoot more reliably, with much more stopping power than in past years, more accurately and with less recoil, my inclination is to stay below 45 caliber and try and pay less for what to me is actually 'more gun' for the money, especially if I can add some great night sights and have a grip that works 'just right' for me and I can carry it almost anywhere. (In Georgia anyway)

Now don't get me wrong--LOVE a good 45 caliber 1911, 40 ounces and all, but having a compact or subcompact that in comparison feels like a fine, precision wrist watch, verus an alarm clock and does a great job, is fun to shoot, accurate and I can carry w/o throwing my back out of wack--well folks, that's where my extra hobby money's going these days!

Yes, as Forest Gump said, 'lifes's like a box of chocolates--you never know what you're gonna get"--and that's true, but with pistols, if you try different ones, read, listen and learn, you might just get what you want, without going through a whole box!

[M&PStrapped]

I have the M&P 40 FS and the .40c. This is a good set up for me because I can use the magazines to my FS in the compact. I purchased a couple of X Grips and it works great for me. The recoil on the 45c will not be a problem to most people. My 13 year old loves shooting my .40c. I would guess that it has more snap than the 45.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I have the M&P in both .40 compact and .45 compact.
There is NOTHING to be concerned about. I can shoot the .45 one handed with my weak hand, no problem. My 14 year old daughter shoots them both with confidence. My son has been shooting a .44 mag since he was 12 and my oldest girl, at 17 prefers the M&P compact .45. The .45 is .5" longer than the .40 and has a slightly longer palm to trigger dimension, all other dimensions are identical to the .40 (i measured). These examples are used only to illistrate how easy it is to shoot large caliber handguns. If a 90 pound teenager can do it.....
well, act like a man and shoot what ever weapon you want!

[bronco45]

I have had both the 40c and the 45c. Both were very accurate and soft shooting for plastic guns. The 40c was easier to conceal but the 45c is more fun, to me to shoot. Plus I have a third world supply of 45ACP components.

I still have the 45c and the 40c has gone to a cops home who loves it. And carries it religiously off duty.

[Dragon88]

If the recoil of .40 doesn't bother you, then you should have no problem with a .45. The recoil impulse of 45 Auto is more of a push, where as .40 snaps more at the wrist.

Logically I would suggest you get a .40. Commonality in ammo will save you money and allow you to practice more with your guns. But if it were me, I'd probably get the .45. 45 ACP is a great cartridge.

[Viper7]

I had a 45c and it was one of my most accurate pistols, but it was stolen in February. In March when it was time to replace the 45c, I was fortunate that my LGS had both the 40c and 45c in stock and I could compare them side by side. Since this is primarily a CC gun, I chose the 40c for it's smaller size, lighter weight, and extra capacity. Also entering the equation was the fact that although I'm partial to the 45 round, I had recently acquired an HK USP 40 and Kahr Cw40.[Also an excellent CC pistol] I was pleasantly surprised that I was just as accurate with the 40 as the 45, so I am quite happy with the choice.