First let's see one! Below is mine it is also my avatar!



Next lets compare it to a M&P Shield 40 and one mid size and one full size M&P45 the only real difference is the barrel length, as far as mag capacity of ten then they are identical so let's look at these four pistols in a group photo!



Now we are looking at from the very smallest to the largest of the big calibers that Smith and Wesson makes. So as the title states why would the 40Compact M&P be the best choice for a first gun? I will give many reasons below:

You can buy full size magazines for the 40 which hold 15 rounds and by adding an X-Grip Smith&Wesson M&P | XGRIP you now have a full size 40 caliber weapon.

You can also swap barrels and instead of shooting a 40 caliber you could use the really powerful .357SIG in a .357SIG Smith & Wesson factory barrel for about $80 including shipping or you could buy a barrel from Storm Lake StormLake | Barrels built for accuracy like I did for my 40C because there were no factory barrels. If you want to shoot 9 Millimeter through your 40C then just get yourself a factory or Storm lake barrel in 9mm for the compact 9mm, but you will also need to have the magazines for the 9mm weapon for reliable feeding of ammo. I know there is a member here that somehow uses the 40/357 magazine with the 9mm barrel, maybe he is extremely lucky but why even chance it a magazine is not that much money but a whole new gun is.

So to recap the reason why a newbie to firearms especially pistols should highly consider buying the M&P 40C as their first gun are simple they are very versatile and also reliable, of course this is just my opinion, but to save time and money listening to this opinion might just make sense to a new gun buyer!

M&P Shield40, M&P.357Compact

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Never been able to understand an X-Grip. The butt of the gun is what prints when you are trying to carry concealed, not the barrel. If you are talking at the range, you need to practice like you fight.

9mm ammunition is much cheaper than .40. For punching holes, you'll use the nine, but you can still buy a bunch of .40 for the cost of a 9mm barrel and mags. Again, if you carry a .40, you need to shoot a .40.

Thank you for sharing your opinion. My opinio is that if your buying your first gun you buy the one that fits your hands properly, the one that feels comfortable to shoot, a caliber that you can handle and afford to shoot. What i may like about a gun another might hate, So when friends ask me what gun should they buy as their first gun... I

1. show them my guns
2. let them shoot my guns(with me there)
3. Take them to my LGS and let them handle even more guns and rent out the ones they think they would like to try out
4. Ask them out of all the guns he/her handled and shot what gun stood out to them as one they would love to shoot and feel comfortable handling the most.

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Aim small miss small

I am thinking about buying a 40 just because ammo is always available and only $2 more than 9mm. There could be another ammo shortage in the future.

Also, I love my 9mm compact.

I am going to rent one first to see what the recoil is like. My compact 9mm has very little recoil and is a pleasure to shoot.

I like 9mm. Only thing that tempts me about a 40 is all the range brass I have. I have way more 9mm brass so it is probably a moot point.

I'll stick with the 9mm for several reasons; I can control the recoil much better than a 40 because I am a small woman with physical issues (old arm/wrist and finger injuries) for better follow up shots. 9mm is cheaper and much more readily available. Depending on the HP (quality/brands) used, there can be small differences between the two calibers so why opt for the pricier higher recoil? I know of a neighbor who shot an intruder twice with his 40 cal (home invasion) once in the left hip and the other round in the left lung and the BG STILL managed to run out of the house and half way down the block before he collapsed.
IMO .. too much focus on the caliber and not enough on round count and placement. This is where the amount of recoil plays a huge role with accuracy with follow up shots .. and a major reason that I will stick with 9mm.

Nice write-up.

I'll stay with my 9 though. I own a 40 (not an M&P) and it is fun to shoot, but it's substantially more to feed, and only carries 13rds.

When/If i have to go to my weapon, i feel more rounds will make the difference vs a slightly harder hitting/heavier, louder, bigger, etc projectile.

We all have our own opinions, and that is mine. I agree with Kris. I carry 35 rounds in my EDC (one spare 17, then 17+1).

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Greg
M&P9 & M&P22

I've been thinking the same thing, so much so I brought my dad to the LgS to fondle some guns, explained why I felt the way I did, made some side by side comparisons. Even my very fiscally conservative (frugal) father wants a 40c now, we'll probably end up buying a 40c together within the next few weeks. It's the PERFECT EDC!

when carrying an extra magazine or two, X-grip makes sense, but for primary carry on a compact it doesn't make sense, I think most would agree with that, but recognize that isn't what they're intended to do.

I'm sure the 40c is a fine gun but I have to disagree about it being a good choice for a new shooter due to many factors including recoil, sight radius, and ammo cost. I carry a CW40 and find few can deal with the recoil well. After shooting a lot of ammo through a lot of guns for decades I would highly recommend a full size 9 as a starter, conversions are fine.

While I agree with you on the recoil my first M&P was a fullsize 9 after I had a Model 59 Stainless in 1982 as my first semi auto. If you start out with a 40 caliber you can switch barrels and make it 3 guns all compact in one frame with just less cost of buying them all!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

I've got an M&P40FS, Compact, and had a 9C (which is on consignment at a local gun pusher's).

For the new shooter, the 9FS or 40FS is probably the best. The longer sight radius and slightly bulkier/heavier gun will make for a pleasant shooting experience, and provide excellent accuracy. It'll also give you a good idea why the Full Size is a Police Service gun.... I find the 40FS quite snappy, but as a 1911 guy, no harder to shoot than any of my .45's. The somewhat lighter gun does change the equation a little, but not much....

If your hands aren't quite up to the FS guns, the 9C, in particular, still makes a fine beginner's gun. Lighter recoil, but with decent capacity, and accuracy's pretty much the same. Remember that if you're primarily into Self Defense, getting six rounds into a six inch circle at about 30' is about all we really need to do, and any of these guns will do that.

Personally, I prefer the .40 (or .45!), but YMMV. I don't see any advantage to various "+P" or "+P+" loads - range bragging rights, mostly, but do feel that a nasty JHP is a good idea. If you live where heavy winter clothing is common, those JHP's with plastic inserts may be the better choice.

In my case, I wear a small 1911 "outside", and the M&P40C at home. The latter doesn't need a special belt, etc., although it does have a good holster. Lighter weight.... I carry a full size .40 magazine as a spare around the house, though. I really don't much care about concealment, but like the idea of being able to grab either .40 should the need or my mood demand, without worrying about which spare magazine is on my belt. The larger gun is a PITA to wear for me, although I'm kinda big. The same trick would work with a 9C and 9FS mix....

(I have no experience with the M&P 45's, but other than being a little more, I think, fun to shoot than a .40, should be the same.)

The .40 DOES allow you to do the barrel swaps (don't use the S&W replacement barrels, though). I've been tempted, but I don't shoot the .40's as much as I should anyway.

I don't see any real disadvantage, btw, to the 40C v.s. the 40FS except that the already snappy recoil is going to be even snappier.... That said, it's not "heavier" recoil, just a bigger impulse. The 9mm is a lot more comfortable.

If you're going into an SD gun, the Compacts are probably more than adequate. For a truck gun, bedside gun, or something to punch paper with, the full size may be a better choice.

Houdini:

The M59 (I've got an M39) doesn't know from recoil .... Neither did my 9C. You know that the 40's have discharged, but I don't find 'em a problem. My real problem with the .40 is that I'm afraid to reload for it .... Just IMHO, but the cartridge & components are very close to max - just not a lot of room to mess up in. 9mm and .45ACP, OTOH, have a lot of room....

Regards,

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Stu.

I have an M&P40C & I love it. But...lately I've been starting to lust after
Gen 3's, & I'm pretty sure that what I want is a Model 6906. The ammo is
cheaper, high round capacity, & IMO one of the best looking semi's S&W
ever made. I'm closing in on one now!

Love the X-Grip. It allows you to comfortably carry more round when wearing more layers (Winter). The butt of the gun matters a little less on a shoulder holster too.

Everybody is built differently and their ability to handle what round with accuracy will vary too. IMO the 9m is a better all around round due to being less expensive and much more readily available (you can bet the ranch that availability will tighten up again, maybe worse than in 09 with Obama back in = new legislation) Accuracy and consecutive shot placement is easier achieved with the 9 than with the .40.

Pretty hard to blanket statement what size gun is truly the best for everybody. Like I said, the 9m is a better all around round, not the .40.

The shortage of 2009 saw 9mm & .45ACP in very scarce supplies. It was still relatively easy for .40S&W to be had, another reason I love this caliber. It's the police caliber, not as abundant in the civilian world, which is why when there is ammo shortagesc you can still find .40, even the quality duty ammo.