I haven't posted much here on the S&W Forum, but thought you guys might be able to give me a push, one way or the other...

I have had a M&P 9c for a couple years now and it has become my primary CC gun. It fits my hand perfectly, is easy to conceal, is ultra-reliable, and packs a good punch for its size.

Now I'm ready for a second M&P. Being so pleased with the compact, I thought a 5" 9mm would make a great 'truck gun.' My other choice is the M&P 22. I've seen lots of good reviews, I'm well stocked on .22 ammo, and it would make a great training pistol for my 14-year-old son. Of course the best option would be to simply buy both, but that's not going to happen anytime soon.

So, which would you choose, and why?

M&P 22, for the reason you stated it's a great trainer. Mine took a few hundred rounds of CCI before it became reliable with bulk.

M&P 5" 9mm. I thoroughly enjoy target shooting with 9mm. Personally, if I am going to shoot a .22LR, I prefer a rifle.

Do you already have a .22 pistol?
If not, I'd go with the M&P22.

Everybody needs a .22 pistol.

Good question. I do have a couple other .22 pistols, including a S&W 22A, but I would like something more 'service weapon' oriented before I start my son on my centerfire pistols. I was looking at the SIG 1911-22, but kept coming back to the M&P.

I have several M&Ps from the 22 to the FS. Because you want to get your kid use to the M&P line I would get the 22. That being said I love shooting the 5" PRO at IDPA.

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.22 for sure. Trigger is so much nicer, too!

Another vote for the MP22.

The easy answer is buy both. The .22 will give you and your son a lot of cheap practice. You can shoot the truck gun on the range for practice with lesser recoil or carry it on your belt in the woods or as a primary gun if the urge hits.

I have a .22, a compact, and a FS.

I have an M&P9 compact for carry and also shoot IDPA with it. It's always wise to practice with your carry gun.
My wife has an M&P Shield9 that she carries (me too when she's not).
I also have an M&P22 that I use for steel challenge and the non-sanctioned IDPA events, where they let me. The same holster fits both.
I installed fiber optic sights on all of them, as we're older and need the help. The 22 is by far, the most fun gun I have ever owned and that's been a lot of them, including many 22 pistols.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

MP-22 just do to the facts. It's a great trainer and you know you 14 year old is going to want to shoot and 22LR's are a bit cheaper. You can always let your son put a few 9's down range as time goes on with your 9c.

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THIS WE'LL DEFEND ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

I have most of the M&P line. I even have the M&P air pistol!

I'd say get the M&P22. Especially of you have a son that will shoot it. Fun and inexpensive way to have a ball!

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

I voted for the 22 why ... The 5" doesn`t have much over the C [ unless you want to do some serious target shooting ] but the 22 will give a lot of range time and as you say your son needs a good 22 to learn..The more practice the better...

I think the M&P .22 is perfect for you. It has the same ergonomics as your regular gun and it is a great trainer for your son.

I have a Sig 1911-22 and a friend has the M&P .22. My friend has had some trouble with his when using regular .22LR loads. He has to use the high power loads to get the gun to cycle reliably. Conversely, my Sig 1911-22 has fed everything I've put through it without trouble.

Now, I'm a 1911 guy so, it makes sense for me to use the 1911-22. You carry an M&P so, it makes sense for you to get the M&P .22 for training.

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Freedom isn't free.

Well I'm leaning more and more towards the M&P 22. Are there any recommended upgrades, or is it good-to-go right out of the box?

Mine were good to go out of the box. My only gripe is the stock sights.

I like the M&P 22 idea for all the reasons stated above. That said, I sort of like the idea of a full size pistol in the same caliber as the Compact, so the M&P 9 in full size would be next after the .22 version. Naturally, if you are worried about magazine capacity or other legislation being imminent where you live, then maybe think about the 9mm full size version first.

I have both. I am happy with both. I enjoy the economy of shooting the 22LR. The feel and trigger pull of the 22LR seems the same as the 9mm.

Sounds like you've already convinced yourself that you "need" an M&P22. However, passing on a nice M&P pro would be a shame.

My advice, would be to immediately sell/consign your 22A and then go buy both the M&P's. The 22A will be redundant once you have the M&P22 anyway.
Besides, you can't have too many M&P's.

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Dave