Hi Kids!

I'm brand spanking new to shooting and guns. My wife and I went for an intro class last night and ended up going back today to fire off so more rounds. Just about 100 rounds each at this point.

At this point I'm trying to decide on my first purchase. The intro class used M&Ps - 22s and 9s. Which was awesome since the M&P 9 is what I've been looking at since I started thinking about getting into shooting (for home defense and plinking).

So far in addition to the M&P I've tried a Glock 17 and a Sig SP2022. The M&P is still my favorite so far, but one small "issue" if I can call it that.

I found out that the one I was using at the range (a rental) was equipped with the medium backstrap. I don't have the biggest hands so next time I go to the range (next friday) they are going to put on a small backstrap for me to try. I also plan on trying some shots through a Glock 19. I handled one today before leaving and it felt very comfortable as far as size.

Anyway, after that long winded lead up to my question - here it is. How much of a difference will the small back strap make in the overall grip of the M&P9? Overall it's been my favorite as far as firing feel - this is the only "x" factor.

I want to make my purchase on Friday if possible so all opinions and input are appreciated.

Thanks,

I don't know if anyone can really answer that for you. Ur gonna have to hold them first to decide. I use a medium on my 40c. Didn't like how the small felt at all. However I have a m&p shield that's small but feels wonderful in my hand. So there's really no way someone can tell u what will feel better. Good luck tho! The 9 compact is a great gun and I'm sure you will love it. Have fun and be safe out there!!!

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^^^^ Got to agree... that's pretty much a personal decision. I use the small back straps on both my compact and full size M&Ps, but again that's what feels good to me and each person is different.

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M&PC FS BG Shield+ 642 686+

Feel is so important to accurate pistol (anything really) that I cannot tell you how much of a difference it will make. What I can tell you to do is try everything, be it actual shooting or just dry firing, before you buy. Something will feel just right and that's the one to get provided the recoil is manageable for you. Recoil is also a personal thing, this is where actual shooting realy pays off before you buy because you will have a better idea of the total package. Now if they will let you clean the gun you have it all.

I like the Glock 19.
I have a 9c with the small grip. Like it better than the 19.
Small hands.

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Vietnam, 72-73

Pierrre330: The simple answer to your question is "a bunch". The 22 does NOT have interchangeable backstraps. But the full size and compact 9 both do. The 22 is intended to imitate the FS 9 with a medium grip. Don't pre-judge your wife. She may prefer a full size with small grip over the compact. The compact magazines can accept a "pinky extension". They are free from S&W. Just call them.

I highly recommend having BOTH of you try the full size and compact 9 before buying. I have both. The compact was originally intended for the wife. That plan is pretty well dead.

The full size is heavier and thus has less felt recoil due to weight.

Ideally, you get one of each: a 22 and whichever 9 fits you guys better.

WARNING: If you act like the good husband and keep handing her loaded mags, she WILL shoot them as fast as you can reload. After multiple mags she will run out and give you THE LOOK. At this point, she has shot 50-100 rounds and you haven't got one round off yet.

And to add insult to injury, after 200 rounds are gone, she will ask "aren't you gonna shoot any"

You're already headed in the right direction 9MM is definitely the way to go, for ammo cost, availability, and terminal ballistics.

Unlike caliber grip size is subjective, and what may feel good in the store, or after a few hundred rounds, may not be what you like after shooting thousands of rounds. That said, I feel the adjustability and ergonomics of the M&P grip is somewhat superior to the Glock. Also, the stock M&P sights are steel and not plastic like Glock's Though I resisted shooting plastic guns for decades, I now own and shoot Glocks and M&Ps the majority of the time.

Both are great guns for reliability and ease of use. Both are used by competitive shooters who require reliability far in excess of the vast majority of shooter who will never fire tens of thousands, let alone hundreds of thousands, rounds. Both have excellent holster availability, magazines, factory support, and aftermarket accessories like sights and triggers.

As I say I have both, I like the 19 very much and shoot it well, it was my first plastic gun. But lately I find my "go to" has switched to the M&P 9c. The 9c carries a bit easier, fits the had a little better, and I seem to shoot it as well as my Glock 19.

If I were picking one gun for both myself and my wife I'd go with the S&W for the better, and better adjustable, grip.

/c

Thanks for all the responses.

First - I apologize for any confusion - the M&P 9mm we tried was full size. The wife loves it! She actually has bigger hands than me so the grip size isn't an issue for her. And Gordon, I know better - After I load the mags, I shoot half the rounds then she shoots the rest!

As for the 22s - I never considered buying this. It was just the first weapon they had the beginners class shooting. We then moved to the 9mm.

I understand that the grip thing is going a personal choice, which is why I'm planning on trying out the small backstrap at the range on Friday. I was just looking for a more general - "it's a significant size difference" or "hardly any diff. at all"

Again - thanks all. One thing I can say for sure is that after just 2 days of going to the range I'm hooked! One of the curses of my addictive personality - go big or go home!

I'd be careful around here......Stick around and that 9mm ain't gonna be the last gun you buy

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I don't have 'small' hands per sey, but I do prefer the small back straps on all of my m&p pistols...they just feel better to me. I also think the grip angle on the m&p would be better to be accurate with, than the glock grip angles...for MOST new shooters. at least that is what I see with the people I teach to shoot with zero experience...most shoot the m&p better, and most also like the way they feel over the glocks...I feel they are better guns as well, and they are WAY nicer looking than the blocks...sorry, I meant glocks.

I would guess and say about 20% smaller.

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Mark32812
FS40,9C,Shield 9,22

I realize this may be indecorous for this site, but as a very satisfied owner of an M&P 9 FS and an M&P 45, (medium and small backstraps respectively) I did not know how good a grip could feel until I wrapped my mitt around a CZ SP-01. Handgun nirvana. Love my M&P's, but Lordy that CZ is one sweet shooter.

I wear XL gloves and prefer the small back straps. It's more about the angle and thickness than anything. The smaller back strap is perfect on the 45 models due to the thickness of the grip front to back being a little more than the 9s, but I like it on both. That being said, it's going to boil down to personal preference.

I have small hands. I tried the medium backstrap on my M&P 9c, switched to the small and tried that, switched back to the medium. The medium just seems to give me more contact on the meaty part of my hand if that makes sense. I may even give the large a try just to see if I like the increased surface area.

Try all the different sizes of backstraps to get a feel for them. Shoot a magazine or two with each. See how each affects your grip, comfort and accuracy. It's really a personal thing. The small will feel different, but whether that's a good thing or not is up to you.

Choose the size of the backstraps by where your trigger finger lands on the trigger. Too small and too much of your finger will be in the trigger guard and you'll be pulling the muzzle toward your strong hand, too small and the tip of your finger will push the muzzle away from your strong hand. You want the "Goldilocks" size, just right.

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