Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-13-2009, 06:20 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

I bought my first gun about a month ago and it is a S&W M&P .40 FS. I purchased this for home protection, but since then have applied for my concealed weapon permit and realized that this gun is way too big for me to carry. I have found, much to my amazement, I love going to the range and shooting it. I went today to buy the M&P .40 compact but was told that the compact would have more recoil than the my FS.... I'm not sure if the recoil would be too much for me on the compact if it is more than the full size, because I have so much less gun to hold on to. I don't mind the recoil on my FS, but am really not sure if I could comfortably handle any more recoil on the compact. So I would like any opinions as to if I should get the M&P compact in a 9mm. Does anyone have both the FS and Compact M&P .40 that could verify how much more the recoil is on the compact? Also how does the accuracy compare between a FS and Compact? Thanks

UPDATE May 16,2009
Ok, I "Bit the Bullet" Went out today and bought myself the M&P .40 Compact! Since my ccw hasn't come in yet I have to wait until Thursday to pick it up.. but that's ok, becuase Thursdays is Ladies day at the range so it won't cost me anything to try it out.
After putting 200 more rounds through our M&P .40 FS this past week I am confident I'll have no problem with the compact and this way both guns are the same caliber. I held all different makes and models of compact guns again this week and for some reason nothing feels as comfortable as the M&P Compact which was exactly the reason we bought the FS and couldn't be happier with our choice. Thanks to everyone with your comments and suggestions on this.

Update - May 23, 2009
In case anyone has the same questions, I thought I'd give an update now that I have used my M&P .40 Compact. It definately has more kick than it's big brother but is completely manageable. Actually I love the feel of the power and I'm very happy with the decision to go with the .40 over the 9mm in the compact. Thanks again everyone for your imput!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-13-2009, 07:27 AM
deanodog deanodog is offline
US Veteran
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KY
Posts: 3,568
Likes: 4,479
Liked 1,189 Times in 509 Posts
Default

I do not have a .40 but I had both m&p9 and m&p9c and could not tell a lot of difference in recoil. They are are about equal in accuracy in
my opinion.I decided to get rid of one and chose
to keep the compact. I would keep the calibers
the same and get the .40 compact for CCW if cost of ammo is not an issue.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-13-2009, 08:13 AM
growr growr is online now
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Montana
Posts: 5,162
Likes: 3,432
Liked 6,245 Times in 2,061 Posts
Default

I have had a number of students use an M&P compact in both 9mm and .40 and none of them seems to be adverse to any increase (if any) of a compact over a full size.
Get it and enjoy the heck out of it!!!
Randy
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-13-2009, 09:21 AM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 10,039
Liked 10,047 Times in 4,758 Posts
Default

The 40c is not uncomfortable to fire. If you are OK with the full-size gun, I would think you will also be OK with the 40c. Ammunition is a big factor to me. I deliberately select 180-gr. loads, as some of the lighter, higher velocity loads really whip the gun around on discharge. I have never been interested in making a .357 Magnum out of the .40, so a 180 at 950 suits me.

As to accuracy, I shoot the 40c better than I ever did my G27s, but this is probably a function of comfort and the gun fitting my hand better, rather than an intrinsic accuracy difference. At close range, 50 feet or less, I shoot the 40c just as well as the bigger gun. I don't think you will be disappointed with a 40c.

Fully loaded with 10-11 cartrdiges, a 40c is a lot of gun to carry around - but it also provides a lot more horsepower than a Chief. Unless you really need it, you may be more likely to actually carry a smaller, lighter weapon.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-13-2009, 10:10 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by deanodog:
I do not have a .40 but I had both m&p9 and m&p9c and could not tell a lot of difference in recoil. They are are about equal in accuracy in
my opinion.I decided to get rid of one and chose
to keep the compact. I would keep the calibers
the same and get the .40 compact for CCW if cost of ammo is not an issue.
That was my original intention to keep both guns the same caliber. And as far as cost of ammunition (if you can find it ) appears to been only a couple of $'s difference between the .40 and 9mm. Thanks for your reply
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-13-2009, 10:20 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by M29since14:
The 40c is not uncomfortable to fire. If you are OK with the full-size gun, I would think you will also be OK with the 40c. Ammunition is a big factor to me. I deliberately select 180-gr. loads, as some of the lighter, higher velocity loads really whip the gun around on discharge. I have never been interested in making a .357 Magnum out of the .40, so a 180 at 950 suits me.

As to accuracy, I shoot the 40c better than I ever did my G27s, but this is probably a function of comfort and the gun fitting my hand better, rather than an intrinsic accuracy difference. At close range, 50 feet or less, I shoot the 40c just as well as the bigger gun. I don't think you will be disappointed with a 40c.

Fully loaded with 10-11 cartrdiges, a 40c is a lot of gun to carry around - but it also provides a lot more horsepower than a Chief. Unless you really need it, you may be more likely to actually carry a smaller, lighter weapon.
I have only put a couple hundred rounds through my FS M&P .40, doing approx 50 rounds each time at the range, and noticed that at the end of 50 rounds I still wanted to shoot more, but my hands were shaky and tired. I don't know if this is something that will go away with more practice and experience or if it has something to do with the fact I'm so afraid to drop the gun I am holding it way too tightly!

We are having a difficult time to find ammo around here and have been picking up whatever we find. I did notice that what I thought was the same Winchester ammo had different gr numbers on them. I thought the higher number would cause a stronger recoil, but if I understand you correctly the higher gr number would cause less recoil in the compact? Thanks for the valuable info.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-13-2009, 10:31 AM
MCVenner MCVenner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

We (my wife and I) have both the M&P40 and the M&P40c; the latter having been purchased after we became licensed for CCW. I find the compact version no more difficult to manage than its full-frame sibling. Indeed my wife, who uses both more than I, rather prefers the M&P40c.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-13-2009, 10:48 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by growr:
I have had a number of students use an M&P compact in both 9mm and .40 and none of them seems to be adverse to any increase (if any) of a compact over a full size.
Get it and enjoy the heck out of it!!!
Randy
Thank you, I am very new at all this. I can't believe I'm actually enjoying shooting it.... up until a month ago I had never been around a gun nor had I ever even heard one fired... What started out as a purchase for home defense only has become a passion. I'm torn between the .40 and 9mm compacts, mostly because they told me I might not like it because of more recoil than the FS and am afraid to spend the money and not be able to shoot it comfortably. Hubby already says the FS is his when I get my compact so like it or not I'm going to be stuck with it. I'm also not sure how differnt the fireing feels and sounds between the .40 and 9mm as I might not like a gun that feels or sounds wimpy after shooting the .40. Again I know nothing about this so please let me know if this would not be the case. Thanks
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #9  
Old 05-13-2009, 11:01 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by MCVenner:
We (my wife and I) have both the M&P40 and the M&P40c; the latter having been purchased after we became licensed for CCW. I find the compact version no more difficult to manage than its full-frame sibling. Indeed my wife, who uses both more than I, rather prefers the M&P40c.
Thank you so much for this reply. My husband and I have sent all the paperwork in and are now waiting for our ccw licenses to arrive thus the need for a compact. I'm glad to hear your wife likes the .40 compact and am begining to feel I should go with my original instict to have both guns be the same caliber! After all when we decided on the M&P FS .40 they said they thought it would be too much gun for me also..... but it isn't....
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-13-2009, 01:52 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 10,039
Liked 10,047 Times in 4,758 Posts
Default

Quote:
I can't believe I'm actually enjoying shooting it...
For heaven's sake, why not? Shooting is fun! It always has been. It is just in the last couple of decades that various types of elitists have begun to have some success in advancing their crazy notion that shooting is somehow anti-social. It's ridiculous.

To answer your question, the weight of the bullet is not the sole deciding factor in how the gun recoils. Some of the 155 & 165-gr. loads are very fast, and that makes the gun behave in a way different from a heavier, but slower, projectile.

Recoil is a perceived thing as much as it is a matter of physics. Two shooters can have an entirely different perception of recoil with the same gun and cartridge.

Enjoy your shooting, relax, but be careful, and don't tolerate anyone telling you there is something wrong with the hobby. If you are a little nervous and would like to improve, you might seek out a competent instructor.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #11  
Old 05-16-2009, 01:35 PM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by M29since14:
Quote:
I can't believe I'm actually enjoying shooting it...
For heaven's sake, why not? Shooting is fun! It always has been. It is just in the last couple of decades that various types of elitists have begun to have some success in advancing their crazy notion that shooting is somehow anti-social. It's ridiculous.

If you are a little nervous and would like to improve, you might seek out a competent instructor.
Thanks for your reply and info on the difference in ammo.

It is not a social thing at all, it is just that I have never handled a gun nor saw one fired. It didn't help my confidence any when my 3 sons, ages 36, 35 & 29 (who all have their own guns) were stunned when I told them I bought a .40 caliber semi-automatic. They scared me more by informing me that I would not be able to handle that gun and should have gotten myself a nice little revolver....
When we decided to get a gun for home protection I knew I'd have to learn to shoot it, but since i was so scared of the unknown it never crossed my mind that I would actually enjoy shooting. I still amazes me that this has become such an enjoyable new hobby for both Hubby and me. I feel even more confident when I hear Hubby tell the boys how well I did with it at the range and how I'm even a better shot than him!

I went out today and bought myself the M&P .40 compact so when my ccw comes in I'll be ready!

As to an instructor, I am lucky in the fact that our County Sheriff opens their shooting range to county residents twice a month and the Sheriffs there will spend all the time you want or need on instruction.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-16-2009, 09:10 PM
walkin' trails walkin' trails is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1,771
Liked 548 Times in 311 Posts
Default

I've only fired the MP40 once, but I didn't figure that recoil would uncontrollably harsh. Not any different than the corresponding Glock lineup. Tome harsh recoil is shooting a 500, or one of the scandium revolvers with full house magnums. Enjoy the little 40.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-17-2009, 11:15 AM
Spotteddog Spotteddog is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 3,952
Likes: 0
Liked 30 Times in 24 Posts
Default

I'm beginning to think that the term "recoil" in the polymer autoloaders needs to be replaced with another term, but I don't know what exactly?
A revolver is more directly a recoil to hand affair, moderated by the weight of gun, the power of the loading, the size/shape of the grips and the grips relationship to the bore's centerline.
In autoloaders (especially the polymers) a lot of that changes. All kinds of things now affect it. All the one's mentioned above, along with weight of slide vs. weight of frame vs. speed of slide, etc.. I've never found "recoil" in any autoloader to be as unpleasant as that of a revolver weight to weight, power to power? Lot's of it due to some energy being used up operating the action? Back to your original question though. I find the polymer guns "waspier" than their all steel counterparts. In that the upper half of the gun when fired has much more inertia than the frames have "mass". So they whip a bit more when fired, especially as they begin to get even lighter as they empty.
Though a shooter for 45 years of 1911' pattern pistols, I bought my first ever polymer and my first ever 9X19 in the same gun M&P9c. On my way too the purchase, I shot every hi-cap piece of Tupperware in the rental cases in 9X19, 40S&W and .45ACP. I found that none of the 3 even in compacts are "kickers", but more accurately described as "shovers". With weight for weight the .40S&W doing the "shoving" at a slightly higher speed. What all had in common was a preference for a firmer grip as the caliber it's chambered for rises, and the gun lightens as it empties.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-18-2009, 04:00 PM
Afterburner Afterburner is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I just purchased the MP40c. I really like this gun. It's the first Smith semi-auto handgun I've owned. It came dialed in perfect and never missed a step after 100 rds. I have Sigs and Glocks and I must say I like anything that will go "bang" when you pull the trigger. As far as felt recoil, you know you're shooting a .40 w/ the compact. The shorter the slide the harder those follow shots are going to be during rapid fire. I personally don't care because I don't plan on capping a thug at 50 yards. That's what rifles are for.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-19-2009, 03:41 PM
mike1 mike1 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oregon
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

We have a M&P .40 fs and a sig 9 they both have about the same recoil and sound the same when firing. A 9mm is far from a wimmpy gun. I purchased two different calibers in hopes that if I was unable to find ammo for one I might possibly be able to find the other.

I'll be selling the sig 9 and buying a fs M&P 9 or 9c just haven't decided yet. The only thing I don't like about the compacts is my pinky hangs off the grip.

Do yourself a favor and go purchase yourself a set of Crimson Trace laser grips.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-21-2009, 02:22 PM
M29since14 M29since14 is offline
SWCA Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,907
Likes: 10,039
Liked 10,047 Times in 4,758 Posts
Default

Quote:
As to an instructor, I am lucky in the fact that our County Sheriff opens their shooting range to county residents twice a month and the Sheriffs there will spend all the time you want or need on instruction.
That's a great arrangement! Sounds like your Sheriff is using his head. Around here, most state and local LE officials would prefer to act like they believe citizens really shouldn't have weapons, but being low-level politicians, they know they have to be a little careful about expressing their opinion.

Some of the more blatant mouthtraps just charge forward anyway. And, sometimes, it comes back to haunt them!

Good luck with your new 40C.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 05-23-2009, 11:36 AM
Grandma's Avatar
Grandma Grandma is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

In case anyone has the same questions, I thought I'd give an update now that I have used my M&P .40 Compact. It definately has more kick than it's big brother but is completely manageable. Actually I love the feel of the power and I'm very happy with the decision to go with the .40 over the 9mm in the compact. Thanks again everyone for your imput!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-01-2016, 12:31 PM
bird dog 1 bird dog 1 is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 2
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

I have 2 40's and really enjoy shooting both, never shot a 9. I have a PX4 Compact will be trading in for an M&P Compact 40 next week.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-01-2016, 06:11 PM
kmanick's Avatar
kmanick kmanick is offline
Member
Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS Help Please? M&P .40 compact vs M&P 9mm vs Recoil on M&P .40 FS  
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 345
Likes: 296
Liked 113 Times in 74 Posts
Default

Glad you're enjoying it
same type of experience here. I have the FS .40 and love it (getting a trigger job done on it tomorrow, the Mass compliant triggers are horrible)
After I drop it off with the gunsmith heading right up to grab a .40 Compact to carry. I wanted to carry the FS but the grip on that gun is quite large and prints a bit too much to carry here in the Socialist republic of Mass.
so for now carrying a 642 Jframe in a smart carry. I just want a little more gun to carry
I never really shot before last year.....now I'm obsessed, I hit the range at least once a week
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1911, 357 magnum, 45acp, cartridge, ccw, concealed, crimson, glock, mp40c, polymer, scandium, sig arms, winchester

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Reduced weight recoil springs for 9 compact Hammerhead64 Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 14 01-24-2020 08:32 PM
3566 compact recoil springs PD5523 Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 2 09-26-2016 03:50 PM
Compact Reduced Recoil Spring Help Needed travail Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 2 11-13-2015 03:46 PM
Recoil spring pairs for compact 45's are now available vigil617 Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols 32 11-06-2015 02:04 AM
M&P 9 compact recoil spring and guide rod assembly obiwankabaldi Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols 6 11-30-2014 07:39 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:56 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)