Which would you pick?
- Thread starter gunny4053
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Well, I picked up the .40 PC Shield this evening, so I'm thinking it needs a big brother. Besides, one gun and potentially three calibers, how can it get better? 
How can you get better a 4.25 full size 40sw and a comp-tac MTAC holster to carry it in . The full size body will hold the shield well enough and you can will conceal it well at 3:00 carry even on a fat guy or a skinny lady . I'm 5-9 and 220lbs and conceal 4" double stacks or commander very well .
Amp
Member
I would get the 9mm with safety.
Because that is what I did a while back.
Because that is what I did a while back.
imcrazy
Member
Got it... When I said purpose I meant, are you going to carry it concealed or have it as a range toy or both?
If you reload the cost of ammo between 9 and 45 is pretty much irrelevant, I personally prefer loading 45 acp as the bullets and cases are bigger and easier to handle with my fat clumsy hands lol..
For defensive use in social situations I prefer my 4" 9mm Compact 2.0, for having fun at the range I prefer my 4.6" 45acp Fullsize 2.0, for home defense I have the 4.25" F/S with a CT laser on it in a fast access safe ready to go... No bad choices in the M&P lineup but, I'd get a 45 fullsize if I was you.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Nothing changed on the Shield. I had that on lay-a-way and picked it up yesterday. It is a PC .40, and for $251 OTD, I wasn't going to pass it up. I'm just looking to add something closer to full size. I've got a Glock 21 backing up my Shield .45, so adding an M&P in .40 may be a great backup to this Shield......although another .45 isn't a bad thing. The upside of adding another .40 is the ability to use conversion barrels and have .357 Sig and 9mm from one platform.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
imcrazy, ah, I see.
Yes, I plan on putting it in my carry rotation. For warmer months or on my motorcycle, the Shields are kinda nice. For cooler months and when in the boondocks, the larger guns tend to get carried a bit more.
I'm really considering another .40 now, only because with the guns I have now and a new .40, I can shoot 9mm, 10mm, .357 Sig, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 Super, .400 Corbon, .460 Rowland, or .50 AE. Big picture racing here.
I'm setup to reload 9mm, 10mm, .40, and .45 ACP, and have plenty of brass for each, so ammo isn't an issue.
Rastoff, I took another look at the M&P .45 with the Storm Lake barrel today. The sight on it is a JPoint, so nothing special. Looking at the barrel, she looks like she's been rode hard and put up wet. The other M&P .45 looks really good.
Yes, I plan on putting it in my carry rotation. For warmer months or on my motorcycle, the Shields are kinda nice. For cooler months and when in the boondocks, the larger guns tend to get carried a bit more.
I'm really considering another .40 now, only because with the guns I have now and a new .40, I can shoot 9mm, 10mm, .357 Sig, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 Super, .400 Corbon, .460 Rowland, or .50 AE. Big picture racing here.
I'm setup to reload 9mm, 10mm, .40, and .45 ACP, and have plenty of brass for each, so ammo isn't an issue.
Rastoff, I took another look at the M&P .45 with the Storm Lake barrel today. The sight on it is a JPoint, so nothing special. Looking at the barrel, she looks like she's been rode hard and put up wet. The other M&P .45 looks really good.
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Rastoff
US Veteran
Sounds like an easy choice.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Sounds that way, but there's been a lot of himing and hawing, not to mention a lot debating while trying to get through the holidays. I've about decided to replace the Glock 21 with the M&P 45. It just fits me better. I've also been considering the little .40 Compact. It'll make a nice backup for my Shield PC .40. This will give me a pure M&P family except for my Ruger SR1911 CMDR. I'm going over to the shop Monday, so we'll see what shakes out.
$289 @ CDNN with night sights. Unreal deal
I have guns in 9mm, .38 Super, and .45. The 9mms and .38S I can comfortably shoot until I'm tired of shooting. The .45s, not so much (@60 with joint problems creeping in). If you're older, or going to keep said gun into older ages, I'd go 9mm. Ballistic testing has demonstrated its potential effectiveness in SD situations.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/
misswired
Absent Comrade
I was told it went something like this:
1. Shot with a 9mm required emergency surgery.
2. Shot with a .45, surgeon counts the holes.
3. Shot with a 10mm or .50cal, skip the ER and straight to the morgue for a toe-tag.
I've personally resisted the .40cal train....just another mouth to feed.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
I walked away from the compact as I found a couple little things I didn't care for (issues if you will), but they had an as new FS M&P .40 for $400 setting there, so it's on lay-a-way. I did some negotiating on the M&P FS .45, and since it's seen a bit more use, have it down to $410, so if funding presents itself, I'll grab it as well. These are both 1.0 versions, so they'll both get Talon grips as I don't care for the "plastic" feel of the original frames. There's a 9mm setting there with 4 mags that's real tempting, and it would fill out the family nicely. Unfortunately, there's also a like new Beretta M9 setting there, and for 9mm, IMO, that is the ultimate example of what a 9mm should be. So, that's where we stand for now. I'll check back next year. 
SoCalDep
Member
I prefer 9mm but to each their own. The 9mm versions have proven themselves to me and the 2.0 shoots like a dream! I put 350 rounds or so through my new 5" 2.0 on Thursday 3yds to 100 yds - it's accurate and capable of Beretta/1911 splits on 7yd A-zone Bill drills. I'm damn impressed and it's changed my whole view of the M&P as a performance pistol. I can't wait for the LE optic version to hit the shelves!
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Well, here we are, so time for an update. The 4.25", like new .40 M&P is home, $400 OTD. We shoot tomorrow, so I'll have to refrain from commenting on that for now. Got her home, tore her down, and cleaned her up, even found a temporary holster for her. This is a safety model, which I'm not a huge fan of, but this one operates easily and fits my hand perfectly. The trigger functions smoothly, but has just a bit too much hook on the very tip, becoming uncomfortable. I think this will get some Apex upgrades.
The Beretta is gone already, so the M&P 9 is looking rather attractive. 4.25" M&P 9 with back straps, paperwork, and 4 mags, and $415 is the asking price now. The .45 is now down to $390, so depending on what my check looks like, it will probably be on lay-a-way tomorrow.
I may wind up with more M&P's than I planned on.
Obligatory pics to prove it happened. The newest member of the family and a shot of it and the little brother together.
The Beretta is gone already, so the M&P 9 is looking rather attractive. 4.25" M&P 9 with back straps, paperwork, and 4 mags, and $415 is the asking price now. The .45 is now down to $390, so depending on what my check looks like, it will probably be on lay-a-way tomorrow.
I may wind up with more M&P's than I planned on.
Obligatory pics to prove it happened. The newest member of the family and a shot of it and the little brother together.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Did a little shooting with the new arrival today. She's accurate, she shoots comfortably, no brass to the face, and she's a Smith and Wesson. Love this gun! The only issue I have is the dings in the brass. The brass has a couple dents and I noticed brass rub marks on the ejection port. Since I reload, pristine brass is far preferable. While cleaning, I changed the angle on the ejector just a bit. Now she seems to kick the brass a little higher, clearing the port. I may have to go grab another one of these.
I'm seeing "You like them".
And that's not unusual. Revolvers and autos in my collection, they all shoot well, and reliably.
Now, can the S&W people please make a 6" M69.
Oops, is that another area of the forum
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Another day of shooting. Since changing the angle on the ejector, ejection remains uniform, but the dents and scuffing on the brass has gone away. I've got to use my Uplula more. The only ding I'm finding is about a third of the way down the brass, and it appears to be where I insert the round in the mag. Checked the remaining cartridges in the mag show the same mark. When I use the Uplula, they don't appear.
I added a Talon grip which makes a world of difference.
As for performance, she's great! I blacked the rear dots and painted the front dot bright orange. Putting the front dot on the target puts the bullet right on the mark at 15 yards. The trigger isn't bad, but I think an Apex upgrade would be awesome. It's surprising how soft she shoots for a .40.
I added a Talon grip which makes a world of difference.
As for performance, she's great! I blacked the rear dots and painted the front dot bright orange. Putting the front dot on the target puts the bullet right on the mark at 15 yards. The trigger isn't bad, but I think an Apex upgrade would be awesome. It's surprising how soft she shoots for a .40.
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