I went to the range today and rented an M&P 9 (Standard 4.25 inch barrel). I wanted to compare it with my all steel CZ-75 which I took with me. I have been shooting my CZ for years and am quite comfortable with it. I added LPA adjustable sights which are well zeroed for my ammo (115 gr FMJ over 6.0 grains of Unique) and I shot my usual 2-3 inch groups from ten yards pretty much right to POA.

Then I fired a box of ammo through the rented M&P9. It certainly was comfortable to shoot. The percieved recoil was substantially less that that of my very much heavier CZ. I was really impressed...I guess it's the combination of the polymer frame and the lower bore axis. The trigger was apparently well broken in, as it was light and crisp.

The downside was accuracy. I shot about 4 inches below the POA and my groupings were well over 4-5 inches. I seemed to throw shots down but not discernably to the right or left...just kind of scattered. I suppose I would have to adjust my shooting habits to the M&P compared to the CZ. I think the greater weight of the CZ really helps to stabalize my aim and I have probably adjusted the LPA sights on my CZ to compensate for my shooting habits.

I found the M&P so comfortable to shoot that I am still considering purchasing one. If I do so, I think I will have refine my shooting technique to adjust to the M&P9's characteristics. It will take some practice and time. By the way, I am a weekly shooter and I probably fire about 200 to 250 rounds a week (Mostly reloads).

I had a CZ75B set up just like yours for about 8 years. I put close to 12,000 rounds through it and really loved it. Then I handled a few of the 9mm full sized and ended up trading the CZ in on the M&P. There is a bit of a transition from one to the other, especially in that there is no switch in trigger pull after the first shot. I wanted to get away from the double action/single action which I started looking in the first place. It only took a couple of hundred rounds to get used to the M&P and I now prefer it to any other auto that I have ever owned. I installed the Apex DCAEK kit and boy oh boy is it sweet. Good luck in your decision.
Terrier

The M&P9 should shoot near cloverleaf patterns at 10 yards. Not necessarily out of the box as the trigger can use some work (and has created a profit center for the folks who make the Ace products).

-- Chuck

Actually, the trigger on this well worn range rental was pretty smooth and crisp. I really should have been able to do better than I did unless there was something else ailing this particular pistol. I think that I will need to adjust my techinque and practice in order to get as comfortable with the M&P as I am with my CZ-75. I am sure that some of the habits that I developed with the CZ are not the best techniques for the M&P. I would be quite happy with cloverleaf groups at ten yards.

My shooting skills are probably not as reifined as yours and my soon-to-be seventy year old hands are not as steady as they once were. However, I did shoot much better with my CZ than I did with the M&P on the same day.

Perhaps it was not so much you and your shooting ability as it is the sights. You have better sights (easier to see) on the CZ for you than on the M&P. My shooting was starting to deteriate until I worked with an Optomitrist who tweeked my mid distance vision and adjusted where the tri-focal line was set. This helped me a lot and my shooting has really improved. I have left 63 years behing so I can really sympathise with you.
Terrier

Chuck, I recently purchased a M&P 9mm and the trigger is not real smooth either. Perhaps after getting a few hundred rounds through it the trigger should smooth out. I'm also having POI issues. It wants to shoot about 4-5 lower than POA. I'm told it's me when pulling the new DAO trigger. I shot several pistols before I decided on the M&P. I bought the M&P because it was the best pistol for me.

My .40c (and me) will consistently punch 1" holes at 10 feet if i take my time. But I have a fs that won't quite do that. And to go a step further, I've had problems with "drop-in parts" due to wide variations in S&W's tolerances on these guns (even on the compact mentioned). That said, I sure do love'em!

The triggers "definitely" lighten with shooting, and if you like your gun out of the box, you'll love it after 500 rounds. I have Apex plungers & sears on both of my current M&P's, and found them to improve the feel greatly, though I'm not convinced it made me enough of a better shooter to justify the expense, and for those concerned about litigation its just not worth it.

The POI problems you experienced, well, I never have. But its nothing that sight adjustment (& maybe ammo selection) cannot overcome. I'd sure encourage you to try another one! Maybe there's a reason that particular one was for rent? A friend rented a fairly good looking (but filthy) Colt 1911A1 the other day to compare handling to a 4" Kimber of mine, and we couldn't hit nothin' with it! That ain't right!