Old Pro Series VS New Pro Series, differences?

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grimreaper21

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been searching a while now, and wondering why the newer pro series was shortened to a 4.25'' from the previous 5'' version? I sort of had my heart set on the longer barrel for accuracy. Carry is no concern. Here are the two models I am comparing (9mm) the 5'' has the front hi-viz sight, while the 4.25'' has the night sights? the older one looks a little better to me for some reason. The problem is almost everywhere is nolonger selling the older model. just exactly how "old" is it, and did S&W find a good reason to make a newer one? If some of the experts here can give me a quick run through on the history of these guys it would be highly appreciated.. looking to purchase my first hand gun and i've narrowed it down to these two.

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It's available in both versions. They both have different applications and the 5" are primarily popular with target shooters. That is why it has the Novak sights.
 
I'm no expert, but they are still being made both ways, as EvilBetty posted. Maybe the 5" is in short supply where you shop. Check the on-line auctions and you should be able to find one or have a local dealer order you one. I have a 5" Pro that I bought from a Forum member, and it's a great shooter.
 
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all the ones i'm seeing online are about $600 plus all the transfer costs... what are you guys paying thats a "good deal"? Good deal to me was $350 for my 15-22.
 
Still cheaper than the $679 I paid at cabelas last year before the price drop for my 4.25" pro :)
 
man this stinks i should have bought it when i saw them in the 4-5 range. so how about some feedback, who likes which ones better?

Also how would you compare the 5'' pro series to the M&P9L (5'') ? is the factory trigger worth the difference or should i just go with the 9L and upgrade the sights and internals?
 
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Depends what you buying it for. I bought mine for competition so yes to me the trigger, 5" barrel, and Novak fiber front / mat rear sights were worth it.

The 4.25 pro comes with night sites. To me that suggests more of a premium duty / defense weapon.

The 9L comes with standard LP dovetail sights and stock trigger.
 
grimreaper21 said:
man this stinks i should have bought it when i saw them in the 4-5 range. so how about some feedback, who likes which ones better?

Also how would you compare the 5'' pro series to the M&P9L (5'') ? is the factory trigger worth the difference or should i just go with the 9L and upgrade the sights and internals?
Click to expand...

While I have the 4.25", my thought process was that for $80 more than the standard model, I got night sights which are over $80 and a better trigger. To me it was worth the $$. If you like the sights on the big pro its probably worth it, if you would change them anyway, you would need to decide if the Pro's better trigger is worth the $80-ish dollar price difference to you.

I like the pro trigger and have no plans to change it at all.
 
thanks for the help guys and gals has anyone ever compared the pro trigger to the modified APEX Duty/Carry action enhancement kit (DCAEK). Seems to be pretty popular around here.

also i've been reading about some of the best target 9mms in the world, ie.
Sig P210-6, Sig Sauer X-Five, Smith & Wesson PC952, Sphinx Competitor, Pardini GT-9.

all expensive guns of course, but most can shoot 2'' at 50 yards.
but what is the 9-Pro capable of shooting at 25 yards? Can it manage 2 inch groups?
 
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I read somewhere else that S&W does their pistols in batches, so the Pro 5" and the M&P9L don't get produced as much. So essentially it's a timing thing it seems.
Maybe someone here, at MP-Pistol or M4Carbine.net might post when the 9L or Pro just got a batch manufactured, and then the prices will drop.

I went with a new M&P9L ($499 shipped) because I was already planning on getting the Apex Competition kit or maybe that new FSS and trigger if the price is $150 or lower. The sights I want to change also, but not a big deal, I have a green FO on my Buckmark, but after handling the JG model's red FO, that's what I think I'd like anyways if I got a FO one. If I found the Pro at $520-530 I would of went with it though. I still would of gone the Apex route, but maybe I'd just get a few parts and polish the rest. The green FO front I probably would of left alone for awhile though. Or gotten some of these after more research to see if they would fit, assuming I can take out the green Pro ones. Guess I should figure out what size my Buckmark has on there and see what different colors I like.

The M&P9 cannot shoot 2" groups at 50 yards though. I hear the M&P45 is more accurate though, can't remember if it can do 2" though. Apex is coming up with a barrel fix and sending it off to Bar-Sto for them to manufacturer though. I think I read last night it's 2-3 months away. I guess they've been using a 1,000 frames per second camera, which isn't enough, but they're confident they've figured out what the problem(s) are.

The stainless is really cool though.
 
yeah i definately wouldn't expect 2'' at 50 yards, only the best in the world can do that.. i was thinking more like 2'' at 25 yards that would be more than suitable. hopefully they kick out another batch soon, these things seem popular yet they aren't that common. even the guy at gander mtn had never seen a pro series m&p pistol come into the store for sale.
 
You could try a Cabelas. That's where I got my Pro. Also they were selling 2 tone M&P's last year as well, not sure if they were Pro's or not though.
 
3 Weeks ago the Kansas City Cabela's store had M&P9 Pro 5" in stock for under $600 in both normal and dual tone. Price is $619.00 now I think.
 
I have both the 4.25" and 5" M&P Pro Series so I am in a unique position to compare them. Both are 9mm. The 5" has an extended slide but they don't extend the guide rod like the Glock 34. It kind of defeats the purpose of having a longer gun. Sure you have a longer site radius but it throws the balance off. My 4.25" one feels better. I guess they are too cheap to redesign the springs and guide rod for a longer gun so they make it a full size with a longer slide. I like the trigger of the Pro Series and carry the 4.25" model. Knowing what I do now I would not have bought a 5" for IDPA and justed used the FS Pro Series model.
 
MrTuna said:
I have both the 4.25" and 5" M&P Pro Series so I am in a unique position to compare them. Both are 9mm. The 5" has an extended slide but they don't extend the guide rod like the Glock 34. It kind of defeats the purpose of having a longer gun. Sure you have a longer site radius but it throws the balance off. My 4.25" one feels better. I guess they are too cheap to redesign the springs and guide rod for a longer gun so they make it a full size with a longer slide. I like the trigger of the Pro Series and carry the 4.25" model. Knowing what I do now I would not have bought a 5" for IDPA and justed used the FS Pro Series model.
Click to expand...
have you noticed any difference in long-range accuracy, say 25 or even 50 yards? that is definately interesting though. does anyone make longer aftermarket guide rods or would it not be possible
 
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