M&P9 vs Beretta M9A1

Arthury

Arthury

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Hi guys,

Does anyone know of any tech articles comparing these 2 side-arms in terms of reliability, durability and accuracy?

I am reading that there are some occasional feeding and extractor issues with the M&P9 but S&W is fixing them promptly. Are these issues still popping up in the 2011 lots?

BTW, I am in the market for a new 9mm semi-auto.

--
Art
 
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I replied to your new member thread, but should add here that I bought a new M&P9 within the last 2 months, and I haven't had a single instance (about 400 rounds) where it didn't feed right, or didn't cycle properly, or failed to eject.
 
I bought an M&P 9 FS in May 2010 and fire either 100 or 200 rounds per week. Have had no failures at all.
 
I have had a M&P9, and yesterday I bought a NIB M9. My reasons: I wanted a 9mm pistol for the range, and not for carry...I have other handguns for that role. I have a 9mm 1911, but I wanted a DA/SA pistol in 9mm too. I preferred metal, not polymer, and I wanted a safety/decocker. I wanted a pistol for which magazines and parts are usually available from aftermarket suppliers, and not just from the manufacturer. I wanted a pistol that is reliable and easy to maintain. That came down to a SIG or a M9/92FS for me.

I have had a SIG, in fact a couple of them, but I wanted something different. I like the feel of the M9, plus it's role in our military history was a positive for me...so that's what I got.

The M&P9 is a great pistol...but as I said, I didn't want polymer, so that put it out of the running for me. If you want the M&P9, it will be a great choice, and S&W has fantastic customer service if you ever do have a problem.
 
Thank you for all the juicy info you guys shared so far. They really helped.

Does anyone know if the show-stopping slider-lockup at around 20K rounds still exists in the current Beretta 92 family?
 
I had both an M&P9 and a Beretta 92fs and the Beretta was really something special. However, guys IDPA use the M&Ps a lot and so do police departments. Of course Armed forces issue Berettas' so I guess it comes down to what style pistol you prefer. Do want no saftey and a light trigger when you here the bump in the night or a hard first pull with optional saftey. If you plan on mexican carry defenitly go with the
Beretta to avoid shooting your junk.:D
In all seriousness If you want a range gun I'd go with the Beretta. So accurate and the trigger is great. I really regret selling the one I had, but I bought a police trade-in 5906 so I'm pretty happy shooting it. Good luck.
 
I was a Combat Arms Maintenance and Training (CATM) in the USAF. We instructed on and repaired all USAF small arms. For what it's worth and what I have seen I feel the M9 will break long before the M&P will. The part I saw break most often on the Beretta was the locking block. I have seen several dozen break.

I have a M&P and they are a much better firearm than the Beretta.
 
dinkytheman said:
I had both an M&P9 and a Beretta 92fs and the Beretta was really something special. However, guys IDPA use the M&Ps a lot and so do police departments. Of course Armed forces issue Berettas' so I guess it comes down to what style pistol you prefer. Do want no saftey and a light trigger when you here the bump in the night or a hard first pull with optional saftey. If you plan on mexican carry defenitly go with the
Beretta to avoid shooting your junk.:D
In all seriousness If you want a range gun I'd go with the Beretta. So accurate and the trigger is great. I really regret selling the one I had, but I bought a police trade-in 5906 so I'm pretty happy shooting it. Good luck.
Click to expand...
im looking for a range/target gun and i've actually been steered towards the m&p9 pro and away from the m9.. you're saying the opposite? do you really think it would be that much better?
 
Meeko said:
The part I saw break most often on the Beretta was the locking block.
Click to expand...

I've read about that...but it usually happens after a fairly high round count (over 10,000 rounds or more) doesn't it? Anyway, for a range gun, it's not a big concern to me. The locking block replacement kits are available on the Beretta website for $36.
 
GKC said:
I've read about that...but it usually happens after a fairly high round count (over 10,000 rounds or more) doesn't it? Anyway, for a range gun, it's not a big concern to me. The locking block replacement kits are available on the Beretta website for $36.
Click to expand...

Some of ours broke on non training guns that only shot 100-300 rounds per year. So on average they would have anywhere from 3,000 on up on the round count. Problem was it was hard to estimate when they would break. Some lasted and some did not. There was no guidence from MAJCOM on replacing the locking blocks until they broke. I suggested that we replace them after x number of rounds but anyone in the military knows someone somewhere thinks it's their job to say "NO".
 
GKC said:
I've read about that...but it usually happens after a fairly high round count (over 10,000 rounds or more) doesn't it? Anyway, for a range gun, it's not a big concern to me. The locking block replacement kits are available on the Beretta website for $36.
Click to expand...

The number that usually comes up when they do endurance testings on the 92-series is around 20,000 rounds. That's when it locks up.

The M&P endurance test lasted thru 60,000+ rounds before the slider cracks. S&W engineers says it's safe to continue but the lawyers intervened and the testing was halted.

I am not sure if the current production 92-series still have this 20K limitations. That's something I am hoping people here can help out.
 
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Meeko said:
I was a Combat Arms Maintenance and Training (CATM) in the USAF. We instructed on and repaired all USAF small arms. For what it's worth and what I have seen I feel the M9 will break long before the M&P will. The part I saw break most often on the Beretta was the locking block. I have seen several dozen break.

I have a M&P and they are a much better firearm than the Beretta.
Click to expand...

Thank you. That's really cool 1st hand info. Glad you shared!
 
Have the M&P 9mm full size and the Taurus PT-92 (M9 clone). Both guns are extremely accurate and shoot without a hitch, but there is just something about the M&P that keeps bringing me back to shooting it. It's my IDPA gun now and the one I shoot the most.

Absolutely love the M&P 9mm and don't think I'd ever get rid of it.
 
The last two iterations of the Beretta 92 are the 90-TWO and the 92A1. Each of them has a recoil buffer which, I am told, will protect the gun from some degree of recoil induced stress.

At this point, each pistol has its devotees and detractors. Obviously, more practice and more comparison is required on my part - so I guess that just means I need to shoot more . . .;)
 
Of the M9 and Centurians I've shot, I was never very impressed with the overall accuracy. Then again, the Beretta did not fit my hand as well as a 1911, a Glock, and subsequently the M&P. I haven't shot an M&P 9, but from my experience with my 45 and testiments from other M&P shooters, it will likely hold its own.
 
It's no competition gun, but when you want a cold hard steel semi-auto with the sexy looks to go with it, there is no where to go aside from the Beretta 92 and the 1911, IMO. The takedown is so simple; anyone can take it apart with just one hand.

Also the ergonomics are very good, and even better with the wrap-around hogue grips they have for these.
 
FWIW, I own 3 M&P's and a 1911. Can't beat the 1911 for target shooting, but the M&P isn't far behind. For tactical shooting with time pressure, draws, reloads, multiple shot strings, etc., I much prefer the M&P.

I haven't shot the Beretta, but I tried the DA/SA style with an FNP-40 that I owned for several years. Beautiful gun, but the transition from DA to SA required concentration and practice. I always shot slightly lower qual scores with the FNP than with the M&P.

I've also owned a Glock and a Kahr and have shot quals with all of my pistols. My best scores and quickest times always came with my M&P's. I can shoot the gun quickly and accurately with minimal effort. Inside of 15 yards I can shoot off the front sight without even worrying about the rear sight alignment because the gun points so naturally. Inside of 7 yards I don't need the sights, the gun shoots where I'm looking.

Long winded way of saying that I finally realized that if I ever need to use a pistol to defend myself or my family, I want an M&P in my hand.
 
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