I had a 9mm M&P compact that I sold today, so I could get an M&P full size 9. The compact shot very well, but I had issues with carrying it. While it was comfortable to carry, I found I had some difficulty drawing the gun. I don't know how else to describe it, other than the grip felt too short to get a decent grip for drawing. I also find that the full size points better for me.

I had considered other options, including a Walther PPQ 9mm, a Glock 19 gen 4, and a Sig P229 E2. None felt as good to me as the full size M&P, and the triggers didn't impress me, either. The store I went to didn't have any in stock, but having done business with them many times in the past (including a previously purchased M&P 9 that I foolishly sold), they ordered one for me, and it should be here this week. Nothing fancy, just a plain jane 9mm, regular sights, no extraneous safety mechanisms, and the price was right for me. Anyway, it'll make a nice companion for my M&P .40 FS...

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Gary

If the grip felt too short to draw the gun correct then going to a FS should get your whole hand on there. I just home you don't find it too bulky to carry and do a 180 back again. Perhaps a change in carry method or holster could be looked at. I used to use a Thunderwear holster and found I could conceal a Beretta 92FS with no printing. The right holster in the right place on your body can do wonders.

I also sold the compact model and bought the full size. I had the compact for 2 years and decided double stack compact guns are not for me. The full size feels much nicer. Time will tell as I just bought the range kit Friday.

I was also surprised to find out it conceals just as easy. I carry at 3 and find the grip is not an issue. All my compact holster work just fine.

Sorry you had to sell the compact....
I just slide them over in the safe when I get new ones. I can't imagine parting with a gun, unless it is unreliable, then I think I could, although I've owned my Remington Jammamatic for about 8 years now. I've taken a lot of deer with it at some seriously long ranges, so it has earned its space in the safe.

But hey, congrats on the 9FS!!!

Let me know how that shoots for you. I have a 9c and a .40FS and I swear those two are a wash when it comes to recoil. So I am betting the 9FS will be really soft...

Where did you get it? Is there a decent dealer by you? My favorite dealer is a two hour drive in BR Falls. I would like to find a local dealer with good stock and decent pricing.

Well, I picked it up today. The "born on" date, according to the fired case is 12/11/11. I got it from Jalensky's in Kenosha, a very good dealer and one I've done quite a bit of business with, so they work with me for the best prices. Cleaned it up, did some dry firing, trigger is great. Much better than the first M&P I bought when they first came out. I hope to get to the range this weekend.

The FS 9 won't be too bulky for me...I also have a FS .40 that, with a Streamlight TLR2 is my HD choice (along with my 4586 and Winchester 1300). I have a Galco MTAC for it, although I'm not a big fan of IWB. I actually used to conceal the full size .40 at work in a High Noon "snapper" when I worked for an armored car company, so I know the FS conceals as easily as the compact for me. But the full size grip makes all the difference, plus I like the longer barrel/sight radius. And, as I get older (and more arthritic) the recoil of the .40 sometimes gets to be too much, the 9mm less so, and I figure, if I can shoot more 9mm, I'll get better with it, and carrying something that I'm good with is better than something I'm not so good with.

Lost Lake, I have what may be a character flaw...I tend to get bored with guns after awhile, and I can't see filling a safe with things I don't see using, so sometimes they have to go to make room for something new. For what it's worth, I think I'm still looking for "the one," the gun that I will find and never let go. I'm looking for the "perfect" concealed carry piece, that will fit me like it was made for me, but I don't know exactly what that is. I like the M&Ps a lot, I like 1911s, I like Sigs. But all of them have things that, for some reason, don't enamor themselves to me. On the M&Ps, it's the rail and beavertail (I hate rails, and the beavertail I can remove); Sigs are a bit too wide for me, even with the new E2 grips; 1911s are a little heavy, and finding a lightweight Commander (my preferred size) around here is next to impossible. So, as I continue my quest, for now, my latest will be 18-rounds of 124-gr Gold Dot in a full-size M&P...

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Gary

That's even newer than my 9c I just picked up, it has a 11/30/11 date.

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M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I'm the same way. I buy a new gun, then sell my old one. I don't trade though, just sell privately. Sometimes I'll by used and will be able to sell for more than I paid. I've never regretted selling a gun. Once it's gone I forget all about it and enjoy my new one. My new M&P feels like a keeper though.

when you find "the one" let me know

this is as close as i've found; Kahr K9-my constant companion:

i still have my 9c, but it just doesn't carry as well as this one. if the K9 had a trigger like the 9c.......it would be "the one" for me

What holster is that insomniac?

TooCool, I don't have a full size 9. I bet that thing is a cream puff to shoot. I'd love to have one.... Which leads me to:

Every gun I buy is a keeper! I have the first gun I ever bought, an 870 Wingmaster with two barrels. I carried that through thick and thin and always took good care of it. When going through brush and prickers I cover the gun with my arms and scratch the heck out of my arms, but they heal. That gun is over 40 years old and looks better than any new gun on the shelf. They don't make them like that anymore.

My model 41 was given to me by my dad, and I will pass it on. I have an old Ruger Standard that has a long story behind it, and now the guy I got it from is dead so I can't get rid of that. In fact I can come up with a story or a memory about every gun I own, where I got it or a trip I took with it, how could I ever sell one?

But I'm normal. I don't have 'the disease' like some do. I have a friend that collects guns. And when I say collects, I mean he has every caliber of every gun he likes. Say Winchester 70 rifle, he has them all. Remington 700? In every caliber, bull barrel and short, sporter and target stock, he has them all.

Now that's something different than me. I have about 40 guns, he has 40 of each model.

FIST kydex with belt clip

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for a K9; I like the feel of the all-metal Kahrs, I just haven't seen one locally for a price I want to pay. I might have to check Gunbroker....

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Gary