I just purchased a new Smith & Wesson M&P 9 today. I have not gotten a chance to get out to the range and shoot it. So far, I absolutly love the ergonomics, feels just great in the hand. I am wondering if there are any must have items that I should get for this. I have been looking into many different patterns that people do with stippling. I am wondering if I can purchase additional backstraps, maybe for a little practice if they are not extremely expensive. I may carry this, as I have my CPL. Just wondering on thoughts on different holsters, especially modestly priced ones. Thanks for all the info. So far all the handguns I own are Smith and Wesson, and I continue to be amazed at the quality, affordability, reliability, overall fit and finish, and attention to detail they seem to have on all of their firearms. As of now I have a 5903TSW, a 686-3 2.5" with factory cocobolo combat grips, and now the M&P 9. I will be trying to get some good pictures of the three together, as I see them as a pretty well rounded trio. I also recently came into the possesion of a Walther p22 that I was able to get up to the range recently for the first time and ran about 250 rounds through it of federal bulk 550 .22LR without a single hiccup. I cannot wait untill I can get the M&P up to the range and give everyone a proper range report.

Plan on at least $80 for a good holster. Minotaurs work very well as do the Crossbreeds.

-- Chuck

Personally, I don't see the need for stippling. After you fire it a bit, you may want to consider a trigger job. I have an M&P9 (fullsize) and I also have a M&P22. Weight aside, they feel very similar in the hand.

Congratulations on the new gun! I have the 9c as well and just bought a M&P .45 full size last week. They are great guns. Both of mine shoot perfectly with great accuracy.

As far as accessories, if you are going to conceal carry (I don't. Too uncomfortable for me), then make sure you get a quality IWB holster. If you will be carrying a lot then spend some extra cash and get a good leather holster (expensive). If you'll carry only once in awhile, then I guess you could go less expensive. I am not 100 percent sure what stippling is but if it's adding texture to a gun's polymer grips by using a soldering iron, then I don't recommend it. I don't know why people do that. Makes for an ugly gun especially if it is new. I have seen some tragic jobs that totally wreck the gun. Most people don't know what they are doing and mess it up and they can't undo it.

I would also suggest some quality hallow point ammo for carrying.

I am glad you are having good luck with the Walther P22. Mine jams about 25 percent of the time. Even with quality ammo. I would like to get the M&P 22 some time.

That is all I would suggest. Enjoy your knew gun!


Sent from my iPad

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Zell

I can't add much more to what the others have already recommended; great advice on holsters and carry ammo. I am a huge advocate of buying quality belts and holsters and since you just dropped coin on a fantastic weapon that may one day save your life or the lives of others, don't go cheap on the method with which you bring it. $80 for a good high quality holster (I prefer Kydex myself) and another $50-$80 for a belt and both will last you for years and years. Ares Gear belts and Raven Concealment holsters are my two personal choices but Safariland, Comp-Tac, Blade-Tech...you'll see those names mentioned a lot and there is a very good reason for that. They work and stand behind their product.

I am with those that also try to warn away from home-stippling...skateboard tape works wonders and if you don't like it, it comes off and you are back to a normal gun. You can buy extra back straps if you do feel it is the best way to get the grippy feeling you want, but for the actual frame, go with tape so it doesn't permanently alter the gun.

Aside from that, congrats on the new piece, I am up to 2 M&P autos and I want more! Post some pics when you get the chance!

My first M&P was a full size 9 and now I have ,uhm 5 M&P's 2 45's a compact .357 and compact .40 and the 9, it seems you want all of them even the rifles, but I do not care too much for a .22 since I had a .22 since I was six years old and when 21 wanted a real gun (well a big gun) that make big holes and will stop a bad guy quickly.

You will find that the M&P9 is quite accurate but with it you will also find that the point of aim (at least for myself) is all the dots of the sights over the target and not at six o'clock like other pistols are the recoil of the M&P9 is minimal and can be shot very quickly and accurately.

You might find at first that you shoot low and left if right handed or vice versa if you are left handed, this is common so do not be too concerned on your first trip to the range.

Ammunition is cheaper than most large caliber pistols so you can shoot the 9mm more often for less than a .40 and certainly a .357 SIG or 45AUTO round have fun and be safe and let us know how it works out for you!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Me, I bought a Remora clipless holster for IWB for my M&P 45 FS and it works great. Just an alternative for you (my brother-in-law got one for his Glock 23 and has been using it for a month now and says he won't go back to his old leather belt one). It is $25 for the non-reinforced top or $30 for the reinforced top. Me, I got the ART RFT which is the lower cut (easier to get a good grip on it) with the reinforced top which makes for easier reholstering. The non-RFT though makes it as thin as possible where the RFT is a slightly wider one due to the top being held open.

Also, once the gun is in it, it is snug as a bug and you can run, jump, roll around, and it won't fall out. The only way it will fall out is if you hang upside down with no compression at all (like your pants are ultra loose or you lose your belt).

They have another option you can purchase at the time too but it needs to be purchased at the same time you purchase your main holster, and that is the tuckable option. So you can tuck your shirt in as well, if you wish.

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G21C,Shield.40,LCP

Thanks everyone for all the info and recommendations. I do think that the next thing I will buy for it is a good holster. I was able to get it out to a friends house where we can shoot, and i can say that it is the best feeling all around firearm I have shot. I really like the trigger, and on Michigan Gun Owners, another forum I frequent, there is a very well respected gunsmith that does trigger and sear jobs. His name is Doug. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has had anything done by him. I think he is starting a storefront called ATEi or something similar. Its going to be located in Taylor, MI. Also, after seeing how some stipple jobs came out, I think i will stay away from it. I greatly appreciate all the help. Thanks again.

Got some pictures of the trio together. I'm no professional photographer, hope to get some more up soon. Once again a 5903TSW, 686-3, and M&P9

I don't CC, but have done a couple pistol matches, and carried my M&P9 hiking. I like the Blackhawk SERPA paddle holster, especially since I don't even own a belt.