M&P 9 Full Size for CC/Home Defense?

TeleGuy53

TeleGuy53

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Guys, I'm doing my "due diligence" in the hope of purchasing a viable 9mm, semi-auto, striker-fired pistol, to be used for CC AND home defense. I am new to the pistol world and this will be my first pistol purchase.

I have researched and handled many of the popular options, but I seem to always come back to the M&P 9 full size pistol.

My question: Is the M&P 9 full size a good CC/home defense option for a first-time gun owner? If so, manual safety or NO manual safety?

Thanks for your insights, guys.
 
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If you are considering it for CC, be sure to feel one fully loaded with 18 rounds of 124gr 9mm ammo. It makes a considerable difference in the weight vs just the gun and empty mag! A CC gun does you no good if you leave it at home.

I CC the Shield and have it on my night stand every night. I also have a 870 in the bedroom. I am not worried about much.
 
I use my 9c (compact) as both an off-duty and a HD gun. I am extremely happy with the accuracy and reliability of the gun and glad I ended up choosing it.
 
TeleGuy53 said:
Guys, I'm doing my "due diligence" in the hope of purchasing a viable 9mm, semi-auto, striker-fired pistol, to be used for CC AND home defense. I am new to the pistol world and this will be my first pistol purchase.

I have researched and handled many of the popular options, but I seem to always come back to the M&P 9 full size pistol.

My question: Is the M&P 9 full size a good CC/home defense option for a first-time gun owner? If so, manual safety or NO manual safety?

Thanks for your insights, guys.
Click to expand...

JMO but I own and carry an M&P 9 and I (obviously) think it's a good choice
When I'm at home the 9 full size goes on the night stand and my 9C Goes in my pocket.

As for the safety (again JMO) a self-defense handgun shouldn't have any extrenenous controls on it just a magazine release a slide lock and a trigger
 
Not only make sure to feel what a FS fully loaded weights but see if you can comfortably carry and conceal it. Most guns will be good for home defense but carrying is a little bit harder. ...depending on what you wear, where you work, your body shape and comfort level.

Safety or not is up to you. I prefer without
 
Rowlette said:
You should look at the 9c which is slightly larger and wider than the Shield still has a 10 round magazine but will be able to use full size magazines for practice.
Click to expand...

I liked the design concepts of the Shield 9 and Compact 9, but the grip lengths with standard magazines were too short.

I want ALL of my fingers to be clear of the magazine and firmly on the handle. It's a personal preference which also happens to be very practical, IMHO.
 
I've got a buddy that carries a full size Glock while wearing shorts and a t shirt and you would never know it.

Me on the other hand, can get away with carrying the Shield in shorts and T shirt but a full size would be like wearing a neon sign. You might want to experiment to see how big of a gun you can get away with since everyone is different.

On the safety, I prefer none but each has his own preference.
 
As a Home Defence gun, sure, no issue with a FS9.

Whether it works for CC...is kind of up to you. Some can carry it, no problem.

If I were recommending one 'do it all' gun, it would not be a Full Size 9. I think there are much better options out there, including: the M&P compact, Glock 19, HK VP9, Walther PPQ and PPS, and Sig P320 Compact or Carry.

Whatever you choose, highly recommend renting one and shooting it at least twice (two sessions) at the range. No amount of internet google-fu can compare to actually operating a firearm with *your* hands.

No safety for me, but again, it is up to you.

Good luck on your selection.
 
Last edited:
Smoke said:
JMO but I own and carry an M&P 9 and I (obviously) think it's a good choice
When I'm at home the 9 full size goes on the night stand and my 9C Goes in my pocket.
Click to expand...

Good to hear, Smoke!


Smoke said:
As for the safety (again JMO) a self-defense handgun shouldn't have any extrenenous controls on it just a magazine release a slide lock and a trigger
Click to expand...

I hear you, Smoke, and I'm kinda leanin' toward NO safety. That said, there's a viable argument for having a safety: A perp could get up close and personal and all he'd have to do is pull the trigger!
 
i first picked up a compact 9, was a great deal for something to learn on as my first non-.22. I shoot it well enough, but cant really get "comfortable" with the grip/feel as is. So i ended up using a full size mag and xgrip adapter. Works and feels better. But then i ended up buying a FS9 which has a better balance for me. Now that's my fave gun for range-time and i am a tad more accurate over the compact.
For me, the compact is a good overall gun but for range or home i prefer my FS, and at that point i'm ready to carry it will either be the FS or i'd go the other route and try a Shield.
just a newbies .02
 
Llando88 said:
As a Home Defence gun, sure, no issue with a FS9.

Whether it works for CC...is kind of up to you. Some can carry it, no problem.

If I were recommending one 'do it all' gun, it would not be a Full Size 9. I think there are much better options out there, including: the M&P compact, Glock 19, HK VP9, Walther PPQ and PPS, and Sig P320 Compact or Carry.
Click to expand...

The M&P 9C and Glock 19 are too small and don't feel right in my hand.

The HK VP9, Walther's and Sig P320 don't appeal to me.


Llando88 said:
Whatever you choose, highly recommend renting one and shooting it at least twice (two sessions) at the range. No amount of internet google-fu can compare to actually operating a firearm with *your* hands.
Click to expand...

Good advice.
 
I never can quite determine how anyone in normal clothes, meaning no overcoat or suit coat, can conceal a full sized anything, pistol or revolver, but folks do accomplish the task somehow. Shield-sized guns are a wholly different matter; they easy to conceal.

The OP said full sized and gave a clear reason for his preference in a later post. For home defense I see no issues. For concealed carry, well, like I said, some folks can make it happen. I reckon you should be much taller or larger of frame than I am but, then again, someone my size will pipe in and say that s/he gets it done and I'll just be confused about it. :confused:

The key to concealing a large handgun, IMHO, is being tall enough and thin enough to comfortably carry the gun IWB. Once you can resolve that you're good to go. I am far too short, never mind pudged out, to attempt to IWB a full sized pistol. Compact pistols are a whole nuthuh smoke - I can do those.

And then, for the OP I must note, there are certain compact pistols that still have sufficient size to enable you to wrap all of your gingers around the stocks. Which is why I'd recommend such for your purpose.
 
TeleGuy53 said:
I hear you, Smoke, and I'm kinda leanin' toward NO safety. That said, there's a viable argument for having a safety: A perp could get up close and personal and all he'd have to do is pull the trigger!
Click to expand...

JME (note that change in the last letter?) There's a far greater likelihood of your sweaty finger slipping off the safety or you forgetting to disengage it in the adrenaline dump (guess how I know?)
 
Ranger17 said:
But then i ended up buying a FS9 which has a better balance for me. Now that's my fave gun for range-time and i am a tad more accurate over the compact.

For me, the compact is a good overall gun but for range or home i prefer my FS, and at that point i'm ready to carry it will either be the FS or i'd go the other route and try a Shield.
just a newbies .02
Click to expand...

Sounds like we're in the same boat, Ranger. I'd like the M&P9 FS to do double duty, if possible. Not really wanting to buy a second pistol at this stage of the game.
 
TeleGuy53 said:
Sounds like we're in the same boat, Ranger. I'd like the M&P9 FS to do double duty, if possible. Not really wanting to buy a second pistol at this stage of the game.
Click to expand...

seems i saw a post not that long ago on this forum, for some holster/conceal options and someone had a couple pix i believe with a FS. looked pretty good based on my little knowledge.
 
The Glock 17(about the same size as M&P 9FS) is my favorite semi-automatic. I initially tried to use it for double-duty, but find it just too large for my preferences and usually now go with the Glock 26 when carrying an auto-loader. The 17 fits my hand like a glove. I don't really like short grips and even the Glock 19 is a bit too short for me, but I'm still pretty proficient with the little 26. The 17 pulls home defense.

I'd say give the full-size a shot and you can't possibly know for sure until you try it for CC. Everyone is different. If you find it's too big, keep it for home defense and add the compact when you can.
 
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