$750 Budget: What M&P 9mm / Options?

Do you have to be retired from the military or is it enough that you served?

Served!

I am not retired.

They also accept firemen, volunteer fireman, ship captains, security guards, a whole list of folks... It's a deal I just can't stop taking!!!!

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I recommend a bone stock M&P 9c.

Invest the difference in extra mags (when they become available), and a good belt and holster. Upgrade when and if your wife decides it's necessary, after copious training and shooting.
 
I'd agree with moxie. Invest the difference in a variety of rounds and train. Have 2 brand new mags set aside and use the ones that came with the gun until they wear out.

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Further, I disagree with Der Biermeister on adding a light/laser immediately. First learn and study pistol handling fundamentals. Without those, the laser won't help you hit your target.

Also, I don't like a weapon mounted light. Searching your house with one of those means sweeping all kinds of stuff with the muzzle you don't want to shoot. That is always a bad idea. For the average home owner, a hand held light is better.

Of course learning how to shoot and getting comfortable is paramount before adding extras. However, I wanted to introduce the idea to this gentlemen because in "some" HD situations, the laser/light is a fantastic tool to have.

To say that the turn on of a laser/light in a completely dark room is an overwhelming shock/stun to a dude who -- up to this point -- believes he is succeeding in his stealth intrusion is a huge understatement. It definitely will provide you with a couple of seconds of advantage over your advisary. And that is what HD or CC is all about -- a matter of seconds.

Not talking about doing sweeps or enabling the device beforehand -- you wait until sounds tell you approximately where the guy is.
 
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I understand this is the S&W forum and I love my .40 Shield and .40C. But for that kind of money you might want to consider the Walther PPQ. It's perfect right out of the box. Mags are expensive ($38) but plentiful for the .40 M2. I have eight 13 round mags. You won't find a better factory trigger.
Rob
 
Well glad you asked!!!

I sometimes sound like I sell for Bud's Police Supply, but I have no affiliation with them besides buying about 8 guns a year from them... :D

While there are a lot of places you can buy at first responder / LEO pricing, I find Bud's is easy for me. I live in the sticks, and I can order online and have it shipped for free to my FFL.

I just got an M&P 45c for $442, with three mags and free shipping. Try to beat that price anywhere else!

I am former Army, so I faxed them a copy of my DD214. After that, you are in the system and good to go.

I buy all my M&P's with night sights for $455. I buy Shields (3 so far) for $335. They have BG380's in stock right now for $320!

Take a look! I think I should ask them to advertise on this forum as much as I promote them.... :p

.[/QUOTE

Agreed on Buds. I work in private security and faxed them a company letter stating that I work for them. Good to go.
 
Someone school me up here. Based on what I see on the S&W website, the M&P 178035 is not the Pro model. Am I missing something?

This was the one I was thinking of?

Product: Model M&P9

"SKU: 178035

Pro Series

• 4.25" Barrel
• 4-5-1/2 lb. Smooth Trigger Pull
• Front and Rear Night Sights

Bridging the gap between main production and the Performance Center, the Smith & Wesson Pro Series represents the next step up from standard production line models. These firearms offer a variety of enhancements yet still remain true to "stock". Bringing competition specifications and features in factory models, the Pro Series offers that ready-to-go package while still maintaining production line integrity. "
 
I got the FS M&P 9 about 2 weeks ago. Just ordered the APEX kit as i have the MA compliant gun. Very happy with my choice.
 
I have a 4.25 pro with night sights that I got in a trade. The previous owner had add an apex usb to it. It is my favorite gun and I love the trigger. It made me part with my last glock I owned as a matter of fact.
 
I understand this is the S&W forum and I love my .40 Shield and .40C. But for that kind of money you might want to consider the Walther PPQ. It's perfect right out of the box. Mags are expensive ($38) but plentiful for the .40 M2. I have eight 13 round mags. You won't find a better factory trigger.
Rob

This. For that kind of money, I would get that over any M&P, the ergonomics are very nice and the trigger is amazing. Don't get me wrong, I love my M&P 9c, but if I had the extra $$$ at the time, I would have gotten the Walther PPQ instead. I still plan on getting one sometime in the future, to fill the full sized 9mm role.
 
For that kind of money, I would get that over any M&P,...
I was going to say that the PPQ has one flaw that is a deal killer for me; the mag release. Previously the PPQ had a mag release that was a kind of lever. It was ambidextrous, but still different from every other gun. As a self defense gun I don't like that because different controls can cause problems when defending yourself.

However, Walther has updated the PPQ to a PPQ M2. Take a look:
2796066-l.png


They changed the mag release to a reversible button. Now it has the same motion as most every other gun. And, it's completely ambidextrous just like the M&P.

I haven't felt the trigger in a while so I can't comment on that. But, if it has a better trigger, it is a great little gun.
 
This was the one I was thinking of?

Product: Model M&P9
OK, I see it now. I just wanted to be sure you got the right gun. There is a huge difference between the Pro trigger and regular trigger. The Pro is basically a gun that has what you would get if you sent your gun to the custom shop for a trigger job.

Having said that, I think the Apex Forward Set Sear is better. So, getting a gun for $500 and then installing the $130 polymer FSS from Apex will save a few dollars and get a better trigger.

This is just my opinion. I do own an M&P .45 with the Apex FSS installed. I have fired a Pro model M&P .40.
 
how do you get this? EMT

Piece of cake!

Just go to their website and look for where you send in info. The way I did it was I ordered a gun, they sent me an email asking for credentials and included all their contact info. I faxed in my DD214 and they sent back an 'Okay to Buy' note.

Once you're in the system, that's it. When you want a gun, just log in and buy what you want.

For an EMT, you may be asked to fax in a certificate or a note from your employer stating you are an EMT.

The website is really nice. Just browse for what you want, and click on whatever you want to buy, then checkout. It asks for a payment method, and if you get a gun, they ask you to choose an FFL from their drop down list. If your FFL isn't in there (mine wasn't at first) just have the FFL fax in a copy of their license.

They ship fast, and I've never had any trouble. I think they're great!

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I understand this is the S&W forum and I love my .40 Shield and .40C. But for that kind of money you might want to consider the Walther PPQ. It's perfect right out of the box. Mags are expensive ($38) but plentiful for the .40 M2. I have eight 13 round mags. You won't find a better factory trigger.
Rob

Woah.

That looks interesting.

I'll definitely look into that pistol.
 
You stated your use for the new pistol would be home defense, and maybe later competion. For home defense you need to have a light on your pistol. The Streamlight TLR-1 is an awesome light for a defensive pistol. You MUST be able to identify the threat before you can use deadly force to defend yourself. A laser sight will not do that.

On all four of my full size M&P's I have installed the Trijicon HD sights. The fiber optic ring on the front sight makes it very quick to get on target in daylight, and the night sights help with low loight situations.
 
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