Help me decide please

[BP_Z28]

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.


My fiancee likes to shoot now. I started her off with a M&P 15-22, and now we are talking hand guns.

She likes the feel of the M&P pistols in her hand. She is brand spanking new to firearms.

I was thinking a M&P .22 for a good range/practice

I would like a M&P 9mm for myself. Carry/Range. Reason being I want to get me a 9mm because if I was not home, I feel better about myself that she can control a 9mm better than a .40(which I would rather have), and a couple other reasons

So I was looking into these from buds.


9mm Carry/Range

S&W M&P 9 Kit 9mm 4.25" 16+1 Interchangeable Grip $517.00 SHIPS FREE


M&P .22

S&W M&P 22 Mod 22 LR 4.1" 12+1 Syn Fixed Backstrap Gr $331.00 SHIPS FREE




Only place somewhat local I seen price for the handgun themselves were $549, and $429.



Any input would be nice. Experiences with either one, yadayada. We live in Michigan so I do not need a kit or handgun with compliance which I'm sure the ones in these links would fit fine for me?

So it would be a M&P .22/9mm or

Maybe even two M&P 9mm's? (that way she can be used to the recoil and be able to handle it, instead of going from a .22 straight to a 9mm incase a break in).

* If I went this route would it be better to get a compact 9 instead of two full sized(which the 9c would be the carry).
*Comparing the compact 9mm from Smith and Wesson which would be a better optionthThe model with a thumb safety?

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...Id=770011&catentryId=770008&catentryId=770009

Or for the money go with the M&P 9c with Xgrip (if I can even find a dealer)

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57954_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y




I've roughly been shooting handguns for maybe 1 year so I guess I am relatively new also(which were all M&P handguns). Are these deals from Buds good? Or could I find them cheaper somewhere else. We will be taking classes shortly after purchasing the handguns


I hope I am making some sense, long night with minimal sleep..damn studying haha

 

[gunsdogs]

IMHO I think both choices are ok. The M&P22 should be a hoot. On the other gun I'd look into a M&Pc 9 or a shield if you plan on concealed carry. The internet prices look good until you factor in transfer fees and background check fees then they are close to the retail gunstore prices. For your Fiancee a full size gun may be the best option the heavier the gun the softer the recoil and if she's not going to conceal carry it all the better. I hope my opinion helps you make your decision and again I don't think you can go wrong either way.

 

[Jyezahn]

If you get the 9c, you can also get full size magazines with a grip extender. As for the 22 pistol, I say, let her shoot both and see which one she prefers. Let her try out the 40, you may be surprised!

 

[moxie]

If you or she intend to carry, the 9c or the Shield are the best options for sure. The Shield, however, is virtually unavailable right now.

The X-grip adapter is available for about $14.95. Just get a regular 17 round mag for the full size and use it with the X-grip adapter for the 9c. Now you have a 9c that holds 17 rounds, plus 1.
See: XGrip S&W M&P Compact Magazine Adapter

You can get the "kit" items separately. Actually no need for the fancy box, in my opinion.

I do like the safety. Easy to use.

 

[BP_Z28]

Yea the only handguns she's fired so far was a 1911 .45 and a 9mm. She thought the .45 was a bit much, didn't show to much stress when the 9mm came up. Only reason I kind of favor a .22 is because just like my 15-22 I know its a good starter for her, and it shares the same ammo I fire with the rifle

. But I think if i got the 9mm for her, she wouldn't have a problem with it and tend to like it a bit more.

Yea she wouldn't be carrying if I am with her. But I doubt she will carry when she is alone, at least for the moment. Her purpose at least right now is range time only. I don't see her carrying anytime soon.

Hell maybe down the road she will take my 9c and I can get my .40 haha. After all you can never have enough right? .

I just dont want "regret" sorta speaking, buying the .22 and wishing I got her a 9mm. Guess I need to find a place where she can try out the .22 and the 9mm. Where would I go for that? Would a gun shop let you test out the handguns?

 

[Jyezahn]

A lot of shops that have ranges, will rent guns out to try. Either way, the 22 is not a bad buy. It'd be great just for plinking, and is definitely easy on the pocketbook. They're hella fun!

 

[BBS1]

See if you can find an m&p22 with the 10 round magazines for cheaper. They are easily converted to a 12 rounder. My LGS had a 20 dollar markup for the 12 rounder

 

[ozo]

"I just dont want "regret" sorta speaking, buying the .22 and wishing I got her a 9mm. Guess I need to find a place where she can try out the .22 and the 9mm. Where would I go for that? Would a gun shop let you test out the handguns?"---BP_Z28

Yep, you're still new.....
You don't even have a dozen guns yet.......
how in the world could you possibly regret
buying ANY new guns at this point....??

The compact may have too small of grips for her to start.....
just a thought.
Go and hold a bunch, you and her,.....and see what the range(s)
rents and shoot some before any decision to buy.

 

[BP_Z28]

Well reason being because I know how expensive this hobby can be, and I'm still putting alot of money into my Camaro so thats why I said I dont want to regret it. Plan on buying two handguns early Jan, and probably no new ones till same time in 2014.

Yea I guess bad choice of words on saying I dont want to regret haha

 

[PHPistols]

Choice between 22 and 9? I'd go with 9 for her and you. 9's are good for shooting and practice.

 

[snubbyfan]

His and her 9's, maybe a 9c for carry and a FS9 for home protection.

 

[C4IGrant]

Better pricing on the M&P22: S&W M&P22 Pistol .22lr (12rd Mag) at G and R Tactical

Spare mags (when you buy the gun) are only $19!




C4

 

[rraisley]

I have an M&P 9C, which I love, but it's a bit large for concealed carry. I got a Kahr PM9 for that (after trying a Ruger LCR, which really didn't seem to carry much better). That said, if you're thinking of an M&P, and don't really need to conceal it (which isn't THAT easy on the 9C anyhow), I'd go with the full size M&P 9. Your fiancee should be able to shoot it fine. The recoil is not that bad, even on the 9C, and is less on the 9. As to grip, with the 3 interchangeable grip add-ons, I'm sure one will fit her (maybe you too).

If you find yourself shooting too much (like you can!), and want to save some ammo money, then the M&P .22 only costs about the same as a thousand rounds of 9mm, so you might want it for practice (and maybe the fiancee will prefer it for causal shooting), all the time preparing for shooting the 9mm.

 

[BP_Z28]

Yea what she is talking right now is a .22, M&P 9c and a full size 9mm lol. I guess its easy for her to spend my money!

Is the full size 9mm easy to conceal?

 

[rraisley]

Yea what she is talking right now is a .22, M&P 9c and a full size 9mm lol. I guess its easy for her to spend my money!

At least it's not for jewelry and other such nonsense! You might think this would be expensive, but having a wife/fiancee willing to spend $1000 on guns is much better than her letting YOU spend $1000 on guns, in which case she then gets $1000 in jewelry, iPad, whatever.

Is the full size 9mm easy to conceal?

As I mentioned, even the M&P 9C (compact) is not that great for concealment. It works fine under a jacket, but not so much when you take the jacket off. So the full size won't be as good as that.

That said, I've heard of people who will carry a 1911 concealed. But for me, I go with my tiny Kahr PM9 for concealment. I use the 9C as my bedroom gun, or occasionally under a jacket.

 

[Smitty357]

m&p 22 is the best start anyone can ask for. I believe everyone should be taught the proper fundamentals and basics of shooting, as well as self defense shooting. The .22 and the cheap ammo is the perfect candidate for this. Plus this will also give her time to decide if she wants to get farther into shooting (hence get another weapon some day) or if she just wants to leave things where they be. Teach her the fundamentals (at a cheap cost) and then let her decide if she wants to move on into other weapons.

PS: My ole lady carries my .40 Shield 90% of the time with her (IWB). While i'm stuck with the 9mm Shield. She carries the .40 because she believes in leaving bigger holes. I carry the 9mm because I believe in proper shot placement (if i ever need to pull the trigger more than once).

 

[BP_Z28]

Yea we are not getting all 3, maybe someday but not at once. I think the better idea is just get a .22 for her and the 9mm for me, that way I can have just enough to get the M&P15. She will probably leave them as be, things that I like she gets bored with, and firearms always scare her so I guess I shall just start small and work my way up just like the 15-22..sometimes you need to take baby steps. Hell if she loses interest with the .22 and wants to give it all up, more toys for me *insert evil laugh here*

You can still take classes with a .22? And get certified to carry? I dont know exactly how the classes go about.

 

[Lost Lake]

The ultimate no regret gun would be the M&P 40c. Why you ask? Well....

You can drop in a .357 or 9mm barrel ($65 from Midway) and you have a 9mm or .357.

You can use full size mags with an X-Grip and you have almost a full size gun for range work, but still have a compact for carrying.

First responders buy M&P's for $399, free shipping, no tax, and an extra mag free. Your LGS probably won't come close to that deal.

I also agree with Smitty, a .22 is a great gun, just may not be as good for carrying and self defense. If you can only get one gun now, the 40c is the most versatile.

It's only a matter of time until you get all the rest though.

 

[BP_Z28]

What do you mean by first responders.

How much of a difference in size is a .40 bigger than a 9mm? I like the idea I can change barrels and go to a 9mm one day back to a. .40

 

[Lost Lake]

The size of the guns are identical, that's why you can change barrels.

The .40 has a bit more punch. Even more punch than a .45.

First responders can be whatever the seller says they are. Where I buy my guns they consider firemen (even volunteer), police, EMT's, security personnel, pilots, the list goes on and on....