Help me decide which M&P to buy

[Michael256]

I can afford only one for the foreseeable future, so here is what I want.

M&P Pro Core 9mm 5"

That being said, it's really hard to find either the 5" model or the 4.25" model anywhere in Alabama.

I have seen the .40 4.25" though a good bit online. Can get one for $589 from Buds. Haven't seen a 5" in .40 yet either, atleast not at a reasonable price.

Here is what I am wondering. I want to be able to target shoot with no issues, and I would like to put an optic on it as soon as I can afford to (looking at a JPoint). But I do plan on buying a Cross Breed for it to carry.

Here are the questions I have :

Should I buy the 4.25" if I plan on carrying it some? I really like the looks of the 5" and wouldn't mind the barrel size at all, as well as I think I'd like the fiber optic sights for target, but if it prevents carrying I guess I would be okay with the 4.25". And I will eventually put an optic on it so sights won't matter too much.

I want 9mm for ammo prices, but should I buy an .40 instead and then just get a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel and have 2 calibers on one??

Lastly - Since I can't find a 5" Core Pro anywhere, would I be better served to buy a standard M&P Kit (with holster, case, mag holders, etc) and then just upgrade the trigger with Apex stuff and try to find a dovetail adapter for an optic? Maybe a storm lake or match barrel in the future?

I made an account just to ask these questions, so if anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it !

 

[lhump1961]

I have M&P's but have never handled the guns you're talking about...someone with more knowledge will be along shortly. My only advice is to do your homework and then buy what appeals to you and will meet your needs. I have never found one gun that will do it all so be prepared to get hooked!

I really only posted to welcome you to the forum so...WELCOME!

 

[Michael256]

I have M&P's but have never handled the guns you're talking about...someone with more knowledge will be along shortly. My only advice is to do your homework and then buy what appeals to you and will meet your needs. I have never found one gun that will do it all so be prepared to get hooked!

I really only posted to welcome you to the forum so...WELCOME!

Thanks! I have a S&W SD40VE and I like the feel of it, just want to upgrade to something nicer so the SD40VE is being sold come friday. I also have a Ruger Sr22 that can serve as my small conceal until I can save enough money for a Shield.

I just want to buy one nice full size pistol and be done. Then maybe one nice compact one day, and then keep my SR22 for cheap plinking

 

[DocSunShine]

I'm not a big fan of "competition" aka ginormous for no reason handguns, so I'd go with a 4.25" barrel. What I love about .40s is you can get a conversion barrel for them, so I now buy only .40s. I don't believe Crossbreeds are compatible with a CORE equipped with a red dot so you may want to check into that.

Bottom line, I love my 40 CORE, I sold a 9mm CORE which was very accurate to another member who I have no doubt will be happy with it. If you have any inkling of possibly shooting .40 (or .357sig) I'd buy the .40 and get a conversion barrel. If you're strictly a 9mm guy, get the 9mm, which every caliber you get I'd get the 4.25" barrel.

In fact I wish Smith would make a compact sized CORE, Chris Costa is actually on record saying he prefers shorter barrels with red dots as he feels on handguns it's easier to track the dot on shorter barrels.

 

[jstanfield103]

On the fiber optics front sight of the PRO, from what I understand they are not very securely made, break easily. Most replace them with aftermarket fiber optic sights anyway. So the 4.25 then put the fiber optic sight on that one maybe you're best bet. I have no exsperiance with the sight just what I have read on the forums.

 

[Michael256]

Thanks guys! Based on the feedback I will probably order the 4.25" Pro CORE 40 from buds

 

[Nitrous SSC]

I did the range/carry kit twice with my 40 and 9. Did the full apex treatment on both. couldn't be happier. I got a much better setup than going with a pro. Plus with mags being a nightmare to find right now the slightly extra cost is worth getting the extra mag. If you NEED an optic sight then you are limited to the core.

 

[BIGMAC116]

Something to consider:

If you're going to get an optic, you'll probably want to have suppressor height sights so you can co-witness through the optic. This might pose a problem if you want fiber optic irons. To my knowledge (could be wrong, of course) there aren't suppressor height sights with fiber optic out there.

The co-witnessing thing is important for two reasons- 1) in case the optic fails, you can still use your irons 2) it can be challenging and time consuming to find your red dot if you don't have irons to index off of. Just my two cents. Good luck and enjoy your new gun. You'll be happy with any of those choices.

And just an FYI, you don't NEED a core to put on an optic per se. I have an RMR on my 9c.

 

[Michael256]

Something to consider:

If you're going to get an optic, you'll probably want to have suppressor height sights so you can co-witness through the optic. This might pose a problem if you want fiber optic irons. To my knowledge (could be wrong, of course) there aren't suppressor height sights with fiber optic out there.

The co-witnessing thing is important for two reasons- 1) in case the optic fails, you can still use your irons 2) it can be challenging and time consuming to find your red dot if you don't have irons to index off of. Just my two cents. Good luck and enjoy your new gun. You'll be happy with any of those choices.

And just an FYI, you don't NEED a core to put on an optic per se. I have an RMR on my 9c.

I do want them to co-witness so I'm going to see how high they are when they get here and when the optic gets here. I know I could of probably found a dove tail adapter and a mount for the JPoint (what I plan on going with, can't swallow $500 for a Trijicon) but by the time I pay for all that, or to have my slide milled, the price difference wouldn't of been that much. The .40 Pro Core 4.25" was $585 at Bud's so I ordered that today.

I mainly wanted the Core PRO because chances are I will be happy with the trigger (I am coming from an unmodified SD40VE with like an 8.5lb pull), it has a match barrel, and you just simply screw your optic in. The only challenge will be finding the best carry holster. It doesn't have to be perfect because in Alabama we have generous open carry lawys so if the gun prints in CC there is no big deal.

Plus I think the grip is just sexy looking on the Core

 

[Michael256]

Also I checked, I believe the CORE's come with suppresser sites

 

[Riflemann]

I am not a 9 man, but I love my 40's. I started with a 4.25" M&P, than a Shield 40, and back in May bought a M&P40L CORE 5". I am in love with them all, but the CORE is my favorite. This just shoots so good I like the longer 5" with the taller sights, and my plan is to go with the RMR optic down the road. If I had to settle on one gun to shoot and carry, I would go with the 4.25" CORE. I carry my 4.25" M&P about 20% of the time, and my 40 Shield the other 80%, this is why you should be prepared to buy at least one or two more M&P's in the future.

 

[AwfAxis]

I'm relatively new to this, but I have both a CORE 9mm 5", and a FS 9mm.

For gaming (USPSA/IPSC), I think the 5" is a better choice. You can get the alpha's on the run with the longer site radius. However, at basic target shooting (taking your time), both are the same for me.

I'm using the FS for IDPA with only an APEX sear, but I did put an APEX Forward Poly kit in the CORE.

I have to say the CORE trigger was better than the FS, but my first firearm bought June 2013 is a SW1911PC, and it has the 3lb trigger. It was tough transitioning to the CORE with its pre-travel and slight double-action feel. The FSS kit helped, but the trigger position is farther back on the CORE.

The CORE sights are suppressor height, .305 high, white dot, and actually very good for quick acquisition. I have a JPoint too, but don't use it because I'm not in the same league as the "open" class shooters. Maybe in a few years.

As for the carry topic, I don't, but I would think the tall sights on the CORE would snag your clothes on the draw.

If I were to carry, I would opt for the compact or shield. Even my FS is a pain on IDPA, and that's just for fun.

 

[Michael256]

Thanks guys. I settled on the 4.25" .40 CORE. I'm anxiously awaiting Bud's to ship it. I will likely layaway a compact when I get a chance for carry. I have large hands and don't really like compact guns but there is the x grip for the compact so I think I might would like it more over the Shield.

 

[Michael256]

Also I know you said you don't use the JPoint, but is it a good dot from what you can tell?

 

[DocSunShine]

Also I know you said you don't use the JPoint, but is it a good dot from what you can tell?

I'd use a JPoint for competition & plinking, but for defensive purposes probably not. I'm not a subject matter expert on red dots, but reading the advice of those who are, basically only 2 of the mini red dots are recommended for handguns, RMR as a strong favorite & Deltapoint. If you need water proof (who really does), then you can include the Aimpoint T-1 in that as well, but the aimpoint micros IMO are way too big for a handgun.

I initially mounted an RMR on my CORE 9 which I sucked with at presenting.... This caused me to sell the CORE 9, then impulsively I repurchased the CORE 40 and put the RMR back on it and practicing my draw stroke really seems to help. I also bought a Deltapoint I was going to try it but now I think i'm just going to put it on a VEPR 12 I own...

 

[Michael256]

SWFA has a Docter 7moa dot for right around $250 which is the same price as the JPoint which is 3.5moa. I'd like to get 3.5 for target shooting but then it's probably too small for SD. 7moa is good for SD but not as good for precision target shooting. Hard to decide. Plus I am waiting to see what coupons come in the box. A Delta point with a 7.5moa triangle might work if I zero to the top tip of the triangle

 

[DocSunShine]

SWFA has a Docter 7moa dot for right around $250 which is the same price as the JPoint which is 3.5moa. I'd like to get 3.5 for target shooting but then it's probably too small for SD. 7moa is good for SD but not as good for precision target shooting. Hard to decide. Plus I am waiting to see what coupons come in the box. A Delta point with a 7.5moa triangle might work if I zero to the top tip of the triangle

I have the RMR01 which is allegedly 3.5 MOA, even in bright daylight it's plenty big. Subjectively seems a little bigger than my 4 MOA T-1 I have. To me the whole point of the red dot is for more precision at ranges past 15 yards, seems 7MOA or so is a little big, but I'm in the minority on that one.

That said, I don't know much about the Docter, but I do know some .mil types have used them in combat as a back up optic on rifles. Idk how they'd hold up on handguns, might want to research that topic.

 

[Michael256]

I have the RMR01 which is allegedly 3.5 MOA, even in bright daylight it's plenty big. Subjectively seems a little bigger than my 4 MOA T-1 I have. To me the whole point of the red dot is for more precision at ranges past 15 yards, seems 7MOA or so is a little big, but I'm in the minority on that one.

That said, I don't know much about the Docter, but I do know some .mil types have used them in combat as a back up optic on rifles. Idk how they'd hold up on handguns, might want to research that topic.

I would agree. I think I will go with a 3-3.5ish dot most likely

 

[AwfAxis]

Also I know you said you don't use the JPoint, but is it a good dot from what you can tell?

I bought the JPoint for possible use with USPSA/IPSC and Steel Matches. Therefore, I got the larger MOA [dot] as this is for fast action rather than precision shooting.

It works well enough, but on a fast draw, it does take a bit of effort to get the dot in the window. I learned to use the fixed sights first for acquisition, and then the dot for the pull.

However, as I don't have near the speed of the other competitors, I'm better off shooting in production class groups and not open class (optics/compensators etc). These people ingest too much caffeine.

What's nice is that I can take the JPoint on/off without any adjustment needed. Stays sighted for me.

I've heard several complaints about the DeltaPoint because the adjustment screw is up against the rear sight, and must be removed (or use a "custom" bent torx wrench) to get sighted.

 

[Michael256]

I bought the JPoint for possible use with USPSA/IPSC and Steel Matches. Therefore, I got the larger MOA [dot] as this is for fast action rather than precision shooting.

It works well enough, but on a fast draw, it does take a bit of effort to get the dot in the window. I learned to use the fixed sights first for acquisition, and then the dot for the pull.

However, as I don't have near the speed of the other competitors, I'm better off shooting in production class groups and not open class (optics/compensators etc). These people ingest too much caffeine.

What's nice is that I can take the JPoint on/off without any adjustment needed. Stays sighted for me.

I've heard several complaints about the DeltaPoint because the adjustment screw is up against the rear sight, and must be removed (or use a "custom" bent torx wrench) to get sighted.

That's good to know. It sounds like optic for target shooting is good but bad for SD, and vice versa. I may wind up putting the optic on then a small CT rail laser for SD. I hate to "tacticool" the pistol out but either constantly practicing my draw every single day or running a setup like that sounds like the only way to make both work. Then again, the rail laser has to be turned on so I would actually need a laser grip and that would be more money than I want to spend. Just not sure. Might just do like you, buy one and then remove it if I want to later. Or run my SR22 for defense until I can save up for an M&Pc