Looking to get a 9mm and need advice

[MikeyMike]

Hello y'all! I am new to this forum but by no means new to forums generally speaking.

I recently bought an MP22 and have been having more fun than I expected with this little guy. Since my comfort level with guns is progressing rather quickly, I am already thinking about the next step, and getting into a 9mm ideal for carrying. Possibly the shield? I would love to take suggestions.

Please consider when replying that I have large hands, basically an XL in glove size. That being said, I would want something comfortable to hold without feeling like it is lost in my hand. I have seen recently magazine extensions to help with this very issue, but is this common for all? I am not stuck on SW, however given my first impressions of everything this far and what I have been reading I don't mind staying loyal to the brand with theMP line.

Any suggestions is appreciated!

 

[epj]

Look at the 59XX series of S&W's. 5906 is the most common. Built like a tank and very reasonably priced. These are all steel models, and out of production. Lots available on the secondary market. Hard to go wrong with one.

 

[OS-Wiz]

Consider the M&P 9 Shield with the 8-round mag. Ideal IWB carry because it is so thin.

 

[AGoyette]

I would go to a gun store or gun show and fondle various guns. Once you find a few that feel good in your hands, go to a gun range that rents out those models and shoot them. Renting won't be the cheapest but it is cheaper than buying a gun that either doesn't fit you or one you don't like to shoot.
My husband has large hands, the Shield is too small for him. We both carry the M&P 9c. But what works for us might not work for you. Good luck.

 

[ATF]

I have XL glove size hands and my go To gun is my M&P 4.25" 9mm but for carry it's my Sig P938 with the 6 or 7 round mag, best mini 9mm available.

 

[MyDads38]

I don't personally like small guns, so the smallest gun I own/carry is a S&W SD9VE in 9mm. The largest gun in my rotation is my FS 5" Ruger SR1911 45 auto.

As soon as I get more rounds down range, I will be adding my S&W M&P 9 (4 1/4" bbl.) and 45 (4 1/2" bbl.) to the rotation. I've had the M&P 45 a little longer and am getting close to my minimum round count before I feel I can carry with no concerns. The M&P 9 is a new purchase, and working on getting it caught up with the SD9VE. The SD9VE has been trouble free and accurate out of the box for me, as has my Ruger SR1911. For an EDC, this means a LOT to me!

If I were to carry something smaller, it would probably be a 5 shot 38 special in an ankle holster as a back up. Been a revolver guy for years and I am very comfortable with a nice 38 revolver

 

[chev37s]

As far as the M&P line goes, tale a look at the M&P compact and try the medium and large grip inserts to see which one feels best. It is great for carrying concealed and the one I have is very accurate too. If the grip is too short get the pinky extension. If that is still small for your hand then try the 4in with the 17 rnd mag. It's a little more to carry but not that much different than the compact except for the grip length.

 

[Llando88]

I would go to a gun store or gun show and fondle various guns. Once you find a few that feel good in your hands, go to a gun range that rents out those models and shoot them. Renting won't be the cheapest but it is cheaper than buying a gun that either doesn't fit you or one you don't like to shoot.
My husband has large hands, the Shield is too small for him. We both carry the M&P 9c. But what works for us might not work for you. Good luck.

This right here. I learned last year that there is a big gap between internet reading, gun store fondling and then actually shooting at the range.

I'd look over the options, go physically examine five or six at your LGS then invest in a couple range sessions with two contenders.

Be cheaper than buying the wrong gun?

 

[Arik]

You'd have to go and hold one/shoot one. Only way to know. For instance, I have I guess medium to large hands. Even if it's medium I still have long fingers. I need grip to take up the space. So i don't like small guns, I don't even like small grips. The S&W 6906 is too small for me and too thin. The larger 5906 is still too thin and I add thicker rubber grips. The M&P compact is to small as well I would never even bother looking at a Shield or anything similar to one.

 

[Jaysq]

I would go to a gun store or gun show and fondle various guns. Once you find a few that feel good in your hands, go to a gun range that rents out those models and shoot them. Renting won't be the cheapest but it is cheaper than buying a gun that either doesn't fit you or one you don't like to shoot.
My husband has large hands, the Shield is too small for him. We both carry the M&P 9c. But what works for us might not work for you. Good luck.

+1 on the above advice......

Welcome from North Carolina. What ever you do, pick a weapon that you can easily conceal and will carry everyday or you will find yourself leaving home unarmed. For me the answer was the Shield. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

Probably shouldn't admit this on the S&W Forum, but I just bought the new
Ruger LC9S-Pro. Carries 7+1 rounds of 9mm, no thumb or mag safeties, good 3 dot sights, and a great trigger...as good or better than the Shield.

I owned a Shield when they first came out but didn't like the external safety and the stiff recoil spring, plus it wasn't that easy to pocket carry. Traded it after 6 months for a M&P 45 Compact.


Ruger® LC9s® Centerfire Pistol Model 3248

Bought it for $370 out the door.

 

[Jake D]

I would recommend checking out the 9c as well. It is small enough for conceal carry and large enough for range work/class work.

 

[Stratajema]

Probably shouldn't admit this on the S&W Forum, but I just bought the new
Ruger LC9S-Pro.

It is very important to mention. The LC9s has a much better trigger than a non-Apex M&P Shield. Ruger will be making lots of profit on that pistol because of its lower cost investment cast slide (versus the Shield's milled slide), the use of carbon steel (versus the Shield's use of stainless steel) and its blue finish (versus the Shield's melonite finish). Personally, I like the Shield's build materials much more than the LC9s but I wonder how long it will be before S&W starts to adopts Ruger's cost cutting manufacturing choices.

 

[Ranger514]

Since you didn't specify what type of carry you are considering, the field is wide open. I can only offer suggestions outside the S&W brand when it comes to 9mm semi-autos. I chose the DAO Sig P290 RS for my warm weather EDC. It's a bit heavy for a pocket, so I usually carry in a crossdraw OWB kydex holster. The extended, single-stack, 8-round magazine fits my large hand.

For colder weather CC and HD, I chose a Gen 4 Glock 19 with a 15-round double stack magazine. It comes with grip inserts that help tailor the fit to your hand. Obviously there are many more models to select from. As others have suggested, visit a gun store with a wide selection and see what fits your specific needs the best; then, once you've narrowed your selection, go to a range where you can rent those models for shooting trials. Have fun!

 

[Ranger17]

I would also recommend renting ( or using friends' ) different 9s to see what works best. I only have m-l hands but dont care for the "feel" of the smaller single stack versions in my hand. Instead of the shield which is a popular carry pick i went with a compact 9. Even then i use a full size mag when at the range for better feel and accuracy. I dont yet carry but can with this if and when i do and i like having the option to use the fs mags.

 

[rogo123]

For a compact 9mm, I like my S and W 3914. I do not carry yet, but if I did I would probably carry my old Smith and Wesson model 36 .38 special--maybe along with the 3914, in weather with proper clothing to conceal them both.
Federal 9BP JHP in the 3914 and Buffalo Bore standard pressure loads in the snub. In summer, the 36 in a pocket holster.

I do not have any experience with the Shield as yet. Are all the bugs worked out?

In my area the hot gun for concealed carry is the Glock 42 .380.
Dealers can not keep them in stock.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Ok , I do have XXL hands and XXX Long fingers, so I can relate. If comparing apples to apples , a Shield is more usable than most other subcompact 9mm's .

***********

That said , *what I think I'm hearing* is that you are contemplating your first 9mm , and probably first centerfire handgun. At least for a while it will be your only such , and will be a general purpose all around pistol, that might also include some sort of carry.

My generic recomendation for such is one with +/- 4inch bbl , and a grip that acomodates all four fingers. From accross the internet , we can't tell you what fits your hand. A gun of this size (in 9mm) will be pleasant and controlable to shoot, and you will enjoy shooting it a bunch , while presumably honing your skills. And a gun of this size can be concealed in a good belt or IWB holster , with a modest degree of dressing around the gun.

There are a plentitude of good quality and interesting 9mm pistols. Since you own and like your M&P22 , then it certianly makes sense to look at the M&Ps in 9mm . Fondle and preferably shoot the Standard and the Compact. Or even the SD9 , the linage is still close enough for your M&P22 to serve as understudy.

 

[NoogMan]

I also have large hands and the Shield fits me perfectly, with Talon grips and Pearce extensions (on 7rd) or the 8 round mag. I can get my entire hand firmly on the grip.

The wife and I started out as carry "newbies" about 8 months ago. After research and feedback from forums like this, I bought us a pair of Shield 9's (added Truglo TFO's). After a lot of range time with the Shields, I decided to look for a full size (just for range and HD use). I almost got us an SD9VE, but ended up with a good deal on a new M&P9 full size ($450.00) . I slapped some TFO's on the full size and have had a blast with it. I THOUGHT I would never carry the full size IWB, and it was basically a "safe" queen while we carried the Shields daily. BTW, the Shield is by far a complete GEM to carry every day, and is my favorite gun to shoot at the range. Being able to get a full grip with my large hands is a bonus. It's just fun to shoot!

Anyway....I received my new IWB holster (Gavin at firearmholster.com) for the full size the other day, and much to my surprise, it's just as comfortable to carry as the Shield. It does print a bit more in tighter clothing, and does "tug" on my belt a bit more, but great to carry when I don't need to conceal around clients at work, etc. I can drive with it, lounge on the couch, and I hardly notice it. The M&P with a 4.25 barrel or even an HK VP9 would be fine for EDC.....but as stated, the Shield is just wonderful to carry in ANY situation.


Btw...all 3 of my M&P's have a thumb safety....and we train with them.