Looking to get my first handgun

[CT77]

Hello all! New to the forum! I'm looking to get a handgun mainly for home protection and to take to the range now and then. After a lot of research, I know I want a 9mm made by Smith and Wesson. My question is, what is the difference between the M&P series and the standard 9mm? The price is higher I see and I like the all black look of the M&P. Just looking to get some info. Also, some have thumb safeties, some don't (thoughts on thumb safeties?), round size is different, etc. I do want a bigger gun (4.25 barrel), so again, any opinions, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Horace & Daniel]

The main difference between the SD and the M&P is the trigger. The M&P kicks the SD's butt.

Overall, the M&P is just a more refined handgun compared to the cheaper SD.

 

[richeyo2]

Also on the M&P you can swap out backstraps to make grip fit your hand better.

As far as thumb safeties, it's a personal decision. My CC's do not have a manual safety, one less thing to have to remember to do IMO.

 

[Robotech]

If possible, I'd look for a range that has rental guns so you can at least try out one or more models to see what you are most comfortable shooting.

The M&P9 FS has the advantage mentioned of the replaceable backstraps, so even buying without trying you would have a good chance of being able to adjust it for your particular hand size. In my case, with rather small hands for a guy, the medium grip is "marginal", while the small one makes it one of the most comfortable and easily pointed guns I've used.

Just something else you might want to consider. Have you looked at the M&P40? If I knew then what I know now, I would have gone for the M&P40 FS to start with, and then bought the 9mm barrel and magazines, giving me a lot more flexibility at a relatively small add-on price.

As it is, I've bought an M&P40 slide and barrel, at somewhat more than just the cost of a 9mm conversion barrel. You can put a 9mm conversion barrel in the .40 slide, but you can't put a .40 barrel in the 9mm slide.

 

[jagger5]

A full size M&P 9 will serve you great and you will have no regrets. As others have posted, the M&P is just a more refined gun. The SDVE series are great guns. I can't say I've shot one, but from what I've read, it is a great gun for the price. So really you can't go wrong with either.

Look at it this way, Its like buying a new car. You can get the base model that is stripped down and not much to it, or you can go up a notch and get a model that is a little more refined. ( In the M&P / SDVE case it would actually be a lot more refined! )

If you are absolutely new to guns, it might be worth finding a range/retailer where you can rent guns or hold them at the counter. Get them in your hands and compare the two. Good luck finding both at the same time at the same place!

IMHO when buying your first gun or any gun there are two major factors (other than knowing the type of gun you want) and they are 1st- ergonomics to YOUR hand and 2nd- one that is reliable/reputable. Find the model that fits you best. Your experience into the sport will be much better. For example, when I bought my first handgun, I got a beretta 92fs. I am a big beretta shotgun fan, so I figured I'd stick with the brand. Boy was I wrong! The gun is great. It just wasn't great for me. Plain and simple, I don't have big fat Oger hands to hold one of those.


If it were me, and price was not an issue, I would buy the M&P no question. I think you'll find yourself outgrow the SDVE quickly. I am very happy with my M&P.

If were to buy an SDVE, I would do it for merely having another gun at hand for a friend to shoot when going to the range etc.

 

[gfy1960]

WARNING! M&P's are addicting. You can't get just one,

 

[M&P45]

Definitely hold one before you buy it and if you have the opportunity to shoot before you buy, do it.

FWIW, I walked into my LGS looking to buy a Glock 21. Owner of the LGS noticed I was a lefty & brought me a M&P 45. Felt a ton better in my hand and guess what I walked out with?

(I own a 9c now too)


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[howard829]

WARNING! M&P's are addicting. You can't get just one,

I agree with all the previous posts about the M&P. As you stated "gfy1960 they are addicting".....I purchased the M&P 22 first, a great .22 for target etc. and now just ordered the M&P 9 FS. I thought about the 40 and doing the conversion barrel route but thought for home use I didn't want to take a chance having the wrong barrel/mag at a "time of need"...I realize that shouldn't really happen but it could. Just sayin'.

Good luck!

Howard

 

[Duster340]

I don't think you can go wrong with the M&P. I went with the .40 with plans to pick up a .9mm conversion barrel (If they ever become available again LOL). GL and look forward to seeing what you end up with.

 

[snubbyfan]

Welcome from the panhandle of West Virginia.
If it's your first handgun, I'd say go with the full size M&P. With the changeable backstraps you can fit it to your hand and it's easier to learn the basics with a full size gun. Get training on it so you can practice correct handgun handling techniques so that when you need it it'll be like an extension of your hand. I'd also stay away from a thumb safety for a defensive gun. When you need it, you need it now under the worst possible circumstances. To me releasing a safety is too much like a fine motor skill when adrenaline is pumping.

 

[Tenn2]

Welcome to the forum from NW TN.

As stated above if you can get to a range that has rentals do so. Guns are a very personal choice and no one can tell you exactly what is best for you.

My neighbor is new to guns and went and bought a 9mm and is now starting to regret it. He is now talking about a revolver after having shot a couple.

Take your time and make a good choice for you.

 

[loveMD]

I just went through the same process myself, I have a number of rifles and shotguns and a compact .22 pistol but not a ton of handgun experience. Felt I was ready to make the jump and signed up for a carry class in March.

Like you I researched, alot. I also visited my lgs and held the best 9s. I too decided on 9mm for its ammo value and felt it was a good fit for home defense and range mix. I could not find an M&P 9 locally, there was a .40 and after holding it I knew what I wanted. I had honed my list down to 5 choices and chose based on fit, reliability, looks, performance, where made, and ease of disassembly/cleaning. Found the fs 9 online and have had it for a week. Love it and it met all my criteria with aces.

I did not have the ability to try the choices on the range prior to buying, if you do I would take advantage of that. That said I strongly recommend the FS M&P 9mm if you arent needing a compact for carry purposes. I considered many, and there are many fine handgun choices out there, but for me it was the M&P 9.

Enjoy the process and call upon the good people of this forum whenever you have questions, they are incredibly helpful.

 

[treiz]

Get your hands on the M&P, then buy it. And don't let anyone tell you that 9mm isn't powerful enough, it is fine. Spend your money on a training course and ammo to practice with. If I had been given this info when I started out it would have saved me a lot of money in bad trades and regrets. After all was said and done, I carry my M&P9c daily and couldn't be happier.

 

[jajo]

I have an M&P 9mm full size pistol. I've owned it for about a year and have fired a lot of rounds through it. A friend tried my pistol and decided to buy one. He ended up with a Sigma. He liked the two tone finish better. But, when we were at the range he couldn't figure out why the two felt and shot so much differently.

He ended up selling the Sigma a couple of weeks later and buying an actual M&P.

I've been impressed by the M&P's reliability, accuracy, and comfort. So, I bought a Shield to carry, and so far, I like it too.

I think the M&P is very good value for the money.


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[Wee Hooker]

The M&P's seem to have notably less muzzle flip and overall felt recoil than any other 9mm handgun I've hired ( There have been dozens across most major brands). This is due to low bore axis and Vg ergonomics. Stick with the 9mm version as it will be easier to master than the heavier caliber.

 

[ginzo]

I have an M&P 40 FS (206300) with the thumb safety. I DO NOT have any regrets. Would buy it again. So far no FTF's or FTE's. Very accurate and I'm a 1st time owner/shooter.

 

[Justin69]

My very first gun was a s&w m&p 9mm. I STILL love it! Its great! Still meets all my needs. Came with two 17 rd mags. Shoots great. Easy to field strip & clean too. Do your homework & make an educated decision on whats best for you. Whatever you go with consider Frog Lube as an all around excellent clp. Did I mention I love my 9mm m&p?

 

[Houdini1953]

The M&P line from Smith and Wesson are service weapons meant for hard usage and reliability, I personally trust my life to my handgun's ability to perform as advertised even though I may not!

My weapon should go bang every time I pull the trigger and not misfeed or malfunction in any manner anything less is unacceptable.

My first M&P was a full size 4.25" barrel and it is one of my favorites even though I have 3 M&P 40 caliber weapons and carry a 40 every day, except for operator error see my latest post today http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/298617-40-357-mags-do-not-work-9mm.html I have never had a real problem with the exception of Tulammo that seized in the barrel which is another post I made DO NOT USE THAT STUFF

Also whatever weapon you do decide to purchase make sure to carefully read the manual and keep it handy, and also look to experienced instructors or shooters to guide you along with using your weapon and taking care of it. Good luck and may God bless you in you endeavors!

 

[CT77]

Wow! You people are great! So much good info. from experience. Thanks to all of you for the responses. I had a chance to go to a local gun shop today and check out the selection and hold some of the guns. So awesome! Looks like I need to save up a little more $ before I can actually "pull the trigger" and purchase one. Used M&P's must be like gold...I can't find any! Can't wait until I can get one of these. Thanks again!

 

[kablamo]

CTZZ - I strongly advise you to receive some formal firearm training on basic safety all the way to some basic combat pistol technique as well as learning the laws of when you can use lethal force. This is something far too many gun owners pass on.

Yes, rarely do you see m&p come for sale - there's a reason

Also, when you get the gun, bring it home, read the manual, disassemble and clean it while gaining familiarity before your first range visit

 

[CT77]

kablamo-I appreciate what you are saying. I've had safety courses and own some shotguns. I'm a pretty big deer hunter. This gun will be primarily for home defense and an occasional visit to the range. I don't plan on carrying it. Not a bad idea to go to a refresher course though!

As far as used ones, you are right! There IS a reason you don't see many. When people get their hands on a kick butt gun, they don't want to let it go!

The search continues...

 

[Lost Lake]

I recommend getting either the M&P9c or a 3913. Both are nice guns, the 3913 has a better trigger and is a classic, but the 9c is quite versatile using both small mags for carrying and full size mags for range and home protection. Adjustable back straps allow it to fit your hand.

The full size can carry a nice size weapon light if you want one. I keep one on a M&P40FS in my nightstand.

Sig Sauer also makes a good 9mm that doesn't cost a whole lot but is a good gun.

 

[Denversteve]

There are many great choices. Examine your budget. If your budget will allow for an M&P then you can't go wrong. If $200 or so matters look (compare the two) at the SD9VE which is also a fine weapon but 1/3 less.

 

[had2]

I went through the same process a little over a year ago...selecting my first handgun for HD. After extensive research, I got the M&P 9mm FS without the thumb or mag safeties. The points have been made that this gun is customizable with three grip sizes, and the low bore axis means that the barrel sits low above your hand causing less muzzle flip and recoil. This gun points very naturally and is easy to shoot well. I understand that the new M&P's are coming through with the improved trigger introduced in the Shield. I have not upgraded my trigger, and the one annoyance is that it lacks a distinct reset. This has been corrected in the new design, making the M&P a true winner and a great first pistol. It is a striker fired gun so that once a round is chambered by retracting the slide, every trigger pull is the same. On most hammer fired guns, the first trigger pull has to retract the hammer (double action), and on every shot after that the hammer is cocked by the rearward movement of the slide (single action). So, there are many excellent features on this gun, which s why it became my first pistol. I highly recommend it as yours.

 

[britgina1095]

Oh this is so true

WARNING! M&P's are addicting. You can't get just one,

I bought my full size M&P 9 about 4 months ago. Now I have the .22 (much cheaper to shoot at the range). I just got my Shield this weekend. Next I think will be the .45

 

[britgina1095]

I also went through this process over the last 6 months. I shot many different guns at the range. First thing I figured out was I wanted the 9 mm. With the combination of power, recoil, expense to shoot, my wife could also handle this made my decision easy. Then I shot the m&p, flock 17, Springfield XD, Ruger, and Baretta. My range had a great selection of rentals. The m&p I kept coming back too for all those reasons I said before. It was really accurate, easy to shoot, and very little kick. I own 3 m&p's now and carry my full size and about to start carrying the shield.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello all! New to the forum! I'm looking to get a handgun mainly for home protection and to take to the range now and then. After a lot of research, I know I want a 9mm made by Smith and Wesson. My question is, what is the difference between the M&P series and the standard 9mm? The price is higher I see and I like the all black look of the M&P. Just looking to get some info. Also, some have thumb safeties, some don't (thoughts on thumb safeties?), round size is different, etc. I do want a bigger gun (4.25 barrel), so again, any opinions, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

If it is your first handgun, I suggest you get a 22 pistol and learn to shoot pistols first. Once you have the basics down, it is always a great option for cheap practice.

How about an S&W Model 41 or a 22A or a Ruger Mk III or 22/45?

The M&P in 9mm is a good choice if you want to go right into a centerfire, but I would not get the M&P with the key lock, the magazine safety or the thumb safety. The one I would recommend has a SKU Number of 209301. 209331 is the same, but with a third magazine and a holster and magazine pouch included.

 

[FireManDan]

I just purchased my M&P 22 pistol and really like it. I figured I'd use this pistol to become familiarized and comfortable with these guns before getting the M&P 9. I'm glad I did. Even after I go to the 9mm I'll have the .22 for cheaper practice and just plain fun plinking!

 

[OLDSTER]

Welcome to the forum from North Dakota. I've got nothing more to add to this thread

 

[Table_Max]

Also, some have thumb safeties, some don't (thoughts on thumb safeties?), round size is different, etc. I do want a bigger gun (4.25 barrel), so again, any opinions, comments are appreciated. Thanks!

I wanted my FS 9mm to have a thumb safety AND a mag safety, couldn't find one with both and got a better deal on the one with the thumb safety about a month ago. Just like everything else with this gun, the design of the thumb safety is better than most. Just like the mag release, the safety is ambidextrous and can easily be disengaged while you are holding the gun in a ready to fire position. I'll actually use my off hand to engage it when I am done firing.

This is a terrible time to try and find one for sale at a decent price so if you can afford to wait, you should be able to find a better price on the gun....not to mention the ammo. Keep your eyes open, but don't plop down too much for the gun if you don't feel a need to have it immediately.