M&P 40 compact - Guidance

[CustomChevyGuy]

Some of you may have seen a comment in a previous thread, about my gf's brother asking for help in selecting a carry piece. We went to a larger gun shop locally last night, and he spent about an hour handling numerous firearms. When we left he seemed pretty interested in the Storm. We're planning on going back when he can rent a few to see what he likes.
He liked the Beretta PX4 Storm, said the M&P was alright, as was the Glock 19. He also liked the Bersa 9mm (I'm blanking on the model)
I wasn't trying to steer him in any direction one way or another, brand or caliber wise. Personally I think 9mm would be the best place to start.

Today he said a co-worker has a M&P 40 Compact for sale. I don't think he handled it yet. However he was asking what I might know about them and a ballpark price.

My honest answer was let me do some research.

These photos are what he sent. Said the light is a Viridian GT 600 lazer.

How is this for a carry gun? He's probably 5'9, slimmer build. I kind of think it might be a bit big and heavy. Again, I don't know that I've ever handled one.

Are there any specific things to look for since this is a used gun?

What's the price per round of 40 S&W doing? I know the 40 S&W guns seem to be going down in price some..

Thanks in advance for the input and feedback..

 

[Rastoff]

It is a good carry gun. However, if he is new to handguns, have him shoot a .40S&W before buying one. They can be a little sharper on the recoil.

Value is all over the place. If it were me, I'd be willing to pay up to $400 for that gun, but I don't like the white lettering and I'd ditch the laser. That's just my opinion though.

I currently have one of these and both my wife and I like it a lot.

 

[Arik]

It is a good carry gun. However, if he is new to handguns, have him shoot a .40S&W before buying one. They can be a little sharper on the recoil.

Value is all over the place. If it were me, I'd be willing to pay up to $400 for that gun, but I don't like the white lettering and I'd ditch the laser. That's just my opinion though.

I currently have one of these and both my wife and I like it a lot.

What he said but I'll add that if you have anything similar in size let him carry it around the house (empty gun) see how uncomfortable it may be. He's new so it will be awkward anyway but bigger guns have bigger parts and tend to be less comfortable especially for beginners.

Concealability is all about proper belt and holster, which also cost good money. A good belt, somewhere between $60 - $100. A good holster about the same. And of course clothes matter.

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[arhayes]

+1... If he can handle, wear and shoot it before hand, that's always a plus! Ultimately what you like may not be what he likes....even if he initially thinks he does. We've all bought one thinking we'd love it, and it sits unused, or gets sold quickly.


Alan

 

[AZ115]

The 40c is my dual duty carry and home defense gun. I really like this handgun. When I CCW, I use the 10rd magazine with pinky extension. At home I switch over to a full size 15rd magazine and a Streamlight TLR-4(Laser and light combo) on the rail.

For CCW it's on the larger side of handguns. A good compromise for me. I do have a friend that complains about the snapier .40 and doesn't like it(Grow a pair!). Honestly, not much of a difference between a 9c and 40c(I also have a 9mm conversion barrel).

Ammo cost compared to 9mm ammo is pretty slim. I've seen $12 for a cheap box of 50 9mm and about $15 for the same cheap S&W .40 ammo. I usually buy the "200 Range Packs" for $65. Less when on sale...

 

[scattershot]

I have the M&P 40c, and it's a good pistol. If this is his first handgun, it wouldn't be my first recommendation for him, since the grip is a bit small, and the gun overall is a bit chunky. In addition, he may not like the recoil of the .40 if he is a new shooter.


With the Fibbies going back to the 9mm, and police departments following suit, we may be awash in .40 caliber handguns before long.

A new one at Bud's is around $450, and they have used full size 40s for under $300. As you noted, the .40s are coming down in price somewhat, so unless it's a real steal, I'd pass. I would not let the laser influence the price, since I personally don't care for them.

Bottom line, have him shoot one before he makes a decision, and don't fall in love with the first one you see.

 

[kip_j]

40C Love

I've been carrying a 40C for about 4 years now and have grown quite accustomed to it's girth, size, and heft. It's not an issue, as far as I'm concerned, except for driving with it in a 4 o'clock position. It intrudes pretty dramatically into the hip after 30 minutes or so of road time.

For me, ammo cost runs about .24 cents/round, depending on source and quantity. The last brand I bought was Aguila.

This gun is not finicky with what it'll eat and put downrange; I've never had it hiccup even once with ANY brand of ammo.

In my opinion, it IS snappier than a 9mm M&P but remains very accurate. Like other posters, I find the mag with the pinkie extension improves my grip.

 

[swsig]

I have used a 40c as my EDC for the past two years. I love my 40c and I doubt I'll ever find a better carry pistol.

I agree with everything the previous posters have said. True, it is chunkier and heavier than many carry guns (although it is not chunkier and heavier than the Beretta Storm), but its considerable advantages outweigh size and weight issues as far as I'm concerned. Those advantages are: reliability, accuracy, capacity, and hitting power, all contained within a gun that is small enough to be pocket-carried.

I've never considered the .40 round to be as objectionably snappy as some people say it is. But then, I'm a bigger guy (6', 240 lbs.) so I have more bulk to absorb the recoil. I also have 8300 rounds through my 40c, so maybe I'm used to it. The OP's friend really needs to shoot a 40c and judge for himself.

As to price, grabagun has new 40c models for $391 with safety and $419 with no safety. (Pay less, get more, whatta deal!) So I'd negotiate downward from there. And that laser looks awfully clumsy for a carry gun. Personally, I have no use for them. I'd tell the owner to keep it.

Finally, just because the 40c is my favorite carry pistol, doesn't mean it will be his favorite. He needs to spend a lot of time getting hands-on experience (including shooting) before he makes his choice.

 

[gqllc007]

Is he left handed? If so something with an ambi mag release might be better...like a Glock 19
I have a MP 9c that is part of my carry rotation. Great gun

 

[Ballistic147]

I've had my 40c about a year now and really like it. I'm 6'3" and weigh in at 190lbs and it is a bit of a challenge to conceal well with shorts and a t shirt but completely disappears with an untucked button up shirt. My Shield always gets the call when a t shirt is worn. The Shield is also slightly more comfortable to carry for me but not by much. The 40c is also very easy to carry all day.

IMO recoil is a non issue and just slightly more snappy than 9mm. I'm equally accurate with both calibers. SGAmmo has Blazer Brass 180gr right now for about $0.24 per round including shipping compared to $0.20 per round on 9mm so price is not that much different. On advantage to the 40c is you can purchase a 357Sig barrel for just under $100 and basically have two different guns.

As already said, he really needs to shoot one first if at all possible and make a decision from there. The 40c is definitely a good solid choice.

 

[kmanick]

I EDC a 9C and a shield 9 (I rotate them dependent on what I can wear)
I use StealthGear holsters and besides the weight difference , the 9C isn't that much noticeably difficult to carry. It still conceals fairly easily.
I used to have a FS.40 and for the life of me I could never shoot it very accurately (had the trigger done too )
I switched over to the 9C and I fell in love. It's ridiculously easy to shoot.
After ditching the .40 I went to an XDM 3.8C .45. I carry that occasionally as well, without too much of a problem.
I'd have him shoot a 9c and a .40C back to back so he can feel the difference before he buys anything.
Plus with the magguts+2 kits out my shield 9 is now a 10 rounder with
essentially the same grip length of the 8.
something to think about as it is a bit thinner than the Compact.

 

[Vulcannut]

I have a 40c that I bought used a couple of months back. It's in pretty much like new condition even though it's like pushing eight years. I would of never of gest it to be as old as it is when I first seen it as it like no wear on it. wasn't until I found the S&W test round in it with a date of 8/2009 that I realized it.

I have not had any issues with it and pushed all sorts of different makes of ammo through it. As far a recoil I don't think it's hard to handle at all. More than a 9 would be in that size but it's a little hefty gun and absorbs it well. To me it's a fun gun to shoot. Keep in mind though I am 6" 220 lb and kind of work out a bunch so I help absorb the recoil.

I paid $350 from a dealer I trust. It came with 4 mags with all the packaging, backstraps, and paperwork. I think I got a decent price. Prior to buying they let me fire it at their range. Gave me ten rounds and said have at it. Second and third shot I was dead center. I proceeded to unload the mag and had a tight group and said sold.

I plan on picking up a 9c at some point as I just like the feel of the gun and well why not.

That gun looks well cared for. The laser does not add a ton of value but to me that's why buying used is sometime better as you find guns with upgrades, add ons, and extras for not not much more than a used one without them. He may not want it now but down the road perhaps. If not sell the laser on ebay.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

Thank you for the informative replies. It's always easier to hear it from people who have first hand experience, rather than tactical vid makers. I was also sort of worried after watching Hickock45's vids on the gun. Looks like he might have been given an early tester or something?

I do think first hand experience in shooting will be key.

I just sent him a link to the thread, figuring it might be easier for him to read, rather than relay it all to him.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

Is he left handed? If so something with an ambi mag release might be better...like a Glock 19
I have a MP 9c that is part of my carry rotation. Great gun

He's right handed.

 

[Rastoff]

Is he left handed? If so something with an ambi mag release might be better...like a Glock 19
I have a MP 9c that is part of my carry rotation. Great gun

Even though we know he's right handed now, this is very strange advice. The M&P is far better suited to a lefty than a Glock. None of the Glocks have an ambi mag catch. None have an ambi slide stop. All of the full size and compact M&Ps have a reversible mag catch and an ambi slide stop.

I'm a lefty and can tell you, the M&P is far better suited to us lefties than a Glock.

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

Even though we know he's right handed now, this is very strange advice. The M&P is far better suited to a lefty than a Glock. None of the Glocks have an ambi mag catch. None have an ambi slide stop. All of the full size and compact M&Ps have a reversible mag catch and an ambi slide stop.

I'm a lefty and can tell you, the M&P is far better suited to us lefties than a Glock.

For some reason I thought the gen 4 glocks had ambi controls..but then again, I don't own one..

 

[Arik]

Even though we know he's right handed now, this is very strange advice. The M&P is far better suited to a lefty than a Glock. None of the Glocks have an ambi mag catch. None have an ambi slide stop. All of the full size and compact M&Ps have a reversible mag catch and an ambi slide stop.

I'm a lefty and can tell you, the M&P is far better suited to us lefties than a Glock.

As another lefty I can say that none of these things bother me. The only guns that are slightly annoying are the ones with decockers for right handed people. But even that isn't too big of a deal. Aside from that all guns work the same.

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[Frankly45]

I have just two things to add from my experience. My primary carry is a 40c, currently with a 9mm KKM conversion barrel and 9mm mags.
First, the difference in recoil between the 9mm and 40 s&w is negligable depending on ammo selection. A 9mm 147gr +p or +p+ will recoil the same or more than a 135gr - 155 gr 40 s&w, in my experience out of the same M&Pc.
Of course a 115gr standard pressure 9mm will recoil much less than a 180 gr. 40 s&w.
Second, the 40c has the same extractor, ejector and recoil spring as the 9c. With a 9mm conversion barrel from KKM or other manufacturer, and some 9mm mags you'll have a reliable 9c as well. With a 357sig conversion barrel and the same 40c mags you can add a third caliber.
I'd say jump on it if it feels good in the hand, it's 3 reliable guns in one.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

 

[CustomChevyGuy]

I have just two things to add from my experience. My primary carry is a 40c, currently with a 9mm KKM conversion barrel and 9mm mags.
First, the difference in recoil between the 9mm and 40 s&w is negligable depending on ammo selection. A 9mm 147gr +p or +p+ will recoil the same or more than a 135gr - 155 gr 40 s&w, in my experience out of the same M&Pc.
Of course a 115gr standard pressure 9mm will recoil much less than a 180 gr. 40 s&w.
Second, the 40c has the same extractor, ejector and recoil spring as the 9c. With a 9mm conversion barrel from KKM or other manufacturer, and some 9mm mags you'll have a reliable 9c as well. With a 357sig conversion barrel and the same 40c mags you can add a third caliber.
I'd say jump on it if it feels good in the hand, it's 3 reliable guns in one.

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

When you put it like that, I might make an offer on it! Too bad there's no .45 conversion possible.

 

[Rastoff]

As another lefty I can say that none of these things bother me.

Agreed, but he said the Glock has an ambi mag release. That's just wrong.