M&P 9 Full Size for CC/Home Defense?

PirateJim said:
I'll just chime in to reiterate that you should try actually carrying a full size pistol, loaded if possible. And the longer you can carry it, the better. Yes, there are a good number of people that carry a full size pistol concealed every day, but there are a lot more that own full size pistols and concealment holsters but leave them home most days.

If I wanted a single carry/home defense it would be the Shield because I will actually carry it.

Good luck with your decision!
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I hear ya, PirateJim. My nephew's EDC is a Glock 17 in a IWB holster. I held a Glock 17 and an M&P9 FS side-to-side, and while they shared an equal height, the Glock was almost an inch longer.

The Shield is a nice package, and if the grip actually included the extra length of the extended magazine, then I might consider it; however, I don't like my fingers on the magazine because it increases the odds of bad things happening during a mag swap.
 
I reckon you should be much taller or larger of frame than I am but, then again, someone my size will pipe in and say that s/he gets it done and I'll just be confused about it. :confused:

The key to concealing a large handgun, IMHO, is being tall enough and thin enough to comfortably carry the gun IWB. Once you can resolve that you're good to go. I am far too short, never mind pudged out, to attempt to IWB a full sized pistol. Compact pistols are a whole nuthuh smoke - I can do those.

I'm 6'1" and 219 pounds, average build, but I would prefer to carry OWB, not IWB.


And then, for the OP I must note, there are certain compact pistols that still have sufficient size to enable you to wrap all of your gingers around the stocks. Which is why I'd recommend such for your purpose.[

The Walther PPQ M2 and Sig Sauer P320 Carry or Compact are smaller than the M&P9 FS, BUT they are all heavier inweight AND price! :(
 
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I went with what felt the best in my hands for my decision on what to EDC. The M&P 9 sits in my hands and feels natural doing it. My hand can shift around on the grip and still feels good.. Its definitely concealable, although it may take some work depending on your body type and choice of clothing. Tried the compacts and subcompacts, but none of them felt as good or solid in my hands as a FS, even ones with extended mags. Its obviously a little on the heavy side when fully loaded, but with the help of a good belt and some practice, its no problem. I also bought one with a safety, basically because every weapon I shot growing up had one, so it just seems natural. I don't like how far the safety protrudes though, and its easy to disengage inadvertently when racking the slide. I practice my draw, rack, flipping the safety, and pulling the trigger daily.
 
Cbollo said:
I went with what felt the best in my hands for my decision on what to EDC. The M&P 9 sits in my hands and feels natural doing it. My hand can shift around on the grip and still feels good..
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Ditto.


Cbollo said:
Tried the compacts and subcompacts, but none of them felt as good or solid in my hands as a FS, even ones with extended mags. Its obviously a little on the heavy side when fully loaded, but with the help of a good belt and some practice, its no problem.
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I am having the same experience. Plus, I don't like using grip extensions on mags.
 
FWIW I carry my FS in a Galco "forward molded concealable belt holster" and it works well. I'll post the model number when I get home
 
First mistake as a first time gun owner, is thinking that you're only going to buy one, so you need one that will do everything you need it to.

You will buy a second. It is better to have tools suited to the task. Buy a smaller sized gun that you will want to carry. It will still work fine for the home.
Then you'll notice a slight burning sensation that urges you to buy a second firearm. Then you can step up to a full sized number for the home that you can hang a weaponlight off of. This will be easier to shoot, making range time more fun and home defense versatile.
 
McE said:
First mistake as a first time gun owner, is thinking that you're only going to buy one, so you need one that will do everything you need it to.

You will buy a second. It is better to have tools suited to the task. Buy a smaller sized gun that you will want to carry. It will still work fine for the home.
Then you'll notice a slight burning sensation that urges you to buy a second firearm. Then you can step up to a full sized number for the home that you can hang a weaponlight off of. This will be easier to shoot, making range time more fun and home defense versatile.
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You're right, McE. Whenever I tell a gunshop owner, salesman, trainer or another gun owner, that I'm only going to buy one pistol, they just roll their eyes at me. They don't know me.

The simple fact of the matter is that I mean what I say. I'm only going to purchase one pistol, so that pistol will need to be able to serve both roles: CC AND home defense.
 
TeleGuy53 said:
The simple fact of the matter is that I mean what I say. I'm only going to purchase one pistol, so that pistol will need to be able to serve both roles: CC AND home defense.
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Let us know how that works out for you

 
So VERY much of that decision is personal.
If you can, find a gun range that will rent one to you.

One of our sons is a LEO. He changed departments a few years ago, and the current one issues Glocks.
His previous one allowed choices, including the M&P9. I have been a Sig man since the early '80s and poo-pooed anything striker fired. (Yeah, I know, now Sig makes one.)

I taught him to shoot, Sigs, of course. So one day we are at the club, me with my Sigs, he with his M&P, along with a friend from the department. They sounded as though they were firing full-auto while I plunked along, and were eating the centers out of targets at 25 meters. Humbling.

So I got a M&P in my favorite caliber, 357Sig. I shot it very well. For a couple reasons, I am now favoring striker-fired guns. I have since picked up a M&P9 Pro. Little bigger gun, still an excellent home defense cartridge.

I also put a Streamlight on a mount from Safariland, one with "on", "flash" and "strobe". The mount puts the button on the rear right at my thumb. Love it, and I can use it on either gun.

NOTE: You ABSOLUTELY MUST train (test fire) with the gun with the light installed because it can affect function.

It's my opinion that you should also have tritium sights, even if the only thing you think they are good for is finding your gun in the dark. *I* think they are worth a whole lot more.

Welcome to a world with a cornucopia of choices!
 
TeleGuy53 said:
You're right, McE. Whenever I tell a gunshop owner, salesman, trainer or another gun owner, that I'm only going to buy one pistol, they just roll their eyes at me. They don't know me.

The simple fact of the matter is that I mean what I say. I'm only going to purchase one pistol, so that pistol will need to be able to serve both roles: CC AND home defense.
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I don't know you either, but the answer is the same as if you asked 'which should I buy first'

I think the smaller gun has fewer downsides in the HD role than the fullsize has downsides in the carry role.
 
McE said:
First mistake as a first time gun owner, is thinking that you're only going to buy one, so you need one that will do everything you need it to. You will buy a second...
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Great advice, McE. Just passed this advice along to three civilian workmates last month. Two listened, third just texted me from the LGS getting his compact. I tried to explain the natural instinct of wanting to carry small...sleep full--and have options.

An earlier member posted and questioned how many posters are claiming they're rolling around work places in their business attire with hand cannons hanging off waist bands or strapped to their bellies...it is beyond me how they do this and effectively/efficiently remain prepared and tactical. What really kills me are the Guys carrying alongside their Johnson. I wouldn't make it through a meeting #1 or an afternoon full of seated emails and office calls. :confused: Talk about uncomfortable...yikes--good luck with that.

It truly is a matter of personal option, confidence, comfort-level, and training. Everyone is different.

For concealment, I can barely get away with a baby Glock in a suit...and typically downsize to a single stack slimline in a CBST quickly if I am bouncing around without a blazer or suit coat. I work in a downtown building, take metro transit, and live in a large metro neighborhood--it's a dynamic environment. I require multiple tools for the gym, shopping/dining, driving, camping, home defense, business travel and office work. Weather and attire is always a factor. I've never been able to find the "one" that does it all...or maybe that's my excuse?

Been carrying on/off duty since 1989 -- there are no magic beans. I don't like to settle. Good luck everyone, YMMV.
 
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It's a great choice for both, which is why I made it mine ... I have several holsters to CCW for it, but my favorite is Kramer. It's a versatile, sturdy rig and seems to disappear under almost every clothing option (including t-shirts). Don't forget a good, dedicated, gun belt. Eighteen rounds and a Surefire at night make it perfect for an easy, reliable, and comforting home defense tool.

Inside the Waistband Holsters IWB
 
Just realized I had posted this list of potential CC pistols, sorted by height, in another forum.

Hope it is of use to the OP or others looking for a CCW:

Rich_Jenkins said:
I haven't made a decision yet, but, in the event someone finds it useful, I have been keeping this list of pistols by size.

Many refer to height, so I ordered it by height. Every time someone mentions a CCW option I'm interested in, I go look up the sizes, and post it in my list.

Hope this helps someone.

PISTOL SIZE COMPARISON

S M&P FS9 Length 7.6" Height 5.5" Barrel 4.3" Width 1.2" 17 rds*

S HK VP9 Length 7.3" Height 5.4" Barrel 4.1" Width 1.3" 15 rds*

H Sig P229. Length 7.1" Height 5.4" Barrel 3.9" Width 1.5" 10/13 Rds

S Sig P320 C Length 7.2" Height 5.3" Barrel 3.9" Width 1.3" 15 rds

S Walther PPQ Length 7.1" Height 5.3" Barrel 4.0" Width 1.3" 15 Rds

H Sig P239. Length 6.6" Height 5.1" Barrel 3.2" Width 1.2" 8 Rds

S Glock 19 Length 7.4" Height 5.0" Barrel: 4.0" width 1.2" 15 rds

H PX4 Storm C Length 6.8" Height 5.0" Barrel 3.3" Width 1.4" 15 Rds

H HK USP C Length 6.8" Height 5.0" Barrel 3.6" Width 1.3" 10/13 Rds

H HK P2000 Length 6.8" Height 5.0" Barrel 3.7" Width 1.4" 10/13 Rds

H HK P2000SK Length 6.4" Height 4.6" Barrel 3.3" Width 1.3" 10 Rds

H HK P30 SK Length 6.4" Height 4.6" Barrel 3.3" Width 1.3" 10 Rds

S S&W Shield Length 6.1" Height 4.6" Barrel 3.1" Width 0.9" 7/8 Rds

S Walther PPS Length 6.3" Height 4.4" Barrel 3.2" Width 0.9" 6/7 Rds

S = Striker
H = Hammer
* = Guns I own personally
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Great work, Llando88.

Hence, my revised short list, in order of preference:

Walther PPQ M2, Length 7.1" Height 5.3" Barrel 4.0" Width 1.3" 15 Rds
Glock 19, Length 7.4" Height 5.0" Barrel: 4.0" width 1.2" 15 rds
HK VP9, Length 7.3" Height 5.4" Barrel 4.1" Width 1.3" 15 rds*
M&P FS9, Length 7.6" Height 5.5" Barrel 4.3" Width 1.2" 17 rds*
 
TeleGuy53 said:
Great work, Llando88.

Hence, my revised short list, in order of preference:

Walther PPQ M2, Length 7.1" Height 5.3" Barrel 4.0" Width 1.3" 15 Rds
Glock 19, Length 7.4" Height 5.0" Barrel: 4.0" width 1.2" 15 rds
HK VP9, Length 7.3" Height 5.4" Barrel 4.1" Width 1.3" 15 rds*
M&P FS9, Length 7.6" Height 5.5" Barrel 4.3" Width 1.2" 17 rds*
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I would carry any gun on that list.

I'm also on the hunt for a smaller CCW, but my issue is I'd like a smaller version of my game (Steel Challenge) gun, which is the VP9. So, I'll be waiting for HK to release the VP9SK at SHOT in January (so I hope, lol.)
 
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Llando88 said:
Just realized I had posted this list of potential CC pistols, sorted by height, in another forum.

Hope it is of use to the OP or others looking for a CCW:
Click to expand...

I'm back in the hunt, Llando88...

My new short list is:

Walther PPQ M2
Glock 17
Sig Sauer P320 Carry
M&P FS9

Regarding the M&P FS9, I'm concerned about two things: 1) long-range accuracy, and 2) quality control (it has been reported that there may be an issue with defective barrels).

Are you familiar with these issues?
 
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TeleGuy53 said:
Regarding the M&P FS9, I'm concerned about two things: 1) long-range accuracy, and 2) quality control (it has been reported that there may be an issue with defective barrels).

Are you familiar with these issues?
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Not sure what your level of accuracy desired is but in my humble opinion (from one still learning and who has crappy eyes) up to at least 10 yds-- if I can be pretty good with it then one with real skill and experience should really shine. Pics attached were at 8 & 10 yds; i cant speak for long distance but considering these are more of a defensive handgun seems for what they are made to do they can do quite well..
I've only had my FS since summer but hundreds of rounds with zero issue so far should account for something. Seems I've read that SW did some upgrades to the compact and FS models over the past year or two on barrels, etc but long term MP owners can add probably more info there.
 

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TeleGuy53 said:
I'm back in the hunt, Llando88...

My new short list is:

Glock 17
M&P FS9
Sig Sauer P320 Carry
Walther PPQ M2

Regarding the M&P FS9, I'm concerned about two things: 1) long-range accuracy, and 2) quality control (it has been reported that there may be an issue with defective barrels).

Are you familiar with these issues?
Click to expand...

This thread has a good set of posts by Randy Lee of Apex on FS9 accuracy:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/451019-accuracy-coming-apex-m-p-barrels.html
 
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