M&P decisions

[Jessie]

I'm looking at a great price for the M&P series pistol in 9mm or 40. Compact or standard are same low price. I'm leaning towards the 40 compact with night sights and 3 mags.
I would be new to the S&W semi auto line.
Any thoughts?

 

[ginzo]

Both my auto's are .40. A FS, and a C. I don't have night sights, just the 3 dots, but I love them both. Currently carrying the FS in a 4 gun rotation. It seems to be the 1 I keep most active for EDC. The .40c is a close 2nd.

The other 2 are a 638, and a Ruger Security Six, 4".

I vote for the .40c...........Quite accurate for the short sight radius and not nearly the recoil you would think for a smaller gun. I'm not gonna get into the caliber issue. I like .40's, some like 9mm, and some like .45

any choice you make will be a good one. The M&P line is excellent for the price.

 

[RalphMP9FS]

9mm ammo is much cheaper than 40 if you plan on going to the range often.

 

[Jessie]

I reload so the ammo price is a wash. I like .45s myself but its not an option here. I have both .40s and 9mm and for SD prefer the .40, but again, with modern ammo there's not a whole lot of difference anymore.
I don't think the compact is offered in 9mm in this sale though.
For any LE or firefighter/emt, commercial pilot, FDO or such the delivered price is $349 from Buds Police. That includes a $50 rebate.

 

[micocyco]

Great price I prefer the 9c so I would go for the 40c shot one at the range & like it a lot.

 

[Harkrader]

One of our sons is a LEO and has gone from Glocks to M&P 9mm to Glocks and the M&P again. He uses LEO ammo and says he feel just fine with the 9mm. Of course, he has an AR in the trunk . . ..
I have the M&P.357 and am completely satisfied with it, since I have used the 357Sig since its introduction. I recently got a M&P 9mm and am quite satisfied with it and modern ammo. If I were to get a compact, it would be 9mm.

 

[Wenzomatic]

Depends on your use, 40 for SD, 9mm for plinking.


Mike Wenzel
Oklahoma City

 

[keith.mills.31542]

One more for the 40c with storm lake 9mm barrel. Carry 40 and practice with both, usually pick by what ammo I can find.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[M&Pmeister]

I'm looking at a great price for the M&P series pistol in 9mm or 40. Compact or standard are same low price. I'm leaning towards the 40 compact with night sights and 3 mags.
I would be new to the S&W semi auto line.
Any thoughts?

If you don't have a good CC rig already, I'd say get the Compact. You can always get the FS mag and an X-grip. Otherwise, go with the FS.

In either case, I'd go 40. You'll have the option to get a 9mm barrel. Can't really go 40 if you start with a 9mm slide (without cutting anyway).

 

[kkessler2001]

I am not sure why nobody is discussing the Shield. You can get it in 9 and 40 and it is much more concealable and much cheaper than the compact or full size models. Don't get me wrong - I have FS and Compacts in 9, 40 and 45 - but you cant beat the Shield for size/price.

 

[SGT_Lindy]

Glock 17???

There is nothing the 40 can do that the 9mm can't do.

9mm is easier to shoot (barrel flip) holds more rounds, and the ammo is cheaper and if you had to scrounge it probably easier to find.

There is a shift towards the 9mm. FBI is going back to it.

All that said in the M&P line the 40 was there first model. I have read that the best model of a particular line will always be the first model in terms of issues and such as later models are adapted versions. The M&P 9 did have a few issues which I think are fixed now. Accuracy the big one.

 

[timn8er]

I'm looking at a great price for the M&P series pistol in 9mm or 40. Compact or standard are same low price. I'm leaning towards the 40 compact with night sights and 3 mags.
I would be new to the S&W semi auto line.
Any thoughts?

Apparently, some posters aren't reading the OP. Shields or glocks are not part of the decision process. Given the parameters the OP has supplied, I would go with the 40C with night sights. I have one myself & like it a lot.

 

[Don Alvarez]

You will love either the 9 or .40 full size or compact. I own 9 FS, .40 FS and Compact, .45 FS, and a 9 Shield. They are great weapons!. Your shooting enjoyment will be greatly enhanced after installing an APEX tactical duty equipment carry kit. It makes the trigger so much smoother. All of my M&P's came with scratchy triggers. This kit solves the problem. Depending on the date of manufacturer of the gun, you may also be able to install an APEX Tactical reset action kit, which ensures that you feel and hear the trigger reset. These kits change the M&P shooting experience. Just wish S&W elected to incorporate these modifications at time of manufacture.

 

[Jessie]

With the 9mm conversion barrel in the 40c is anyone having extraction problems with the 9mm cases? Also, do the 9mm mags fit the 40?

 

[Don Alvarez]

Yes, the 9mm magazines fit into a .40 frame. In fact, I have placed a 9mm slide on a .40 frame and fired many 9mm rounds. It functions well.

 

[Stanggt24]

I have one on lay away at a gun shop in ma but with the research I have done it seem to be a ammo issue with the Ftf and the fte issues and u would have to buy different mags the .40 mags work with .357 and .40 some have said they can get 9 mm in them but have more ftf and fte issues with using them I picked up 3 on eBay for less then $100 and the conversion barrel for $140 in s.s. Good luck please give us feedback when u make your decision

 

[Don Alvarez]

The mags for both .40 and .357 are the same. In fact the mags are marked .357/.40.

 

[M&Pmeister]

With the 9mm conversion barrel in the 40c is anyone having extraction problems with the 9mm cases? Also, do the 9mm mags fit the 40?

Yes. I have SL conversion barrels for both 40FS and 40C. No extraction problems with 9mm. S&W uses the same extractor part number for 40 and 9.

9mm barrels are mostly range use only for me, so I have just one OEM M&P 9mm 17rd mag for both FS and C. An X-grip fill the gap on the 40C perfectly. This modular design and parts interchangeability is a big reason I like the M&Ps.

 

[mark32812]

I'm looking at a great price for the M&P series pistol in 9mm or 40. Compact or standard are same low price. I'm leaning towards the 40 compact with night sights and 3 mags.
I would be new to the S&W semi auto line.
Any thoughts?

Get all of them.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I like the 9mm. But, for me, it is all about being comfortable with my concealed M&P 9mm...

 

[timby]

My 2 cents

Glock 17???

There is nothing the 40 can do that the 9mm can't do.

9mm is easier to shoot (barrel flip) holds more rounds, and the ammo is cheaper and if you had to scrounge it probably easier to find.

There is a shift towards the 9mm. FBI is going back to it.

All that said in the M&P line the 40 was there first model. I have read that the best model of a particular line will always be the first model in terms of issues and such as later models are adapted versions. The M&P 9 did have a few issues which I think are fixed now. Accuracy the big one.

At least until they decide to grab the rounds again. It wasn't that long ago I had to make the same decision. The FED's made it easier. They started buying all the 9mm rounds they could get. So 9mm became hard to find. Yet my 40 while a bit more expensive to shoot was easier to find. I would think a bit about getting a 9mm as the FED's are moving from their trusty weapons of choice to the 9mm. My vote is for the 40.

Just my 2 cents...LOL

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

My friend has the exact 40c kit that I think you are speaking of! It's the law enforcement set, with 3 mags and night sights for $430-$445? Somewhere in that price range? He LOVES his 40c!! In fact, I've offered to buy it quite a bit, but he won't sell. The reason I want his 40c is because I shot it better than I've ever shot my M&P 9mm FS or M&P Shield 9.... weird, right? A compact .40 and I shoot it better than both of my 9's... explain that?! Anyway... I have a M&P 40 compact on my list. So, I would highly recommend it!! One thing I like about the 40c is it's great for concealed carry and also for bedside/home defense duty. I live in NY state, so we are only allowed 10 rounds anyway... the 40c fits the bill for me perfectly!!

 

[richg204]

40 fs great gun

 

[KSDeputy]

I would stick with a .45, if I were you. That is what I have carried for many years.
I do not think any other caliber is capable of a one shot stop, and when your life is in danger
that is what you need. Just the opinion of one who has been there, I served for 30 years.

 

[ernieman]

9mm for sure

I picked up an M&P in 9mm a couple months ago. Had my choice of 9mm or .40. The main reason I reccomend 9mm is availability of ammo. Having never owned anything in.40 I don't know if it is readily available or not. But 9mm is the most popular cartridge in the world and it is widely available, both in factory loads, reloads and defense rounds. If you plan to do any competitive shooting, like IDPA or the like, you'll go through a pile of ammo regularly. Being able to get it keeps you in business. BTW, great shooting gun and a great carry gun as well.

 

[Dirtman]

I picked up an M&P in 9mm a couple months ago. Had my choice of 9mm or .40. The main reason I reccomend 9mm is availability of ammo. Having never owned anything in.40 I don't know if it is readily available or not. But 9mm is the most popular cartridge in the world and it is widely available, both in factory loads, reloads and defense rounds. If you plan to do any competitive shooting, like IDPA or the like, you'll go through a pile of ammo regularly. Being able to get it keeps you in business. BTW, great shooting gun and a great carry gun as well.

I find the opposite to be true. I buy a lot of my ammo at Wal Mart and most of the time they have a good supply of 40 caliber but rarely 9mm.
I have three MP's. A 9mm compact, a 9mm Pro, and a 40 Caliber full sized. I bought a interchangeable 357 Sig barrel by S & W for the 40. It shoots 357 Sig perfectly. Love all my MP's!!

 

[Exring]

I have looked at this issue and consulted with a friend or two. The opinion I valued most was from a former FBI Trainer and was this. The 40 S&W was chosen because it had mass greater than the 9mm and was not as high a velocity, leaving the major portion of its energy in the target. That said, this caliber is not as effective as the 45 ACP but is very workable. I find that the Compact is easier to use as a carry Firearm than the standard model but like both. I use a Crossbreed IWB holster.

 

[patchdoc]

With the 9mm conversion barrel in the 40c is anyone having extraction problems with the 9mm cases? Also, do the 9mm mags fit the 40?

I have the 9c, 40c, 9 shield, 9 FS CORE w/red dot scope. The factory S&W 9mm barrel fits in the 40c just fine and shoots flawlessly with 9mm magazines. I am quite accurate with the 9mm compact and 9mm shield, but the 40 is close behind (9mm 3" groups at 50', 40 has 6" groups). Interestingly, the 40c slide is slightly heavier than the 9c slide.

 

[Sub shooter]

Go to a range and try them both out. My son and I don't like the M&P as the triggers give us both blisters on our trigger fingers and no other firearms ever have.

 

[ALASKANZ]

S&W .40 / 9mm

I'd get the .40 and a Storm Lake 40-9 conversion barrel. This way you can shoot both in the same gun. That's what I do.

I have the gun in the photo, with tritium sights. Brought in .40 because all you need do then is purchase, from S&W a 9mm barrel for it and 9mm mags. All S&W and interchangeable.
NOTE I am informed this is not possible to do if you start with the 9mm.