M&P decisions

[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.

 

[Don Alvarez]

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.

APEX Tactical offers trigger kits for M&P's that are similar to those found on Glocks. This gets rid of the lower articulated portion of the M&P trigger and replaces the entire trigger assembly.

 

[Riverking]

I carry an m&p 40c. With the extended mag I don't even feel like I'm shooting a compact, and it fits well in my hand. I would just as happily carry a 9mm, but I got a good deal on the 40. You can't go wrong as long as you are willing to practice practice practice.

 

[Don Alvarez]

I carry an m&p 40c. With the extended mag I don't even feel like I'm shooting a compact, and it fits well in my hand. I would just as happily carry a 9mm, but I got a good deal on the 40. You can't go wrong as long as you are willing to practice practice practice.

...and practice some more! That's the biggest mistake most folks make--they buy the gun then run a box of ammo through it and think they are ready for anything. You are right, practice, practice, practice, and practice some more. If you need to fire your gun under duress, you will only be maybe half as good as you are on your best days at the range, so PRACTICE often.

 

[billnelson]

M&P .40c

I have the .40c and love it. Shoots with less recoil than many .380's. Several county sheriff depts around here carry this for their backup gun. Same ammo as their carry pistol. Carrys great as conceal carry. I use a Fobus paddle when wearing a jacket; don't even feel it there. Use a Desantis IWB under tucked in shirt; very comfortable with minimal imprint. Great pistol. Buy the Storm 9mm barrel conversion for cheaper shooting. The 9mm compact cannot convert to .40. Only the .40 converts back to 9mm.

 

[jrs70]

I too found M&P's at a good price. I ended up with a 40c no safety and a 9c no safety. Both shoot grate. I can use the same set up and carry what I feel like.

 

[cbr6864]

I'd go compact I love my 40c. It's easy to toss in a fullsize mag not so easy to cut down a large size frame.

 

[shawn mccarver]

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

In addition, if you buy the correct 9mm ammo for defense, performance these days is equivalent to the .40, with higher capacity, less pressure, wear and tear, cost, recoil, etc. Good defense ammo is Winchester RA9B, RA9T if you are not worried about auto glass, or the equivalent ammo Gold Dot by Speer or HST by Federal. The M&P 9 Compact holds as much ammo as 2 K Frames, with less recoil, and with good ammo, better stopping power. Thus, I vote for the 9mm.

 

[rrich1]

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.

the nations finest program doesnt include leo, ff/emt, pilot. it is for active duty military.

This offer is avail­able to­ ALL active duty U.S. Military/Retired Military with retired Military St­atus­, including­ Coast­ G­uard, active Military reservist, and the National Guard. Customers wishin­g to take advantage of this offer are requi­red to submit the following docum­entatio­­n: th­e redemption ­coupon and copy of sales receipt along with a copy of t­he front side of their Military ID ca­rd (active or retired) or, a copy of a Leave and Earnings Sta­tement (LES) or a copy of their Military Orders. † If submitting­ the LES or Military Orders please attach a copy of the individual's driver's license.­

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

the nations finest program doesnt include leo, ff/emt, pilot. it is for active duty military.

This offer is avail­able to­ ALL active duty U.S. Military/Retired Military with retired Military St­atus­, including­ Coast­ G­uard, active Military reservist, and the National Guard. Customers wishin­g to take advantage of this offer are requi­red to submit the following docum­entatio­­n: th­e redemption ­coupon and copy of sales receipt along with a copy of t­he front side of their Military ID ca­rd (active or retired) or, a copy of a Leave and Earnings Sta­tement (LES) or a copy of their Military Orders. † If submitting­ the LES or Military Orders please attach a copy of the individual's driver's license.­

Bud's Police pricing isn't the Nations Finest program - it's available to credentialed LEO, FF, EMS and a bunch else.

 

[Lost Lake]

There's a lot of good info in this thread and some bad, so check things out for yourself.

I buy LOTS of guns through Bud's Police. Too many some would say. As for the rebate, I have received it three times. From what I read, I know I wasn't eligible for at least one rebate I received, but sending in the paperwork was easy and the check cashed just the same.

The night site version does cost more than $399. Most will come with three mags but the Shield and 45's do not.

Which is the best to carry? The one you like to carry.

Yes the 40 can be changed to a 9 with a stock barrel swap ($65), and it's more reliable with the stock barrel than the SL conversion barrel (that's with my own research on this forum only). Recently guys have been doing some cutting and fitting 40 barrels on 9's, so I guess it is possible. .357 and 40's share mags, 9's do not, although you can get by with a 40 mag in a 9, I wouldn't bet my life on it.

Will a 9 do everything a 40 will? My magic 8 ball says no, but I'm not arguing that point. I'll carry a 9 as readily as a .45.

Speaking of .45's: Did you notice Bud's has the 1911SC E series for only $948? That one is on its way to my FFL already!

Good luck with your decision, but let me toss in my own advice for anyone looking at M&P's: If you don't have an M&P yet, they are nice. And the last one I would ever sell is a compact. The most versatile is the .40c because it can become so many other guns so easily. The 45c is a shooter and carries very well too!

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