M&P v. Glock - My impressions.

[JPriest]

I just picked up a brand new M&P45 this morning, in flat dark earth. I recently sold a Glock 22 Gen 4 that was my first handgun purchase, with the idea that I would replace it with a Glock 21. I had fired one belonging to a friend and found I shot it better than I shot my 22, plus I liked the idea of having something in .45auto. Things being as they are, I couldn't find a G21 anywhere, but my LGS had a couple of M&P45s at the counter and they were priced pretty attractively, so I asked for some impressions from board members here who had owned and fired both. I'd like to thank everyone who replied again, as it helped me make the decision to buy the M&P45. I picked it up this morning and made a trip to the range to try it out and thought I'd share my impressions.

First off, I love the way the M&P looks. Very sleek, the color is nice, and it seems to have more personality than the Glock (The Glock's looks never bothered me, it's utilitarian, but still kind of cool).

The feel of the M&P in the hand to me seems more natural and comfortable than the Glock. With the Glock I played around with it for a few months and settled on the medium backstrap. It gave me the best groups and moved around the least in my hand. Ultimately they both work, but again the Glock seemed more utilitarian and the M&P seemed more made for me.

Field stripping the M&P was pretty easy, but slightly more involved than the Glock. Moving the sear spring down into the mag well didn't take much effort, but it is an extra step that will take some time to get used to. The Glock is simpler and I like the way it can be taken apart better. Cleaning both guns is pretty much the same, the muzzle end of the slide on the inside is a little easier to clean on the inside for the Glock. The M&P was easier to clean inside the slide around the firing pin and extractor. I like how the ejection port is larger and more open on the M&P. The Frame was pretty much the same. The outside of the slide was a little more involved for the M&P when it came to detailing around all the fishgills.

I found the fish gills on the slide made it really easy work the slide and I like the ambi slide lock. I was able to rack and lock the slide on the M&P one handed.

The trigger on the M&P was different than the Glock for sure. It seemed a little sloppy, and I had pretty wide groups for the first couple of mags until I started to get used to it. I think I can really like this trigger, it wil just take a bit of time to get used to. It did seem pretty smooth, but didn't seem to offer much feedback. I did think that it broke really nice, that whole glass rod thing I keep reading about.

The magazines for the M&P don't strike me as being as tough as the Glock mags. The polymer over metal Glock mags just seem indestructible, where the M&P seems like the metal could get dinged it you treat it too rough. It was also a little easier on the fingers than the M&P.

Last for tonight, the front sight on the M&P seems pretty narrow and doesn't fill up the rear sights too well, but I am sure it will just be a matter of time until I learn to use them well. The last couple of mags I shot through gave me decent groups so I can't really complain about them.

That's my initial impressions. Overall I am really happy with the M&P45. I'll try to put up some photos tomorrow morning and as I shoot it more and get used to it I'll follow up with this thread.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

Thanks for posting the review.

I too thought I was destined for a Glock 21, but ended up with an M&P 45. After handling the M&P, the G21 just felt like a block. I do kinda wish the M&P had a higher capacity than 10 but that's more of a want than a need. It's a home gun, and if I can't get it done with 10 rounds of .44, well it just might be my time lol. Also I believe the smaller capacity leads to the comfortable grip that everyone raves about.

Took me a trip or two to the range to really get the trigger down, but you'll get it

Anyway, thanks for posting, hope you enjoy it.

 

[rwsmith]

Thanks for the review

The bottom line is....... I want one!

 

[Maddmax]

I went from a Colt to the M&P45 and never looked back. Night and day different shooting. My old old old Colt has been semi retired. I shoot it now and then,but carry the M&P.

 

[ColumbusJBR]

I went from a Colt to the M&P45 and never looked back. Night and day different shooting. My old old old Colt has been semi retired. I shoot it now and then,but carry the M&P.

Apologies for the thread jack...

Maddax, do you carry a full size m&p 45 or the 45c? I was just curious on the holster you use. Thanks

 

[smokey0118]

1) you can take a m&p apart by just pressing the trigger and dropping the sear, like with the glock. The takedown lever that cams the sear from the back side of the mag well is an additional feature on the m&p to avoid nd's that the glock doesn't have.

2) get the apex trigger kit. It makes a HUGE difference in trigger feel.

 

[Tundra5.7]

I'll be the first to admit the M&P's feel much better in my hands than Glocks. Having said that, I still shoot Glocks better than I do the M&P's. I'm sure part of it is I'm just used to the Glock trigger. I love my new Shield but the trigger is taking some time to get used to.

 

[Arik]

I have had both and both are excellent self defense guns. The G21 is a bit larger and slightly harder foe me to CC during summer. I sold it, not sure why The MP45 has night sights and a Apex kit. Made a world of difference.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[Maddmax]

Apologies for the thread jack...

Maddax, do you carry a full size m&p 45 or the 45c? I was just curious on the holster you use. Thanks

I carry FS 45 most of the time. I like the De Santis IWB. I also carry in a shoulder holster,Uncle Mikes,cheap works great. Black Hawk if I open carry.

 

[2tango2]

Like Smokey said.....the M&P is so easy to take down. I never use the sear spring in the mag for any of my M&P's Mag is out and no chance of round in chamber...just use drop down lever and pull trigger

 

[JPriest]

Here's a few pics

Here's the first pics of my new M&P45. Also threw in one with it's older brothers. I guess I'm really getting hooked on S&W.

 

[MSG Glenn]

When I retired from armed security & before WI had a concealed carry law I gave my G23 to my son. He immediately fell in love with it as well as the G21 I gave him, too. Then he went to the Police Academy & was issued a brand new M&P 40. He likes that even better after putting 3000+ rounds through it. He convinced me to get the M&P 40C when I was shopping for a replacement for the Glocks. I'm still waiting on delivery after 3+ months. I would have a Glock right now if I didn't get such a good LEO/Security/Military deal on the M&P. The deal,included 3 mags & night sights cheaper than I could get a Glock at retail prices. Fortunately I'm using a Sigma 40VE for carry so I can be patient (to a certain extent).

 

[kennyb]

i recently picked up the M&P 45c and love it....and i'm a hardcore revolver guy

 

[walkin' trails]

I dry fired an M&P 9 that was a recently issued police weapon last week. I don't know how many rounds it had digested (probably less that 1000), but noted that the trigger was actually pretty decent. It may have broken at 6-7 pounds, but seemed crisp and light with good, short reset. My full sized 45 had a relatively decent trigger from the get-go, but this was a little better.

I share your sentiments in regard to the G21-M&P 45 comparison. Both are good pistols, but the M&P is a little more carry friendly in my opinion. In regard to magazines, I use my original five mags for training, and while they're probably ready for new springs (I've got newer mags for carry), they have held up pretty good to a lot of shooting, a lot of reloads and a lot of drops.

If there was on thing I'd like to see S&W change on the M&P, it would be to add a straight 1911-style backstrap grip insert.

 

[JPriest]

After a couple more trips to the range my groups have rapidly improved and I am really liking this trigger and the gun in general.
I still have to give a nod to Glock though as I recently realized how clangy the empty mags for the M&P sound. Very metallic, nice looking, but can be loud. The polymer coating on the Glock mags was nice.

 

[GKC]

I do kinda wish the M&P had a higher capacity than 10 but that's more of a want than a need.

There are 14-round magazines for the M&P 45. Of course the trick is finding any for sale right now. Greg Cote LLC has the best price on them that I have found, but I believe he is out of stock on them right now.

 

[Cooper55]

I had a Kimber before I acquired my M&P 45. The Kimber was a pain in the *** to take down and clean. The M&P is so easy.

I rented a Glock and M&P before I made a purchase. Liked them both, but Smith & Wesson was calling my name.
I have since acquired the M&P 22 and 9mm.
I compete with the 9mm - no problems ever.
I find my M&Ps to be very accurate.

 

[pdiddy]

I was considering the Glock 21 because I cc a Glock 26 but want a modern full size .45 to replace my Ruger P90 for home defense. I did not like the feel and thickness of the Glock 21 but loved the M&P 45....now I have one of those and it is now my favorite handgun.

 

[pdiddy]

There are 14-round magazines for the M&P 45. Of course the trick is finding any for sale right now. Greg Cote LLC has the best price on them that I have found, but I believe he is out of stock on them right now.

I just saw some 14 round magazines for the M&P 45 on Midway USA today...... $39 each.

 

[Spartan 2]

M&P Shield in 9mm-Glock 19 Gen 4 9mm. Like them both equally.