M&P45 mid size vs full size

[potentpoefie]

Hi guys

******Spoiler alert:
This might be an askhole kinda thread or just a rant. Unless you can give me another option.
******

I'm an active sport shooter. Shooting IDPA since 2009. IPSC and 3 Gun Nation since 2013.

So being a Smith fan and collector I thought it a good goal to become a 5 gun Smith & Wesson shooter in IDPA. I mean I had a 686 for SSR a 625 for ESR but needed a 9mm and 45 to cover SSP, ESP and CDP respectively.

For IPSC I need a 40 since I shoot Standard Gun Major and I already had the M&P15 and M&P10 for 3GN's Factory and Heavy division.

In January this year I got a sponsor and they gave me a M&P40L Pro Series CORE. That took care of SSP, ESP in IDPA and Std Gun Major in IPSC.

So all I need now is a M&P45 to cover CDP in IDPA and the pistol for Heavy in 3GN. Of course this would mean retiring my HK45 but hey, got to keep the sponsor happy and they are Smith agents.

Now after all that back story here comes my problem. Thanks to the rule change in IDPA ESR fell away and CCP was introduced. The only pistol that Smith offers that just makes the requirements is the SD9VE. Of course there are other pistols that fit the bill but they are either much smaller with shorter barrels etc. I want to game it up by getting the biggest pistol that fits the box and requirements. Not a big fan of the SD9 to be honest but made my peace with it.

So figured I would get the M&P45 full size. Then CDP and Heavy is covered. Mind made up. Heart set on it. Finished. Then yesterday a friend opened my eyes to the fact that the M&P45 mid size checks all the boxes for CCP and of course will do fine for the other divisions as well.

Now my head is spinning. 1 pistol to cover 3 needs. 1 pistol to get use to means I'll shoot better for it. One rig etc. Only 1 pistol to beg from sponsor. It all makes practical sense.

NOW finally for the problem. I like the look of the 4.5" barrel M&P more than the 4" barrel. I know a very nice problem to have but a problem none the less.

Am I just being really pedantic/stupid or should I just get the mid size and be done with it.

Do I gain that much in sight radius and velocity on the extra 0.5" of barrel and looks really don't make the gun shoot better?

Alternatively what else would you recommend besides a SD9 for the CCP division?

Although this sounds like a joke/silly I really do want your input on this.

 

[Mariojs]

Just get the 4.5, because in your mind it does make a difference get what you like.

 

[Arik]

Get the,right tool,for the job. 1 gun, 3 needs covered. Sounds like a no brainer.

 

[keithherrington]

I shoot the 4" M&P45 and the 4.25" M&P9. They are close enough in sight radius that I can't tell the difference, but I can tell the difference between 4.5 and 4". I shoot the shorter sight radius slightly more quickly and almost as accurately, certainly as accurately as I need to. However, many others shoot longer sight radius guns better. I guess it's up to what your shooting style is and the confidence you have in your equipment.

 

[potentpoefie]

Mariojs, it is like you are in my head.

However Arik, is correct. I've had two days to ponder this now and after getting loads of images (since nobody close by has any in stock) I've decided that the mid size is the most practical way to go. One day when I have the cash again I'll buy the full size but not before I get my Shield.

cprher, funny enough the fastest time I've ever shot in the IDPA classifier was the HK USP Compact. That has almost an ich shorter barrel than my normal IDPA pistol which is the HK P30L. So maybe I'm making too big a deal about the extra barrel length and sight radius.

At the end of the day the grip is exactly the same size between the two M&P's so I'm not compromising grip or mag capacity.

Thanks for the input guys.