M&P9c for my wife?

[MNsw]

My wife (and I) has been on mission to find a self-defense firearm for her for some time. Let is suffice to say that her situation is critical.

She was totally uninterested in firearms until a few years ago out-of-blue she wanted to learn everything about all of our guns. We started to go through the arsenal little by little at home and then went shooting. This has been going on now for three years and she has developed some skills over the handguns, shotguns and EBRs.

Last year something happened, and both my wife and I faced a situation that requires full-time self-defense readiness. Luckily she was ahead of the learning curve and was able to adapt to more intense training, obtain her CCW and start carrying 24/7.

Due to my experience with semi-autos through years of competitive shooting, I felt that a semi-auto would not be the best initial SD gun for her. Her gun ought to be 100% reliable, powerful enough and easy to learn how to shoot. For some odd reason she liked my 640 and finally purchased a 442 with CT laser.

I'm fully aware that the J-frame is not the simplest gun to master, but she liked the revolver and was determined to learn it. She practices daily and is very resolute to learn every aspect of the SD role of the 442 that is at the present her primary carry gun.

She felt the need for a bigger compact gun and tried Glock 26. It turned out that her trigger finder is a tad too short for the G26 to fit her hand. Also, the grip of the G26 does not agree with her. She bought a few other pocket rockets, but unfortunately none of them really fit her hand either. One popular firearm was a total disaster with its continuous malfunctions.

So, she is back to the reliable 442 she likes to carry in appendix carry. She is also carrying a 380 BUG until she finds another primary gun. As you can imagine, her daily situations vary; thus, the guns should fit to her life, not the other way around.

My wife was fortunate enough to be offered to shoot an M&P40 at a range. She immediately loved how the gun matched her hand, the shape of the grip, ease of shooting and the sights. We learned that the M&P9c comes with three different grip sizes, so she most likely is finally able to get a grip that is made for her hand.

She is planning to go to the range tomorrow and shoot a couple of hundred rounds through it.

The gun is bit bigger than she'd like to carry on daily basis (compared to 442, 380 Bersa, etc), but at this point she just has to make the necessary adjustments to her life.

My question is: How do you feel about the M&P9c? I'd especially appreciate the female perspective.

Thank you in advance. Sorry for the long post.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My wife and I both own M&P9 Compacts. I have a 642 as well. The semi-autos are a bit more complicated when it comes to malfunctions and reloads, but they do carry more rounds.

My wife wanted to buy a 642 for herself because it is more easily concealed and lighter weight. When we got to the gun store she saw the new Ruger LCR and really like the trigger and it's overall weight. She ended up buying the LCR. She is very happy with the gun and it has become her primary carry gun. The LCR has less felt recoil when compared to my 642 and I also find it a pleasure to shoot. She could only shoot about 20 rounds through my 642 before her hand and wrist got sore. She has no problem putting 100 rounds through the LCR at one shooting session.

The disadvantage is that it only holds 5 rounds and reloads take a bit longer than compared to the M&P, but that improves with practice.

She did own a Ruger LCP (.380) for about a year. It was super easy to conceal, but it was just too small for her to shoot well, plus the trigger pull was extremely long, the ammo was expensive and hard to find.

I would suggest trying to rent a variety of guns if possible, and try shooting the LCR.

 

[Zerteck]

The M&P9c is an excellent weapon with 13rds of 9mm if the shtf and her life depends on it it would sure come in handy, also if you think that its to big try to look at the Kahr pm9, its an excellent CCW also.

 

[MNsw]

My wife and I both own M&P9 Compacts. I have a 642 as well. The semi-autos are a bit more complicated when it comes to malfunctions and reloads, but they do carry more rounds.

My wife wanted to buy a 642 for herself because it is more easily concealed and lighter weight. When we got to the gun store she saw the new Ruger LCR and really like the trigger and it's overall weight. She ended up buying the LCR. She is very happy with the gun and it has become her primary carry gun. The LCR has less felt recoil when compared to my 642 and I also find it a pleasure to shoot. She could only shoot about 20 rounds through my 642 before her hand and wrist got sore. She has no problem putting 100 rounds through the LCR at one shooting session.

The disadvantage is that it only holds 5 rounds and reloads take a bit longer than compared to the M&P, but that improves with practice.

She did own a Ruger LCP (.380) for about a year. It was super easy to conceal, but it was just too small for her to shoot well, plus the trigger pull was extremely long, the ammo was expensive and hard to find.

I would suggest trying to rent a variety of guns if possible, and try shooting the LCR.

Thanks for the reply.

My wife has got the 442 she is real happy with. Our present situation requires a firearm that holds more rounds and a 9mm would fit the bill perfectly. My 1911s are too big and heavy for her to carry.

She also possesses an LCP she likes, but had technical problems with. And, as I mentioned, her G26 did not fit her hand; thus the interest in the M&P9c.

She is most definitely going go test shoot it thoroughly. How does your wife like the M&P? Any detail would be appreciated.

 

[MNsw]

The M&P9c is an excellent weapon with 13rds of 9mm if the shtf and her life depends on it it would sure come in handy, also if you think that its to big try to look at the Kahr pm9, its an excellent CCW also.

Thanks for the response.

People tell me that the M&P9c is a great gun, but most answers lack the details why - especially from a female point of view.

I'm looking into the Kahr also, but right now the M&P is the main focus.

Both are 'bigger' than the 442 and LCP - not too big.

 

[m37dodge]

My wife carries daily and also tried most of the big irons I have available. She also tried the Kel-tec P11 but had cocking problems. We finally settled on one of my always reliable 686 2.5" barrel with laser sights. She shoots 38 Spl or +P loads in place of 357. Presently, very pleased and accurate when needed.

 

[Kanewpadle]

She will love it.

 

[4wheelin]

I have the M&P 9c and it shoots like a dream. Very accurate and manageable. I have no doubt she will love the gun.

However, it is a little difficult to carry due to its weight and thickness. I have ordered a Kel-tec pf-9 for another carry option when certain attire demands a better conceal.

The key is going to be finding the right carry method for her. If she can carry it comfortably I have no doubt she will find that it will fit the bill!

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

How does your wife like the M&P? Any detail would be appreciated.

She prefers the M&P for CCW, but summer time clothes make it difficult to holster carry. She does use a purse once in awhile, but she feels purses are a good target for a bad guy. She can holster carry her LCR easier in summer clothes. Winter time is when she carries the M&P daily.

 

[jeffsmith]

I am a small guy with relatively small hands
I find the M&P9c to be extremely easy to shoot, with little recoil
I was surprised it shoots just as nicely without the pinky extension Magazine

I will probably not make any friends when I say this
but I find it easier and more comfortable to carry than my 3914
even though its a bit thicker

 

[MNsw]

M37 – The 686 is one of my most favorite firearms, accurate and fun to shoot all day long. However, we're still in the six-round limit. What my wife requires in her primary is more ammunition in a package that is the most comfortable for her to shoot. She will be carrying a BUG too.

At the present, the M&P9c appears to be the firearm that might be the solution due to her small hands. She really felt good shooting the M&P40. There is not reason to exchange her current 442 to 686. I'd love her to master a 1911, but that takes time. Then she'd buy an Ed Brown or any other nearly 100% reliable custom 1911.

Kanewpadle – She likes it already, but we need to know more about the gun, and even a 2 to 500 round tests fire session is not going to reveal all the gun's secrets; thus, any real experience by any female shooter would be valuable.

4wheeling – Yes, the gun is a bit 'big' for a subcompact category. For some odd reason my wife prefers appendix carry. She did not even have a name for it, just showed that the holster fits 'here' the best. Now, many serious shooters and professionals have switched over into appendix carry for full size firearms.

From fall on, the perfect carry method for her is OWB or IWB – her decision.

Now we just need to find the right gun … the holsters …

Lee – My wife carries in a fanny pack when out with dogs. For the 442 it's appendix carry in Silent Thunder for daily use with a BUG in Hidden Ally. The M&P9c would most probably be in either

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Jeff – Thanks for the reply. Quite a few small-handed guys and gals have told us that the M&P9c is easy and comfortable to shoot and the different grip sizes really make is easy to get the right grip. The shape of the grip is better than in G26.

My wife has extensive experience with all our firearms from my competition .38 Supers to 1911s in 9mm and .45 ACP, Beretta 92s, 12 gauges 870 and Benelli, AK47s, .380s, Rugers, Glocks, J-frames in .38 special and .357 Magnums. She has no sensitivity to recoil.

Now we just need to find a firearm that loves her hand.

Thank you all taking the time to respond and offer advice.

 

[jimonfly]

Don't know if I'm too late or not, but here's my view. I purchased the 9c for my wife several months ago. She fired everything I had and even some borrowed guns. She HATED my Kel-Tec P3AT (so do I), my H&K P2000, the 1911, and most of all the lightweight j-frame I borrowed from a friend. We were picking up everything at the local store/range and I thought she was sold on the XD Compact. The clerk showed her the 9c and she loved it. Her hands are small, but she prefers the Medium grip panel, which happens to be the same size as the Crimson Trace laser grip, which she now has.

If it matters, I bought the 9c with the thumb safety, and then bought the laser grip off of eBay. After I got it in, I realized that the thumb safety on the right side of the frame had to be removed for the CT to fit. I used a dremel cut-off wheel on very slow speed and it looks perfect. The model S&W sells with the CT installed does not have the thumb safety.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Sorry buddy for being late.

I gave my daughter my M&P 9C. She loves it.

It fits her hand well. Her finger can reach the trigger easily. Recoil is very managable. And the trigger pull is decent.

The only problem was racking the slide. After I showed her an easier way to do it, she hasn't had a problem.

She has shot my M&P 40C a few times and handled it well but does not like the recoil.

We went to a gravel pit up in the hills last Sunday. She shot the crap out her 9C. Two hands, one handed, left handed, side ways, upside down, you name it. I made her do so to see if the gun would malfunction due to limp wristing. The gun performed well. No problems.

I have taught her to shoot two handed thumbs forward grip. And she uses the isosceles stance instead of the weaver stance. It enables her to control the recoil better and to shoot accurately with both eyes open.

To rack the slide, with the gun in strong hand with a normal grip she grabs the top of the slide with her left hand (she's right handed) which stays stationary. She then pushes the gun with her right hand moving the frame instead of the slide. When the slide release is disengaged she simply releases the slide.

Hope that makes sense because it's hard to explain and easier to show someone. Simply put, for those that lack the strength to rack a slide by pulling it towards you, it's easier to push the frame forward away from you and then release the slide.

If your concerned about the reliability or the performance of the M&P pistols, don't.

This isn't a casual recommendation. I depend on these guns to protect myself and my family and I would not recommend them if they didn't perform well.

I just put my 6th M&P pistol on layaway. I have never had a single problem with any of them. No missfeeds, no failure to extract, nothing. I estimate over 7000 rounds of 9MM, 40SW, and 45 ACP through my guns. They simply work all the time.

I also recommend the Apex Tactical carry package.