M&P9c or SR9c or?

[sonofthebeach]

Trying to decide on a 9mm compact pistol. I have smaller hands, and find Glocks and most double stack pistols too large for my hands.

I was thinking of a M&P9c or Ruger SR9c.

I'm going to visit a few gun shops to try to pick them up side-by-side, but before I do, I was wondering if any of you have made comparisons between pistols in the areas of fit to your hands, quality, reliability, ease of concealed carry, etc.

I know a lot of this is subjective, but any and all opinions, suggestions, and advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[blujax01]

I know you asked for people who had made side-by-side comparison and I haven't but ...
The M&P 9(c)does come with three grip options which is why my wife bought one. She is missing half of the ring finger on her trigger hand so maintaining proper grip is especially difficult. Having the ability to customize her grips as well as the free mag extensions (pinkie extenders) made this a no-brainer choice. The gun comes with one extension. Call S&W Customer Service and they will mail you a second one for free!
Ruger makes a fine instrument as well. Perhaps someone will be along who can speak for them.

Oh, on reliability. My wife joins me at the range about twice a month and runs about 100 rounds through her 9. In the past 10 months, she has had one FTF. That was the first week she had it and that incident can be attributed to limp wrist.

 

[agksimon]

I had stainless slide SR9c and sold it and bought an M&P9c. The M&P9c is far more comfortable to hold and shoot, as the SR9c had a raised hump in the back of the grip. Also, I kept it dry and oiled, in a gun safe with a drying rod in it and it still ended up with tiny rust spots on it. Go to the Ruger forum; it's a known problem that Ruger won't do anything about. Another thing about the Ruger is if you shoot IDPA, you're required to remove the magazine, show clear and dry fire the gun. Ruger instructions tell you not to dry fire, or it will damage the striker, because the magazine disconnect peens the shoulder of it. I got around this, as I removed the magzine disconnect, but you shouldn't have to do this. The gun has more safety features than a nuclear reactor, that I feel are unneccessary.

 

[sonny]

I will reco the M&P even though I don't have one yet. I'm very close. Note that Jeff Quinn from GunBlast now shoots the M&P, having sold his favorite big-name semi-auto (G19)to a friend. Jeff has a ton of experience and I respect his opinions.
I did have a SR9c for about 8 months or so. Keep in mind that the earliest 9c's only became available to the public within this year. I got mine in March. It had severe growing pains and took two trips back to Ruger Service before it was "good." However, I found I never trusted the gun, never carried it for CCW, and sold it a month ago. It has some very good points, but I'd give it another yr to clear out the growing pains before I'd attempt another.
The two largest contenders these days are Glock and Smith, with Glock being easily far ahead, with Smith offering some very nice guns in their M&P line that have me very interested.
There are two guns, M&P9C and M&P45C, that are calling my name. I'm likely to get of these within 6 months.
Here's a link to Jeff Quinn's article: http://www.gunblast.com/SW_MPCompact.htm
I would also reco a Glock 26 or 19 in 9mm for you to look at. If these two are still too large in the grip, look at the Glock SLIMLINE model 36 in .45 ACP. It is SMALLER in the grip than any other Glock model and carries IWB easily. I have many Glocks, but the G36 is my carry of choice. Forget the recoil: very little; less than the .40 caliber Glocks. I love mine.
Sonny

 

[handgunner356]

I think the Ruger has good value for the money, but with the current pricing on M&Ps' they are a lot closer now. I don't care for thumb safetys on my guns so right there I would lean to the M&P. You get 12rds vs 10rds in the compact mag and there is more adjustment to the grip with the M&P. Ruger does send you a full size mag with a X-Grip sleeve which is nice, saves you $40-50 getting one set up for your Smith.

 

[sonofthebeach]

Thanks to all for your replies. I'm leaning towards the M&P9c.

Since I'd need to reload to shoot the .45's, the unsupported chamber of the Glock 36 probably wouldn't work out too well, even if it did fit my hand.

Actually, I owned a 9c earlier this year, traded it off in an attempt to return to my earlier life with revolvers. I can't remember what the 9c felt like, and now that I'm thinking of getting another compact 9 (considering M&P and Ruger SR9 mostly) I thought I'd ask you all for your opinions.

I appreciate your input, as it's helping me make this decision much easier. Thanks again.

 

[crispy]

I had stainless slide SR9c and sold it and bought an M&P9c. The M&P9c is far more comfortable to hold and shoot, as the SR9c had a raised hump in the back of the grip. Also, I kept it dry and oiled, in a gun safe with a drying rod in it and it still ended up with tiny rust spots on it. Go to the Ruger forum; it's a known problem that Ruger won't do anything about. Another thing about the Ruger is if you shoot IDPA, you're required to remove the magazine, show clear and dry fire the gun. Ruger instructions tell you not to dry fire, or it will damage the striker, because the magazine disconnect peens the shoulder of it. I got around this, as I removed the magzine disconnect, but you shouldn't have to do this. The gun has more safety features than a nuclear reactor, that I feel are unneccessary.

Everything in this post is misinformation except for the safeties. Oh the horror!

The "hump" can be reversed to a straight backstrap.

I live on the Ruger forums and rust has never been brought up. NOT an issue.

There is no peening on the SR9c.

Anybody that is going to shoot competition is going to remove the magazine disconnect WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BE REMOVABLE! Not an issue.

I own a SR9c and I think it is nicer for carry than the fatter M&Pc but that doesn't mean I don't like the M&P. I signed up because I'm shopping for the "right" M&P 4.25" or 5" to replace my Ruger for competition (as the M&P is a better IDPA gun). But... the SR9c is a great carry gun. There is no need to run something down just because you're a S&W fanboy.

 

[agksimon]

Everything in this post is misinformation except for the safeties. Oh the horror!

The "hump" can be reversed to a straight backstrap.

I live on the Ruger forums and rust has never been brought up. NOT an issue.

There is no peening on the SR9c.

Anybody that is going to shoot competition is going to remove the magazine disconnect WHICH IS DESIGNED TO BE REMOVABLE! Not an issue.

I own a SR9c and I think it is nicer for carry than the fatter M&Pc but that doesn't mean I don't like the M&P. I signed up because I'm shopping for the "right" M&P 4.25" or 5" to replace my Ruger for competition (as the M&P is a better IDPA gun). But... the SR9c is a great carry gun. There is no need to run something down just because you're a S&W fanboy.

Crispy has some research to do before posting.


Posting on rust on SR9 stainless slides, which is a problem:

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-pistols/24428-rusting-issue-sr9c.html



SR9 barrel peening, here's two postings the problem:

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-pistols/27259-sr9c-preening-problem.html

http://rugerforum.net/ruger-pistols/27944-peening-question.html


As for removing the magazine safety, IDPA rules don't allow the removal of any safety device, including magazine safeties. It's in the rule book.

 

[ir3e971x2]

I compared the SR9C and M&P9C at the gunshop when shopping for a compact semi-auto.

It was tough to decide. I think that either is probably a very valid choice. I eventually went with the M&P9C and so have never had the opportunity to fire an SR9C.

The M&P9c I purchased had the front sight significantly off center causing accuracy problems. (Found this out at the range, and confirmed with a micrometer) It took a lot of convincing with a brass punch and a hammer for me to eventually get it to the center. Almost had to ship it back to Smith. Just goes to show you there can be issues with any gun.

Aside from that hiccup, the M&P9C has been extremely reliable and plenty accurate. It has good capacity, and is very comfortable to shoot. I have about a thousand rounds through mine since August. I would definitely recommend it as a carry piece. Fit, finish, and quality seem to be outstanding.

Two good holsters for this pistol are: Galco Triton for Kydex, and the MTAC Kydex and leather hybrid (cant remember the name; perhaps minotaur).

 

[hurricane92]

I recently purchased a SR9c for concealed carry. So far I've put 300+ rounds through it with no problems. I like the gun and find I'm quite accurate with it and can bust clays at 40 yards which I cannot do with the 638 I previously carried. I carry it in a Remora holster.

 

[evilnick06]

I haven't shot the M&Pc but I have shot the SR9c and its a good gun but out of the M&P SR9 I like the M&P but if your low on cash get the ruger used great price.

 

[Knightrider03m]

M&P9c.

Shooting it feels like your shooting a full size M&P. Very low recoil.

 

[tom-n8ies]

Hickock 45 did a video on youtube of each.

YouTube - hickok45's Channel


YouTube - hickok45's Channel

t

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

I have fired both,
The M&P is far superior.
The Ruger is comparable to a dried turd with a handle and sights on it.

 

[crispy]

Buds has the M&P9c for $478.
the SR9c is $405.

You wouldn't compare a $40,000 car to a $33,880 car and not mention the price difference....

Reality is..., both are fine pistols. I've shot both. I'm going to own both (SR9c and the M&P9).

I don't understand the need to run one down with comments like the above? It really only serves to invalidate your opinion because it proves you can't be objective.

 

[agksimon]

Buds has the M&P9c for $478.
the SR9c is $405.

You wouldn't compare a $40,000 car to a $33,880 car and not mention the price difference....

Reality is..., both are fine pistols. I've shot both. I'm going to own both (SR9c and the M&P9).

I don't understand the need to run one down with comments like the above? It really only serves to invalidate your opinion because it proves you can't be objective.

It's not a matter of running it down. I'm just pointing out what I considered a major problem with one and not the other. When rust shows up on a firearm that has had all reasonable

measures taken to prevent it and it still happens, I consider that to be a defect. As other posters said in the Ruger forum, it may well have been a bad run of stainless that caused it

and I was unlucky enough to purchase one of them. Even an M&P can rust, if it's not taken care of and I know how to take measures to prevent rust, whether through the use of

lubricants, preservatives and/or heating and drying agents. The SR9c stainless that I had showed small rust spots in spite of all of these measures. When I purchased the gun new, I hadn't noticed the

rear sight already had rusting bubbles under the surface. I sent a picture of it to Ruger and they sent me a replacement and wanted to old one back to show their vender and they

themselves admitted they've had this problem with the rear sight a lot and did have a "few" other complaints about the slide rust on the stainless models. I consider these to be

problems that shouldn't have happened.


As for the grip: It's not a flaw. I just didn't like the fact when you reversed the rear panel to enlarge the grip, it left a big, narrow hump in the middle and felt uncomfortable in my hand.

The M&P, with three grip panels, fills out the whole grip, no matter which one you use.

I paid $425 plus tax for my SR9c and I paid $450 plus tax for my M&P9c and got a $50 rebate. The M&P was less expensive and IMHO, a far better value.

I also own a Ruger LCP and my wife has an LCR and both have been 100% with not one problem.

 

[469Shooter]

Have a look at a used CS9. You may like the grip better. I have smallish hands and the CS9 seems to fit very well. You might even find a 908 which definitely has a good feel (to my hands anyway).
Just my $.02 worth. Good luck.

 

[dsmick24]

M&P9c vs Ruger

Spent a lot of time handling both at the gun shops and ended up with the 9c...the changeable backstraps allow you to customize for your hand....I added the Crimson Trace laser grip...the gun points very naturally for me and the CT grips make it a nice point shoot package...