M&P9c reviews /feedback ?

[cain73]

I am looking for a new concealed carry firearm. I want something I can carry daily and not be deterred by size or weight. I had a pocket pistol prior to this and hated the trigger action and kick. I am considering a S&W MP9 compact or possibly a Glock 26. The S&W has a couple round advantage. both are similar in weight and size. I'd like owners of either, or both weapons to give some advice. any problems? pros or cons ?
I considered one of the S&W revolvers, but would really like more than 5 rounds, the more the better. Also considered a Sig pocket gun. I know they have smooth slide action and trigger pull, but don't know if the sub-compact size is worth the compromise in comfort if it's ever needed.
also, on the MP9c - how is the trigger pull compared to the Glock (if anyone can give me that info).
Thanks for any help.

 

[SMMAssociates]

cain73:

What's not to like? ....

I've got an M&P9C here, as well as full size and compact 40's....

It is a little chubby v.s. something like the PPS series, but it's not too bad. (I ditched my PPS40 - my chubby fingers wrapped around the trigger - very painful to shoot. Not so with the M&P's.)

For pure Self Defense, you should be fine - they are comfortable enough to shoot that you probably won't be tempted to leave the thing in the nightstand or safe, and accurate enough to keep you happy in casual paper punching. (An SD gun should put six rounds into about a six inch circle at 30'. Anything better is just nice....)

You probably should read up on the Apex sear kits - the "DCAEK" kit is the most common, but you can live without it. In my case, it turned my M&P's into a trigger feel not too far off my two circa 1968 S&W wheelguns. At the time, they were about the best "off the shelf" triggers around. However, just shooting the thing will almost get you there.

(I'll get more insistent if Randy offers to pay me .)

Search on the DCAEK kits here, and the "dead trigger" issue, before making any decisions on that.

Out of the box, my first M&P40FS had it's sights improperly installed. Normally, you're supposed to presume that the factory knew what they were doing, but it was clear that the front sight was way off, and the rear sight equally skewed to more or less mask that. I couldn't resist....

The other two came with their sights in the right places - no problem....

(I should mention that those circa 1968 revolvers were purchased for carry as a rent-a-cop. I'm semi-retired at that, and have been in computers for about the same 40+ years, but while I don't claim to be an expert, I'm not dead yet.... 'Course, if the wife finds out I've got three M&P's.... )

I've shot a few Glocks.... I don't care for them, but the triggers are alright if you can stand 'em. The M&P design is not quite the same - the Glock moves the striker back a smidge before releasing, while the M&P just releases the strker - IMHO, a better way to do it. The best thing you can do is to just try both and see what you like. (Note that a new M&P will have to shoot in at least a few hundred rounds - dry firing is OK - before it meets it's potential, if you don't go with the Apex mods. A well-used range gun is probably a better test gun if you can't borrow one from somebody.)

(I wonder if the wife would let you fly me to Tampa? )

I've had the M&P's for a while - about two years for the 40FS, about a year for the 40C, and maybe six months for the 9C. I did have the dead trigger on the 40C, but Apex fixed it for me at a reasonable cost, and it's been fine since.

It might be cheaper to buy one of each rather than flying me down, but don't tell my wife I suggested that ....

Regards,

 

[M88]

Have you tried renting the guns your looking to get at the range. I like both the M&P9c and Glock 26. They both have their fans, its more on personal preference. Factory to factory for me the Glock 26 has a better trigger but I like how the M&P9c fits my hand better and with the Apex it shoots much better than factory.

 

[gunclinger]

Not sure if Glock is the same, but for me the nice thing about the M&P9c (which I have) is that it has the same core dimensions as the larger 9, and very, very close to the 45. Barrel is 3.5", which is still very target-shootable, and for my hands, the shorter grip with the pinky rest is just enough for my hand to get a great grip.

They are very close, try them both...just don't hold the factory-trigger against the M&P. And I much prefer the feel of these two over, say, the Bodyguard 380 or LC9.

 

[mgo]

I shot my M&P compact 9MM pistol in a local "combat match" this past weekend. It did the job just fine for me. I like the light weight and ease of use.

The M&P compact is one of the pistols I carry concealed, and I do so with confidence.

The M&P trigger is less likely to "slap" the trigger finger as much as the Glock trigger does, but that does not stop me from enjoying firing my compact Glocks in 45 GAP and 45 ACP.

Smith & Wesson has excellent customer service, and that is something to consider should your pistol have any problems.

 

[cain73]

went to the range today and rented the Glock 26 and 19 as well as the M&P9c.
I love the way the M&P felt, but the Glock trigger was much better. The 26 was well worn in and very smooth, but the poor fit of the magazine with the pinky plate pinched my ring finger. Last thing I want in a terrible situation (or just range firing for that matter) is that pinch throwing me off target by even a hair. The 19 was great, but larger than the other pistols.
I know I can get a trigger job on the M&P, and may just do that. can anyone point me to the appropriate place to order such an upgrade, or do I just take it to a local gunsmith ?
Still back and forth betwee the G19 and the M&P9c. considered the Springfield Armory XDM, but it's considerably heavier and I don't want a deterrant to carrying every time I walk out the door.
I really appreciate the comments everyone.

 

[SMMAssociates]

cain73:

Apex Tactical for the DIY kit. (You'll probably want the DCAEK kit.)

Dan Burwell does these as custom gunsmithing work, too. Can't say for prices or timing, though. I don't have a URL, but Dan posted a "how to do it" article someplace that explains what he does, and, in effect, what the Apex kit does, too.

Basically, the sear is re-cut, and the drop safety plunger's top - the area that contacts the loop in the trigger bar - is changed a bit. New sear and trigger springs, which you can mix & match with the stock springs, too.

If you're familiar with basic "detail stripping" (v.s. just stripping a gun for cleaning), the DIY Apex kit is more jigsaw puzzle than anything else. Pretty simple if you're into 1911's ....

I've not worked with Dan Burwell, but his reputation around here is pretty good. I have the Apex kits in three M&P's, with "as advertised" results. Basically, they turn the M&P trigger feel into something similar to my ancient S&W M10HB revolver (and an M19 Combat Magnum), which were about the best off-the-shelf triggers ever shipped.

Regards,

 

[mgo]

the poor fit of the magazine with the pinky plate pinched my ring finger.

Just use some sort of fine sandpaper to smooth off the front of the magazine baseplate and the bottom front of the grip. A little rounding where the magazine and grip mate will sure that. That will stop the pinch.

 

[cain73]

Just use some sort of fine sandpaper to smooth off the front of the magazine baseplate and the bottom front of the grip. A little rounding where the magazine and grip mate will sure that. That will stop the pinch.

Actually it wasn't the front, it was on the side of the grip. When I gripped the pistol firmly, it was pinching toward the very top of my finger. The prob is that there is a small gap all the way around and it left enough room to pinch my finger. I don't know if sanding some off would make it any better.

 

[sheriff54]

we, wife and I, bought the g26. she fell in love with the glock. I wanted to go with 9c. the s&w has that "feel"... and it feels like an old friend TO ME. the trigger could be worse than an old RG special and I'd still take it over three glocks. I use the flat bottom mag for pocket carry, iwb and belt carry. Also have a +2 mag and a couple of g19 15 rounders for "extra". I'd give up the 26 quick "if" I could get "mama" away from the silly thing. the 26 is good for it's made to do. btw, the 26 with anything BUT the flat mag bottom bites the wife's hand. it's where it catches her ring finger... my vote, the 9c… BUT the 26 is a winner too. the 26 is scary accurate and has sights I can see (57 year old geezer!!) so you won't loose with either.

 

[sonny]

I saw a guy shooting his Smith at the range the other day. I was shooting my Glock. We should have switched guns for a few rounds. I still haven't tried a Smith.
Sonny

 

[PATRONE]

I have an XDm .40 that I did a trigger job on with PRP parts. It's a real sweet heart for tactical/home defense, but for all around carry and personal defense, my M&P compact is hands down my favorite. It shoots great and is 100% reliable. It's very easy to do trigger work on so you can tune it to suit you perfectly. There's alot of resources out there to get the trigger right where you want it.

 

[Reader850]

You won't know if a new M&P needs a trigger job until you try it. I bought a new 9c that has a great factory trigger and is a dream to shoot. But my .40 full size's factory trigger was terrible, so I installed the Apex DCAEK kit. I love 'em both now. (I also really like the .40's Crimson Trace laser.)
I think the 9c may be too big for pocket carry, but it appears you don't want another pocket gun.

 

[cain73]

Yeah I think I'm definitely done with the pocket gun theory. I just never found one that I liked to shoot. I'd rather have a slightly larger/heavier pistol that I feel more comfortable with. all the pocket pistols I tried had the DAO as opposed to the striker fire action. I don't like shooting with that long trigger pull.

It's good to know the S&W is easy to get trigger improvement on. The range I went to is owned by an older gentleman that wasn't familiar with the trigger on the S&W. I know the Glock is easy to work on the trigger.