Most Versatile M&P

[BTCat]

Long time since I've been on the forum. I own an SD40VE and I am thinking about expanding my S&W collection. I am chasing two or three ideas. Maybe a 45, maybe a CC, maybe full size. I'm all over the map at the moment.

Anyway, my question is which M&P is most versatile? 40 to 357 Sig to 9mm etc. Exchanging barrels & mags. I'm even thinking about a Glock 27. All opinions welcome.

Thanks ahead

 

[dullh]

The only single handgun that is going to offer 3 caliber versatility is the new modular Sig line, where you buy different barrel and slide assemblies to fit one frame.

You are not going to get 3 caliber versatility simply by switching the barrel only.

What's the advantage anyway? Why not pick one caliber and stick with it?

If you want two calibers then get an M&P chambered in .40...that way a simple barrel switch will give you .357 with the same magazines...that's two, can't get three that way...

 

[wantmoresmiths]

There is no one gun that works well for every situation, each choice will require you to determine the primary purpose for purchasing this gun. Is it concealed carry, or possibly competition? Those choices will dictate barrel length, and frame size. The .40 cal version of the M&P offers the most choices for additional caliber conversions, since it can be converted to 357 Sig or 9mm.

For me the .40 full size meets all of my current competition needs, while my .40 Shield meets my cc requirements. Perhaps a .40 Shield will compliment your current S&W.

 

[dullh]

The .40 cal version of the M&P offers the most choices for additional caliber conversions, since it can be converted to 357 Sig or 9mm.

So you're saying you CAN convert a .40 down to a 9mm? I thought the barrels were different dimensions so it wouldn't work with a 9mm barrel in a .40 slide...?

 

[Rastoff]

So you're saying you CAN convert a .40 down to a 9mm? I thought the barrels were different dimensions so it wouldn't work with a 9mm barrel in a .40 slide...?

Works perfectly. I bought a factory 9mm barrel and two 9mm mags. Assembled the whole thing and it shoots just fine in 9mm configuration.

OP,
It depends on what you mean by versatile. Personally, I think the 45c is the best all around gun. It carries well, is accurate and has bunches of knock down power. It's not too small to do more serious shooting with like USPSA if you're of a mind.

 

[robkarrob]

With the M&P line of pistols, if you have a 40 in Full Size, Compact, or a Shield, all can easily be swapped to a 9mm, by changing the barrel. The FS needs the Full Size 9mm barrel, the Compact uses the Compact 9mm barrel, and a Shield must use a Shield 9mm barrel. Easy swap and nothing else need to be changed. In most cases the 40 magazines will feed the 9mm cartridges fine or you can buy some 9mm mags.

The issue right now is finding the 9mm barrels. S&W isn't releasing the stock barrels, which were costing about $70. So the only current option for a 9mm barrel is for the FS or Compact, using aftermarket 9mm barrels, which are available, but more expensive. No one presently makes an aftermarket barrel for the Shield.

Now back to the OP question. What versatility do you want. Caliber change can be any 40 model, but if you now want to know which is the best gun in those choices, it depends on your needs for the gun. Home defense, carry, range, competition, or plinking? There are many choices of guns to fit these uses.

Bob

 

[PastureOfMuppets]

Standard M&P 9. Can compete with it, carry concealed, cheapest effective ammo... home defense and in extreme circumstances it makes a very effective paperweight.

 

[dullh]

Works perfectly. I bought a factory 9mm barrel and two 9mm mags. Assembled the whole thing and it shoots just fine in 9mm configuration.

Still don't see the point though...having to buy 3 different calibers of ammo would be money better spent on more of one caliber...especially 9mm since it's the cheaper of the bunch.

 

[Jiman]

In my case it's because I have a lot of 40/.357 from the job, but would be nice to have the flexibility to shoot 9mm w/o getting a new gun in the future.

OP: Although I didn't buy one for other reasons, IMO the compacts offer great versatility. It's a good carry size, but you don't give up a lot in capacity, accuracy, or shootability over the FS models.

 

[poru_desu]

IMO, the FS 357sig/.40 is the most versatile with the mags being for both 357sig & .40
Then all you need are barrels (9mm, 357sig, .40) which are all interchange within the same frame.

 

[Biggfoot44]

What I'm seeing in the first post is that the OP already has a SD40 , seeingly likes it , plans to keep it , and wants to add an additional pistol to expand his overall battery. And wants this additional pistol to be an M&P. Since the OP has express his desire for different cal , I'll bypass the debate over standardization vs having options.

The standard size ( mid size in the global sense ) .40 niche is already filled by the SD .40 , that leaves going up or going down . To wit either a Shield in 9mm , or full size .45acp.

Yes it is possable to have 3 cal capability in one pistol , but not in the M&P .

 

[AGoyette]

For best all around gun, I would have to go with the M&P 9c. It's a great all around gun. I use mine as a carry gun. I have also used it in USPSA and PPC matches. The PPC matches are at 25 yards. I did almost as well as my husband who was shooting his 5" 9mm Pro. He is a betted shooter than I am though..
My 9c also is in the safe in my nightstand as a HD gun when not being used for carrying or competition. It holds 12 rounds and you can use full sized 9mm magazines in it which will give you 17+1.

 

[MSG Glenn]

The nice thing about compacts is the ability to use full size mags in it. In the case of the 40C the end result is 15+1 rounds. An X-Grip makes it near perfect. In that configuration it feels just like my full size M&P40.

I've kicked around the idea of getting a 9mm or .357sig barrel for the compact or FS or both, but I've determined that it's not necessary. I'll use the money I saved for more range ammo. Maybe some day I'll do that.

 

[Rastoff]

Still don't see the point though...having to buy 3 different calibers of ammo would be money better spent on more of one caliber...especially 9mm since it's the cheaper of the bunch.

You didn't ask if it were practical or if it made sense. You just asked if it could be done; it can. The value of doing it is an individual choice.

 

[squekydad]

Would buy a 9mm barrel for my 40c if a S&W barrel actually existed for purchase. Refuse to pay double for aftermarket

 

[marathonrunner]

vers

Long time since I've been on the forum. I own an SD40VE and I am thinking about expanding my S&W collection. I am chasing two or three ideas. Maybe a 45, maybe a CC, maybe full size. I'm all over the map at the moment.

Anyway, my question is which M&P is most versatile? 40 to 357 Sig to 9mm etc. Exchanging barrels & mags. I'm even thinking about a Glock 27. All opinions welcome.

Thanks ahead

I honestly think it depends what you want to do but for CCW and plinking, if you get the apex duty carry trigger and apex aluminum trigger, the Shield can be top notch. Very concealable and fun to shoot

 

[Wolf1775]

You can swap out the barrel on an M&P40 for 9mm. The lockup may not be as tight, but it'll still run. Your mileage may vary, but it has worked for many.

Some people already have the different calibers from multiple firearms and want a pistol that has the ability to go between the different calibers so they don't have to take as many guns out to the range. Or it could be because one caliber is more widely available at the moment and they want to be able to go to what they can get more readily. That's just a couple reasons off of the top of my head.

I personally like having a full sized pistol since it can be used for carry, home defense, and competition. I use .40 since it's the easiest to make majors with in USPSA, but 9mm would be my first choice if that wasn't a concern.

 

[BTCat]

Works perfectly. I bought a factory 9mm barrel and two 9mm mags. Assembled the whole thing and it shoots just fine in 9mm configuration.

OP,
It depends on what you mean by versatile. Personally, I think the 45c is the best all around gun. It carries well, is accurate and has bunches of knock down power. It's not too small to do more serious shooting with like USPSA if you're of a mind.

Hope you didn't think I abandoned my post. I have read all the replies with interest and have taken some ideas from them, starting with this one. I just had to wait until I could use a full sized keyboard to respond rather than thumbing a reply. Thanks for all the input.

First, to better define what I mean by versatile, I am basically a paper puncher wanting to try everything. Right now I am limited to the 380 and 40 and I have a sudden urge for a 45. Versatile to me is the most caliber per gun. A couple of reasons. First is the idea of being able to shot three calibers at the range with one gun. Second is cheaper 9mm and third is it would be nice to be able to pick a caliber based on what ammo is on the store shelf if it become scarce.

Here is what I am leaning toward, based on the input from here and a little research. I am thinking of buying a 45c and also selling my SD40 and buying a FS M&P 40. I would then buy a couple of barrels. That should give me plenty to play with and not make my wife too mad Sound logical?

 

[Rastoff]

It makes sense. However, if carry is not a primary concern, the full size 45 may be a better option in that caliber. The larger 45s tend to have a better reliability rate. Not that the 45c has any issues with reliability.

If I could, I would buy a 45c and put my full size 45 slide on it.