Question about the M&P 45ACP and the M&P9

[Butch.1955]

Would someone who owns either one of these pistols please advise me of the diameter of the hand grip at the point where the web of the hand is placed against the pistol grip. I own a Sigma 40 cal and I find it just slightly too big for my left hand, but ok for my right hand. I'm left handed with a strong left eye, but I have arthritis and gout in my left index finger, middle finger, and little finger, which effectively makes them slightly shorter now than the same fingers of my right hand. I can shoot a pistol accurately right handed, but it doesn't come natural, so I'd like to know, as I'm in the market for a M&P 45, but may be forced to get a M&P9 if the 45's hand grip is larger than my Sigma 40.

 

[danysw]

Remember that all M&P's have 3 Interchangeable Palmswell Grip Sizes for better hand grip. You need to go to a dealer and try all in the same pistol before buying.

 

[Butch.1955]

Remember that all M&P's have 3 Interchangeable Palmswell Grip Sizes for better hand grip. You need to go to a dealer and try all in the same pistol before buying.

Okay. I will have to look into that. Do you mean three interchangeable grips 'in addition' to the standard grip that comes with it?

 

[danysw]

Okay. I will have to look into that. Do you mean three interchangeable grips 'in addition' to the standard grip that comes with it?

Two more in addition to the one that comes on the gun for a total of three. Small, Medium and Large.

 

[SGT_Kramer]

It's 3 total grip swells. Giving your medical history and having to shoot it effective with your "off" hand... You may be alittle better off with 9mm. Either way the grip itself is VERY adjustable and should work fine for you.

 

[Butch.1955]

It's 3 total grip swells. Giving your medical history and having to shoot it effective with your "off" hand... You may be a little better off with 9mm. Either way the grip itself is VERY adjustable and should work fine for you.

I don't "have" to shoot off handed, but I can. I practice it only sometimes. I can and do shoot the Sigma well with my left hand. I just do not want to buy a gun with an even bigger grip diameter. I'll obviously have to try it out at a gun shop, if I can even find one anywhere near here who has a M&P 45 for sale, much less with the interchangeable grips, if they are an option. Thanks for the advise. The more I learn the more I know, the better equipped I am to make the right decision.

 

[DustyDawg48]

You can get the M&P45 to feel like the M&P using the different palm swell but even using the largest insert the M&P9 won't ever feel like the M&P45. I switch back and forth between the 2 and the M&P45 with the largest backstrap feels perfect and the M&P9 just a tad undersized but the good news is that you can use the smallest insert with the M&P45 and it will have just about the same grip circumference as the M&P9 with the med or small insert.

the M&P45 is a fantastic shooter, so much so that I actually picked up a 2nd one, this one in their FDE color, to complement my back M&P45.

 

[DocSunShine]

I have a full size 40 & 45 and they both currently have medium backstraps in (thinking about moving to large on both) and the 45 definitely feels bigger as in longer from front to back, not by much, but it's noticeable. I think if I put a small backstrap on the 45 it would make them all feel about the same.

PS, I really love my M&P45!

 

[dannybot]

Some dealers have a display of blue guns M&P's, three of them, one of each size grip so you can feel the difference.

 

[treiz]

The 45 is going to be noticeably bigger than the 9 regardless. If you feel the 40 is too big the 45 is not going to feel better.

 

[had2]

I have both the 9 and the 45. I think I have an average size hand and use the medium grip on the 9 and the small on the 45. The Crimson Trace laser grip is about a medium. It works fine on the 9, but I find it a bit too large on the 45. You may be able to manage the 45 with the small, but if you can try it on for size somewhere, you will have a much better idea what it will be like to shoot it.

 

[Lost Lake]

The 45 is going to be noticeably bigger than the 9 regardless. If you feel the 40 is too big the 45 is not going to feel better.

Do you own these guns?

The 45 has a different frame than the .40 and 9mm.

The 45 feels a lot different.

The .45 is easier to shoot than the .40, but not easier than the 9.

 

[DocSunShine]

Do you own these guns?

The 45 has a different frame than the .40 and 9mm.

The 45 feels a lot different.

The .45 is easier to shoot than the .40, but not easier than the 9.

None of the service calibers are difficult to shoot, but the .45 def has a smidge more recoil than .40 or 9mm... I can't tell the difference between .40 & 9mm.

 

[Lost Lake]

None of the service calibers are difficult to shoot, but the .45 def has a smidge more recoil than .40 or 9mm... I can't tell the difference between .40 & 9mm.

That's not my impression shooting identical models of the same gun. The .40 snaps, the 45 pushes and the 9 is very soft push.

Remember the gun has a LOT to do with what you feel in recoil.You WILL tell the difference between a 9c and a 40c. But probably not between a 40FS and a 9c.

 

[DocSunShine]

That's not my impression shooting identical models of the same gun. The .40 snaps, the 45 pushes and the 9 is very soft push.

Remember the gun has a LOT to do with what you feel in recoil.You WILL tell the difference between a 9c and a 40c. But probably not between a 40FS and a 9c.

I own a 40c and it feels like it kicks a smidge less than my Glock 19. My Full Size 40 must be the recoiless model, cause complaining of recoil would be a joke with that gun. Shield isn't even bad. But .45 kicks a little, maybe it's just cause I'm judging it by my carry rounds, 230gr. +p HSTs.

 

[Lost Lake]

I own a 40c and it feels like it kicks a smidge less than my Glock 19. My Full Size 40 must be the recoiless model, cause complaining of recoil would be a joke with that gun. Shield isn't even bad. But .45 kicks a little, maybe it's just cause I'm judging it by my carry rounds, 230gr. +p HSTs.

I figured you were comparing different guns.

Shoot an M&P.45 and an M&P .40 side by side and the .40 will kick more than the .45.

 

[DocSunShine]

I figured you were comparing different guns.

Shoot an M&P.45 and an M&P .40 side by side and the .40 will kick more than the .45.

I own both the .45 & .40 full size (4.5" barrel .45), and to me the .45 kicks more, although both guns are new and I put a bunch of SD ammo through, so maybe not a fair comparison. 230gr +p HST. vs. 175gr. critical duty (just bought some 180gr. HSTs).

 

[chief1]

I have a .45 and a 9, both with the small grip. The 45 is bigger than the 9 and is easily felt when holding both. Personally I LOVE the way the 9 feels, and I shoot it better. Both guns are great though. You need to shoot them and actually feel it for yourself.