Which would you pick?

[gunny4053]

I love .45, and .40 isn't bad either. I have no problem with 9mm, but I was a little concerned with all the "accuracy problems" directed at the M&P 9's. If the accuracy is truly a non-issue, then a 9 would be cool too. Since I load 9mm for the wifes' Sig, I'd be padding my own nest as well, so to speak.

Rastoff, I'll take a peek at that .45 and see what brand the RMR is. That particular gun doesn't really fill an absolute need for me, but it would be kinda fun. Now the standard model, that would be nice because I like .45, it can be carried, and since the Glock 21 and Shield are both .45, it would fit right in.

On the other side of the coin, my Shield PC .40 could use a big brother, and the caliber does have a "4" in it.

 

[Racer X]

5" 10mm. A man can dream. Then a .40 barrel for it.

 

[Univibe]

So if you lived in a state that restricted magazine capacity to 10 rounds, you would still choose 9mm over .45 or .40?

Yes. Since the result on the target is the same, you still get the advantages of cheaper practice ammo, and less recoil.

 

[wnderr]

I spent the last 10 years getting rid of my .45s, .44s, 10mm, and several rifles. Decided to try to standardize in 9mm, .357/.38, 5.56/.223, .22, etc.

All my carry guns are now 9mm,mostly compacts.

I decided I can kill you just as dead with 9mm, and can carry a lot more of them in my pockets!

Just like Vietnam, more bullets and hand grenades, are a good thing!

 

[imcrazy]

What is the purpose of the new addition ?

Do you reload your own ammo or buy commercially loaded ?

Do you have any other M&P's now?

I have a 9mm 2.0 Compact 4", 9mm 4.25" F/S, 9mm Shield & 45 acp F/S 2.0... 45 is my favorite to shoot but, I usually carry the shield or compact...

 

[Manchu]

If it's an option I always tend to lean toward the .45, myself. Already own multiples of both 9mm and .45, so it helps to keep ammo more simple. I'd be open to a .40 if I *really* wanted a particular gun that was only available in that caliber. Other than that no need.

 

[gunny4053]

What is the purpose of the new addition ? Because I want one

Do you reload your own ammo or buy commercially loaded ? Yes and yes

Do you have any other M&P's now? Just the Shields

See the info in red

 

[hardluk1]

Gunny I been a 40sw guy since 1990 and not with 180gr loads . The gen 1 pistol does need some apex upgrades to the trigger group but only a aluminum trigger and striker block is really needed but beyond that hotter ammo should run a heavier recoil spring goes a long way with controlling hotter ammo . I preferred a 155gr 1300fps for years in several handguns . I can buy light 300fps corbon 135gr hp , 155gr , 165 up to 180 hp's for defense . You can also buy a 9mm conversion barrel and a couple mags although 40sw mags tend to work well too so you have the option of shooting 9mm but a 9mm has not other options . I have a 4.25 gen 1 M&P with thumb safety and a lighter apex trigger group My wifes has a 4.25 m&p CORE 9mm and a I shoot both and also have a hard time feeling the difference in recoil when underwood 124gr 9MM +P is used com paried to there 155gr 40 ammo .

For a 63 year old I can still place 15 rounds of 165gr 1200fps 40sw into a 3x2" group at 50 feet with a time average between shots of .784 while wearing trifocals .

For a 45acp I will carry a Colt LW commander 04840wc with 9 round mags plus 1 in the4 chamber and thin grips any day over a thicker striker fired poly pistol and my colt LW Commander is the same weight so why bothr with a 45acp M&P My back up mags for my colt are 10 round Wilson mags .

 

[rubiranch]

I spent the last 10 years getting rid of my .45s, .44s, 10mm, and several rifles. Decided to try to standardize in 9mm, .357/.38, 5.56/.223, .22, etc.

All my carry guns are now 9mm,mostly compacts.

I have one .38 special P+, the rest are .357s with the exception of one M&P .45.

I carry the .38.

 

[GT_80]

for me 9MM - cheapest to shoot, easy to control... I have 9mm and 45 acp, and I love both, but the 9mm is way cheaper...

 

[dwcopple]

3.6" 2.0 would be my pick.

 

[gunny4053]

Well, I picked up the .40 PC Shield this evening, so I'm thinking it needs a big brother. Besides, one gun and potentially three calibers, how can it get better?

 

[hardluk1]

How can you get better a 4.25 full size 40sw and a comp-tac MTAC holster to carry it in . The full size body will hold the shield well enough and you can will conceal it well at 3:00 carry even on a fat guy or a skinny lady . I'm 5-9 and 220lbs and conceal 4" double stacks or commander very well .

 

[Amp]

I would get the 9mm with safety.
Because that is what I did a while back.

 

[Manchu]

What changed your mind on the shield?

 

[imcrazy]

See the info in red

Got it... When I said purpose I meant, are you going to carry it concealed or have it as a range toy or both?

If you reload the cost of ammo between 9 and 45 is pretty much irrelevant, I personally prefer loading 45 acp as the bullets and cases are bigger and easier to handle with my fat clumsy hands lol..

For defensive use in social situations I prefer my 4" 9mm Compact 2.0, for having fun at the range I prefer my 4.6" 45acp Fullsize 2.0, for home defense I have the 4.25" F/S with a CT laser on it in a fast access safe ready to go... No bad choices in the M&P lineup but, I'd get a 45 fullsize if I was you.

 

[gunny4053]

What changed your mind on the shield?

Nothing changed on the Shield. I had that on lay-a-way and picked it up yesterday. It is a PC .40, and for $251 OTD, I wasn't going to pass it up. I'm just looking to add something closer to full size. I've got a Glock 21 backing up my Shield .45, so adding an M&P in .40 may be a great backup to this Shield......although another .45 isn't a bad thing. The upside of adding another .40 is the ability to use conversion barrels and have .357 Sig and 9mm from one platform.

 

[gunny4053]

imcrazy, ah, I see.

Yes, I plan on putting it in my carry rotation. For warmer months or on my motorcycle, the Shields are kinda nice. For cooler months and when in the boondocks, the larger guns tend to get carried a bit more.

I'm really considering another .40 now, only because with the guns I have now and a new .40, I can shoot 9mm, 10mm, .357 Sig, 40 S&W, .45 ACP, .45 Super, .400 Corbon, .460 Rowland, or .50 AE. Big picture racing here.

I'm setup to reload 9mm, 10mm, .40, and .45 ACP, and have plenty of brass for each, so ammo isn't an issue.


Rastoff, I took another look at the M&P .45 with the Storm Lake barrel today. The sight on it is a JPoint, so nothing special. Looking at the barrel, she looks like she's been rode hard and put up wet. The other M&P .45 looks really good.

 

[Rastoff]

The other M&P .45 looks really good.

Sounds like an easy choice.

 

[gunny4053]

Sounds like an easy choice.

Sounds that way, but there's been a lot of himing and hawing, not to mention a lot debating while trying to get through the holidays. I've about decided to replace the Glock 21 with the M&P 45. It just fits me better. I've also been considering the little .40 Compact. It'll make a nice backup for my Shield PC .40. This will give me a pure M&P family except for my Ruger SR1911 CMDR. I'm going over to the shop Monday, so we'll see what shakes out.

 

[dwcopple]

I've also been considering the little .40 Compact.

$289 @ CDNN with night sights. Unreal deal

 

[Lab4Us]

I have guns in 9mm, .38 Super, and .45. The 9mms and .38S I can comfortably shoot until I'm tired of shooting. The .45s, not so much (@60 with joint problems creeping in). If you're older, or going to keep said gun into older ages, I'd go 9mm. Ballistic testing has demonstrated its potential effectiveness in SD situations.
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

 

[misswired]

9mm. Here's why:

1. 9, 45, and 40 all have the same effectiveness against bad guys. Shooters don't want to believe this, but MEs and ER docs can't tell the difference. Neither can people who get shot. "Stopping power" etc. is myth.

I was told it went something like this:

1. Shot with a 9mm required emergency surgery.

2. Shot with a .45, surgeon counts the holes.

3. Shot with a 10mm or .50cal, skip the ER and straight to the morgue for a toe-tag.

I've personally resisted the .40cal train....just another mouth to feed.

 

[kgpcr]

I love my .40. A bigger heavier faster bullet is a good thing

 

[gunny4053]

I walked away from the compact as I found a couple little things I didn't care for (issues if you will), but they had an as new FS M&P .40 for $400 setting there, so it's on lay-a-way. I did some negotiating on the M&P FS .45, and since it's seen a bit more use, have it down to $410, so if funding presents itself, I'll grab it as well. These are both 1.0 versions, so they'll both get Talon grips as I don't care for the "plastic" feel of the original frames. There's a 9mm setting there with 4 mags that's real tempting, and it would fill out the family nicely. Unfortunately, there's also a like new Beretta M9 setting there, and for 9mm, IMO, that is the ultimate example of what a 9mm should be. So, that's where we stand for now. I'll check back next year.

 

[SoCalDep]

I prefer 9mm but to each their own. The 9mm versions have proven themselves to me and the 2.0 shoots like a dream! I put 350 rounds or so through my new 5" 2.0 on Thursday 3yds to 100 yds - it's accurate and capable of Beretta/1911 splits on 7yd A-zone Bill drills. I'm damn impressed and it's changed my whole view of the M&P as a performance pistol. I can't wait for the LE optic version to hit the shelves!

 

[gunny4053]

Well, here we are, so time for an update. The 4.25", like new .40 M&P is home, $400 OTD. We shoot tomorrow, so I'll have to refrain from commenting on that for now. Got her home, tore her down, and cleaned her up, even found a temporary holster for her. This is a safety model, which I'm not a huge fan of, but this one operates easily and fits my hand perfectly. The trigger functions smoothly, but has just a bit too much hook on the very tip, becoming uncomfortable. I think this will get some Apex upgrades.


The Beretta is gone already, so the M&P 9 is looking rather attractive. 4.25" M&P 9 with back straps, paperwork, and 4 mags, and $415 is the asking price now. The .45 is now down to $390, so depending on what my check looks like, it will probably be on lay-a-way tomorrow.


I may wind up with more M&P's than I planned on.

Obligatory pics to prove it happened. The newest member of the family and a shot of it and the little brother together.

 

[gunny4053]

Did a little shooting with the new arrival today. She's accurate, she shoots comfortably, no brass to the face, and she's a Smith and Wesson. Love this gun! The only issue I have is the dings in the brass. The brass has a couple dents and I noticed brass rub marks on the ejection port. Since I reload, pristine brass is far preferable. While cleaning, I changed the angle on the ejector just a bit. Now she seems to kick the brass a little higher, clearing the port. I may have to go grab another one of these.

 

[TMan51]

I'm not gonna be any help, I have all Gen 1 FS M&Ps in all 3 calibers. Also have all 3 Shields in all 3 calibers. Shoot them all, reload for them all and love shooting them all.

I'm seeing "You like them".

And that's not unusual. Revolvers and autos in my collection, they all shoot well, and reliably.

Now, can the S&W people please make a 6" M69.

Oops, is that another area of the forum

 

[gunny4053]

Another day of shooting. Since changing the angle on the ejector, ejection remains uniform, but the dents and scuffing on the brass has gone away. I've got to use my Uplula more. The only ding I'm finding is about a third of the way down the brass, and it appears to be where I insert the round in the mag. Checked the remaining cartridges in the mag show the same mark. When I use the Uplula, they don't appear.

I added a Talon grip which makes a world of difference.

As for performance, she's great! I blacked the rear dots and painted the front dot bright orange. Putting the front dot on the target puts the bullet right on the mark at 15 yards. The trigger isn't bad, but I think an Apex upgrade would be awesome. It's surprising how soft she shoots for a .40.