Why bother with a Full Size M&P 45 M2.0

[azdave]

Only with gun owners have I noticed such a closed mind when it comes to "CHOICES." Gun guys can have such a "I see no use for it... therefore it shouldn't exist" mentality. I really like the mental midgets that run with the "it's an answer to a question no one asked" theme.
Sorry, but CHOICES are good. ONLY in America can I walk into a gunstore and have such CHOICES when i walk along a gun counter. Whether I find a particular gun as something I want to own is IRRELEVANT... I'm still glad it exists for the others that DO want that particular one. I'm old enough to remember the 80's-90's when S&W was known as the gun-a-month club, because they came out with a new model just about every month... typically just a slight variation of already existing models. Those were the days. Choices are good, whether its your choice or not.
Just my opinion

 

[Sheepdogged]

Why bother with a Full Size M&P 45 M2.0 when you can get a compact that is about 1/2 inch shorter in length and same height & magazine capacity of 10 rounds?

It really depends on the person. If someone has plenty of cash to spend, they might opt for the 4.6" or 5" (threaded) full-size option for a few reasons. For example, if the test barrel of the ammo they like was 5", they might want to stick to something as close as possible to that rather than a 4" barrel to help ensure adequate expansion. They may also like the extra sight radius or the balance of the gun with a longer slide to help mitigate recoil and muzzle flip. Sometimes they just prefer the look.

Personally I'd rather go with with the 4" compact. I know it's been said that people should err on getting a longer barrel for .45 ACP rounds to increase velocity because they are relatively slow rounds, however, I really think that really depends on the ammo choice and gun (i.e. length of barrel). A lot of .45 ACP self-defense rounds exceed 18" in penetration because the inertia of even a slower but heavier weight bullet can lend itself to overpenetration. So let's say Lehigh Defense has an XD bullet someone likes that penetrates 19.5" on average out of a 5" barrel. Well, a 4" barrel might reduce that number to within the 12-18" range the FBI recommends. I also find 4" barrels easier to conceal whether I am carrying IWB, AIWB, or OWB, but if it's primarily used as a bedside gun, that might not matter. I usually err on a 4" or shorter barrel, however, but that's just me. Everyone has different needs and considerations. If you get an opportunity, the best thing to do is rent both guns and see if it makes a difference for you.

 

[Sheepdogged]

One half inch, one way or the other, doesn't affect concealibility.

Indeed that is sometimes the case, but not always. I've had a number of guns I wished were either 1/2 inch longer or shorter carrying a number of ways.

 

[Sheepdogged]

Get the same gun in 9mm. Cheaper ammo, more rounds, less kick, does the same job on thugs.

Personally I am with you (I carry only .355" bullets like .380, 9mm, and .357 SIG), but I would never talk someone out of a .45. They are great rounds and are typically more accurate. Everyone's different and having the choice is good in my opinion.

 

[Lindy]

Get the same gun in 9mm. Cheaper ammo, more rounds, less kick, does the same job on thugs.

Personally I think the 45, especially a full size one, has less kick than a faster 9mm.

I had a Glock 21 years ago that was so soft shooting compared to my Glock 17's. The 17's were not bad but that 21 was like butter to shoot. I would like to try out a full size M&P 2.0 in 45.