Why should you buy a compact M&P

[Houdini1953]

Why should anyone buy a compact M&P? Well there is great versatility in doing so, you can still use full sized mags with X-Grips for the look and feel of a full sized weapon at the range.

You can not do the opposite with a full size.
How many rounds do you really need even with a compact you should be able to neutralize most situations in no more than two or three well placed shots, anything with more than one target and then you are in real trouble.

Although I might buy another 45 full size tomorrow due to the great price if it were a compact I would buy it!

 

[spirit4earth]

+1 on that!!

 

[darksideemt]

My next hand gun will be a M&P 9c. Some reasons for what you said and the other is it's cheaper to shoot then my 40's.

 

[PATRONE]

Absolutely no complaints on my .40compact. I carry it every day all day, and it's a joy at the range.

 

[SMMAssociates]

The Full Size guns are "Service" guns - to be worn on a duty belt, or on the nightstand, truck glovebox, etc. Really kind of big for concealed carry. The Compacts, OTOH, are quite a bit smaller (particularly in the grips), but conceal beautifully, and are roughly as accurate/convenient otherwise.

(I like to carry an M&P40C around the house, with a full size magazine on my belt as a spare. The FS mag is only slightly harder to conceal, and since I use the same holster for both the FS and Compact, if I get the itch to carry the big one around the house, I don't have to remember to swap spare magazines. "Outdoors", it's an Officer's-sized 1911.)

Unrelated, sort of, but I found that an open-bottom DeSantis slide with a top strap that I originally bought for an XD9SC fits the M&P's just fine once the Chicago screw is tightened a bit. Works fine with either size, or an M&P9C.

Note that the 40FS seems to have a slightly stiffer recoil than the 40C, but the 40C is a tad snappier. If you're a 1911 guy, you'll get past that real fast. The 9mm Compact is a popgun ....

(I just picked up an RIA "Tactical" 1911, with rails. IT fits that same holster.... Why anybody'd want to carry the thing, though, I'm not sure. About 3# loaded.... But I don't have to buy another holster .)

Regards,

 

[Rangel]

The answer to your question: Why should anyone buy a compact M&P?, is as my mother, in her
infinite wisdom used to say: "Because".

Then again, that's just the answer for US. She didn't need a gun, after all. Even Chuck Norris was afraid of her wooden spoon and deadly back hand......

 

[Helderberg]

The answer to your question: Why should anyone buy a compact M&P?, is as my mother, in her
infinite wisdom used to say: "Because".

Then again, that's just the answer for US. She didn't need a gun, after all. Even Chuck Norris was afraid of her wooden spoon and deadly back hand......

Are you the brother I never knew I had? Our Mothers must have trained together. Great memories.
Frank.

 

[Atlas]

I say buy them because they are great

But I'm biased

Just picked one up and very impressed.

 

[sburg]

Well I bought the 9c because I wanted one. Pretty much the only reason I need.

But now you're telling me I need a 45c? Shesh.

 

[Atlas]

Hmmm, might mean I'll have to look at the 9c then. Just to be fair!

 

[Houdini1953]

Hey that is what this forum is for but we all live and learn do we not, might be the reason why I started this thread in the first place, but that is OK I buy guns anyway as long as they are Smith&Wesson and especially M&P's!

 

[mbnatt]

Feels good and shoots good?

 

[dirty gary]

My 40c is the go-to gun. At home it wears a rail-mounted light, fullsize mags, and Crimson Trace laser grip. When I go out, I drop the light and switch to the original mags. Will definitly pick up a 45 when the opportunity arises.

 

[xICEMANx]

I had a full size M&P9, sold it to my brother in law after picking up an 9c. Got a couple x-grip adaptors and love it! I sware it's as accurate as my full size 9. I like the ability to conceal it and have the 17 round mags if needed. Best of both worlds IMO.

 

[264BORESTEVE]

Hey Atlas. What kinda ammo you shootin' in that thing! Or is it just still glowing hot in the photo? Looks like the end of my M&P after a "good" day at the range!

 

[kentuckyrifle]

Convinced

I can't decide whether I want a M&P Compact .40 or 9. I've heard the arguments on both sides. I was leaning towards the 9, but now the .40 is catching my interest. I like the idea of being able to convert my .40 to a 9. That's one reason why I want the .40. Someone convince me one way or the other please. Is the converted 9 as good as buying the 9mm compact?

Dan

 

[Atlas]

Hey Atlas. What kinda ammo you shootin' in that thing! Or is it just still glowing hot in the photo? Looks like the end of my M&P after a "good" day at the range!

All powder residue baby!!!!
That was 175 rnds of FMJ in about 50 minutes. Run 'em hard to see if I trust them.
Only time it wasn't firing was between reloading magazines.

 

[Rangel]

I can't decide whether I want a M&P Compact .40 or 9. I've heard the arguments on both sides. I was leaning towards the 9, but now the .40 is catching my interest. I like the idea of being able to convert my .40 to a 9. That's one reason why I want the .40. Someone convince me one way or the other please. Is the converted 9 as good as buying the 9mm compact?

Dan

Some say for potential critical defense carry, if you have a 40, that you should always carry in 40--that if you shoot 9 or 357, there's a remote chance you could get a 'hang up' at the worst time.

But at least you have the options (after paying some more $$$ to convert) to shoot three different loads and not just one and for more 'fun on the range'....

 

[SMMAssociates]

kentuckyrifle:

You can stick (stock) 9mm mags and a Storm Lake 9mm barrel into a 40, and expect more than adequate reliability for the range. I'm not sure I'd trust it for carry.

You should not use the "stock" S&W 9mm barrel in this conversion - it's not designed to work with the slightly different .40 breech face. (I've not tried this, and it still might be adequate for the range.) You can't go the other way and put the .40 into a 9mm slide.

I think I'd grab the .40 first, and add the 9mm later, when the VISA cools down. 9mm ammunition is cheaper, but that'll give you time to play. Meantime, you should find the .40 isn't all that nasty - especially if you're a 1911 guy. The 9mm is a popgun .

The guys at Apex are supposed to be working on a .22 conversion for the M&P. No idea when that'll be available, though. I'm thinking about that.

(I've got the .40FS and .40C, and a 9C. The three all seem to be about as accurate, and while the .40's are a tad snappier - the FS' longer barrel builds up a bit of a recoil punch - they're all shootable.)

I think that the .357 Sig "upgrade" to the .40 uses a stock barrel - the magazines are the same - but ammunition is hard to find, expensive, etc. I doubt if there are any reliability issues.

In my case, I bought a 9C for my daughter and decided that I wanted the thumb safety on my 40C. Swapped magazines and the slide/barrel. Apex DCAEK kits in all of my M&P's, and RAM kits in all but the thumb-safety frame.

(My daughter didn't want the thumb safety anyway. Didn't want the gun, either, yet. I keep it around, just in case she changes her mind.)

Regards,

 

[kentuckyrifle]

Appreciate the advice. I have seen where some converted 9mm sometimes have trouble extracting. Wouldn't want that to happen in a sticky situation. Thanks!

 

[Houdini1953]

Appreciate all the great responses to this post even though I just bought another Full sized 45 M&P, just to keep in the house the other goes with me along with two 14 rounder mags!

 

[bistro]

Just got a 9c after shooting a loaner. Liked it so much I decided I had to have my own. Itching to get to the range to try it.

 

[new shooter]

Twice i shot the m&p 9 full size and compact side by side at the range, and both times i shot the 9c better. I don't know why exactly as i have other full size 9mm pistols i shoot well, but something about the compact just suits my shooting style i guess. It is also more comfortable to shoot for me (maybe that explains the accuracy i get with it).

 

[buskerpcr]

Why should anyone buy a compact M&P? Well there is great versatility in doing so, you can still use full sized mags with X-Grips for the look and feel of a full sized weapon at the range.

You can not do the opposite with a full size.
How many rounds do you really need even with a compact you should be able to neutralize most situations in no more than two or three well placed shots, anything with more than one target and then you are in real trouble.

Although I might buy another 45 full size tomorrow due to the great price if it were a compact I would buy it!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a 40c - 9c and a Pro

and many other hand guns
The 9c shoots like a bigger gun - accurate beyond what one would think it should be. The c's have produced many a safe queens.

I shoot indoor action pistol and the c's up to 20 yards are as accurate as the pro - but I can get on target faster with the c's and one hand strong / weak the c's are better for me.

The Pro is now used for outdoor action pistol since it shoots better at longer ranges.

I carry the 9c
the 40c is a car gun in a holster between my legs .


FYI

 

[Sauergrapes]

working my way down?

Just bought the M&P40 pro 5'', just completed a deal for the M&P40 pro 4.25''.
I guess the M&P40c is next. My single stack 9mm, won't be happy.
I think my 4506 will remain my HD weapon of choice.....lol.

Damn, I thought 1911 fever was bad.....

 

[ron cochran]

does anyone know if there are commercial magazine grip spacers for the full size

 

[Knightrider03m]

I've said this before and I will say it again. The compact is perfect for anyone one that is new to C.C as it allows the user to try out holsters that will work for them without the dreaded print in the shirt.

 

[g_conway]

The Full Size guns are "Service" guns - to be worn on a duty belt, or on the nightstand, truck glovebox, etc. Really kind of big for concealed carry. The Compacts, OTOH, are quite a bit smaller (particularly in the grips), but conceal beautifully, and are roughly as accurate/convenient otherwise.

(I like to carry an M&P40C around the house, with a full size magazine on my belt as a spare. The FS mag is only slightly harder to conceal, and since I use the same holster for both the FS and Compact, if I get the itch to carry the big one around the house, I don't have to remember to swap spare magazines. "Outdoors", it's an Officer's-sized 1911.)

Unrelated, sort of, but I found that an open-bottom DeSantis slide with a top strap that I originally bought for an XD9SC fits the M&P's just fine once the Chicago screw is tightened a bit. Works fine with either size, or an M&P9C.

Note that the 40FS seems to have a slightly stiffer recoil than the 40C, but the 40C is a tad snappier. If you're a 1911 guy, you'll get past that real fast. The 9mm Compact is a popgun ....

(I just picked up an RIA "Tactical" 1911, with rails. IT fits that same holster.... Why anybody'd want to carry the thing, though, I'm not sure. About 3# loaded.... But I don't have to buy another holster .)

Regards,

I CCW'd a smith 1006 for 5 years without a problem.
I never liked the compacts. I bought a Sig p226 as a BUG. Got rid of it within a year.

Now I have a M&P 40 FS

 

[stevea1693]

I've carried the M&P 40c for a couple of years now, and I absolutely love it. I did buy the Storm Lake 9mm barrel (and mags) and waiting for arrival of the barrel. Primarily bought the barrel for practice as I reload 9 but not 40, but plan on continuing to carry with the 40 barrel. Either the 9 or 40 would be fine, bullet placement is what counts....just like the "crisp" feel of when the 40 leaves the barrel!

 

[Whtwolf14]

I picked up a M&P 9c the other day and I'm waiting on some goodies before I take it shooting