I've been wanting a 9mm for a while now and found myself with some extra time and cash today so . . . My original intent was to get a Glock 19 because . . . well because it's a Glock 19. At the end of the day I had to pass. As much as I love the size/capacity efficiency, I just can't get the thing to point right for me. It always requires a small adjustment for me to get the sights on target. My accuracy suffers enough without that. The M&P felt the best in my hand and it wasn't even close. The 3 back straps are a nice touch and each gives the gun a very unique feel. The trigger is gritty as hell, but after handling a used one I'm pretty confident it will smooth out. Without having fired it yet my first impressions are that it is an ergonomically superior weapon that allows for a nice, high grip and points like a 1911. Can't wait to get to the range.
I'm somewhat saddened that I stopped buying guns before they started coming with Picatinny rails. A light on my "bump in the night" gun would be handy.
I agree with every thingk you said. CSM (ret) Larry Vickers has called the M&P a "Product Improved Glock" and I am in complete agreement with him. S&W got their heads out of their asses, looked at the Glock, and improved it. The triggers are gritty as hell and will smooth out. But instead of putting 2K rounds through it to get it there go to Apex Tactical and buy their replacement hard sear and you will notice a world of difference. Or go whole hog and buy the DCEAK kit. They have made a name for themselves in after market parts for the M&P line. Also make sure you use snap caps. The biggest point of failure in the M&P line are the strikers. The newer ones are much improved. If you do break one, dont worry, S&Ws customer service is top notch and they will replace it ASAP for free. It is. Yet some dinosaur gun writers refuse to see the light. I some times wonder why they ever moved away from their wheel guns to begin with.
I heard about that. Mine is a 2010 gun so I'm hoping it's of the improved variety. I guess I'll pick up some snap caps just to be on the safe side. Thanks for the tips!
9 mm is a pussy round. Never get into a gunfight with any pistol caliber starting with less than a 4.
A better rule would be to never get in a gunfight with a pistol. But if you do, accuracy is King, penetration is Queen and everything else is a court jester.
Its not the same round that failed miserably in the '86 FBI shoot out. Materials Science and ballistics R&D and production has come a long way since then. I used to pooh-pooh the 9mm. After reading modern studies / reports I have to say that my opinion has changed and that the 9mm can be nearly as effective as the .40. IOW, is it a .45? Hell no. But with a 9mm, if you get the right rounds for it and you can know that it will get the job done.
Its not the same round that failed miserably in the '86 FBI shoot out. Materials Science and ballistics R&D and production has come a long way since then. I used to pooh-pooh the 9mm. After reading modern studies / reports I have to say that my opinion has changed and that the 9mm can be nearly as effective as the .40. IOW, is it a .45? Hell no. But with a 9mm, if you get the right rounds for it and you can know that it will get the job done.
Yeah. Truth be told, best way to get into a close-range gunfight is with a shotgun. If you can start it a couple hundred yards off a scoped rifle is better. The other end of the spectrum is that it is better to have a gun at a gunfight than to have a .45 that is at home because you didn't feel like strapping it on. I've never shot a person with my .380, but it has very simple controls it points very well, and it is small enough to carry comfortably in almost any situation. In a stress situation, there's a very good chance that it'll put a couple .380 caliber holes in a person, which is better than a bunch of .45 caliber holes in the wall behind him--or "Damn, I wish I'd have brought the pistol today."
Frontline do you have any ballistics info on frangibles? I keep a clip loaded with 9mm Glaser Safety Slugs for in the home to prevent over-penetration and ricochets. Seems like a safer in-home round, but I've always wondered how well it would get the job done. Should I just go to JHPs?
No shit. I don't get it. We're all full sized adults. With the right holster and belt you can carry a full sized concealed in comfort all day. No I dont. Honestly for HD, put some Hornady TAP 69gr in your AR. I mine and others opinions, best platform (sight radius, stability, control) and round (for a 1:9 twist) for HD with least amount of over penetration.
Muad, Shoes used to always patiently explain why 5.56's don't go through walls and are the perfect home defense round.
My best friend has a .45 M&P; I think it's a terrific gun. I've pretty much settled on getting one as soon as finances allow. Great choice, Ash. As per usual, I'll add that while a 9mm may be at the lower end of credible home defense rounds, it makes up for it with firepower. I own a .40 and a .45, but it's a Beretta 92FS that's in my nightstand...
I guess I should add that I already own a .45 and this gun is not going to be a primary carry or home defense weapon. It's mostly just for fun.
