WTB S&W 9 or 40 -help newbie decide & source

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Cowboy777

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Long time casual shooter, I got my restricted and am itching for a pistol with some kick. I like the lower cost of the 9 ammo, but does it make that much of a difference to go to a 40? Buddy suggested a sig too. The more I look, the further I am from a decision!
 
The first time I tried the M&P I didn't like it for a number of reasons, primarily the takedown method and the way the trigger felt to me; since then I have gained more experience on a variety of platforms and have come to the conclusion that while there are merits to any of the popular brands, it is hard to go wrong with any modern handgun. I have recently had the opportunity to fire the M&P 9 again and am considering adding one to my collection. At just over $600.00 they are an excellent value. I would consider SFRC as a distributor - I have had a positive experience with Ryan as I am sure many others here would attest. The other platforms that you might want to consider in that price range are the Glock G-17, Steyr M9A1 and possibly the Sig Sp2022 (I have not fired this one yet so I cannot comment on it but it is a Sig for a good price). If I were you, I would not hesitate to buy a M&P9 it has excellent ergonomics and no matter what gun you buy, you will get used to any trigger. Unless you are planning on reloading stick to 9mm, it is usually significantly cheaper all other factors are not really of consequence here in Canada unless you are using it for LE or Military training. I personally like shooting 40 S&W more (it has a little more punch) but can get reloaded ammo so cost is not as big of an issue. If it is your first pistol, stick with 9mm and buy your next pistol in 40S&W. Hope this helps.

:cheers:
 
I can recomend the M&P having owned a few, and shot quite a volume of ammo through them in both 9mm and 45. If I was approaching the whole thing again, I'd probably buy a 40, and get a 9mm barrel and mags. That way you have the option of shooting both calibres - you can not do this if you buy a 9mm, the 40 barrel/mag set up won't work. It makes sense to me that if you can have an M&P9 and an M&P40 for the cost of a single Sig / Beretta etc, that you're ahead of the game.
 
Blue_Fish said:
The first time I tried the M&P I didn't like it for a number of reasons, primarily the takedown method
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Yup, that hard extra step in disassembly.....:rolleyes: Lets review the take down method of an M&P for the guys not familiar with them. Lock slide back, flip take down lever on left side of pistol. Insert pen, toothpick, or finger down into the action. See that little lever sitting vertical? Push it down. Now unlock the slide and it rolls off the front.

I've always felt sorry for someone who complains about an action that takes less time than typing a-b.
 
Cowboy777 said:
Long time casual shooter, I got my restricted and am itching for a pistol with some kick. I like the lower cost of the 9 ammo, but does it make that much of a difference to go to a 40? Buddy suggested a sig too. The more I look, the further I am from a decision!
Click to expand...

If you want somem kick buy a S&W .500 Magnum :D

I would suggest the 9mm over the .40 for your first, ammo is cheap (if you're looking for cheap, there is always .22LR pistols too), even cheaper if you reload it yourself. See how much you like it, the buy a second and third and so on and so forth...

As for the suggestion about the Sig, if you aren't sure of what gun to buy, go by a store and fondle them, see which one feels best in your hand, then once you know which one you like the feel and operation of, pick a caliber in that platform. Maybe you really like the 1911 platform where I haven't seen a .40 (only ever see .22LR, 9mm and .45ACP)

Don't limit yourself by caliber, find the gun you like then choose the caliber from there.
 
I own the M&P 40 and 45, traded the 9 for the 40. Would buy another but just got a glock 17 on trade. I love the M&P's and Glocks for the feel and weight as well as the consistent trigger (maybe not the best trigger but consistent) also the easy takedowns, lack of extra safeties and of extra bits and parts. Take my 1911 for instant, great gun and trigger but now you have to deal with two external safeties and take down requires a tool. It is also much heavier.

As for caliber I shoot them all and reload for all as well. I love shooting .45 most. Shoot what you love!

You can't go wrong with any purchase, they all do the same thing in the end. If you do not completely enjoy it you can always trade or sell. Since getting back into shooting a year ago I have purchased and traded for 9 pistols. Three I bought I ended up wanting something else. Point is you will end up with more than one and you will change your mind occasionally. So purchase whatever you want and enjoy.

Mark
 
Cowboy777 said:
Long time casual shooter, I got my restricted and am itching for a pistol with some kick. I like the lower cost of the 9 ammo, but does it make that much of a difference to go to a 40? Buddy suggested a sig too. The more I look, the further I am from a decision!
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If you re looking for "kick" I don't think there is much difference between 9mm and .40. Save money and go for the 9mm. What is your price range on a pistol? Polymer frame or metal?
 
Neither the 9mm or .40 version of the M&P is necessarily a bad choice. One one hand, 9mm ammunition is substantially less expensive if you are dependent on factory ammo. On the other hand, you are less likely to get a "lemon" that suffers from accuracy problems with the M&P 40 compared with the M&P 9.

Triggers are serviceable out of the box, but can be easily upgraded with the drop-in Apex parts, if you prefer. Field stripping can be done the same way as a Glock, by pulling the trigger to release the striker instead of pushing down on the sear deactivation lever prior to stripping.
 
It has a safety, the trigger.

To elaborate, the trigger cannot be drawn rearward by the trigger bar because the trigger locks onto the frame and can only be released by pressing it. Secondly, until the trigger bar is moved far enough to the rear to release the striker block, the stiker (even if released by the sear) cannot move freely foward to strike the primer.
 
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