First gun... Glock 17 or M&P 9?

dono18

dono18

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Hey everyone. I posted a thread a month ago or more regarding the availability of GP100s, as that was the first handgun I wanted to get. However, since God knows when they will be available up here, I figured I might opt for something much more accessible, and just about every online dealer seems to have Glocks and M&Ps in stock. So as a first time buyer which do you think would be a better option? Is the Gen 4 G17 worth the 130 or so dollars over the M&P 9? I like the looks of the M&P a bit more, at the same time I also like the plain looks of the G17, and the fact that Glock is the 'original' polymer gun.

I have also been considering the CZ 75b, however I haven't been able to locate the standard 75b version of the gun, (haven't looked terribly hard), just the many variants. Also I figured as a first gun perhaps a striker fired DAO might be a better choice.

Thanks!
 
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I had the same problem when I bought my first pistol. I was up in the air between and M&P9 and a Glock 17 gen 3. I ended up deciding on the Glock 17 and I don't regret it one bit. My friend ended up getting the M&P9 and I shot it a little. They are both similar and yet different. They are built for the same purpose and the only real difference is the style and grip angle, as they are both semi-automatic striker fired pistols. I find the triggers on stock Glocks are much better for myself, I didn't care for the M&P trigger. You will have to hold both in your hand and decide from there as they're both great pistols.
 
I agree with TK-Hryciuk, it all comes down to which one just feels better in your hands. I personally went with the GLOCK 17 gen4, because of the slimmer grip it has over the gen3's, either way you go with your decision, you'll end up with a quality gun.
 
Really can't go wrong here they're all awesome guns. I own a g17 and a cz75b and have shot a few m&p's. Never had a problem with my guns and I did like ergonomics on the m&p but I think I'm a glock guy. Really just comes down to personal preference. You could always buy them allllll!!!
 
With the Gen4 Glocks and the M&P it's kind of a toss up - the good news is that you really can't lose, either way you'll get a reliable gun that will last for years. Go with the one that feels best to you.
 
I'm considering the same two while I wait for my PAL/RPAL. I took a handgun level 1 course and got to shoot the Glock 17(G3) and M&P 9. Went through 250 rounds that day and about 100 rounds back-to-back between the both of them. As a new shooter to handguns, I can't say if one was any better than the other one. The M&P did feel more comfortable in my hands though. My hands take a medium glove size. The longer beaver tail on the M&P 9 made it feel more planted in my hand. Not sure what backstrap size was on it, but the interchangeability is what will probably sway me towards an M&P. Cheers.
 
I had the mp9 and had the chance to compare to many of the other mp9 and glocks at my range.
I don't own the mp9 anymore, here my 2 cents:
All mp9 are different and there isn't a real way to tell which generation is which unless the owner tells you or buy it BRAND new from a dealer who does not have them in stock, which will guarantee a new production MP9. Still you will find that there will be subtle differences between guns, in trigger pull, in finishing, the overall quality of the machining and polymer quality had a lot to be desired compared to the top notch finishing and QC of European guns.
Glocks, all the glocks I have handled, felt the same, all the components where the same, all the triggers were consistent and the finishing and overall quality was the same from gun to gun

That is why I don't own the MP. I shoot HK btw (not a glock kool aid drinker).
 
OP, are there any future sporting intentions (ie IPSC, IDPA, etc.)? If you are simply plinking or looking for a duty pistol, then you cannot go wrong with any of the aforesaid, it just comes down to a preference. I have owned and fired a lot of rounds through all 3 that you stated. Me personally, I like the M&P9 for plinking, but if I were thinking about IPSC or the like in the future, I would not hesitate and pick up the CZ.
 
I went Glock 17 Gen 4 and do not regret it.. it has been a challenge to shoot but it's coming, my other choice was a CZ SP-01 Shadow and just a delight to shoot ..

I have both and enjoy both for their differences..
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. RGC since this is my first gun it will simply be used for target shooting/fondling for the time being :p

I should also mention I have fairly small hands. To be exact my hands measures exactly 7 inches from the base of my palm to the tip of my middle finder, and the width of my palm from side to side is about 3.5 inches. Does anyone here have similar sized hands and own the Glock 17 Gen 4? I have seen some posts that say the Glocks feel like holding a 2x4 for someone with small hands. However I have also read that the Gen 4 G17 would be a decent gun for smaller hands...guess I would have to handle one to be sure. Then again though I'm thinking since I don't have experience handling a variety of guns, perhaps whichever one I get will feel fine, since I wont have anything to compare it to.
 
I have two Glocks, both model 17 one is a Gen 2 and the other a Gen 4. If you are used to the Glocks, when you switch to the M&P you would swear that the gun is broken at the very last of the trigger take up until it fires. Nope, you just have to squeeze harder! And some people think the standard Glock trigger sucks. Both my guns have stock triggers and both are basically the same with a couple of very small differences.

I did not buy the M&P specifically because of the trigger, and it needs work, to make the gun functional IMHO :evil:

The other plus for the Glock, you can't see. Its toughness in the way it locks up, the strength of the slide & barrel, and its resistance to corrosion are second to none. I have run very hot hand-loads, that today would never be recommended and 2 decades ago they were considered extreme through the G17 and it just keeps firing and does not jam, never has a bad day, runs if its dirty or clean. I have also, not by choice, had to store this firearm in a foam case outside in a locked storage container to face winter and summer and not see the light of day for 8 years.......no corrosion and no complaints when you load the magazine and pull the trigger ;)

Is it the prettiest gun, nope.......is it the most egronomic gun, nope.............but its the most simple gun you have ever had to fire, strip and clean and one of the toughest handguns you could own :)
 
"...a striker fired DAO might be a better choice..." Makes no difference. The only thing that matters is how well a pistol fits your hand.
"...have fairly small hands..." A CZ 75 is unlikely to fit your hand. Would have had one myself when they first came into the shop, long ago. Too big for my wide but short hands.
"...my hands measure..." You really need to go to a shop and try some of them on for size. The length of your middle finger doesn't matter. Just your trigger finger. Sound like it'll be to short for any DA pistol though. Look at a Browning High Power or a .45 Government model.
 
IMO your first handgun should be a .22. It'll allow you to learn to shoot properly, you won't develop a flinch, and it's cheap.
 
samsplacci71 said:
Neither, spend a bit extra and get a single stack mag STI 1911 in 9mm, you won't regret it. You will be amazed at how well these shoot right out of the box.
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1911s, especially 9mm 1911s, are not beginner's guns unless you have a lot of mechanical aptitude.

Either the Glock or M&P are good choices for the most part, but the M&P is a better value. Compared to a Glock that comes with two magazines and plastic slot fillers where the sights should be, the M&P range kit comes with a holster, magazine pouch, three magazines, MagLULA loading tool, and usable sights and is typically priced lower than the Glock.
 
sunray said:
"...my hands measure..." You really need to go to a shop and try some of them on for size. The length of your middle finger doesn't matter. Just your trigger finger. Sound like it'll be to short for any DA pistol though. Look at a Browning High Power or a .45 Government model.
Click to expand...

I just gave that measurement because that is one way in which hand size is measured. I would like to go and hold them both, and might get around to it sometime. Unfortunately the closest shop that I know of that carries the Glock and M&P is a 3 hour drive away.
 
I have at least one of each pistol you mention.

CZ is big for a small hand.

The New Glocks and the M&Ps have changeable backstraps. I use a medium for my slightly larger than average hands. A small would probably fit you well.

I prefer M&P to Glock by a small margin.

The trigger on my new M&P was quite good out of the box - better than my Glock. I have since put in a Apex trigger and it is now almost as good as a CZ.

The trigger on my old M&P (a 9mm) is mediocre - about the same as my Glock. But I shoot very good groups with it.

Shooting deliberately, i get the best groups from my CZ. As soon as I have to shoot against the clock (fast) the M&P does much better. One nice feature of the M&P is that when you slap in a fresh mag the slide drops by itself. This speeds things up when a half second is a long time.

The M&P is the most comfortable of the 3.
 
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