G34 vs M&P9 PRO vs SP01 Shadow?

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After watching the Magpul handgun video, I'm thinking about a modern 9mm pistol. I got a Norinco 1911 Gov't in 45 ACP, which is pretty big but I find it solid. For work we use the Browning HP, which is ok but clearly missing some of the nice features of the more modern pistols. I've narrowed down some choices:

1. CZ SP01 Shadow. $850. I like the fiber optic sight. I actually would like the Shadow Line, even if it's the plain 75 Shadow Line, but it seems it's not available anywhere, and the Shadow Line's selling for $1200 at some places (I guess it went up quite a bit?).

2. GLOCK G34 Gen 3 w/ ajustable sight. $6xx with LE/mil discount. Night sight is a cost option but I only care about daytime. The LE/mil discount is nice, but they're out of Gen 4 and isn't getting any more, not sure it's a huge difference though.

3. S&W M&P 9 Pro. $750. I like the fiber optic sight as well.

Maybe I'll use it for IPSC in the future, but now it's just for practice really (ironically, so I can shoot better with the Browning since we only get to shoot it once a year). The SA/DA difference doesn't matter. My hands are small and since I always wear glove for work when shooting, I'm going to wear gloves for practice as well. I find my single-stack 1911's grip is the right size (although I cannot reach the mag release without breaking my grip). I'm afraid the double-stacks will all be fatter still. The cost difference is negligible (except for the $1k Shadow Line... and on principle it is nice of GLOCK to give a LE/mil discount). So anyone (lucky enough) who owned all 3 have any comments? I think you really can't lose with either one, but still...
 
The shadow was my first handgun, and was purchased solely for IPSC. As such, Im absolutely bias; however, with some experience on the G34, i feel you cant go wrong either way. The shadow comes with Comp trigger, and is a beautifully weighted and balanced pistol. The glock is light, and has that glock snap + sound all Glock owners are proud of. Some shooters love em, others are nostalgic and think that anything with minimal metal in it is just ####e...they tend to be the ones who also thought the internet was just a passing fad; but hey, to each their own...
If you're not going to compete, you may want to lean towards something more similar to your duty pistol. Best to practice with what you use to create muscle memory regarding grip, sight picture etc. Although the principles are all the same across the line, practicing with what you use is the best habit. Now, for fun factor, i still like my SP01 Shadow over my mates G34. People get used to it quicker, its heavier and as a result, behaves nicer for quick follow up shots etc. Its a great skill building pistol as its designed with the competitive shooter in mind.
For a safe queen, get whatever tickles your fancy, you can never have to many fire arms and a variety is always nice... NO comment/experience on the MP.
 
If you're working with smallish hands then I really suggest you find and hold a Glock before you buy. They're dandy as a gun. But I find they feel as fat as holding a 2x4.

The more tear drop shape of the CZ is FAR nicer. More like your 1911 in fact despite it being a double stack frame. It manages this because the back portion of the grip frame is pinched in so the grips can taper inwards for more of a tear drop shape towards the rear strap. This really increases the range of hand sizes that find it nice to hold as a result.

The M&P isn't a bad choice either. A buddy is getting one and we both just test shot it this past weekend. Oddly enough I did far better with the smallest grip insert fitted. In fact I still found it "fatter" even with the smallest back strap insert than my CZ.

Something I like to look for in any handgun is a nice even feeling of contact pressure around the whole grip shape. I don't want to feel a lower pressure along the sides or any high pressure lines along the "corners" between the sides of the grips and the front or back strap areas. Guns that fit nicely even all around in my hands tend to lock in to my grip more consistently and I can shoot them better as a result. A good even contact pressure all around between the gun and my hands also seems to smoothen out the recoil compared to a fit that has loose and tight areas that produces more snap from the recoil.

Which, sadly, means you should work towards at least holding and evaluating these guns before you leap. All three shoot just fine. So it comes down to finding the one that fits your hands the best.

I'd also suggest that the SA trigger of the Shadow would be better for practice towards the High Power you use for qualifying.

And in fact the other option is to simply BUY a Hi Power and some mags and use that in IPSC or IDPA as well as the other events in your area. Nothing will give you better practice than using the same gun!
 
Not sure about the M&P, but the CZ SP01 Shadow has a beautiful trigger that in single action is close in feel to the 1911's. I have a G34 as well that I like to shoot, but it always takes me a mag or two to settle in with the trigger when I switch to or from it. I can switch back and forth between my Shadow and my 1911's without a problem. I like the extra weight of the Shadow as well, but now that I've put friction tape on my G34, it's about the same for re-acquiring the target on followup shots.
 
Only the M&P Pro and Shadow are approved for Production Division, so you'd have to shoot the G34 in Standard (minor caliber). That would put you at a significant disadvantage, so I wouldn't go the route of the G34 for IPSC.

Of the 2 remaining choices, I go with the Shadow over the M&P (but it'd be a close call) for the following reasons:
1) more parts availability - particularly at matches if you break a slide stop or trigger return spring...
2) more accessory availability
3) easier to get magazines
4) mechanically similar to the BHP (you can use it in SA mode with the safety for practice)
5) better track record in IPSC
6) better trigger pull (cleaner, lighter break in SA)

That having been said, the M&P Pro would be a fine choice as well.
 
I haven't owned any of those 3 particular models but I have shot all 3 and own standard sized Glocks and M&Ps. I would go for the M&P for the range. Great to shoot and feels better in the hand than the Glock. If you are going to get the G34 wait for the Gen 4. The grip is much nicer IMO.

The SP01 was nice but I only shot it once so my opinion is fairly worthless.

I am not sure where all these midget handed people come from but no generation of the Glock feels like a 2x4 and I have normal sized hands.
 
Sp-01 for me.... Love the weight feel and balance, good parts availability( even on here ) and a solid reputation... Don't get me wrong, I'd happily have all three.. The shadow just fits my contractors hands the best.....
 
I have little girl hands and have fired all of these but the M&P. The CZ feels identical to the Inglis as far as grip, but the trigger in DA is just a bit long to snag with the pad of my finger and pull quick. I can't touch the safety, but you don't need that for IPSC. Like I said, small hands. I really like it, and it is scary accurate. Glocks feel like 2x4s to me. A 1911 singlestack fits my hand great, but I can't afford 45 for competition.
 
I've not used the M&P, but I have a Glock 17, 22, and sold a 34. My SP01 Shadow beats the Glocks HANDS DOWN. That said, I don't shoot IPSC, so maybe there are advantages to striker guns in that forum. YMMV.
 
I have owned all three of them and would (and did) go with Glock.

M&P- don't care for the trigger. Reset sucks. (IMO), slippery grip.

Shadow- excellent ergos but breaks (fanbouys will rebut but I did go thru 2 slide releases in less than 2 years of IPSC/IDPA and front site "pop outs"

Glock- Works, excellent reset, parts easily available.

I still have G34 Gen4 and the M&P.
 
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