Glock 17 vs M&P9: A Comparison

NaOH

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Well, here are my unsolicited thoughts on Glock vs the M&P. I will preface this by saying I am a long time Glock shooter and have only shot and owned the M&P very recently.



The Glock trigger has always been a strong point for me. I like the feel, the length of travel and the reset. I'll say it again, I love that reset. Standard trigger, NY trigger or a 3.5# trigger, I love it. The M&P has a serviceable trigger but out of the box it's gritty and the reset is a bit soft. It's not nearly as distinct as the Glock. Apex makes some great trigger components to fix it out of box but I plan on just shooting mine until it improves. Glock for the win but the M&P isn't bad.

I have what is referred to in medical circles as "Gorilla Hands". I'm a big guy. The slide release on the Glock has always been a problem for me. In a two hand grip with thumbs along the slide, my thumb rests on the slide release. I have the same problem with my Beretta, but I was good with my USP. I've tried changing my grip and moving my thumbs but it isn't natural and under stress or rapid fire my thumb moves back and the slide won't lock back. The M&P is much better for me. The release is set farther forward than the Glock and it has a raised area around the release to keep errant thumbs off of it. My slide locks back every time with my normal grip. The slide release is also ambi on the M&P. M&P for the win on the slide release.

Grip. While I am proficient with the Glock, I've never shot it as well as I have other pistols. I've won IPSC Production shoots with it but my scores were always just a bit less than with other pistols. The grip angle just isn't right for me. The M&P grip feels much better and more natural. It points better for me as well. My double taps with the M&P are single holes compared to a 1" group with the Glock. That isn't an accuracy thing, the M&P just points better for me. No winner here as it depends on the shooter. I shoot a Glock well. I shoot an M&P better. YMMV.

The sights are neither here nor there. The factory Glock sights suck compared to the M&P but many of us run other sights or in my case, night sights. If you're staying factory, M&P wins hands down.

For looks, the Glock is utilitarian. It's a very reliable tool and I don't mean that as a negative. The M&P has some nice lines to it in the way my USP did. Looks are a far second to performance and reliability but I like the look of the M&P. The scallops on the slide are very positive on the M&P. With gloves on or a wet gun the Glock could be slippery to rack the slide. M&P for the win.



Rails. This only matters if you use them. I like swapping my light between rifle, shotgun and pistol. It's a bonus that they're all 1913 rails if you have a M&P.



So there you have it. I'm a long time Glock shooter and my preference is the M&P. I don't dislike Glock and I recommend them to first time pistol shooters but I'm staying with my S&W.

 
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Thanks for your reviews - those are the two guns that are on the top of my list for my first purchase. I have only shot one mag from both, and have very little experience shooting at all. So this helps. LOL let me ask you this, can you get a 22 conversion for the M&P? or do you need to get the M&P22? My thoughts are to get the Glock 17 with the 22 conversion, or the M&P22 (if I can find one) and a M&P 9mm...thoughts?
 
To be a fair comparison, you should use a Gen 4 GLOCK. The large backstrap may help with your gorilla hands. Interesting review though.I think they are both great guns, but I love my GLOCK.
 
It looks that the grip of MP is much more bigger than Glock.isn't it?
I have small hands,I'm worried if the grip of MP is too big for me.
 
I bet if you replace the trigger and sights on either, that you would have essentially the same gun.

I find that I have trained myself to shoot glock well, and its hard when I shoot other pistols now. Somehow, light polymer framed guns with that grip angle feel natural to me.
 
Thanks for the review ... I'm debating what my first purchase will be too ... but want to handle both before making commiting to anything.
 
It looks that the grip of MP is much more bigger than Glock.isn't it?
I have small hands,I'm worried if the grip of MP is too big for me.

The m&p is perfect for small hands because you can adjust the grip size. I have tiny hands and it fits me perfectly, where as the glock never seems comfortable.
 
Great review! More or less how I feel as well. M&P and Glock are my #1 and #2 choice for a 9mm pistol. M&P wins by a slight margin for me as well
 
Have had an M&P for a while now and love it! Seem to shoot it quite well now to thanks to practice and some handy classes on technique and fundamentals. I really like everything about my M&P but that being said... I did just get a G17 Gen 4. Haven't shot it yet (have shot others) but am looking forward to it. Seems to point more naturally than previous gens, but still not quite as well as my M&P. Opinion could change once I get it out to the range though, I'm going to take both and compare! I'm sure I'll love the Glock to.... right?? :p
 
It looks that the grip of MP is much more bigger than Glock.isn't it?
I have small hands,I'm worried if the grip of MP is too big for me.

They might look bigger but, the palmswells fit perfectly in the palm of your hand. I have both the Glock Gen 4 and the M&P and can honestly say that they ergonomics on the M&P are far more superior than any Glock. I have the 5" M&P Pro Series and love the front green FO sight and the low glare rear sight.
 
I currently own the M&P 9 and like it as a good reliable gun that fits me nicely. Luckily, I had the opportunity to try both before buying any of them. Trigger was a bit gritty as OP said in comparison to the glock I have tried, but in all due respect, the glock had many miles on it. I did the M&P trigger job on mine and now it is great! The changeable grips in the range kit are what sold the M&P for me as I too have small hands.

http://www.burwellguns.com/M&Ptriggerjob1.htm
 
It looks that the grip of MP is much more bigger than Glock.isn't it?
I have small hands,I'm worried if the grip of MP is too big for me.

i too think they look bigger on the m&p but they seem to be more ''round'' than the glock, wich are almost a rectangle with round corners. This is what i like about my glocks the way it feels in my hand everytime i grab it because it gives some kind of reference point.
Mind you i never shot or handled a m&p , but i am looking forward to it they seem great.
 
i too think they look bigger on the m&p but they seem to be more ''round'' than the glock, wich are almost a rectangle with round corners. This is what i like about my glocks the way it feels in my hand everytime i grab it because it gives some kind of reference point.
Mind you i never shot or handled a m&p , but i am looking forward to it they seem great.

They are great, you can't beat the perfect fit of the grip in your hand.
 
Thanks man, very fair review, more info than opinion. I have shot a Glock, but just bought the M&P9. Love the feel(which is most important ) and the range kit is a great value.
 
I've had a few M&P's (got my first one when they came out in '07) also had a bunch of Glocks (gen2, 3, RTF and 4). Between gen3 and M&P I would pick M&P as well, but after Glock came out with gen4 I ended up selling my M&P. For me it's a huge improvement over previous generations.

p7120088a.jpg
 
Having owned both, I still have the M&P. The grips is much more versatile and the beavertail makes a slide bite almost impossible, unlike the Glock. The one thing I wish the M&P had that the Glock does better is the textured and squared off trigger guard. Oh well - can't have it all.

PS: My M&P is the standard 4.2" barrel M&P9, but I run the M&P Pro green FO front sight on it - it's a definite improvement.
 
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