Glock 17 vs M&P9: A Comparison

When trying guns at the local range, I thought I loved the Glock 22 and 17. Then I got a chance to handle an M&P and once I changed the backstrap to the large one to fit my meathook, it was a natural. Loved it so much I went out and bought an M&P 9mm and 6 months later, bought another for the wife (after all who wants to share!). Saves me switching from the large back strap to the small each time. The fact that the pistol can be customized to the grip size made it a no brainer for me. Did a quick trigger job on both (because yes the M&P feels like it has been dropped in a sand box when you first get it) and now could not be happier with the purchases.

Like everything else, YMMV
 
To answer questions on the grips I still prefer the M&P to the gen 4 Glock. With the Glock you can make the grip deeper. From the photos you can see the M&P becomes deeper and wider as well.

In the photos I have the large grip on. As of today's range session I'm running the medium grip. Because its larger both ways I find that the medium is large enough.

As always, try both before you buy. YMMV.
 
I've been doing a lot of reading and research for my first pistol. I narrowed it down to the G34 Gen 4 then I accidentally saw long time Glock owners preferring and switching to M&P9. Definitely going to have to try M&P9. Thanks for the review OP.
 
Good comparison, I feel the same way about the two. Don't like the stock trigger on an M&P, but love the ergonomics/grip compared to a Glock. I like a stock Glock trigger and reset, but slightly prefer it with a NY1 spring and a 3.5# connector.
 
The more I shoot the M&P the more I like it.

I have found my front sight is a bit off. I shoot to the left and thought it was me until I mic'ed the sight. Should be an easy fix.
 
I have a few questions if someone is willing. My RPAL is past the interview stage so hopefully I'll get it soon.
I haven't handled any guns yet, but the Glock 34 and the M&P9 and M&P9 Pro interest me. The Glock and the Pro because of the longer barrels.
Does the M&P9 range and carry kit come with adjustable backstraps?
Are the sights easy to change on the regular M&P9?
Is the trigger on the 9mm Pro good enough, or would trigger work be still recommended?
Just wondering if getting the plain range kit M&P9 and a trigger job would be better than a stock Pro model.
Also, CTC Supplies has 3 Apex choices for the M&P trigger, which of those would I need?
1) Apex M&P Duty/Carry Action Enhancement Kit (DCAEK)
2) Apex M&P Forward Set Sear & Trigger Kit
3) Apex Reset Assist Mechanism (RAM)

As for the Glock, I'll have to see if I like the finger grooves on the front or not.

Thanks for any and all replies.
 
kwk1 said:
I have a few questions if someone is willing. My RPAL is past the interview stage so hopefully I'll get it soon.
I haven't handled any guns yet, but the Glock 34 and the M&P9 and M&P9 Pro interest me. The Glock and the Pro because of the longer barrels.
Does the M&P9 range and carry kit come with adjustable backstraps?
Are the sights easy to change on the regular M&P9?
Is the trigger on the 9mm Pro good enough, or would trigger work be still recommended?
Just wondering if getting the plain range kit M&P9 and a trigger job would be better than a stock Pro model.
Also, CTC Supplies has 3 Apex choices for the M&P trigger, which of those would I need?
1) Apex M&P Duty/Carry Action Enhancement Kit (DCAEK)
2) Apex M&P Forward Set Sear & Trigger Kit
3) Apex Reset Assist Mechanism (RAM)

As for the Glock, I'll have to see if I like the finger grooves on the front or not.

Thanks for any and all replies.
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It would be best if you could find a shop that has both an M&P and a Glock and see how you like the feel of them. Or better yet a place where you could shoot both. The M&P9 does come with replaceable backstraps. I personally don't have experience with the M&P Pro triggers, but I wouldn't go replacing the trigger until you have shot the gun a bit and decided you don't like the stock trigger. Just my opinion.
 
themikea said:
It would be best if you could find a shop that has both an M&P and a Glock and see how you like the feel of them. Or better yet a place where you could shoot both. The M&P9 does come with replaceable backstraps. I personally don't have experience with the M&P Pro triggers, but I wouldn't go replacing the trigger until you have shot the gun a bit and decided you don't like the stock trigger. Just my opinion.
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Thanks themikea. I will check them out and try to use them as well before making a purchase.
Still wondering if a Pro trigger and the longer barrel and better sights are worth the price difference.
I've checked a lot of the Gunnutz dealers online and none have a M&P9 Pro in stock. Even the Glock 34 9mm seems hard to come by.
 
Glock 17 3rd gen 9X19 all the way. M&P is sh!t. Stick to hi end revolvers Smith&Wesson lol

My G17 was the most accurate 9mm I've EVER shot in my entire lifetime. Twice as accurate as my Beretta M9, and my Glock 17 was putting entire 10-shot mags dead centre on a piece of writing paper at 50 yards, with no problems. At 50 yards, groupings the size of an apple with my G17...every single time. Grip angle, hi vis front sight, trigger reset, just a beautiful, accurate package. Recoil as smooth as silk with those little 115 gr. FMJ 9's

Glock all the way ;)

G17
G21
G27

Loved them all ;)
 
I started with a Glock and have recently went to the M&P.

It just feels better and shoots better in my hands. There is something about the way the M&P recoils over the Glock that allows me quicker follow up shots as well. Not sure what it is. Just feels like the recoil comes straighter back rather than flipping the muzzle end.

Will never sell my G17 as it was my first. But I am an M&P believer now.
 
FastFord58 said:
I started with a Glock and have recently went to the M&P.

It just feels better and shoots better in my hands. There is something about the way the M&P recoils over the Glock that allows me quicker follow up shots as well. Not sure what it is. Just feels like the recoil comes straighter back rather than flipping the muzzle end.

Will never sell my G17 as it was my first. But I am an M&P believer now.
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I like the feel of the M&P in the hands better also, but can usually shoot faster and more accurately with a Glock. That is likely due to the fact that I have way more trigger time on the Glock 17 than I do any any other pistol.
 
Seems like an even mix for Glock/S&W around here. Maybe the edge to Glock because they've been around longer than the M&P.
 
kwk1 said:
I have a few questions if someone is willing. My RPAL is past the interview stage so hopefully I'll get it soon.
I haven't handled any guns yet, but the Glock 34 and the M&P9 and M&P9 Pro interest me. The Glock and the Pro because of the longer barrels.
Does the M&P9 range and carry kit come with adjustable backstraps? YES
Are the sights easy to change on the regular M&P9? YES, you need a sight pusher to remove the front sight though.
Is the trigger on the 9mm Pro good enough, or would trigger work be still recommended? Depends what you want. The grit you feel in the FS gun is mostly due to the USB. Just buying the Apex USB removes almost all of the gritty feeling. The PRO has a decent trigger and better than the FS. If you buy the PRO for most it should meet their needs.
Just wondering if getting the plain range kit M&P9 and a trigger job would be better than a stock Pro model. Again depends on what you want. If you want the longer sight radius the PRO is your choice. There is nothong wrong with the FS gun. If you intend to buy the Apex kit then a regular FS gun is less expensive.
Also, CTC Supplies has 3 Apex choices for the M&P trigger, which of those would I need?
1) Apex M&P Duty/Carry Action Enhancement Kit (DCAEK) This kit will give you a smooth +5lb trigger pull with a cleaner break
2) Apex M&P Forward Set Sear & Trigger Kit I have one installed in one of my PROs. I don't think it is worth the money over the Competition Kit frankly. Why? Because I don't think I have enough talent to take advantage of the reduced reset. Secondly I don't like the Glock style trigger safety due to overly sensitive fingers from a case of Shingles. I wear a glove on my strong hand when I shoot the gun with heavy loads. The Competition Kit results in a 2.5lb trigger, while the FSS & Triger give a 3.5lb trigger. Both are very nice for competition where there is no minimum trigger pull.
3) Apex Reset Assist Mechanism (RAM) I have one installed and I don't think it serves much of a purpose. If your trigger spring break, you can still reset the sear by pushing your trigger forward. YMMV.

As for the Glock, I'll have to see if I like the finger grooves on the front or not.

Thanks for any and all replies.
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I have replied in bold. Remember those comments relate to me and my preference. So much depends on what you intend to use the gun for. If for IPSC Production you should get a heavier trigger return spring to ensure your gun remains above 5#s for Production. The Apex parts would not be legal for an IPSC Production gun. If for IDPA the internal parts from Apex are legal for SSP/ESP. Install the Apex trigger and the gun goes to ESP as the trigger is an external mod. I am not familiar with PPC or any other handgun sports the guns may qualify for. For plinking at the range or playing some of the outlaw games fill your boots. Apex allows you to design the trigger pretty much to your liking.
 
Canuck44 said:
I have replied in bold. Remember those comments relate to me and my preference. So much depends on what you intend to use the gun for. If for IPSC Production you should get a heavier trigger return spring to ensure your gun remains above 5#s for Production. The Apex parts would not be legal for an IPSC Production gun. If for IDPA the internal parts from Apex are legal for SSP/ESP. Install the Apex trigger and the gun goes to ESP as the trigger is an external mod. I am not familiar with PPC or any other handgun sports the guns may qualify for. For plinking at the range or playing some of the outlaw games fill your boots. Apex allows you to design the trigger pretty much to your liking.
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Thanks for the reply Canuck44. You've answered most if not all my questions and with great detail. As for sports, I have a bad back so I don't think I could do IPSC type stuff. There is some kind of NRA type bullseye shooting at one of the clubs here in MB. I'll have to inquire about what all there is for competitions. So much to learn. Thanks again!
 
kwk1 said:
Thanks for the reply Canuck44. You've answered most if not all my questions and with great detail. As for sports, I have a bad back so I don't think I could do IPSC type stuff. There is some kind of NRA type bullseye shooting at one of the clubs here in MB. I'll have to inquire about what all there is for competitions. So much to learn. Thanks again!
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Get hold of RAKS here on the Forum or the Manitoba Defensive Pistol League - their contact info in on the IDPA Canada website. You can shoot IDPA with a bad back...I do and be competitive within your Classification. The new rule book even has a special section on how to allow disabled shooters to shoot the stages. The M&P is a great platform for the sport as well. Rob at the MDPL is a great guy and I am sure he will make you welcome.
 
Personally I don't like the glock trigger for the feel of the actual trigger itself. I agree that the factory M&P trigger pull is not as good as the glocks. Just got the M&Pc in 9mm and I find it much nicer to shoot than my G26
 
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