Just got my first new gun in awhile, a S&W M&P9c

[Idempotent]

I don't really have a photo ready, but heck, if you've seen one M&P9c you've seen 'em all.

At first I thought I wanted one without a thumb safety, but I found a great deal at Kentucky Gun Co ($412 shipped) and they only had the models with the thumb safeties, and now that I have it on hand, I actually kind of like the thumb safety, just because it means I can use exactly the same thumbs-forward grip as I use on my 1911. Without that safety to rest my upper thumb on I don't think I'd be as confident in the grip.

And secondly, I just found out about these X-GRIP adapters to use a 17-round full-size M&P magazine with an M&P9c. Anyone have experience with these? Do they work well? They seem like a great idea for range use and home defense (more weight = less recoil, larger grip = better control over recoil, higher capacity = better for defense). If they actually do work well I'll definitely get a couple.

This is my first polymer-framed pistol as well. I'm excited for a chance to bring it out to the range, and it's also my lightest handgun by far, so hopefully the women I've tried to take shooting will be able to handle it better (they've all complained so far about how heavy my 1911 and S&W 617 are, even though it's the weight that keeps the felt recoil down).

 

[Baccusboy]

I'm thinking hard about a 9c for my carry gun when I wouldn't have my 1911SC bobtail. Good choice. Not sure it's worth it for me to go with a smaller Shield compared to a 9c or not...

 

[Drmsparks]

Nice to see you back! good choice. I got a fullsize 9mm for play (three gun).

 

[oldsarge]

You will really like the M&P. I own a M&P 45C and carry it daily. I also use the X grip adapters with it. When I carry in uniform, I use the large mag with the adapter and when I carry concealed, I use the compact mags. The adapters are well made and the look is factory. When the large mags are in my .45, you can"t even tell that the adapter is being used. Have fun with your new toy.

 

[Mooseman]

Congrats. Enjoy your new toy.

 

[Idempotent]

I'm thinking hard about a 9c for my carry gun when I wouldn't have my 1911SC bobtail. Good choice. Not sure it's worth it for me to go with a smaller Shield compared to a 9c or not...

I ordered the M&P9c a week before the Shield was announced, alas. It definitely would have entered consideration had it been out when I placed this order. A buddy of mine has the small Kel-Tec or whatever, but it feels cheap, and the controls on it suck. With an M&P, however, there is no compromise.

 

[Name Taken]

I own 3 MP...both a full size 9 and .40 and a compact in .40.

They are GREAT guns and I really like them...wouldnt think twice about buying another one.

 

[Idempotent]

It was pretty much down to either a Glock 19 or an M&P9c (both of which seem to do equally well quality and reliability-wise). What it came down to was (a) the M&P simply looks better (superficial, I know), and (b) I'd rather buy a gun made in America than one made in Austria. The damn thing already shoots a Kraut cartridge, I don't need the gun itself to be Kraut as well

 

[Name Taken]

It was pretty much down to either a Glock 19 or an M&P9c (both of which seem to do equally well quality and reliability-wise). What it came down to was (a) the M&P simply looks better (superficial, I know), and (b) I'd rather buy a gun made in America than one made in Austria. The damn thing already shoots a Kraut cartridge, I don't need the gun itself to be Kraut as well

Funny you mention that...I'm debating about picking up a G23 to replace the MP40C.

I dont think you can go wrong with either...and yes the SW does look better.

 

[Marauder]

Congrats! Have fun at the range..

 

[INMY01TA]

I have the M&P9c and it is one of my favorites. I have 4 full sized M&P9 mags, all original Smith and Wesson mags. I have one X Grip adapter. Three of my four full sized mags have a square on the bottom where you press to remove the floor plate, one has a circle there. I had read that the full sized mags with circles on the bottom are better somehow. Turns out, only the mag with the circle can be fully inserted into the gun using the Xgrip adapter. The three mags with squares will not fully insert. All four will insert fine with no Xgrip adapter. Something to think about.

 

[MDMOUNTAINEER]

Funny you mention that...I'm debating about picking up a G23 to replace the MP40C.

I dont think you can go wrong with either...and yes the SW does look better.

Why not go with a 19?

Not a caliber debate................just sayin'

 

[Name Taken]

Why not go with a 19?

Not a caliber debate................just sayin'

My 9mms will be full size guns. Pm sent

 

[HT4]

I own 3 MP...both a full size 9 and .40 and a compact in .40.

They are GREAT guns and I really like them...wouldnt think twice about buying another one.

I like the way you think... I also have a 40, 40c, 9c (currently lent to my father for carry after his G27 was stolen) and I just bought a full size 9 w/ the factory threaded barrel kit (well, actually I reserved it while waiting for my Maryland 30 day wait to pass ).

For what they are and their price point, I can't say enough good things about these guns and the way they feel and shoot.

That said, to the OP, if you did your research, I'm sure you have seen discussions of the trigger feel and reset. To be fair, the trigger is a bit notchy, has a fair amount of creep (though it's no worse than comparable guns) and the reset is ambiguous. If they bother you, these issues are very easy to fix with relatively cheap aftermarket parts for companies like APEX.

Good luck with your new purchase!

 

[Idempotent]

Yeah, I'm going to wear the trigger in by shooting it first, and if it doesn't improve too much within several hundred rounds, I'll start seriously thinking about aftermarket parts. Right now I've still only dry-fired it, but yeah, it doesn't have a clean break.

'Course it's not even fair to compare it against the trigger on my 1911, hehe.

 

[J-Dog]

I really liked my M&P9C for the first 15 shots or so, that is until the front sight walked off center. Hopefully it will come back from S&W this week and I can go shoot it again this weekend. So keep an eye on the front sight post, I hear that problem is fairly common. Other than that, I really like it.

I've got the two compact mags that came with it, as well as one full size mag my wife bought me on a whim, and an X-Grip adapter on the way.

I got it as a range toy/home defense/potential carry weapon, and I thought I'd hate the shorty compact mags, but honestly the way my fingers fall (big hands), I don't really mind them. I might even swap the floor plate with the pinky extender out for another flat one, so that I have two flat compact mags and one full size with the grip extender.

 

[Maverick0313]

I have a M&P 9 Pro......love it. Period.

 

[HT4]

'Course it's not even fair to compare it against the trigger on my 1911, hehe.

That was my conclusion...

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=79061 [post #3]

 

[Tower43]

I love the M&P. I have the M&P in 9, 40(.357) and 45. I however have full size versions of each and when I leave the Communist Republic of Marylandistan I carry the full size. Typically I'm actually carrying the 4.5" (.45) because its the only one with night sights.... and IMHO, in Self Defense, if it's not a .45 you're doing it wrong. (Ref: http://oldnortheast.patch.com/articles/applebees-diner-shoots-mugger. What we learn here, is 4 rounds of .380 didn't kill him, but 4 rounds of .45 Surely would..... Just sayin'

Edit: I usually carry concealed with an IWB holster (from S&W's website) it works fairly well, and with a decently loose fitting polo I can prevent "most" printing problems. Other times I carry with my BH Serpa L2 CQC Holster (when not too worried about total concealment)..

I am looking at getting a 3-slot with thumb break.... any one have opinions on that? (Not trying to hijack... but the topic is about M&Ps and Concealed Carry so.....)

 

[Mossberg Kid]

Congratulations on your new toy!

I'm sure you'll enjoy; keep us posted on the fun.

Meanwhile, I'm chomping at the bit for the 7-day waiting period to end before I can pick up my S&W M&P22.

The new Shield looks awesome too....