[trainershawn]

I've been contemplating the purchase of a new handgun for months. Right now my main full size is a Ruger P89, love it. Built like a tank and will eat anything. My EDC is a Ruger LC9. Great little gun and accurate enough. Eats everything I've put through it so far. Bought a S&W SD40 VE last fall and have been trying to like the 40cal, but just haven't fell in love with it yet. Since my wife doesn't like shooting the 40, I'm looking for a strike fired 9. I've debated several guns and am now down to the S&W M&P 9 or a Glock. I hate online reviews because people skew them to their own likes and dislikes. I'm torn now as to whether it's time to just get a Glock and not look back, or get the S&W. If anyone has either a Glock or S&W M&P 9, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I don't know much about the Glocks and the different flavors they offer. Thanks.

 

[bigdogbuc]

Well, you've narrowed it down to two quality brands. My duty weapon is a Glock 22 (.40 Cal) and it is issued. Great gun, shoots well, reliable. This is the second G22 I've had for work purposes. Can't complain, especially since it's "free". ::clapping:: The M&P's are another great system. I was never a big Smith fan until they came out with the M&P Series.

Long ago, I had been a rabid Ruger fan. I've owned the P85, P89, P90, as well as several revolvers (GP100, Security Six, Speed Six, SP101, 3 Vaquero's, a Blackhawk and Super Blackhawk). After being issued striker fired auto's (a Sigma - not a bad gun but soon replaced by a Glock) I found I could no longer "shoot" the Double Action/Single Action Rugers without seriously having to think about it. Striker fired pistols provide a consistent "every time" pull. Think Double Action Only. Whereas the Rugers have a ridiculous DA pull, then, what seems like a 6" pull to the rear to release the hammer once it's in SA.

With that said, I have never personally purchased a Glock for my very own. I just don't like them enough to want to buy one for myself. And it's purely aesthetics. That's it. I mean, I've counted on a Glock to be there when I need it so I kind of view it as a work tool. It's just a little too "boxy" and "plain" for me. Which it what makes it a great work gun. Accessories are readily available for Glock's. Lights, holsters, mags, sights, bayonets etc. You have aftermarket options exceeded only by the 10/22.

With all that said, I have never fired an M&P. I've handled them, and a bunch of the people I work with say they are great guns. Everything, for the most part, you could hope for out of the box. S&W hit it on the head with their M&P Line. From center-fire to rim-fire counterparts that make training with the "same gun" much, much cheaper.

The XD series is another line that I would recommend. I've owned one and I loved it.

And don't discount the .40 either. It's a good round. The recoil is definitely "different" but completely manageable once you become accustomed to its characteristics. The 9mm is recoil friendly, but in my opinion, a little on the meek side. Though an excellent round out of a carbine. I'm a huge fan of the .45; big and slow. The recoil though heavy, is slow. The .40 provides a nice medium. Bigger than the 9mm and faster than the .45; but the recoil is snappy. The whole experience in shooting a .40 is fast.

Obviously, pick what works for you. I, as I'm sure many others here have done, purchased the "had to have" whatever, only to suffer a devastating episode of buyers remorse. But I don't think you can go wrong with the Glock, the M&P or the XD. Especially for the money and versatility. If I had the money in my pocket, and was looking to buy, I'd probably come home with an M&P in .40

Or a Hi-point with matching carbine for the same price....:grin:::rambo::

 

[trainershawn]

Thanks for the reply. I've also looked at the XDM9 but am shying away because of the rear safety. I know it's similar to 1911's but I'd rather just be able to shoot without thinking of hand placement. I suppose with practice it becomes second nature. I need to shoot my 40 more to get more comfortable with it. When I was in LE a few years back, my P89 was my duty weapon and I will never get rid of it. Technology is a bit outdated and I'm sure there are more accurate guns on the market. I'll have to go back and give the XDM9 another look, as well as the S&W 40. I like the power of the 40. I suppose I could get my wife a new 9 since she doesn't like the bulky P89. As for Glocks, the reason why I have also stayed away is the looks. Too boxy for me. Thanks again for the input.

 

[Ripon]

I did not see in your post the purpose of this one? You have a main full size P89 and a carry LC9 and is this to replace one of those? Just be an extra? I'm not sure of your intent.

Right now I have a P85/89 and 95 all of which I like a great deal. I just wish their 15/17 round magazines were not so darned expensive because, as you said, they eat it all and never quit. There was a thread here about Beretta's last week I think, the 92's. I had one issued to me once and liked it fine but I'm going to stick wtih the P series and my 1911's.

I've been contemplating the purchase of a new handgun for months. Right now my main full size is a Ruger P89, love it. Built like a tank and will eat anything. My EDC is a Ruger LC9. Great little gun and accurate enough. Eats everything I've put through it so far. Bought a S&W SD40 VE last fall and have been trying to like the 40cal, but just haven't fell in love with it yet. Since my wife doesn't like shooting the 40, I'm looking for a strike fired 9. I've debated several guns and am now down to the S&W M&P 9 or a Glock. I hate online reviews because people skew them to their own likes and dislikes. I'm torn now as to whether it's time to just get a Glock and not look back, or get the S&W. If anyone has either a Glock or S&W M&P 9, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I don't know much about the Glocks and the different flavors they offer. Thanks.

 

[Chipper]

Glocks are great reliable guns. If your looking at 9mm the Glocks have the 33 round mags that are very cheap and easy to find. Also there are a lot of options for the Glock and the mags. Carbine conversions, AR's, Keltec sub 2000's etc that use the Glock mag and pistol frame.
Biggest think I don't like about Glocks is the shape. Squared off, large grip and uncomfortable to carry or conceal. I'll go as far as saying kind of crude, like a squared off 2x4. Glock doesn't seem to take any pride in workmanship. Here's your block of steel/plastic we just didn't have time to finish it up and make it nice.

M&P's are a lot nicer IMO. If you see an M&P you can change the grip to fit your hand, no looking for the right generation to "FINALLY" get that feature. Smith actually takes the time to round off the edges, contour and finish the gun. Very accurate easy to use. No reaching to trip the slide release etc.
If you can get your hands on a Pro Series M&P I would strongly suggest that as the way to go. Awesome trigger and great accuracy. Really nice fiber optic sights.
The only thing is no high capacity mags, 33 rounds, for the M&P. Guess that's never been a big deal as I've never "run" out with just 17 rounds.

Get down to your local shop and handle a few to see what fits you and what you like. You can't go wrong with either one for reliability etc. I've had more than one person admit regret over their purchase of a Glock, FN, Ruger or Springfield XD after handling and shooting my M&P Pro Series 9mm.

 

[Old Man]

I love my 1911's! But I will have to say that I purchased a Glock 23 Gen 4 and have really enjoyed shooting it. It is a 40 cal., but I purchased a longwolf 9mm barrell and Glock 9mm mags, and she is working great in 9mm too. I also purchased a 357 sig barrell and it will work with the 40 mags. That gives me three different calibers in one gun, not bad.

 

[Lazerus2000]

I have personally owned well over 100 pistols, and worked on a few hundred more for paying customers as a professional gun smith. When I gave up IPSC competitive shooting after more than a decade and became more interested in CCW/PRACTICAL pistols, I switched over from the Govt model pistols to the Glocks. IMHO, the Glock pistols are simply the best pistol choice for real world carry.

I currently own only two pistols, a .40 S&W chambered Glock 23 with a 9 mm conversion barrel and magazines, and a CUSTOM built Norinco Commander, in .45 ACP. My Glock 23 would be the very last gun I ever parted with. Of all the pistols I've shot, the G23 is the one pistol that suits me best for Practical shooting. The Commander is a very nice pistol indeed, and if I ever got back into IPSC or IDPA competition, and if I ever started practicing seriously again, the Commander would be the pistol I chose. If I PRACTICE, I can shoot a Govt type pistol a bit better than a Glock. But without regular practice, I shoot the Glock better for fast, close, quick and dirty type scenarios.

So for me, my first choice in a real world carry pistol will always be the Glock.
And of all the different Glock models, my favorite for balance and handling is the G23 ....
with a 9 mm conversion kit for some specialized scenarios.
[;{)
YPMMV
LAZ 1

 

[Lazerus2000]

I love my 1911's! But I will have to say that I purchased a Glock 23 Gen 4 and have really enjoyed shooting it. It is a 40 cal., but I purchased a longwolf 9mm barrell and Glock 9mm mags, and she is working great in 9mm too. I also purchased a 357 sig barrell and it will work with the 40 mags. That gives me three different calibers in one gun, not bad.

I recently sold my .40 S&W Glock G22, similarly set up in 9mm and .357 SIG,
AND with a .22 LR conversion kit as well.
This was the most versatile ONE pistol that you could own.

Add in a FAB KPOS Carbine Conversion kit, like the one shown at the bottom of this picture, and in only a few seconds you are good to go with one fire arm from CCW right out to 100 yds.

 

[retired guard]

Before I retired the Glock 22 was my issued carry. Never had a problem with it. When I bought my own I got a Glock 19 compact reliable 9mm. I prefer the 9mm in the three leading auto rounds as improved technology has narrowed the gap between these rounds performance wise, and the 9mm is cheapest to shoot(At least when we are not in panic mode)

 

[Smitty901]

P89 had a great run. If you want full size look at Ruger SR if you want smaller but high cap Ruger SR9C
Hard to beat a Ruger American made American owner company outstanding products.

 

[Pir8fan]

I've been contemplating the purchase of a new handgun for months. Right now my main full size is a Ruger P89, love it. Built like a tank and will eat anything. My EDC is a Ruger LC9. Great little gun and accurate enough. Eats everything I've put through it so far. Bought a S&W SD40 VE last fall and have been trying to like the 40cal, but just haven't fell in love with it yet. Since my wife doesn't like shooting the 40, I'm looking for a strike fired 9. I've debated several guns and am now down to the S&W M&P 9 or a Glock. I hate online reviews because people skew them to their own likes and dislikes. I'm torn now as to whether it's time to just get a Glock and not look back, or get the S&W. If anyone has either a Glock or S&W M&P 9, I'd like to hear your thoughts. I don't know much about the Glocks and the different flavors they offer. Thanks.

I have the M&P. it is without a doubt the best shooting pistol I own. Smooth option, reliable and accurate. You won't go wrong with one.

 

[scramble4a5]

Not one of our mentioned choices but I have a Ruger SR9. Striker fired, 17 round magazine, full sized, and eats anything you feed it. Less than a Glock but as you know a Glock is one fine gun.

 

[SF340_Driver]

I don't think you will go wrong with a glock, XD, or M&P. I have shot them all and they are all very reliable and do what they were designed to do. I would suggest trying each of them out at your LGS.

I moved to M&Ps due to feeling best in my hand when I shot it and having the M&P22 as an additional (cheaper) training option. Also, I was able to purchase storm lake conversion barrels in 9mm for my M&P40s. They run 9mm perfectly with just a barrel and magazine switch out. It will run 9mm from 40 cal mags, but I feel more confident in feeding using 9mm mags.

There are some complaints out there about the trigger on the M&P. S&W copied apex tactical's trigger kit so new guns coming off the line have that problem solved. Spare mags are hard to find right now due to the surge.

As far as 9mm vs 40, my former department tested them both thoroughly and found very little ballistic difference when using modern bullets.

 

[roy]

I like the Glocks in 40 S&W, cheap, reliable and you can convert to .357 Sig with just a barrel.

 

[trainershawn]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I never paid much attention to the fact that you could switch out barrels and run a different caliber through them. Now you all have me thinking I should get a 40cal, either Glock or S&W, and buy the conversion to run 9mm through it. Can you also convert them the other way? That is, can you buy a 9mm in either brand and put a 40 cal barrel in it? Thanks again for all the replies.

As for the the SR line of Rugers mentioned, I was about to by one a few weeks ago. However, the reason why I'm looking at Glock and S&W now is due to the aftermarket products available. There just isn't a lot out there for Ruger which is why I decided not to purchase it.

 

[Ripon]

Conversion to 22LR is also quite valuable. I understand a number of 9mm's can do this, a few Glock models, Sig Models, the Berretta 92 has a 22 conversion kit and my favorite the 1911. The 1911 conversions won't work on 9mm models without a lot of work (expensive) but its a good reason to have a 45

 

[Fuzzee]

I'll just leave this here.

Tons of aftermarket and parts. Easy to mod the trigger too.

 

[roy]

The conversion of 9mm Glock to 40 S&W requires more than just a barrel.

 

[sparkyprep]

While both guns are very relilable, and are nearly the same, I chose the S&W M&P 9mm for two reasons.

1. S&W= Made in America
2. S&W was a little better asthetically pleasing to me, it was simply a better looking gun.

 

[sparkyprep]

Also, everyone knocks the "knock down power" of the 9mm round, but it is cheap, plentifull, and I've never met anyone who would volunteer to put that theory to the test on them.