S&W M&P 9mm 5 Inch

[DeltaAlphaDelta]

I know a lot of people have the M&P, some hate it... some love it. Just wondering if anyone here has the 5 inch and what you're thoughts are. I'm thinking of picking one up for a target / fun pistol. Not worried about CCW or any of that, I want a full size in 9. I usually shoot .45 ACP, but thought it might be about time to grab a 9mm. I have very limited experience with 9mm's, but would like to own one in my modest collection.

I'm gonna go rent one next week at the range (not sure if they have the 5 inch to rent though), and see if I like it, but thought I'd get some feedback from you guys, the good, The bad and the ugly. It always helps to have some ideas of what to look for and consider when handling a new firearm, even when it is from other's perspectives.

I'm also considering a Glock 17 , Sig w/ DAK, or XD. Father down the lists I've also entertained the FN 9mm's as well as the CZ75, but I'm leaning towards a DAO striker fired 9mm. I like the simplicity in the DAO's / ala Glock.

[Shenaniguns]

Unless you want to deal with paying extra for a non-rostered gun I'd go with a 4.25" model.

[DannyZRC]

can the long slide be fitted to a full size frame by chance?

I know the long models aren't on the roster. (and as far as I can tell, there is no long slide M&P with thumb safety from the factory).

[NorCal Einstein]

I love my 5" M&P9, but I don't have a 4.25" so I'd say my opinion is bias at the very least. I like the extra weight with the long slide, and for a target pistol...I think it's great.

One thing though, I highly doubt you'll be able to rent the 9 Pro or 9L as they are both off-roster making them hard (but not illegal) to have. If you were in the San Jose area, I would offer up my 9 Pro for you to get some trigger time...pending you wait until next week since I'm in the middle of changing out my sights.

[Shenaniguns]

They use the same frame but that's an expensive option when I rather have a FS9 and have it modified at Apex.

[NorCal Einstein]

can the long slide be fitted to a full size frame by chance?

I know the long models aren't on the roster. (and as far as I can tell, there is no long slide M&P with thumb safety from the factory).

You should be able to fit a long slide assembly to a full sized frame, but good luck buying the slide. Once you source a barrel, slide, etc., you might as well have gone with a SSE 9 Pro/9L to be begin with.

[DeltaAlphaDelta]

Unless you want to deal with paying extra for a non-rostered gun I'd go with a 4.25" model.

Ahhh shizzle! I read the roster wrong. I hate that. Damn thing is annoying. Makes me cross eyed staring at it. Oh well, I wanted the longer barrel length for the potential of better accuracy. I'm still gonna test fire the M&P though since its on my lists of potentials and at 4.25" is comparable to the other 9mm's I'm considering.

I'm most leaning towards the Glock or Sig, but I thought the M&P deserved a good hard look. It does feel good in the hand to hold, although I'm one of those who does like the grip and trigger pull on most Glocks (love the G21 full frame even). I'd also like to try out the CZ 75, or P-01, but the range near me doesn't have any CZ's for rent.

What can I say? I like to try before I buy if I can!

[DeltaAlphaDelta]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Sounds like the M&P is a viable option in my search. I look forward to giving it a test run. Thanks for the suggestions on finding a longer slide and barrel and all, but I'm just looking to buy something fairly stock. Maybe put night sights on and what not.

I maybe should have titled this post "What 9mm Would You Recommend", but then I knew I'd get a slew of responses for all those who love "insert name of 9mm here". Which isn't a bad thing, but there are already 500 posts about that stuff.

I've kinda already narrowed my search down to the following not in any order of preference:

Glock 17
Smith and Wesson M&P 9
Springfield XD
Sig P226 DAK
CZ 75 (SP-01?, or old school)
CZ P-01 (I know its a lot smaller but it has its own appeal).

I'm leaning towards the G17 and the M&P primarily due to first impressions and price. The Sig is nice, but its a little pricer, which isn't a deal breaker, however I am selling another gun to cover most of the costs of the new one and the Sig will require a good chunk extra out of pocket that could have otherwise been spent on ammo.

[ColdC]

I have a 9L, self modified with Apex components. My second most accurate handgun; second to my STI 2011.
Because of my M&P 9L, I rarely shoot my Glocks anymore. Enough said.

[ColdC]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Sounds like the M&P is a viable option in my search. I look forward to giving it a test run. Thanks for the suggestions on finding a longer slide and barrel and all, but I'm just looking to buy something fairly stock. Maybe put night sights on and what not.

I maybe should have titled this post "What 9mm Would You Recommend", but then I knew I'd get a slew of responses for all those who love "insert name of 9mm here". Which isn't a bad thing, but there are already 500 posts about that stuff.

I've kinda already narrowed my search down to the following not in any order of preference:

Glock 17
Smith and Wesson M&P 9
Springfield XD
Sig P226 DAK
CZ 75 (SP-01?, or old school)
CZ P-01 (I know its a lot smaller but it has its own appeal).

I'm leaning towards the G17 and the M&P primarily due to first impressions and price. The Sig is nice, but its a little pricer, which isn't a deal breaker, however I am selling another gun to cover most of the costs of the new one and the Sig will require a good chunk extra out of pocket that could have otherwise been spent on ammo.

Try and find a place to rent these guns and sort it out for yourself.
I've shot all of the above and would choose the M&P and then modify it with Apex & new sights. The CZ or Glock are distant seconds. The STI GP5 would be my choice to rival the M&P. I have Glocks and like them but I'm just not as consistent as with the M&P. (All about the grip).
Sig feels good in the hand but I just don't like them and I really disliked the XD.
Like I said, shoot them for yourself & sort it out.

[Shenaniguns]

Ahhh shizzle! I read the roster wrong. I hate that. Damn thing is annoying. Makes me cross eyed staring at it. Oh well, I wanted the longer barrel length for the potential of better accuracy. I'm still gonna test fire the M&P though since its on my lists of potentials and at 4.25" is comparable to the other 9mm's I'm considering.

I'm most leaning towards the Glock or Sig, but I thought the M&P deserved a good hard look. It does feel good in the hand to hold, although I'm one of those who does like the grip and trigger pull on most Glocks (love the G21 full frame even). I'd also like to try out the CZ 75, or P-01, but the range near me doesn't have any CZ's for rent.

What can I say? I like to try before I buy if I can!

Randy Lee and Bruce Gray's accuracy testing of the 5" models were not stellar at 50 yards benched (average of 8 inches) which is why Apex and Bar-Sto are making a barrel that has a longer dwell time and a more 9mm friendly twist rate. From other people's reports which coincide with my testing of the 4.25" models seem to produce better results of 3" or less at 25 yards with good ammo standing unsupported. I wanted a longslide model previously but I shoot my 4.25" 9mm as well as my old Glock 34 which I have 6 times the experience with.

[DeltaAlphaDelta]

Thanks ColdC. At my local range I can rent the Glock, M&P, XD and the Sig. I also have several friends with Sig 9mm and they swear by them. I haven't shot them though. I tried a P220 Sig in .45 ACP and expected to fall madly in love. It was like a bad first date. Then I took the ugly girl out (Glock 21) and man did she group like a mother f'er.

I agree, the only way to know is to shoot 'em. The only ones they don't have at my local range is the CZ, but like I stated in the beginning, I'm leaning towards a DAO anyways.

[Shenaniguns]

Skip the DAK Sig, I don't see why anybody would buy that personally unless they had to own some DAO Sig. I learned the hard way buying one before ever shooting one lol

[NorCal Einstein]

+1 on skipping the DAK Sig. Only time I see those go is when they are sold for cheap, and then the new owner just spends money to cover to DA/SA.

[DeltaAlphaDelta]

Skip the DAK Sig, I don't see why anybody would buy that personally unless they had to own some DAO Sig. I learned the hard way buying one before ever shooting one lol

I've learned that lesson as well. The pistol I'm selling (Ruger P345), was one of my first firearm purchases and I'm not a fan. I'll try the Sig DAK, but its gonna have to blow me away to justify the price.

Thanks for the feedback on the 4.25" vs. 5" accuracy on the M&P. I look forward to seeing how I group with the 4.25".

Out side of accuracy, would any of you consider the M&P your SHTF side arm? Reliability, longevity and all that goodness? I'd be willing to trust a Glock to hell and back, but all the research on the M&P seems to say its no slouch in that realm either.