M&P Compact - Should I get the 9 or the 40?

I used to carry 9mm, but have switched, like many law enforcement agencies, to 40. It has more power and mass to it than the 9. So I consider it slightly better suited to CCW or self-defense.



Now, if you're concerned primarily about the prices of rounds, then you may want to stay with 9mm. But price for me is secondary.



The only other reason I would ever consider a 9mm is for one of my family members who may prefer less recoil at the range - if I were purchasing for them to use it.



-Mike

9mm = more rounds in the shortened handle

I'm guessing it will hold 10-12?



9mm = lighter recoil in the ligher guns

40 in a shorty is sometimes a handful. I have a 9mmXD subcompact, my friend got the 40 in the same gun. After the initial first shot, I can almost shoot 2 rounds to his one to COM. Its just a matter of physics, lighter weight + short barrel + a high pressure round = muzzle flip. It remains to be seen if the M&Ps superior ergos can overcome this since no one here has shot one yet.



Regardless, you might want to get the same caliber as your stardard size gun so, I'm guessing the higher capacity magazines will fit the compacts like Glock and XD?

buckeye49 said:

I am grateful for any good suggestions any of you out there can offer.

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Ahhhh… more caliber wars.



Based on what I have seen and been involved in my opinions are…



If your goal is to stop an armed bad guy from being able to fire his weapon at you; you need a caliber capable of doing that. If you are one of the “shot placement” guys that can do this with the incredible adrenalin rush you will be going through; then caliber doesn’t matter, place a round between his eyes and go to lunch. I discovered (when an armed felon was bringing his gun up to fire at me) that I didn’t have time to get a sight picture and that I was not steady enough to place a round in his head. So I try to find a round that will cause enough shock when it hits body mass that it will make him either unable or unwilling to fire his weapon. (Stop the threat)



I know of two rounds that do a pretty good job of that; the .357 mag and the .45ACP. I don’t know how good the .40 is at that because I have never seen anyone shot with it. I have seen people shot with a 9mm and stay standing on their feet returning fire after they were hit several times; they died later at the hospital if that makes anyone feel any better.



9mm is cheap is shoot. If you shoot a lot and want a good gun to punch holes in paper; 9mm would be the way to go.



Wouldn’t it be great if there was a round that was cheap to shoot and was a good defensive round?



Every type of ammunition has an application.



The “caliber wars” have been around a long time and won’t be going away any time soon. (Unless someone finds a way to make the good stuff cheap). You can find all kinds of “data” and plenty of people to support whatever round you decide on. But if you are ever in an armed confrontation none of those people and none of that data will help you survive. It is up to you to have a weapon and ammunition that you can bet your life on; because that is what you will be doing.



Unless you can’t handle the .40 or want to wait on the .45; pick the .40 for a carry weapon.



DISCLAIMER: These are just my suggestions and I offer no proof whatsoever to their accuracy.

ToolMaker said:

[quote name='buckeye49']I am grateful for any good suggestions any of you out there can offer.

Click to expand...

Ahhhh… more caliber wars.



Based on what I have seen and been involved in my opinions are…



If your goal is to stop an armed bad guy from being able to fire his weapon at you; you need a caliber capable of doing that. If you are one of the “shot placement” guys that can do this with the incredible adrenalin rush you will be going through; then caliber doesn’t matter, place a round between his eyes and go to lunch. I discovered (when an armed felon was bringing his gun up to fire at me) that I didn’t have time to get a sight picture and that I was not steady enough to place a round in his head. So I try to find a round that will cause enough shock when it hits body mass that it will make him either unable or unwilling to fire his weapon. (Stop the threat)



I know of two rounds that do a pretty good job of that; the .357 mag and the .45ACP. I don’t know how good the .40 is at that because I have never seen anyone shot with it. I have seen people shot with a 9mm and stay standing on their feet returning fire after they were hit several times; they died later at the hospital if that makes anyone feel any better.



9mm is cheap is shoot. If you shoot a lot and want a good gun to punch holes in paper; 9mm would be the way to go.



Wouldn’t it be great if there was a round that was cheap to shoot and was a good defensive round?



Every type of ammunition has an application.



The “caliber wars” have been around a long time and won’t be going away any time soon. (Unless someone finds a way to make the good stuff cheap). You can find all kinds of “data” and plenty of people to support whatever round you decide on. But if you are ever in an armed confrontation none of those people and none of that data will help you survive. It is up to you to have a weapon and ammunition that you can bet your life on; because that is what you will be doing.



Unless you can’t handle the .40 or want to wait on the .45; pick the .40 for a carry weapon.



DISCLAIMER: These are just my suggestions and I offer no proof whatsoever to their accuracy.











[/quote]



I reload 40S&W, 9mm and 45 acp.

I shoot all 3 at the range. I have my full size M&P 40, which I have progressed to the point that I shoot it as well as or better than my CZ75B SA 9mm, which means alot to me, but probably not to anyone else. The more I shoot the M&P 40 (full size) the more I am comfortable with it, and the faster and more accurate I am getting.



When I buy the compact M&P it will be for concealed carry, personal defense primarily (although in order to get comfy with it I naturally will take it to the range alot, especially until I am familiar with its feel, etc.)



Sounds like I should go with the 40 caliber Compact. I already have a CZ75B SA in 9mm, an XD 4" in 9mm, a Browning Hi-Power in 9mm and a Beretta CX4 storm carbine in 9mm. Of course I still have my S&W 1911 5" in 45 ACP, but it is a bit much for concealed carry. I think that if the SHTF, and I need a larger cartrige pistol, I will take my full size M&P 40, holstered outside and readily accessible, and tuck the new (40?) Compact in IWB. But, who knows, I will think abut the 9 or 40 Compact decision everyday until I see them on the dealer's shelves!

Jester said:

I might get one for the fun of it, but I can't trust myself to shoot it as well as my fullsize. I'll still carry my fullsize.

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I keep looking at the (saved) pictures of the compact, and I keep drooling. My wife thinks I'm slobbering!



Well, gotta go to the gym and workout. I really think it is helping with my shooting at the range (double benefit, since I'll be 57 next month, and would like to live a while to shoot my guns; now if I could quit smoking)!

Buckeye wrote;

I keep looking at the (saved) pictures of the compact, and I keep drooling. My wife thinks I'm slobbering!

Well, gotta go to the gym and workout. I really think it is helping with my shooting at the range (double benefit, since I'll be 57 next month, and would like to live a while to shoot my guns; now if I could quit smoking)!

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Hey Buckeye: Think of the guns you could buy if you quit smoking. Eight years ago we (wife & I) quit smoking after many attempts. Used the patch which works pretty well, at least keeps you from kicking your dog (or cat). Cigs were cheaper then so I just put $5.00 in a envelope every day to reward us with something nice. We took a fun trip. Six months without smoking and you could buy a very nice gun.

We never even think about smoking now. Never thought I could drink a coldbeer (that's one word in Texas) without lighting up but no problem now.

Good luck! Go for it. It's worth it in many ways :!: