The S&W M&P made me change my thinking -- gotta have one.

DoItRight · July 29, 2007, 01:34 PM

A while back, I made a decision to get a "fine" gun … something classy. I got all kinds of suggestions and did some looking at various places. I found some nice ones -- a BHP, a 9MM 1911 and they were all very nice guns. I was really resistant to the notion of a polymer pistol because, while they are all excellent guns, none of them really floated my boat.

In my limited experience with shooting, I've learned that the gun that "speaks" to you is the one you should buy and logic shouldn't play a part. (Well, not too much logic!

) Well, there is one gun that has been speaking to me since the first time I held it and yesterday, it spoke to me again, so I finally caved. I've taken the plunge and ordered an M&P full-size in 9MM.

I can't explain it but this thing feels like it was made for my hand. It points beautifully and it just "Feels right." It doesn't have the worlds greatest trigger (although it's not bad!) but there are some excellent gunsmiths who are doing great things with M&P's. This brings me to two items that may elicit some discussion …

1) Accuracy: I doubt that an M&P will ever have the accuracy of a 952 or a Sig 210. I had to realize that for my uses, that doesn't matter. I ran across a post on another forum that talked about "practical" accuracy vs. "competition" accuracy. That post drove home the point that the type of accuracy that high-end pistols bring to the table is beyond the realm of normal shooters like me -- most "mainstream" pistols are far more accurate that most shooters will ever be. I'm pretty sure that since most of my shooting is little more than range plinking at 21 feet and 25 yards, the M&P should do fine.

2) Style: Let's face it, the M&P is a Polymer pistol -- with all the stylistic benefits and tradeoffs that come with that. You can't add wood grips. You cant hard-chrome the frame. Lots of things you can't do. On the other hand, I have seen some very nice mods that HAVE been done that make the gun look pretty handsome. It will never be a silk purse but it’s a long way from being a sow's ear! Check out the pics below.)

My bottom line is that the M&P is one heck of a gun -- I think it's gonna work out just fine!

This is my benchmark from a style standpoint -- beautiful gun!

This doesn't come close but the idea is the same -- I could live with this!

Rogueone · July 29, 2007, 01:51 PM

I like your reasoning, and the M&P is a beautiful gun, both to look at and hold, from a polymer standpoint

Not many guns dress up as well as a 1911, but as you said, you are looking for practical accuracy, you are correct, very very few of us will ever be better shots than the guns we own.

red-rider · July 30, 2007, 02:25 AM

I want one too, I cant decide on the caliber though. My carry gun is a 1911. I dont want it for carry. I just want it. I thinking a 9mm to use for plinking. I like the ergos too. The trigger has a really nice reset to it. Just wish it had adjustable sights. Its a really good looking gun.

BikerRN · July 30, 2007, 02:31 AM

I'm waiting for S&W to come out with an MP in 45 ACP that's a compact.

To me no autoloader, except for the 1911 is beautiful, and not all 1911's are beatiful. I prefer a Revolver for the "beauty" aspects, but to each their own.

I do think the MP is a fine pistol and will give Glock a "run for their money". I especially like the ability to change the backstrap, since I have small hands and the Glock 21/30 doesn't fit my hand very well.

Biker

IM_Lugger · July 30, 2007, 01:44 PM

I have M&P9 and like it a lot

for me the "benchmark from a style standpoint " is a 92FS Inox (which I also have)... that S&W in your pic is ugly to me...

PS: interesting slide polish job on M&P; I actually though of doing that myself to my gun, where did you get that pic from?

TxPhantom · July 30, 2007, 02:02 PM

I agree the MP is a great pistol. I have a MP 40 full sized and a MP 9mm compact. Very good ergonomics with interchangeable grips and very accurate or at least as accurate as I am. The S & W, no B.S. lifetime warranty will ensure it to be a great shooter for many more years.
For more info go to the MP Forum at http://mp-pistol.com/boards/portal.php.
Also for customizing your MP check out www.burwellgunsmithing.com. Dan Burwell is a master MP gunsmith with a very good reputation.

July 29, 2007, 01:34 PM	#1
DoItRight Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 209	The S&W M&P made me change my thinking -- gotta have one. A while back, I made a decision to get a "fine" gun … something classy. I got all kinds of suggestions and did some looking at various places. I found some nice ones -- a BHP, a 9MM 1911 and they were all very nice guns. I was really resistant to the notion of a polymer pistol because, while they are all excellent guns, none of them really floated my boat. In my limited experience with shooting, I've learned that the gun that "speaks" to you is the one you should buy and logic shouldn't play a part. (Well, not too much logic! ) Well, there is one gun that has been speaking to me since the first time I held it and yesterday, it spoke to me again, so I finally caved. I've taken the plunge and ordered an M&P full-size in 9MM. I can't explain it but this thing feels like it was made for my hand. It points beautifully and it just "Feels right." It doesn't have the worlds greatest trigger (although it's not bad!) but there are some excellent gunsmiths who are doing great things with M&P's. This brings me to two items that may elicit some discussion … 1) Accuracy: I doubt that an M&P will ever have the accuracy of a 952 or a Sig 210. I had to realize that for my uses, that doesn't matter. I ran across a post on another forum that talked about "practical" accuracy vs. "competition" accuracy. That post drove home the point that the type of accuracy that high-end pistols bring to the table is beyond the realm of normal shooters like me -- most "mainstream" pistols are far more accurate that most shooters will ever be. I'm pretty sure that since most of my shooting is little more than range plinking at 21 feet and 25 yards, the M&P should do fine. 2) Style: Let's face it, the M&P is a Polymer pistol -- with all the stylistic benefits and tradeoffs that come with that. You can't add wood grips. You cant hard-chrome the frame. Lots of things you can't do. On the other hand, I have seen some very nice mods that HAVE been done that make the gun look pretty handsome. It will never be a silk purse but it’s a long way from being a sow's ear! Check out the pics below.) My bottom line is that the M&P is one heck of a gun -- I think it's gonna work out just fine! This is my benchmark from a style standpoint -- beautiful gun! This doesn't come close but the idea is the same -- I could live with this! __________________ Gentlemen prefer Smiths S&W Pre-14 \| S&W Pre-17 \| S&W 10-2 \| S&W 39-2 \| S&W 22a \| S&W M&P 9MM

July 30, 2007, 02:25 AM	#3
red-rider Member Join Date: June 11, 2007 Location: Jonesboro, Arkansas Posts: 40	I want one too, I cant decide on the caliber though. My carry gun is a 1911. I dont want it for carry. I just want it. I thinking a 9mm to use for plinking. I like the ergos too. The trigger has a really nice reset to it. Just wish it had adjustable sights. Its a really good looking gun. __________________ www.nationalgunforum.com

July 30, 2007, 01:44 PM	#5
IM_Lugger Senior Member Join Date: June 27, 2004 Posts: 1,909	I have M&P9 and like it a lot for me the "benchmark from a style standpoint " is a 92FS Inox (which I also have)... that S&W in your pic is ugly to me... PS: interesting slide polish job on M&P; I actually though of doing that myself to my gun, where did you get that pic from? __________________ "I feel the Beretta is a great character, it's so strong and elegant. The other guns look dumb to me." - John Woo

July 30, 2007, 02:02 PM	#6
TxPhantom Senior Member Join Date: May 10, 2006 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 287	Love My MP's!!!! I agree the MP is a great pistol. I have a MP 40 full sized and a MP 9mm compact. Very good ergonomics with interchangeable grips and very accurate or at least as accurate as I am. The S & W, no B.S. lifetime warranty will ensure it to be a great shooter for many more years. For more info go to the MP Forum at http://mp-pistol.com/boards/portal.php. Also for customizing your MP check out www.burwellgunsmithing.com. Dan Burwell is a master MP gunsmith with a very good reputation. __________________ NRA,TSRA Texas CHL Holder Member of VRWC (Vast Right Wing Conspiracy) USA OUT OF THE UN- LET THEM APPLAUDE THAT!

July 29, 2007, 01:51 PM	#2
Rogueone Senior Member Join Date: July 12, 2007 Location: Northern Virginia, DC Metro area Posts: 204	I like your reasoning, and the M&P is a beautiful gun, both to look at and hold, from a polymer standpoint Not many guns dress up as well as a 1911, but as you said, you are looking for practical accuracy, you are correct, very very few of us will ever be better shots than the guns we own.

July 30, 2007, 02:31 AM	#4
BikerRN Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2007 Location: "State of Discombobulation" Posts: 1,025	I'm waiting for S&W to come out with an MP in 45 ACP that's a compact. To me no autoloader, except for the 1911 is beautiful, and not all 1911's are beatiful. I prefer a Revolver for the "beauty" aspects, but to each their own. I do think the MP is a fine pistol and will give Glock a "run for their money". I especially like the ability to change the backstrap, since I have small hands and the Glock 21/30 doesn't fit my hand very well. Biker