perceived improvements of S&W M&P over Glocks

I've shot an M&P .40 S&W and a Glock .40 S&W side by side just a few weeks ago.

I'll admit that I've never bought into the cult of Glock. I'd tried on a few different occasions to like them and it just never took.

To me, the M&P beats the stuffing out of Glock in ergonomics hands down. I've not even played with the different grip inserts. M&P is just head and shoulders above Glock in this area.

I'll grudgingly give concede reliability to Glock at this time. My M&P had the Mag drop issue that has since been fixed. That's the only issue I've had with the M&P. Talk to me a few thousand rounds down the road.

Accuracy again goes to M&P. I was all over the place with the Glock, but with the M&P I was well with in the nine and ten ring shot after shot after shot. I've actually put more rounds down range with Glocks than I have with an M&P thus far. M&P has it all over Glock in this area for me.

I've never dealt with Glock customer service so I can't comment on them, but I have dealt with S&W customer service and my experience was excellent. I've heard many comment that S&W has the best customer service in the industry and I wouldn't try and dispute that.

Realistically they are both good guns. People seem to have a love hate thing with Glock. I do not like Glocks, but I do like the M&P.

I forgot to mention that I feel the M&P tames the .40 S&W better than any other Poly gun I've shot including my XD and my P99.

Reading is fundamental.

I was not criticizing the Glock series for having a huge parts aftermarket. I am a 1911A1 fan first and foremost so that argument would be a stupid one to make.

The "gunsmithing subculture" to which I referred are all of the back strap dehumpers, finger bump grinding, solder iron grip stipplers out there who dutifully modify Glocks to better fit actual human beings.

One thing not mentioned yet is the M&P has a beavertail to keep the slide away from the web of my hand. For some that is a who cares issue, for others that grip high and/or have fat hands, it can be the difference between bad slide bite and comfort.

I was very close to having a G19 modded (grip reduction, add beavertail, remove finger grooves) but sold it and went M&P instead; no regrets.

Increasingly over the last several years I've come to suspect that some folks seem to passionately exhibit 'fan loyalty' regarding some brand/maker/caliber of firearm in the same manner as if they were supporting a sports team.

It's a firearm. It's a machine. It's a piece of equipment. Pride of ownership is laudable, and every individual's prerogative ... but sometimes it seems as though some folks take things personally.

It's not like it's a muscle car from the 60's & 70's, folks.

When it comes to polymer-framed pistols I've been through factory LE armorer classes for the Sigma, Glock, SW99/P99 & the M&P. I've repeated a couple of them for recertification purposes 2 & 3 times.

I've formed some personal opinions.

I own examples of the Glock and SW99 pistols. Good guns. I think the 99 series addresses some issues Glock has decided, for whatever reasons, not to address ... and has done so successfully. I'd offer that the 99 series deserves more attention than it has received.

I just ordered a M&P45. The M&P design is the result of some experience on the part of S&W engineers, with their own and other platforms, and some design development that I feel offers some improvement over the Glock & 99 series in some interesting areas.

A few teething pains, so to speak, have surfaced and have been addressed by S&W engineers in the M&P. Not uncommon, especially for a new design. If you think the 99 or Glock designs haven't received some similar refinement and continuing improvements along the way, you may not have been paying attention. Glock owners, users and 'enthusiasts' shouldn't start tossing rocks around in that particular glass house.

Personally, I have no interest in 'after market accessorizing' when it comes to service-type pistols. Maybe night sights. While I don't commonly favor hanging lights and other gadgets off handguns (outside of specialized applications), some folks do, and that's a market area worth considering for such folks.

Sports-minded folks (target, competitive, etc.) have other interests than I do, and that's fine for them. Most major manufacturers are recognizing this, though, and are starting to respond to market pressures to provide 'gaming' guns, or at least models with some modifications which might better lend themselves to some sporting pursuits. Might be helpful for the manufacturers to encounter and resolve functioning issues with their guns in this regard, I'm thinking, although those folks who can afford personal gunsmiths can also indulge their hobbies.

The S&W M&P Pro Series will likely find a ready market among these folks, I'd guess.

I've posted more thoughts specific to the M&P in other threads.

I think the M&P is going to continue to dramatically grow in popularity, among both LE and public users. Somebody at S&W finally woke up and took a look around.

I won't get rid of my SW99's or Glocks, though, as I find them suitable for many of my needs, too.

I just don't find the personal need to exclude one design just because I find another useful.

I'm considering buying a new car and a new pickup truck, and I bought a new motorcycle a while ago. Different purposes for owning and using each, although some of them may actually overlap, upon occasion.

Nice to have choices.

One-design-fits/suits-all can be an oxymoron.

Everyone suit yourselves.

I have little concern what other folks decide is suitable for themselves when it comes right down to it. I'm more interested in teaching someone how to safely, efficiently, effectively and consistently use any given platform, than agonize over the selection of a specific one made by someone else, for themselves.

That's why I've sought to become an armorer for many designs & systems. It's just a piece of equipment.

+1 Fastbolt

Don't forget, tho, that we ARE actually "invested" in our guns.

b-

+2 Fastbolt.

As a '99 series fan (both Walther and Smith), I agree - one size does not fit all, even WITH adjustable backstraps. But for me, Glocks, Swalthers and the M&P (plus the HK P2000, the SA XD and the Sigma) all have good, but different feels, having extensively handled all of them.

As for "these aren't 70's muscle cars" - uhm, yeah. Check thge 1911/Harley Davidson thread. If a 1911 is as customizable as a Harley, then the Glock pattern is the Honda Accord chopped and modded for drift racing.

I forgot to mention that I feel the M&P tames the .40 S&W better than any other Poly gun I've shot including my XD and my P99.

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Not to switch subjects, but you should try the PX4 in .40. I honestly think it has less perceivable recoil than the M&P 9mm.
As per the original topic, and some comparisons of the M&P to the Sigma, these are two entirely different guns. Also, as far as reliability goes, give the S&W a little time to get the few little bugs worked out, and I really feel like it will be just as reliable as the Glock, if not more so. It has the potential, anyway.

Jason

I've owned several Glocks over the years, and still own 3.

I traded a Glock 17 for an M&P .40 and have no regrets. I've played with the trigger a little on the M&P, but, I can't really say I shoot it any better than a Glock until I try it some more.
It does seem to feel better, in my hand, and I was really impressed that it would run with my 130pf, IDPA loads without having to replace the recoil spring with a lighter one.

The M&P fits my hand better.

does anybody else notice that the M&P is just a re-done Sigma? seriously, I have a Sigma 9VE, and I think it's funny hearing about the M&P, because I haven't seen anyone acknowledge the fact that the M&P is a Sigma with better grip material, FAR better looking slide, and changeable straps. If I'm wrong let me know.

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The Sigma is trigger cocking. The M&P is single action. A simple examination of the internal parts can reveal that. The first two years of S&W advertising were very quiet on the idea that the M&P was "double action only" and now it's a newly discovered feature listed in their catalog.

S&W claims don't match reality in this case.

Most users of the M&P won't really care and it only becomes a sticking point for government entities that actually do a physical analysis of the gun, to determine how it actually works. This has proven to be the "gorilla in the corner" that S&W hopes most folks won't notice. To date, that's been mostly true.