Can You Go Wrong With S&W or Glock?

[Dynasty]

First off, this is not a S&W M&P vs. Glock debate. I am not asking which is better because, frankly, there are already thousands of discussions on the topic.

My question is simple. Can you really go wrong by going with the M&P pistol or the Glock pistol? Both are highly praised firearms in terms of reliability, accuracy, and accessories.

Is it safe to say go by what feels better in the hand and what feels better when shooting vs. getting caught up in playing brand favorites?

Is it safe to say you are buying a high quality firearm no matter if it is the M&P or the Glock?

 

[Skribs]

If you are left-handed, the M&P has more features for you. Other than that, not really.

 

[ShadowsEye]

In terms of reliability, and function, no you can't go wrong. Personally I'm not a fan of the S&W trigger at all.

 

[SW40]

For me the M&P trigger is better, again for me. When it came down to it I chose the M&P because it felt the best and offered a manual safety.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[Skribs]

Personally I'm not a fan of the S&W trigger at all.

Apex Tactical has an aftermarket trigger that uses the Glock-style trigger. It's why the M&P is even on my radar as a potential.

 

[Skribs]

Double post, sorry.

 

[hentown]

Does that Apex trigger sell for about $10, like a Glock connector?

 

[Kahuna5]

yes it is safe to say both will last a lifetime and be of equal quality as long as they are well maintained.

 

[wildehond]

Shoot both, buy the one you like best.

 

[One_Jackal]

The only advice I can offer is to stay away from Magnum calibers with either. It's not that either gun can't handle the stress. They both are really durable. I just can't handle the muzzle whip a magnum cartridge produces in a lightweight gun. It defeats the purpose of a semi auto.

 

[Dreamliner787]

Size, weight and fee. Nnce you choose the brand then it's about size you want to carry or what your use is. Ex. many people think they need to go with a G26 because it's small, but actually when you compare it to the G29, the G26 is only fractionally smaller but the G29 feels a lot better in the hand and holds more capacity.

 

[TonyT]

In a single word - NO! Both the S&W M&P and Glock semki autos are reliable piostols. The choice depends on ones preference for the ergonomics.

 

[LiveLife]

No, can't go wrong with either.

I have both and like them both and here are some particulars of each brand:

- If you want to shoot lead reloads, M&P barrels are better suited due to conventional square cut land/groove rifling vs Glock's rounded hexagonal rifling with longer leade that tends to build up fouling fast and require frequent cleaning around 200-300 rounds. With M&P, I can shoot lead reloads all day (500-1000+ rounds) without issues.

- You can get 40-9 conversion barrels for both to practice with cheaper 9mm and carry 40S&W.

- Glock mags are probably the cheapest of any factory mags (in terms of price, not quality) and they work well.

- As posted already, M&P pistols have full ambi controls (slide lock, safety, mag release) for left handed shooters.

- M&P has small/medium/large grip inserts for better fit and my wife's small hands are happy with full size M&P45 using small insert. M&P controls are very ergonomic and offer more "natural grip angle" regardless of shooter/hand size.

- IMO, M&P captured recoil spring sets with stainless steel full-length guide rods offer softer felt recoil. But my Gen3 Glock's captured recoil spring sets offer softer felt recoil than most other factory stock pistols. Replacement Glock recoil spring sets are cheaper (around $8).

- Glock's loaded chamber indicator (bump on the extractor) works better for me than M&P's hole on top of barrel hood (if the hole gets dirty, you can't see as well).

- M&P trigger can be modified to provide probably the best striker fired trigger I have shot either through Apex Tactical parts replacement or trigger job - http://www.burwellguns.com/M&Ptriggerjob1.htm

- Glocks are very easy and faster to field strip for inspection/cleaning.

- IME, new shooters I have seen/helped produced the smallest and more consistent shot groups with Glocks than most other non-1911 factory stock pistols under $1000. New shooters obtained smaller shot groups with my M&P45/trigger job than stock Glocks. (I have not seen the M&P models with the new S&W triggers yet so this may change in the future ).

- M&Ps are made in the USA and Glocks are made in Austria.

All in all, both are great pistols and I would not hesitate to grab either to defend my life or the lives of my family in a moment's notice as they have been very reliable and accurate.

 

[smalls]

When I think of reliable polymer pistols that can take a beating, I think of both Glock and S&W's M&P line. It's just really up to your personal preference from there!

The only advice I can offer is to stay away from Magnum calibers with either. It's not that either gun can't handle the stress. They both are really durable. I just can't handle the muzzle whip a magnum cartridge produces in a lightweight gun. It defeats the purpose of a semi auto.

Y'know, I can't think of one magnum cartridge that either pistol are available in from the factory

 

[918v]

This guy went wrong with a S&W:

http://mp-pistol.com/mp-full-size-pistols/31671-m-p-45-fs-thumb-safety-loose-rear-frame-rails.html

 

[18DAI]

I don't think you can go wrong with the Glock.

 

[fanchisimo]

If you read that link then the wiggle he noticed was checked by several including S&W gun techs who said all was good. My M&P9 does it a little and has never had an issue so I would still say you can't go wrong with the M&P. The only reservation about a Glock is that you have to get used to it's different grip angle, but once you do it's gtg.

 

[strykerfire]

pick which one feels better to you. You have to live with it. And dont forget about the XDM. Better than both of them.

 

[918v]

If you read that link then the wiggle he noticed was checked by several including S&W gun techs who said all was good.

Last time I checked, frame rails are supposed to be rigid, not loose. That S&W tech is a ****.

 

[fanchisimo]

And dont forget about the XDM. Better than both of them

He asked between the two of his but nonetheless to Stryker, +1.

 

[coolluke01]

And dont forget about the XDM. Better than both of them.

XD fanboys jumping in and offering input that was not asked for. Glock fanboys would never do such a thing!

I will always choose the Glock over the M&P because I like the Glock grip angle. Gaston got it right. I can say, now that I have been spoiled by the way I shoot a Glock, I will never own another brand of simiauto. They just aren't Glocks!

 

[Sapper771]

I chose to stay with Glock. I do enjoy shooting my Friend's M&P 9 though.

Out of the box, I prefer the Glock trigger. Either is serviceable with enough training.

Recently, I ordered him an Apex Tactical DCAEK for his M&P. Once installed, the trigger pull was spongey, but lighter. The reset was shorter. The one thing that it did not fix was the tactile reset "click". When the glock trigger resets, you can hear and feel it. You know when its ready to send another down range. The M&P doesnt have this. The DCAEK kit cost around $100 shipped and took about an hour to install.

With about $25 and an hour's worth of work, one can put a nice trigger on a Glock. I have done several of them. Its not complicated. It is cheaper and the results are better, IMO.

Its all about what you want and what fits you. I feel that you cant go wrong either way.

 

[Skribs]

- As posted already, M&P pistols have full ambi controls (slide lock, safety, mag release) for left handed shooters.

Not full ambi. Mag release is reversible, not ambidextrous. The difference is that I cannot switch hands and have it work the same without taking the gun apart first.

- M&P has small/medium/large grip inserts for better fit and my wife's small hands are happy with full size M&P45 using small insert. M&P controls are very ergonomic and offer more "natural grip angle" regardless of shooter/hand size.

Glock Gen4 has grip inserts.

 

[Fishbed77]

You can't go wrong with either, unless you just want to take a step up and get a Walther!

 

[ny32182]

After significant stick time with both, my feelings are:

M&P advantages:
-Lefty controls for lefties (this is me)
-Factory beavertail (wish this was modular)
-Steel guide rod... gives more aftermarket options specifically for gamers

Glock advantages:
-Everything else (reliability, "grip angle", accuracy, aftermarket support, parts availability, simplicity of design, etc, etc)

The M&P has a more complicated trigger system, that as a I just discovered, you better maintain or it will start to have issues. Just due to this I would give the reliability edge to the Glock.

They are both "good guns" in my opinion; and I am shooting an M&P because I am left handed. It is not the panacea I was hoping it would be; though there is a lot to like about it, if I were right handed I would still be shooting a Glock.

Looking forward to checking out the FNS as soon as they come out with the 5".