Can You Go Wrong With S&W or Glock?

[charlie fox]

In a word, no. Both designs are designed and executed well. I would give the nod to Glock though, as it has a proven track record. My Glock 19 has almost 7000 rounds through it with no issues at all. I have friends that own M&P's and are experiencing 100% reliability and very good accuracy. Every manufacturer will have a lemon in every lot, but, by and large, both guns are everything a defensive pistol should be: easy to carry, easy to use, accurate and reliable.

 

[jimbo555]

No,unless you don't like handguns with plastic triggers!

 

[tarosean]

Nope

 

[plouffedaddy]

To the OP's question. You can't go wrong with either because both companies have stellar customer service and make great products. Even if you got a lemon, both companies will pay shipping both ways and fix it for free so not much to worry about....

 

[fastbolt]

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?

Short answer?

Yes, you're receiving a good quality firearm when buying both S&W M&P and Glock pistols.

I'm an owner of both (3 Glocks & 2 M&P's).

I'm an armorer for both (as well as some other makes/models of firearms commonly used in LE work).

I shoot both Glock and S&W M&P pistols a fair amount (as an owner/user, firearms instructor & armorer).

There are some aspects & features I prefer in both designs, and some not so much.

I know other folks who are owners/users of both pistols, some of whom are also firearms instructors and armorers for various platforms. While there's been an occasional repair & parts replacement required for each of the firearm makes (which is why they train LE armorers ), the owners of each company's product I've personally known have generally been pleased with the products from both companies.

They both work.

 

[Aiko492]

i don't think you can go wrong. Comes down to ergonomics and which you shoot better.

 

[Dynasty]

I appreciate all the input, everyone. I need to rent both and shoot the snot out of them, then I will make my purchase.

 

[strykerfire]

try out the XDM

 

[TimboKhan]

I don't think so. I mean, personal preference being what it is and everything, I don't know that you can go really wrong with ANY pistol these days. Oh, you have your Jimenez and Bryco pistols that aren't so hot, but really, I don't think there is much out there that is truly awful. I am sure people are going to pipe up with "XYZ blows" or "ZYX stinks", but truthfully, it's hard to make a mistake.

Specific to your question though, no. I do not believe on any level outside of personal preference that you can go wrong with either a Glock or a S&W.

 

[holdencm9]

Not really.

And I don't even like Glocks.

(Of course there is always the one in a thousand lemon, even with Glock)

 

[C0untZer0]

When you start getting ploinked in the head with brass you'll think "where did I go wrong?"

Then you'll be taking your Glock apart and checking the part numbers and wading throught hundreds of posts on Glocktalk to figure out what the latest part number is to try to get the right ejector, extractor, and RSA. And you'll be holding your extractor up to the light wondering "Is this a dipped extractor?"

Check out the Walthers and check out the Caracals

 

[newglockguy]

I own a glock 23 and have shot my friends M&P .40. They both shoot very well and can't go wrong with either

 

[OARNGESI]

both are great guns you cant go wrong unless you end up with one of each

 

[WinThePennant]

They are both great guns.

I went with Glock because it's easier to modify the gun yourself (drop in mods are GREAT!), and the after-market product selection is better with Glock.

 

[miles1]

No.......Honestly their both great pistols IMHO.

 

[TestPilot]

Yes, you can go very wrong with either one.

Glock's grip angle can be a problem. Yes, yes, I know it can be overcome with training. But, training effectiveness just does not compare to starting with a pistol that you don't have that problem to start with. And, even after getting used to the Glock's grip angle, there is no guarantee that it's a permanent fix.

If you're sensitive to heavier trigger resistance and rough break, you may have to spend more time and expense on training with a Glock than M&P. If this sounds wierd, keep in mind that Glock's 5.5 lb trigger really is not 5.5 lb.

If you are the type who heavily relies on "tactile" reset, then you can go wrong with M&P. You might short stroke an M&P if you came from Glock. Training issue? Yes. But, a non-issue with a Glock. Why choose to have a training issue to overcome when you can avoid it? Unless there's some other gain that is.

If you need to have a light on a pistol rail, you can go very wrong with a either pistol. Glock still have not fixed the failure to feed problem with lights up to Gen 3, and Gen 4 still is an unknown. M&P has shorter rail, and some lights that fits on a Glock may not fit.

When someone says "You can't go wrong with either one." they're irrisponsibly ommitting the fine print:"...if you spend significant amount of time, expense, and headaches to overcome whatever charateristics you don't like about it."

Are they both accurate and reliable pistols? Yes. But, so are plenty of others. Merely pistols working as advertised does not mean it particularly suits you well.

Which is better depends on the user needs. One clear fact of the matter is that they are NOT the same.

 

[TimboKhan]

Please. That grip angle thing is the most over hyped "problem" in the entirety of the shooting world. Its an extremely minor grip adjustment at worst, and i would bet most people don't even notice it unless someone brings it up.

If you fire thousands upon thousands of rounds per year, maybe it is more of an issue, but even then i think its vastly overstated.

I do agree that working well and being the right gun are two separate issues though.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[TestPilot]

Please. That grip angle thing is the most over hyped "problem" in the entirety of the shooting world. Its an extremely minor grip adjustment at worst, and i would bet most people don't even notice it unless someone brings it up.
...

Let the individual user decide if it's overrated or not.

That being a minor grip adjustment for you does not mean it's a minor adjustement for everyone else. And, even if it is minor, having to do that minor adjustment when my opponent does not can mean I lose.

...
If you fire thousands upon thousands of rounds per year, maybe it is more of an issue, but even then i think its vastly overstated.
...

Why is it more of an isssue for a person who shoot more? If a person is firing thousands upon thousands per year with a Glock shouldn't that person be more used to it?

 

[ny32182]

Exactly.. the more reps you have, the more ingrained your subconcious presentation mechanics are going to be.

One thing I prefer about the Glock is that that LITTLE bit more cam-over in the wrist position, I believe locks down your grip just a LITTLE better. And still, almost 14k rounds removed from the last time I shot a Glock, I still give a little dive to my M&P sights occassionally as if I were shooting a Glock. I don't think it is a factor significant enough to base a decision on, especially for a new(er) shooter who isn't likely to have one or the other really ingrained anyway.

 

[LoneStarWings]

No, just don't get an xd unless you like paying double for a $300 HS2000.

 

[kcshooter]

That grip angle thing is the most over hyped "problem" in the entirety of the shooting world

So, the gun not pointing where you think it is pointing isn't a concern?
Please, indeed.
Totally disagree.


It is a problem for many people. Just because it isn't for YOU doesn't make it overhyped, or not a problem.

With an unmodified Glock, my followup shots are about twice the speed they are with my Sig or 1911 pistols. The sights aren't where they should be as fast as they should be. Now, once I perform a grip reduction to the gun, they fall right in line.

Sorry, but that doesn't qualify as overhyped in my book. It's a provable, measureable difference.

 

[ny32182]

A doubling of splits is the shooter, and goes far beyond any ergonomic quirk with the gun.

 

[TimboKhan]

I will try and respond to this later on my laptop, but let me say that much like this grip angle debate, we are only separated by a matter of a few degrees of opinion on this. Its easier to get this point across when it doesn't take an hour to tap out!

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[kcshooter]

A doubling of splits is the shooter, and goes far beyond any ergonomic quirk with the gun.

Yeah, sure it is.

That's why it only happens to me on unmodified Glocks, goes away immediately after modification, and doesn't transfer to any other standard grip angle pistol.

Yeah, that makes sense.

 

[coolluke01]

Learned behavior is hard to overcome. This doesn't mean they Glock angle is wrong. You have just learned to shoot a certain way. For a new shooter starting out with a superior grip angle is a good thing as they don't have any learned behavior. You may never get over the Glock grip angle, again, this doesn't mean the angle is wrong or bad.

Glock's grip angle can be a problem. Yes, yes, I know it can be overcome with training. But, training effectiveness just does not compare to starting with a pistol that you don't have that problem to start with.

Again the angle is not the problem. Your learned behavior is the problem.

I wouldn't recommend that people who are ingrained in a particular platform switch to a new style. It's just too hard to overcome for some.
The fact that some may not shoot as fast with a unmodified Glock doesn't mean the grip angle is slower or inferior. It's all what you are used to.

I would go with the Glock over the S&W for a new shooter or a reasonable person that is willing to change how they shoot. I have relearned to shoot with the Glock's a few years ago. The improvements have been huge! I wasn't as ingrained as some may be, but 10 years of shooting a particular platform I was open and willing to find the best. I'll never go back.