Impressions: M&P9 and SR9

[allaroundhunter]

So, I went to test out a few guns at the range this weekend, and this is what I discovered: (Both of the guns were fairly new <500 rounds through each as I was told)

SR9 - Gets high praises from lots of folk, haven't heard much complaints about it.
My experience - though a capable weapon, the trigger was absolutely terrible.

Pros: Very reliable (through 200 rounds), capable of good accuracy, price for what you get

Cons: Even being a striker-fired gun, I would prefer to shoot a 10 lb DA Sig trigger as opposed to it. Long take-up and took quite a bit of pull to break the shot. All-in-all, not a gun on my list (but nothing against those who enjoy them). I also am not a fan of the sights, small 3-dots aren't the easiest to pick up in a quick-shooting situation.

If I was just shooting a lemon, please let me know and given another opportunity I will try another one, I had just never heard anything about the trigger and really disliked this one.


Smith and Wesson M&P9 - Gets high praises from a lot of people, but I had heard lots of people bashing the triggers as well.
My experience - In three words; I loved it

Pros: Trigger had a little take up, but I didn't mind it, and it broke cleanly and consistently. Great accuracy, held fairly tight (for me) groups. I love the fact that I can insert the mag firmly and have it release the slide. Mag release is easy to reach, but not easy to accidentally engage, and once released, the magazine drops free very quickly. As with the SR9, it did not have a single malfunction in the 200 rounds I put through it.

Cons: It really is hard for me to find something about this gun to complain about. The only thing I can think of is that the pistol that I rented did not have the white dot painted onto the front sight. It is easily fixed, but the stock sights might need to be replaced after some use.

The M&P9 is definitely on my list of guns to get (soon). Anyone with experiences with either one, the other, or both please chime in so I know if my experiences are in line with anyone else.

Thanks!
AAH

 

[LawScholar]

My experiences mirror yours. I have time on the Glock 19, M&P9, and SR9. All were fully reliable, but I just don't know that the SR series is in the same neighborhood (understandable, it's about $70-100 cheaper)

The M&P guns are really extremely ergonomic.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Ergonomics is one that I failed to hit on. The M&P has great ergonomics (not for all, but definitely for me).

The majority of my trigger time is on a Glock 19, and I thoroughly enjoy it, but I'm pretty sure it is about to be replaced

 

[Mr.Blue]

The M&P adjustable palmswells make the ergonomics pretty good for most shooters. I love my M&P 9c.

 

[MarshallDodge]

When comparing the SR9, G19, XD, and the M&P, the M&P wins for me. I guess there are aftermarket trigger options for all of them but I like the ergos of the M&P best.

 

[willypete]

I had the same feelings as you do about the SR9 trigger, and traded mine because of it. I thought the sights were high and awkward, as well. I haven't shot an M&P9, but I've handled one and dry fired it, and didn't like the trigger on it, either. So far, I've yet to find a striker-fired weapon on which I actually do like the trigger. It did feel nice in the hand, but so did the SR9.

 

[justice06rr]

Thanks for sharing the experience with the 2 pistols. I've been seriously looking at the SR9, maybe even the compact, but I agree with you that the trigger is not great. Its ok, not as crisp as other pistols I've shot. I've only dry fired both the SR9/40 and its compact counterparts. I've noticed the SR9c/40c had better triggers than the full size models, maybe because Ruger improved them a bit since they came out after the full size. The finish on the SR pistols are excellent, esp in the stainless silver. The only downside I've seen are the tiny sights and small thumb safety.

Now on the contrary, In my opinion and experience the M&P pistols are perfect. Having owned both the M&P9 and 40cal Full size, I absolutely love the M&P and can find nothing wrong with them. They look great, very slim and ergonomic, has a nice melonite finish, 3 interchangable backstraps, awesome trigger that breaks evenly every time, S&W lifetime warranty, easy field strip, fully ambidextrous unlike other pistols, (I can go on and on).

The only small issue with the M&P's is the front sight paint, which seems to be common accross the board. Not a problem at all; I just bought some luminescent paint and took care of it. Aftermarket Nightsights are another route.

Both the M&P9 and 40 I owned had no issues whatsoever, no failures of any kind. Unfortunately i had to sell both when i bought a house, but I will most likely buy another M&P in the near future.

Pics
M&P9


M&P40 with Taurus 740slim

 

[David E]

The SR 9's trigger can be improved with after market trigger kits....just like the XD, M&P and Glocks. To dismiss the SR 9 because of the stock trigger while extolling the virtues of this or that gun with an after market trigger job is silly. That said, the stock trigger gets better with use.

The backstrap can be reversed from arched to flat, allowing it to fit more people better.

The ambi safety, while small, isn't difficult to disengage at speed. Further, it locks the slide, which is a nice feature.

The loaded chamber indicator is easy to see in the light, easy to feel in the dark. Neither of which apply to the M&P

For straight up value, price and performance, the SR 9 is tough to beat.

 

[wild cat mccane]

thank goodness. A review of the SR-9 that doesn't state how great the trigger is.

That gun has a crap trigger but its praise is sung from the highest mount.

PSSTT! try an AS P99. S&W did a bad take on the P99 when they made the M&P.

 

[easyg]

thank goodness. A review of the SR-9 that doesn't state how great the trigger is.

That gun has a crap trigger but its praise is sung from the highest mount.

I think that you're mixing up the reviews of the SR9 and the SR9c....

I have heard few reviews that claim the SR9 has a great trigger, most mention the trigger as being rather poor.

But the SR9c has an outstanding trigger, and most reviews state this fact.

 

[Lawdawg45]

I handled and shot an SR9 and was not impressed. I agree with the comments concerning the trigger and sights, and I wish Ruger would lose the safety on their new models.

LD

 

[allaroundhunter]

To dismiss the SR 9 because of the stock trigger while extolling the virtues of this or that gun with an after market trigger job is silly.

I was comparing apples to apples. Both guns were stock, neither had any trigger work done on them. While some might enjoy the SR9, there is no way that I could bring myself to get one. I prefer to have to make as few modifications as possible to a gun in order for it to fit me well, and the SR9 just doesn't quite cut it for me. Of course, OMMV, those are just my impressions on the guns.

 

[papa_bear]

As stated previously the SR9 and SR9c have different triggers, the latter being far superior. The M&P is a fantastic platform.