M&P 9C or Ruger SR9C Compact?

[viper7342]

I am Considering ordering a new 9mm compact Pistol when finances permit, I've been looking at these 2 pistols in particular, I like the striker fired action and polymer frame, other than the extra backstraps, increased Mag Capacity, and higher price what are the advantages of the S&W over the Ruger if any , I realize that the SR9C probably has a mag safety and a reversible backstrap. I also know that either pistol can be used with the magazines of their larger sibling and that the SR9C comes with 1 10 and 1 17 round magazine with the grip adapter... Which would you buy at $439.00 for the M&P 9C and $398.00 for the Ruger SR9C and what are your experiences, if any with either or both?Opinions are also welcome, I'm just trying to get everyones take on this. I already have the M&P 40 4.25", so I know I like the M&P fit in my hand..

Thanks in advance, for all experiences and opinions anyone is willing to share.

 

[riseagainstforme]

I'd go M&P, you already have one. You know the trigger feel. Not to mention you can get full size mags and a new barrel for your full size.

 

[viper7342]

Not to mention you can get full size mags and a new barrel for your full size.

riseagainstforme,
I already have the 357 Sig barrel for my full size and I have a BHP Practical, Springfield XD9 4" and a Sig SP2022 in 9mm, so I have the FS 9's pretty much covered, I think I want a compact this time around... Can you tell I like the 9mm cartridge?

 

[Old Dog]

Hmm. Superior trigger on the M&P. Check. Superior sights -- Trijicon N/S available on the M&P. Check. Superior ergonomics of the M&P. Check. Superior reliability of the M&P. Check. Superior accuracy of the M&P. Check. 40-buck price differential? For a gun you may have to stake your life, or a loved one's life on?

What was the question again?

 

[ugaarguy]

Hmm. Superior trigger on the M&P. Check.
Not on the current M&Ps vs the current SR series. The SR trigger is a bit heavier but it's much more crisp, has a shorter pull, and shorter reset with no false reset like the M&P has
Superior sights -- Trijicon N/S available on the M&P. Check.
The SR series has a very nice low profile / carry style, heavy duty adjustable rear sight that's just as good, if not better than the M&P rear sight. Front sight is a plain white dot - just like the M&P. And look, Trijicon / Novak SR series night sights! http://shopruger.com/Sights/products/18/
Superior ergonomics of the M&P. Check.
That's highly subjective. I like the feel of both, but the SR series is slimmer, and fits my hand better.
Superior reliability of the M&P. Check.
As if the SR series isn't reliable enough
Superior accuracy of the M&P. Check.
Not in my hands with the respective current triggers
40-buck price differential? For a gun you may have to stake your life, or a loved one's life on?
OP, get whichever on YOU shoot best. Both are great guns, and both are very reliable.

I'm a big S&W fan, and a search of my post history will confirm this. I've kept my SR9c. I owned an M&P40 (fullsize) for a few weeks, but traded it away today when I found an uncommon Colt. If the M&P had come with a trigger that was at least even to my SR9c's I would've kept it. I wish S&W would get their act together on the M&P trigger.

 

[Skylerbone]

I have a growing collection of M&Ps which I enjoy shooting and have modified all of them. They include the FS 40 S&W and the 9c. I've held and dry fired the SR9c and would have bought it were it not for the Kahr CW9 in the case next to it.

The Ruger's trigger in stock form was in every way superior to the M&P in my opinion for a range pistol. While I found the M&P triggers objectionable in stock form I was well aware before hand that they were capable of numerous modifications for competition, casual range sessions and duty/edc. I am not aware of the support level associated with Ruger's offering but as it is seldom mentioned I gather it is minimal.

Triggers aside, I base my decisions on reliability as a known quantity which led me to the M&P. Glock was my other contender but it came down to feel and manufacture support thereafter. I own Rugers and know their customer service is good. I own S&Ws and I hear their customer service is good but I've had no need of it yet, if you catch my meaning.

Finally, the compact M&Ps do have a different frame size to be aware of so feel will be different from the full size version but I feel there are definite advantages to sticking with a platform approach.

 

[The_Armed_Therapist]

The Smith & Wesson is smaller in length and height and lighter in weight. If this is OK with you, then get the Smith. While both are fantastic, I think the M&P is a flawless choice. The Ruger may also be a flawless choice, but doesn't carry the same reputation. Plus, in my opinion, the M&P feels better in the hand than the Ruger.

 

[18DAI]

Ruger SR9C. Thinner than that M&P with a MUCH better trigger. The SR9c is an accurate pistol too!

 

[JR24]

I made the same decision a while ago. Went with the SR9c. For me it was the trigger between the two. I know you can modify the M&P triggers and they are supposedly much improved, but side by side, out of the box the SR9c trigger was just so much better in every way (to me, I strongly feel triggers being "Better" is completely subjective).

Ergos for my hands were close, plus I liked the Ruger's thumb safety. Reliability for the Ruger through 500 or so rounds downrange (FMJ and JHP in 115, 124, 124 +p and 147 grains), not even a hint of a problem, and I personally shoot it far more accurately than a compact nine has a right in my hands.

One complaint I still have, however, is that I just cannot find any extra 10 round magazines for my SR9c since I've bought it.

 

[Carter]

Midway usa and cheaper than dirt both sell the 10mm rounders.

I like my sr9c, but I would rather have a m&p. They just feel so good in the hand. The ruger is very reliable though, and eats any ammo you feed it. It even fires with outrageous amounts of lent all over it

 

[Skylerbone]

Perhaps my post did not fully stress the "range trigger" aspect of the Ruger enough. For a carry pistol I found it objectionably light. I am not aware of anyone selling parts to Increase its pull weight.

 

[JR24]

Sadly cheaperthandirt and midway have had those mags on backorder for months now. Hopefully a big batch comes available some day soon.

As for the light trigger, Skyler, I agree its light, but combined with the thumb saftey I think it works very well for carry. Reminds me of a 1911 cocked and locked. Luckily for me, the location of the saftey in my smallish hands is perfect in that regard as well, so disengaging it as part of shooting habit is very similar to my 1911. As usual YMMV.

 

[Lateck]

I bought the SR9c myself...

It fits my hands better!
VERY accurate and reliable gun. (In my view).

Lateck,

 

[Mike1234567]

I know "I" would be very happy with either one. I own neither but have fondled them both along with many others several times in my LGS and they're both very comfortable to "my" hands. Also, they both have excellent reputations regarding reliability and accuracy. This stated, when I replace my 9mm it'll be with a M&P but only because I already have a M&P45 and I like to keep my defense firearms as similar as possible.

 

[Mike J]

Skylerbone - There is a company that is selling aftermarket trigger parts for the SR series pistols now. I don't have any experience with their products but they have been getting pretty good reviews over at rugerforum.com. Here is the link http://www.gallowayprecision.com/

I am not sure exactly what comprises it but they sell a CCW trigger package.

 

[tahunua001]

Hmm. Superior trigger on the M&P. Check.
Not on the current M&Ps vs the current SR series. The SR trigger is a bit heavier but it's much more crisp, has a shorter pull, and shorter reset with no false reset like the M&P has
Superior sights -- Trijicon N/S available on the M&P. Check.
The SR series has a very nice low profile / carry style, heavy duty adjustable rear sight that's just as good, if not better than the M&P rear sight. Front sight is a plain white dot - just like the M&P. And look, Trijicon / Novak SR series night sights! http://shopruger.com/Sights/products/18/
Superior ergonomics of the M&P. Check.
That's highly subjective. I like the feel of both, but the SR series is slimmer, and fits my hand better.
Superior reliability of the M&P. Check.
As if the SR series isn't reliable enough
Superior accuracy of the M&P. Check.
Not in my hands with the respective current triggers
40-buck price differential? For a gun you may have to stake your life, or a loved one's life on?
OP, get whichever on YOU shoot best. Both are great guns, and both are very reliable.
I'm a big S&W fan, and a search of my post history will confirm this. I've kept my SR9c. I owned an M&P40 (fullsize) for a few weeks, but traded it away today when I found an uncommon Colt. If the M&P had come with a trigger that was at least even to my SR9c's I would've kept it. I wish S&W would get their act together on the M&P trigger.

I agree 100 percent with this appraisal. I could not have said it better myself. superior ergos, give me a break. I know glock guys that claim that the ergonomics on glocks are leaps and bounds ahead of other poly guns and many shooters compare them to 2x4s(myself included). every shooter is different and is going to have different tastes. I'm sure since you've narrowed your choice down to these 2 you must have at least held them in the store and compared ergos.

ok enough for that horse.

I love everything about the M&Ps except for that derned trigger, that's why I'm a devout XDM follower for full sized and my first concealed carry gun is going to be an SR9C. I may switch to an XDM45 compact if SA ever makes one. the SR9s been out long enough that all the bugs have been worked out and the C model is more than a fair match to the M&Pc.

 

[viper7342]

Not to go off topic

But Seeing as the previous poster mentioned the XDm, is there anyone here that owns the 3.8 version of this pistol, and if so, how do you like it, I had considered it previously, but seeing as it's larger in every respect, but does have a larger mag capacity than the M&P 9C and the SR9C my and it's going to be a little while with my limited income, I could potentially save a little more and eventually get it instead as I have an XD9 service model and am well pleased with it. I don't care much for the looks of the XD9 SC, but do like the looks of the XDm 3.8.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I have nothing bad to say about my SR9-C, I think its the best bang for the buck out there, I really like mine!

 

[tahunua001]

sorry I steered off topic with my XDM comment. the only XD9s I have experience with are all full size models, I've held the XDM compact in stores but never shot one so I cant vouch for accuracy or recoil management but they're well balanced and have the same XDM simplicity. I never compared the size to other guns since I wasn't very seriously considering concealed carry at the time.

 

[th1229]

It will be hard to beat the SR9c's trigger. I love mine. I liked the M&P ok, but the SR9c fit my hand better and the trigger just felt better to me (IMHO). GT distributors sells them for $369. That's where I got mine.