M&P Compact Concern

[capecodder16]

Does anyone else find that the M&P compact grip feels a bit short, I really like the handgun but am concerned with how it feels...is it something I'll get more comfortable with over time? Trying to decide between new M&P 9 compact & used HK USP LEM 40 compact with night sights.

 

[catnphx]

Do you have the finger grip magazines?

When I would shoot my FS M&P 9 and then switch to the 9c, I originally felt the same way. But since the 9c is one of my carry guns, I started shooting it more than the FS and got used to it. I only shoot with the finger grip magazines. I'm very comfortable now with the 9c .... much more than I was prior.

Give it more time, shoot it like crazy, and make sure you have the finger grip magazines. Good luck!!

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

I thought compacts were supposed to feel short. Isn't that the point?

 

[Ben86]

Does anyone else find that the M&P compact grip feels a bit short, I really like the handgun but am concerned with how it feels...is it something I'll get more comfortable with over time?

It's supposed to be short, for concealment. If you don't like it you can put an OEM grip extension on it. S&W will ship you some for free. It's what my wife does with hers.

I prefer not to use grip extensions and keep the short grip. I feel they negate the purpose of the gun. Yes, you do get used to the short grip with practice. To each his own though.

 

[JTQ]

When comparing these two pistols it may helpful to compare them to the Glock pistols (not that I'm a Glock fan, but they are standard for the class) they each compete against.

The M&P 9c is designed to compete with the G26 as a compact concealment pistol.

The HK USP Compact is designed to compete with the G19 as smaller sized duty pistols.

If you want to compare similar pistols, and want the bigger grip, get the standard M&P 9, which sits between the G17 and G19 and would be closer in size, and concept to the USP Compact.

 

[hammerklavier]

You really don't need your pinky finger to properly grip a gun, just let it ride underneath the grip.

If you're problem is that you have large hands and your ring finger is also slipping off, then get the magazines with the grip extension.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

The whole point of the compact is to be short. I will concede that since the human hand naturally wants to wrap the thumb and all of the fingers around an object, to the new shooter it would feel somewhat unnatural. This goes away after you work with it for a while. When I had mine, I usually carried it with the finger extension magazine in place for a full grasp when drawing from a belt holster, and when I got more magazines for it (you want more than just two for anything you will shoot a lot), I got those with the finger extensions as well, saving the flat-base for special situations. Even with the flat-base, you can curl your little finger up under it, and realistically, I found little difference in controllability between them when shooting the gun.

 

[Sentry71]

Talking with an instructor last week, he recommended holding the gun with your pinky finger outstretched, pointing in the same direction as the barrel. It feels weird at first, but he insisted that the grip of the middle and ring fingers should be sufficient to control the gun under recoil. Almost any compact should be able to be held this way, I would suspect.

Can't wait to see the comments when I come up to the firing line to practice, looking like I'm about to have tea.

 

[NG VI]

I shot my Glock 27 best just letting the pinky curl. Feels odd at first but it shoots so well, why mess with success and make the gun worse for it's intended use?

 

[Ben86]

Talking with an instructor last week, he recommended holding the gun with your pinky finger outstretched, pointing in the same direction as the barrel. It feels weird at first, but he insisted that the grip of the middle and ring fingers should be sufficient to control the gun under recoil.

Did he recommend it as a practice, or just a way to prove to yourself that you don't need your pinkie finger to grip the gun?