M&P - is it really any better than a Glock?

[yhtomit]

1) If anyone handed me a Glock or an M&P, and said ,"It's yours, for free and legally!" I'd be happy to have it. Or even "It's yours, at a crazily low price, and legally!"

2) That said, I find Glocks (though IMO perfectly pleasant to shoot) pretty ugly. Something about that grip angle bugs me, visually, even though they feel OK when actually shooting. It's like the Ruger Mk Is with tapered barrels -- just plain ugly for some reason.

3) I find the M&Ps uglier yet I shot an M&P last March at an outdoor range in MD, and it shot and cycled well, though, no complaints.

With guns, like girls, it would be a lot more convenient to be indifferent rather than obsessed with essentially cosmetic external differences. But that's not how the brain (at least mine!) works -- so I've only got guns which I think are visually as well as functionally appealing.

If it were me, and the choice were between the M&P and Glock, I'd try to throw the XD on the list, too I like the grip angle, the grip safety, and (despite its obvious Glock influence) overall look better than either of the first two.

timothy

 

[silverking]

I bought the M&P40c as soon as I tried it on for size. My hands are not what you'd call large or small. Medium, I guess. The booger hook is 2 3/4" to the tip and rests very comfortably at the lower end of the print pad. It carries OWB very comfortably and is my every day carry.

 

[stevereno1]

M&P, Springfield XD, kimber pd, are all slightly different takes on the same gun, and that gun is the Glock.

 

[Dobe]

M&P, Springfield XD, kimber pd, are all slightly different takes on the same gun, and that gun is the Glock.

And if its a tilt barrel lockup, its a different take on a Browning design. It's simply evolution.

I got a chance to handle a M&P .45 ACP at the range today. It was nice. The trigger was crisp, but heavy. It also has an thumb safety. I like that.

 

[JBB]

My M&P 9 is terrific. Solid as a rock and dependable. Never handled a Glock, but they have an excellent reputation and a huge following.

 

[possum]

M&P, Springfield XD, kimber pd, are all slightly different takes on the same gun, and that gun is the Glock.

so is it safe to say that the glock is a take off the real original polymer guns from h&k? or just evolution a change in times, in the market and what the market wants? i am all for change and evolution in the gun market. that means more choices and compettioton for us the gun owners.

i prefer xd's to all other polymer guns. the more i read and learn about the m&p the more that i like about them and the more that i think i will have to get one. i owned a 19 and yes they are fine weapons but it dosen't fit me like i would like.

there are many a m&p's that are being used in training courses ad ran really hard in the courses, and the instructers have reported back that the m&p's are doing great. some folks even say that the m7p is leps and bounds above the xd, i have yet to descover this for myself and though it may be similar or on the same level, in my opinion there are few guns that are above the xd's. and none of which are polymer guns.

the steel sights are a great touch and one fact that i don't like about the glock the plastic sights make me cringe.

the fact that glock uses polygonal riflings is a -1 for me as i like to shoot lead and i like to shoot alot of it, and i don't think that i should have to put another $150 in a barrel in a new gun and another $100 for quality night sighsts.

 

[stevereno1]

Striker fired, polymer frame, safe action trigger, high capacity double stack mag, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

 

[crebralfix]

I would like to point out that I don't like the slanted front of the rear sight, as it can't be used to rack the slide against, say, my belt, or another object, as can the regular sights like on my Glock (with standard night sights).

Put 3/4"-1" worth of skateboard tape right in front of the sight. Works wonders.

 

[bmargolis]

Interesting question...I have a Glock 22, 23 and 27. I also have a pretty new M&P 40.

My 23 is 13 years old, and I have a Hogue slip on grip on it. I have medium to small hands. (I wear a cadet medium golf glove, if that helps anyone)

My Glock 23 is my absolute "go to" gun. I had a trigger job done on it about 10 years ago and have a Harts recoil reducer in it. It's never misfired or jammed - IN 13 YEARS. It fits my hands very well, and I can point shoot it easily inside of 15 yards.

I got the M&P because I took a 2-day class at Smith & Wesson and was impressed enough by the gun that other students were using to pick-up a barely used one. I thought the medium grip would be best for me, but I shoot most accurately with the small one. I don't know why, but it just works.

As for shooting, the biggest thing I noticed is that the M&P absorbs recoil better than the Glock. I actually can't tell the difference when firing Corbon 135's in the M&P from standard Winchester range ammo. The M&P feels the same with everything. The Glock with Corbon is much harsher on my hand than with range ammo. In fact, ALL of my Glocks are different with Corbon.

I don't know what S&W did to acheive this, but I think it's remarkable. I'm going to need to shoot MUCH more with the M&P to feel as comfortable with it as I do with the Glocks, but I think that day is coming.

The M&P is smoother looking, and more rounded. The slide is more "grippy" than the Glock for racking and the sight design is better. The fact that there are 2 more rounds in the magazine does not hurt either. It's marginally heavier than the Glock 23.

The slide release on the M&P is hard to operate, being so close to the frame, but that's a small thing for me.

I'm waiting for a left hand Fobus holster. Once that comes in, I'll start shooting the M&P much more.


Bob

 

[Dobe]

Good first hand report. Thanks

 

[bubbaturbo]

Striker fired, polymer frame, safe action trigger, high capacity double stack mag, if it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck.

I don't get the relevance to the question.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Okay, Stevereno, we know you like Glocks. By the comments you made, it's clear you think the first (not even that) is clearly the best. How about I give you a Ford Model-T and you can race me in my Fiero in a lap around Daytona Speedway? Clearly the first is the best, right? Right?!!?

The M&P has about as much in common with a Glock as men do to women. The general fit and function is the same, but the parts and appearance are different. It's simply a matter of preference as guns go, and personally, I like the M&P better. Stevereno seems to like Glocks. No problem. Just remember that if one gun fit everyone, there wouldn't be an effort to make anything else.

 

[Boats]

The M&P is one of the next generation plastic pistols that make the Glock look tired and dated.

Interchangeable backstraps.
Reversible mag catch.
Double sided slide release.

The right hand dominant, one size must fit all, let's put retarded finger groove bumps on the frontstrap Glock is now yesterday's news. It's the lowest common denominator cop gun that it has always been and that isn't good enough anymore.

 

[XDKingslayer]

I don't know if they are better than Glocks or not.

I just can't get over one problem I have with them. Every time I see one out of the corner of my eye I always say "Is that one of those piece of crap Taurus 24/7 O.S.S.es?"

 

[Javelin]

They can't really get any better than a Glock as far as reliability. They can copy it. But thats about as good as it gets. Egronomics sure they can improve there as far as taste and personal opinions are concerned. Whatever the masses feel is "in" and then market the firearm under another name. It just does not get any better. +1 for Glock!

 

[stevereno1]

The M&P has that cool snakeskin engraving on the slide that they love to put on all of their autopistols, and the classic rounded s&w autopistol grip.

You cannot prove to me that the m&p is better than a glock because there is no proof. If you shoot one better, go for it. Since it's a Glock copy, it should be ultra reliable. As for "pointability"? ok I hope that your wrist don't hurt no more from holding the Glock and making your delicate wrist uncomfortable.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

It's not a Glock copy. Only things it has in common with the Glock are available calibers, polymer frame, and striker fired. The trigger is different, BTW. Is a Steyr a Glock copy? Ruger SR9? CZ100? Kahr autos?

Is it better than a Glock? No. As good? I'd wait a while for a final judgement.

 

[tarheel]

M&P - is it really any better than a Glock?

No!

 

[Northalius]

How many parts are there in the M&P?

A Glock has few parts compared to many semi autos out there, and thus why it's just one more reason for their reliability, I believe.

Has the M&P been put through any extensive "torture tests" like the Glock has been?

I picked the Glock solely because of its reliability record, not because of its good looks, or a lack thereof compared to other pistols. Only children pick a gun because it is supposedly better looking than another! This tool can save your life one day, not be entered into a beauty contest.

Many Glock malfunctions, jams and "kabooms" today, are mainly due to user and/or ammunition errors:-> Shooting lead ammo with factory Glock barrels - bad! Using majorly faulted reloaded ammo - bad! Limp-wristing - bad! Etc. etc.

I'm willing to give another pistol a chance, without a doubt. My bias doesn't blind me toward one pistol, because that'd only work against me, since I know improvements will be eventually made in another brand of semi auto, and I'm just waiting to buy that gun, when it comes out!

I will buy a pink Barbie gun, as long as it's proven to be better than a Glock in reliability, among other such things I like in a Glock.

I'm not willing to buy any new pistol too quickly, until it has seriously proven itself first! Only the smart and prudent among us would agree. Unless it's just a range / for fun gun, and not a gun you're relying on to possibly save your life one day.

I will stick with what is proven, because my life depends on this gun.


So, again, how many parts is the M&P made up of?

Glock has around 34 to 36 parts, internal and external (including the front and rear sights, as counted separately).

1) If the M&P turns out to be as, or more, reliable compared to the Glock in torture tests, all different types of ammunition rounds, etc.

2) If the M&P has similar, or same, sizes in their .40 caliber model, compared to the Compact Glock 23 .40 model, and Sub Compact Glock 27 .40 model

3) If the M&P has the same amount, or more, rounds in the magazine, as compared to Glock

4) If the M&P has the same amount (3), or more, internal safeties as the Glock does; so if it's dropped out of my pocket, slammed on the floor, thrown out of a helicopter... it'll still not go "BANG" unless I first pull that trigger

5) If the M&P has so many after market parts as the Glock?

6) If the M&P has good enough, or better, customer service compared to Glock?

Then I'll strongly consider buying one, for sure!

Until then, I'll stick with Glock... for now.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I don't know if its better. I think if the Glocks don't fit your hand or you don't shoot them well, the M&P is the answer. I have two and mine are AWESOME. I tell people they are GLock 2.0. They feel like and upgrade to me. The Glock is a fine weapon and I think the factory trigger pull is a bit crisper and I prefer the design of the trigger safety of the Glock. I put the M&P ahead in all other aspects.

 

[TxPhantom]

Thank's for the long lecture Northalius. Let me see if I got this right? If you like your MP you are a child, blinded by bias. And if a MP should malfunction it is the pistol's fault, but, if a Glock malfunctions it's fault of the limp wristed shooter. It can't be the Glock's fault since it is well known that you can run over it with a pickup truck or throw it out of a helicopter. In my sheltered life I haven't had occasion to do either. Do these same tests apply to FN's, Sigs, XD's, Kimbers, and Berretta's, etc, etc...?
But, I'm sure if I had counted the number of parts I would surely be a Glock fan. For some reason I neglected to count the parts of my MP's. What was I thinking?
The Glock should be a pretty reliable gun since it has been out since the Mid eighties with little or no upgrades or improvements. Lots of after market products, granted, but there should in that length of time. There are now many after market products coming on the market due to the success of the MP's. And, customer service by S & W is well known to be among the best in the business. Let's face it, you will never buy a MP no matter what. But surely not because you could be biased or anything!
And last, but by far not least, the MP is made in the good old USA!

 

[cbsbyte]

In Massachusetts the MPs are not better than a Glock. Since the MP is a new DA pistol it has to have the stupid Mass Attorney General 10lb trigger, and no high capacity magazines. The MP will have to be tuned by a gunsmith to get a respectable trigger out of it, that will add to the price. New Glocks are banned in the state, so the only ones available in the state were made before the ban in 1998. The used Glocks sold here have a regular 5lb trigger, and high capacity magazines. The only selling point for the M&P is the lower price.

 

[Globetrekker]

Like comparing anything (or anyone, for that matter) "Better" is a very broad and general statement.

I've compared the M&P 45, Glock 21/21SF, & XD 45 before deciding on my first polymer gun....the M&P .45 for my own Xmas gift just past.

Things considered included:
- Ergonomics: The M&P was just plain more comfortable in my hands than the others, and for me...was very important for shot placement. The interchangeable back-straps is a very practical feature.
- Accuracy: Before buying, I shot all three. Either a friend's or rented. At this price point, if the gun was made correctly and has no defects...my experience with all 3 are reasonably close in accuracy...in which case, I believe this comes down to the shooter. Which goes along with Ergo.
- Purpose/practicality: Are you a regular sport shooter? Competitive shooter? Collector? Just for Defense? or some combo? From experience, all 3 are good for shooting regularly.
- Reliability: Glocks appear to have the upper hand here due to its longevity in the field. Someone already mentioned time will tell on the M&P.
- Aesthetics: Purely personal...do you prefer the "blocky" industrial look of the Glocks? ...or more "organic"?
- Customer Service: Smith's is outstanding and that was important to me.
- Value: This was the deciding factor for me...due to the S&W $50 Rebate and 2 free Mags.

Happy Shooting & Best Wishes in your gun shopping.

 

[stevereno1]

The M&P has about as much in common with a Glock as men do to women

Women were created from a part of a man. The rib. The M&P, likewise, was created from copying the Glock. A Glock, like a Man, is bulkier Stronger, and built for definate purpose. The M&P, like a woman, is curvier, prettier, more complicated and more delicate. So good analogy Bro. and BTW-a Fiero?!

 

[TxPhantom]

Women were created from a part of a man. The rib. The M&P, likewise, was created from copying the Glock. A Glock, like a Man, is bulkier Stronger, and built for definate purpose. The M&P, like a woman, is curvier, prettier, more complicated and more delicate

That's very creative! I've always said, "if God ever made anything better than a good woman, He kept it to Himself"! I guess that applies to MP's too!