M&P9 vs M&P9C vs Glock 26

[ugaarguy]

No contest, the Glock 26 is the leader and S&W is playing catch up and follow the leader as usual

I have a good friend who's a certified Glock armorer and Federal LEO. He was interning with a Fed Agency the first time he shot a Sig-Sauer, and he shot a perfect score on their qual course. He now carries an M&P9c as his authorized backup to his agency issued P229R. He believes the M&P9c is more mechanically accurate than the G26. He's a natural talent who can make head shots on a standard silhouette at 25 yards, off hand, with subcompact autos. I also shoot M&Ps better than I shoot Glocks, but I believe that has more to do with gun fit in my case. YMMV, but the M&P line has eclipsed Glock, IMO.

Either way, the M&P9c and the G26 are great pistols. It's pretty clear that the G26 just isn't as good a fit for the OP's hands as the M&P9c is. Because of that the M&P9c is the best choice in this situation.

Reverse the situation, where he owns an M&P9c, but shoots Glocks better; and I'd recommend selling the M&P to get a G26.

You have to look at the factors objectively, and not let emotional attachment to a brand prevent you from reasoning logically.

 

[Snowdog]

If you were shopping for a car and found a particular model that felt "wrong" and generally uncomfortable to you, how would you respond if the salesman told you to "get over it because it's a good car"?

Firearms are the same way and unless it's Uncle Sam who's pairing you up with that particular firearm, how a pistol fits you means a whole heck of a lot.

If you don't like the way Glocks feel, then you don't like the way Glocks feel. It's as simple as that. I'm the same way; I cannot warm up to the rounded squarish grip.
I learned this the hard way by wasting ample range time and ammunition trying desperately to like my G19. Granted, I did get good with it and it was a reliable handgun. However, despite 5 years and thousands of rounds, it never fit me.

If it wasn't for the Steyr M40 to convince me that a boxy profile was not a prerequisite of a polymer-frame pistols to have a double stack magazine, I likely would have abandoned the idea of polymer frame pistols altogether.

You'd probably do best to follow the advice of what several other so giving and sell your G26 and use the proceeds to fund your M&P9c.
I've been carrying my M&P40c for a couple months now and love it. I do believe it's the same size as the M&P9c.

BTW, perhaps it's a characteristic of the polymer frame or if they both share a lower-than-typical bore axis, but I find the recoil of the .40S&W from both my Steyr M40 and M&P40c absolutely controllable; they're not uncomfortable in the least. Heck, even with the Storm Lake .357Sig barrel, the M&P40c is still not at all unpleasant (perhaps unpleasantly loud, but nothing in terms of recoil).

 

[snooperman]

Take the advice of the last two responses ..

their advice is thhe best that you can get on this one . My 2 cents

 

[Aahzz]

Hard to argue with selling the 26. I have a 3913 for a proven smaller platform untill I could gain confidence.

And you've gotta love a 3913 . I find the 3913 super comfy for AIWB carry.

 

[71Commander]

Oh, and have to add - I am now carrying an M&P 9 Full Size, but I carry in a tactical man-purse during the warmer weather.

My first thought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRecos7TcA0

As to the OP, keep the full size and get the compact.

 

[Skylerbone]

I like my full size (in 40 S&W) but I love my wife's 9L. At this point you can get the 9 Pro for the same price as the 9L which adds a better trigger pull and FO front sight. Just more to love for a range pistol.

I was also amazed the first time I gave the 50 yard line a whirl with my 9c. Once I found my reference POA I was on an 8" target consistently.

Given your back up I'd say swap both now for the Pro 5" and 9c. The 40c and 9c are indeed the same size externally but the 40 has conversion barrels available for 9mm (requiring new mags) and .357Sig(with no mag changes), the 9mm does not.

 

[Pizzagunner]

Any day that you can rid yourself of a Glock is a good one in my book.

 

[miles1]

Any day that you can rid yourself of a Glock is a good one in my book.

The most unhelpfull advice ive read yet....

 

[Plan2Live]

I ran the compact/sub-compact analysis and comparison into the ground and in the end the XD(m) Compact feels the best in my hand so that's the one I am going with for primary carry. Trust your hand. I vote other.

 

[Ben86]

OP, it sounds like the M&P9 is your favorite gun. In that case carry it!

Relaxed fit pants, good holster, gun belt, loose fitting shirt and your set. My M&P9 is my conceal carry weapon unless I need to put it on in the car, then I pocket carry a Ruger LCP.

If you must have smaller gun I suggest either making your G26 work or getting the M&P9C. But, don't sell the M&P9 if you like it that much.

 

[Pizzagunner]

The most unhelpfull advice ive read yet....

Perhaps you just need to develop a sense of humor.

 

[Mike1234567]

I originally posted that I want a M&P 9C. However, I went to a LGS and fondled one and, for me, it's a bit too large for CC. For now, I'm sticking with a Kel-Tec P-11. Soon, I'll probably buy a Ruger LC9. I do want a thumb safety which the Kel-Tec doesn't have. I also dislike the K-T trigger.

 

[WinThePennant]

I voted OTHER.

Based on what you said, I'd keep the S&W full-size and sell the G26. Use the proceeds from selling the G26 to get a S&W M&P9c.

 

[Nushif]

Sell the Glock 26 - it doesn't fit you. Use the proceeds from the Glock to buy the M&P 9C - the size differences aren't that huge, and you'll like the 9C better

This. 8)

 

[Skylerbone]

If you get a chance have a look at a Kahr CW9. Considerably slimmer and lighter than the 9c and surprisingly easy to manage.

The above is my M&P 9c next to the Kahr CW9. Might just be a good single-stack option.

 

[Ben86]

If you get a chance have a look at a Kahr CW9. Considerably slimmer and lighter than the 9c and surprisingly easy to manage.

I second that, awesome gun. But, if a manual safety is what you are after I think the LC9 is the way to go. The Taurus 709 is also a great slim gun with a manual safety, with a better trigger than the LC9 IMO.

 

[jackpinesavages]

Keep the M&P 9 and get a G36 for CCW. I'll always have my 9 Pro as a backup to my G17, but the G36 just rocks CC. YMMV.

 

[Smaug]

To me, the 26 didn't feel right because it leaves the pinky hanging, and I hate that.

I think you should get the Pearce +0 grip extension to make the grip complete, and give it another shot. See how that pans out; I bet you'll like it a lot more. It should feel almost like a full size Glock, except for the sight radius and being less muzzle-heavy.

If that doesn't work out, you've not lost much. At that point, you can sell it without regret and replace it with an M&P9c or Walther PPS.

I think you should keep the M&P9.

 

[jackpinesavages]

Or keep the 26 and get with the KKM or Jarvis or Storm Lake drop-in barrels convert it to whatever you want.

 

[Apocalypse-Now]

Sold all of mine years ago and never looked back .

i did the opposite-sold all my m&p's and stuck with glock lol

i just picked up the gen4 g26. great gun. i'd ccw that one with some HST or Gold Dots

 

[camsdaddy]

Update: I sold the M&P fullsize. I later bought a Glock 19 because it was about the same size as the 9c and I had the mags, holsters etc. I carry the 19 quite a bit. I dont carry it in the appendix position because the barrell is just long enough to dig into my leg while seated. That being my prefered method I purchased a CM9. I really like it and works great AIWB. I then sold the 26 because I realized I just wasnt going to become accurate and would never be pleased. Well here I am again. I carry my 19 and my CM9 and sometimes an LCR. I like the CM9 but find myself carrying my 19 when I can. The 19 doesnt "fit" any better than the 26 did but with the little longer grip I shoot it better. I am thinking that since the 9C is between the 19 and 26 that it may be come my EDC and reserve my CM9 for deep concelement and sell the LCR w CT grips. I think my biggest problem is I havent found the one that Im willing to commit too. All the guns I change between have the same basic method of operation and I enjoy variety yet dont have the budget to buy and feed them all. -

 

[NG VI]

How you feel while holding it isn't everything about fit. It sounds like you love the way the Glock carries and shoots, just aren't thrilled with the way it feels in your hand.

I didn't like the way my 27 fit either, at first, then I realized I was better with it than my fullsize USP .40 or any of my CZs. Competence with a given pistol really goes a long way towards loving it for me. And if you're carrying it appendix, I wouldn't count on not noticing the extra size of the small M&P, in that position everything counts.

I think if you've got a gun that is reliable, accurate, and easiest to carry, it makes some sense to work with it. It probably feels off because the grip is shaped in such a way that makes it basically impossible to grip improperly, I think that's a big part oif the reason why the subcompact Glocks shoot so well. Your hands are forced to hold it in the best way.

 

[NG VI]

Disregard.

Congrats on your continuing carry journey, by the way.

 

[jon_in_wv]

Short of the length of the grip with the finger extension on the magazine the M&P 9C is closer in size to the G26 than the G19. In fact it is smaller than the G26 or the 19 in several dimensions, most notably the trigger guard, the grip adjacent to the trigger, and the slide is narrower on the upper half and at the muzzle. That being said either are the top CCWs you can buy in my opinion and you are very well served by either. I find it intellectually dishonest to say one is better than the other short of your own personal preference. Both have a few different features and both are great at what they are intended for.

 

[gglass]

Keep your M&P full size and work on getting the M&P compact... That's how I got up to five M&P's over time. For me, it was well worth getting rid of two Glocks to work on starting an M&P collection.