New M&P 9c for CC - Questions

[skt239]

Hello all.

I recently picked up a M&P 9c that I'm growing quite fond of and thinking this could become a year round CCW pistol. Should I decide to carry the M&P, it will replace my P239.

The M&P 9c I received is a Crimson Trace model with the updated trigger and does not have the internal lock or magazine disconnect safety. Below is a pro/con list and some questions I have ..

Pro
* 12 +1 capacity and the ability to accept up to 33 round mags.

* light weight poly frame, stainless slide

* Accessory rail

* Nice trigger pull

* ambi controls (lefty)

* interchangeable back straps

* Remarkable magazine ejection

Cons
* flimsy feeling trigger

* Ruger style warning etched on slide

* Crimson Trace grip is too large to be useful

* Thick slide

I've yet to fire it but barring any reliability issues, the pro's far out weigh the cons. I can't knock the M&P for CT's overly fat grips but I really was looking forward to using them. Here are a few questions I have...

* Any ammo I should avoid? Assuming this is a no.

* Which magazine are you using? Flush or extended?

* Any recommendations on OWB holsters for CCW? I normally use Comptac but considering Bravo or Raven concealment.

* Any thing all M&P owners know that I don't and should?

I'll be editing my post and adding pics once I get in front of my Mac.

Thanks.

 

[cowtownup]

I carry the 40c IWB and I like it. I don't shoot it as well as I do the larger frame guns but it conceals nicely. If I shop for another CCW I will move THICKNESS up on my priority list.. I couldn't make the Crimson grip work for me, it was too large.

 

[skt239]

Cowtown,

What type of holster are you using?

 

[9mmepiphany]

* Any thing all M&P owners know that I don't and should?

1. Don't be surprised if inserting a full magazine releases the slide
2. It is better to release the slide by tugging on the back serrations than trying to use the slide lock

 

[danez71]

Mine has never failed in any manner using a wide variety of ammo.

Mine hasn't release the slide when inserting a mag. I tried to make it to that but I stopped when I felt anything more force would be abusive.

I used the extend mag most of the time but would switch to the shorter one sometimes depending on how my shirt fell over it.

I use an el-cheapo Uncle Mike and appendix carry.

I wouldn't be able to use the CT. My fingers are short'ish.

 

[Water-Man]

The Raven Phantom is a great holster.

 

[Old Dog]

2. It is better to release the slide by tugging on the back serrations than trying to use the slide lock

Interesting. If I am recalling correctly, the S&W reps told us to use the slide stop/slide release when we transitioned to the M&Ps in '08 or thereabouts. I'm gonna go back and see if I can find that in the piles of literature we were given.

I found that the Galco Concealable is a decent, easily found, off the shelf concealment holster for the compact ... Blade Tec makes a great little Kydex holster with adjustable cant and can be put on the belt or with optional paddle ...

 

[9mmepiphany]

Interesting. If I am recalling correctly, the S&W reps told us to use the slide stop/slide release when we transitioned to the M&Ps in '08 or thereabouts. I'm gonna go back and see if I can find that in the piles of literature we were given.

That may be the company line, but it isn't the best practice. It has nothing to do with technique...although it is what I teach...and everything to do with the part.

1. It has been noted by a number of users that the slide stop is hard to depress when used to release a locked back slide.

2. The slide lock is a "U" shaped piece of bent sheet metal and the springiness of it makes it hard to use the right side lever.

3. Due to both above factors, there have been problems of the slide lock lever snapping off during use...that is why it is a regular replacement item

 

[wally]

I picked up a 40c with the hopes of carrying it, but just too fat to hide well for me.

Nice feature, get a S&W 9c barrel from Midway or Brownells and some 9mm mags and you have 9mm for cheap practice and .40S&W for carry. But good luck finding spare M&P mags at the moment

I'm looking to pick up a Shield soon, anyone know if the Shield 9mm barrel will fit in the Shield 40 the way the 9c barrel does in the 40c?

I find the flat mag bottom is better for concealment, the finger extension mag is better for shooting. No surprise, smaller always carries better, bigger always shoots better.

 

[Bluelight]

I have had the M&P9c for about 4 years. Initial range session had two or three issues with ejection in first 100 rounds. Have not had any problems since.

I am using a Don Hume H715MTB IWB holster and find a flush mag more concealable.

Spare 12 round magazines have been non-existant for a long time.

Using the slide stop is easier if the slide is pulled back slightly first.

 

[Hangingrock]

Here in NC I found a Mass compliant MP9c (New In Box) shipped to the dealer by mistake I assume (ass-u-me). It has the magazine disconnect which I like but others do not. Enough said on that feature. Thus there is no lettering on the slide about firing capability. The trigger, Apex kit resolved. The sights removed the OEM set and went with 10-8 set night sight front and plain black U-notch rear. I acquired (12) round capacity magazines with the finger rest. X-large hands but used the medium back strap. to break it in I ran 400-Rds. of RWS-124Gr-FMJ and 100 Rds. of Gold Dot +P. For a holster I use a belt slide.

 

[moxie]

I like a Lobo belt slide for mine, and I like the Fobus paddle.

For ammo, for carry, I like Fed. HST 124+P, Speer Gold Dot 124+P, and Rem. GS 124+P. All good. For the range, whatever's cheapest. My 9c eats them all. Get on Mike Holtdorf's list at MAH. He's a great source for the good SD ammo. He will hold ammo for you and email you if you ask. Also Ammunition Depot.

Ditto on the slide stop. Best rack the slide. The release...doesn't, at least on mine.

For carry I like the flush mag, the 7 rounder for reload.

Get on Greg Cote's list. When he gets some mags in he will notify you. Also check Botach. They occasionally get some.

I also like the 17 rounder with X-grip adapter at the range.

 

[Old Dog]

That may be the company line, but it isn't the best practice. It has nothing to do with technique...although it is what I teach...and everything to do with the part.

1. It has been noted by a number of users that the slide stop is hard to depress when used to release a locked back slide.

2. The slide lock is a "U" shaped piece of bent sheet metal and the springiness of it makes it hard to use the right side lever.

3. Due to both above factors, there have been problems of the slide lock lever snapping off during use...that is why it is a regular replacement item

Understand all. We have seen that, especially with newer pistols, it is very difficult for many to push down the slide release with only one thumb or finger from slide lock. We now seem to be fudging a little, as our latest IG notes that officers should practice both the slide stop release AND the slingshot techniques.

 

[skt239]

Thanks for the replies and different suggestions. I don't have much trouble with my slide stop, other than it being small, it works fine. Bummer to hear the mags are still hard to come by, I was hoping to pick some up.

I do have a cheap, universal slide holster I tried the m&p out with and while it is a bit thick, carrying it is a breeze. I'm carrying OWB at around 7:00 and even with the pinky rest mag, it's still very concealable.

 

[Godsgunman]

I recently acquired the 9c and don't have any issues with the slide release. During dry fire practice I have noticed that with the medium and small backstraps the front site pushes to the left when I squeeze the trigger, not so bad with the large back strap on even though I have medium hands. Its the only pistol I've noticed that I do that on, not sure why yet. I am thinking of replacing the front site with either a night or FO as the insert fell out of mine which I hear can be a common issue. Other than that I do like the feel of the gun and have had no issues so far with any ammo I've used.

 

[skt239]

Godsgunmsn,

I've been hearing about this sight issue. I will also most likely swap my current sights for a set of Trijicons or the like.

As far as pulling left, the medium and small back strap probably give you trigger finger more reach, while the large leaves you with less. You are probably putting more joint on the trigger with the medium/small and more finger pad with the large. Just a thought...

 

[danez71]

I recently acquired the 9c and don't have any issues with the slide release. During dry fire practice I have noticed that with the medium and small backstraps the front site pushes to the left when I squeeze the trigger, not so bad with the large back strap on even though I have medium hands. Its the only pistol I've noticed that I do that on, not sure why yet. I am thinking of replacing the front site with either a night or FO as the insert fell out of mine which I hear can be a common issue. Other than that I do like the feel of the gun and have had no issues so far with any ammo I've used.

Huh.... similar but different for me.

I have medium hands with shorter fingers. If I could find gloves that had Med palms with fingers for a Small glove attached, it would be perfect.

I fully expected to be using the small grip. And in fact, I like the feel better when I put on the small grip.

But its easier for me to be more accurate with the Med grip.

What I think I found was that the small grip has very little palm swell. When I grab the gun, the gun is canted slightly to the left unless I consciously compensate when I'm grabbing the gun.

 

[9mmepiphany]

"Feel" in the hand can be very deceptive when choosing between the different backstraps. It is better to go with the one that lets you shoot the most accurately.

What you want is a grip length that lets you finger pull the frontstrap straight back into the web of your hand...but not let your finger tips tighten on the grip and squeeze the gun to the left. Which leads us to:

During dry fire practice I have noticed that with the medium and small backstraps the front site pushes to the left when I squeeze the trigger,

You are likely contracting your other fingers as you press the trigger. This will generally pull the gun down. Tightening the finger tips pushes the gun to the left.

Try Dry Firing the gun with your strong hand thumb pointing up and see if the front sight still moves

 

[skt239]

Another question, does anyone have trouble inserting a full mag? I really have to give mine a good slap

 

[moxie]

Common problem. Rather than slapping the mag, try squeezing it in. Put one palm on base of mag, and other palm on slide. Squeeeze! Works well. Gets easier over time. Leave it loaded with a fully loaded mag inserted. It loosens up a little over time.

 

[rsrocket1]

I used my 40FS "slide release" for about 600 cycles (6k rounds) before it snapped while shooting. Fortunately, the other side still worked to lock the slide by hand and I could still close the slide with the "slingshot" method. S&W replaced it for free in about 3 weeks. I now use it only as a "slide lock."

For those who have a mag disconnect lever and don't like fishing around for it (like me), you could still remove the slide via the trigger method by leaving an empty magazine in the gun, rotating the lever, releasing the slide, pulling the trigger, then releasing the magazine (or just remove the lever all together as illustrated all over the net).

 

[cowtownup]

skt239, in answering your question about which holster I use... Its an IWB holster with 2 clips and kydex molded part for the firearm made by Ozark holsters I think.. Regardless, it is similar in design to the Comp-tac MTAC seen here....

http://www.comp-tac.com/product_info.php?products_id=95

I've been carrying like this for about a year now and I'm really looking to get something I can remove from my person and put back on myself much easier than this holster. I have to basically unbutton my pants, position the holster on my 4:00, then re-fasten my belt and postion my cover garment... This works well if you know you are going to carry all day long, but if you are around home some of the day and run into town and want to slip your CCW on right quick, you need a different holster... I guess this is where the bag of holsters that all CCW'rs compile over time comes from... Of course, I'm trying to convince my wife that I need a whole other firearm for a situation like that.. LOL.... Good luck man and you are going to enjoy that M&P for sure..

 

[jacob2745]

I carry in a hybrid iwb at about 3 o'clock. Have not had any issues, ammo or otherwise, since I bought the gun. I prefer the flush grip for concealability reasons. I have got to where I don't even use the extended mag at the range. Anyways, great gun. I love mine.

 

[Skribs]

I own an M&P 9C. One of your cons, the cruddy trigger, can be fixed with the APEX trigger kit. I had the kit installed on mine, and the trigger is nice and crisp now.

As a lefty, I can say I'm not too happy with the "ambidextrous" controls. The slide stop is so small and spongy I don't even try to hit it. I'm also a firm believer that "reversible" is not "ambidextrous", it is "lefty discrimination lawsuit insurance." That may be a bit of exaggeration, but if I can't hand my pistol to my friend who is right-handed and let him use it the same way I did, it is not fully ambi.

 

[rick melear]

Your comparing it to a Sig 239!!!. I know the 239 is not the lightest or slimmest, but comparing it to a M&Pc is almost unfair