S&W M&P 9 Full Size

[tercel89]

How do you shooters feel about the S&W M&P 9 Full size as far as function and reliability ?
I have had one in the past but only put maybe two mags at the most through it. I traded it for a Glock which is the same brand I have shot for the past 20 years. I am about to get another M&P 9 full size this time and wondering if any changes have been made to them in the last 3 years. I have heard talk of barrel problems here and there and some other types of chatter. But mostly they are S&W haters and vice-versa.

 

[Lj1941]

My full sized 9 M & P has been flawless. It was purchased new in 2009. My understanding is the triggers have been improved since the early models. Mine has improved since it was new. I have around 2000 rounds through mine with flawless functioning. 95% of my rounds have been hand loads mainly Berry's 124 plated of different styles.

 

[Candyman87]

I don't own one but have fired many. I like them a lot. That being said, I probably have nearly a thousand rounds through a couple of friends' and haven't had a single issue.

Since I bought my Shield, I'm strongly considering adding one to the stable.

 

[CNobbe]

I like the "Pro Series" M&P 9 the most, they seem to have slightly better triggers than the standard M&Ps, and the night sights from the factory are pretty good.

 

[Edcnh]

I purchased a full size M&P 9mm this summer. It has functioned flawlessly to date. I have used almost all factory ammo including Winchester 9mm NATO which I believe is +P. It shoots well and is comfortable in my hand. A good gun for the money.

 

[hAkron]

M&Ps are generally cheaper than a Gen 4 Glock, especially so if you buy them during a S&W rebate (sometimes cash back, sometimes extra magazines). If people have a complaint about them, it's usually the trigger. The aftermarket has addressed this issue - https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Category?categoryId=20

I have a full sized M&P in 9 and in 45. I find the grip to be more ergonomical than a Glock. I had an M&P compact that I couldn't shoot accurately for whatever reason, so I sold it. I have a Shield as well, which I really love.

 

[tercel89]

One of the main reasons I want one is to shoot my "bunny fart" reloads I make through them and just have fun. I love my GLocks but the M&P feels awesome in my hand and that along with my reloads I bet it will be a joy to shoot.

 

[Hangingrock]

I have the S&W MP9 & MP9c. Both are set up the same Apex Duty/Carry triggering system, 10-8 sighting system (front night sight and standard U-Notch rear sight) and the magazine disconnect feature. Yes I know I'm one of the few individuals that like that optional feature. On the full size MP9 magazines I employ the 10/8-Apex magazine floor plates. Either or MP9/MP9c is my EDC. I switched over from the combination Glock G17/G19. I still have the Glocks but not employed as EDC weapons.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

I have owned a few M&P's --they all felt good in the hand and functioned reliably BUT the awful triggers never worked for ME(your experience may be different, I'm talking about me). My SD40VE has a better trigger and I'm not spending another $100 to make a M&P "right".

I think its how the M&P trigger stacks and lets off causes the nose of the gun to bounce around --the SD trigger, while heavier, is more consistent and doesn't have the stacking issues of the M&P.

I won't buy another M&P unless there is a major redesign ----and I'm not a S&W hater by any means as I have my SD40 and just bought a new 629--which has a scary light trigger in single action----its almost too light.

 

[danez71]

Yes I know I'm one of the few individuals that like that optional feature.

I'll 1 up you. I purposely bought the 9c with the thumb safety.

.... it was to keep consistent with my BHP


OP, for what its worth, my MP9c has been 100% since bought new in 2009.

 

[KYamateur]

I purchased one about two years ago and had problems. I had constant FTE. The gun was accurate and I didn't mind the trigger. After a repair trip it still had occasional FTE and I no longer had confidence in it and the local gun shop knew the history and took it back on a trade for a gen 4 Glock 17 which I am happy with. The gunshop sent it back to S&W and I don't know what happened to it from there. At the time I read reviews that the full size wasn't as reliable as the compact so I traded it to the Glock instead of another M&P, but it was probably just internet rumors based on a very small sample. Every company puts a lemon out sometimes. I have a shield and two 3rd gen S&W pistols that eat everything. I actually prefer the full size M&P over the Glock, but the Glock has been trouble free so I see no reason to change now. I'm sure others have had trouble free M&P pistols and gen 4 glocks with problems. I think most companies make quality pistols so you just have to get what you like and put rounds through it to make sure they are reliable and accurate. I am strongly considering one of the M&P 45s with the FDE frame. If it feels good in your hand I would buy it,

 

[Hangingrock]

I'll 1 up you. I purposely bought the 9c with the thumb safety. .... it was to keep consistent with my BHP

Yes you did few people believe in what I refer to as continuity of purpose.

 

[Sean Edmunds]

Do not buy an M&P 9.... seriously, your Glock will end up in the safe, all alone....


I've had my M&P for 4 years, great gun, I added nights sights and a dozen mags, that's all the gun has needed.

FWIW, I think mine is an older gun before all of the trigger mods, I guess I'm not that fussy because I have no issues with the trigger.

 

[taliv]

coincidentally, i just counted a few hours ago and i'm around 18,200 rounds on my M&P9 CORE

I have had one stovepipe type FTE. I've also had numerous light strikes on the primer, but i can't necessarily blame S&W for that since i replaced everything trigger-related with the apex forward set sear kit. i also replaced the barrel with an aftermarket one after maybe 9000 rounds. i don't remember exactly.

i also cleaned the gun tonight for probably the 4th or 5th time in its life.

overall, i'm pretty happy with the reliability.

 

[RON in PA]

I've had a M&P9 since 2007 and put about 3100 rounds thru it. It's very reliable, 3 failures to feed in the first 3 magazines and 100% since. Ergonomics are excellent, much better than a Glock. The usual complaints about the M&P9 are the trigger and the variable accuracy. The trigger has been modified in recent manufactured guns to be more Glock like with a better reset. Probably not as accurate as some other polymer framed guns at 25 yards, but Smith did change the twist rate.

 

[Lloyd Smale]

ive had two. Both have run flawlessly even with light target loads. Sold the first when I found the second one that didn't have a safety.

 

[Wishoot]

Mine has been 100% reliable.

However I shoot my other 9mm's much better and the M&P is a safe-queen.

 

[Jim Watson]

Mine does very well, I prefer it to Glock 17. Probably because the grip angle is closer to 1911, which I am accustomed to.
It does have a Burwell trigger job, which is a big improvement.

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

Never had an issue with mine and it's accurate enough for squirrel head shots at 30'. Consider me a satisfied customer.

 

[tercel89]

LOL , now thats funny and cool !

 

[Hangingrock]

Never had an issue with mine and it's accurate enough for squirrel head shots at 30'. Consider me a satisfied customer.

This is going to open a can of worms in regards to the stopping power debate!

 

[boatdoc173]

M&Ps are generally cheaper than a Gen 4 Glock, especially so if you buy them during a S&W rebate (sometimes cash back, sometimes extra magazines). If people have a complaint about them, it's usually the trigger. The aftermarket has addressed this issue - https://store.apextactical.com/WebDirect/Products/Category?categoryId=20

I have a full sized M&P in 9 and in 45. I find the grip to be more ergonomical than a Glock. I had an M&P compact that I couldn't shoot accurately for whatever reason, so I sold it. I have a Shield as well, which I really love.

I bought one finally. Bought a M+P 9 pro At first I shot it well. Lately though I find myself shooting low about 3-5"

spent time last week figuring out how to shoot my new E series 1911 better and how not to shoot low with this M+P 9

my discovery is the following--a tighter grip for the 1911 negates the loose grip safety(most of the time) AND.......
careful trigger manipulation with my finger below the hinged area is needed to shoot POA-POI

if I do not pay attention to this, I shoot low. I think the upper part of the trigger is more solid . It produced a fulcrum effect and caused me to pull my shots low-- I am happy with it now. Too bad I had to go through so much just to enjoy shooting it

 

[treedoc1]

Happy owner of FS 9mm. I installed the Apex FSS kit immediately and the firearm mimics my Govt 1911 as far as trigger pull. Easily fits my hand comfortably. FWIW my Shield 9mm trigger I have used extensively (1000 rounds) and has smoothed out well. Possibly the FS might have smoothed out similarly.

 

[Old Dog]

So, when I see comments such as this (from Omaha-BeenGlockin)

I have owned a few M&P's --they all felt good in the hand and functioned reliably BUT the awful triggers never worked for ME(your experience may be different, I'm talking about me). My SD40VE has a better trigger and I'm not spending another $100 to make a M&P "right".

I think its how the M&P trigger stacks and lets off causes the nose of the gun to bounce around --the SD trigger, while heavier, is more consistent and doesn't have the stacking issues of the M&P.

I won't buy another M&P unless there is a major redesign --

my question then is: have you shot an M&P manufactured within the past year and a half? Because the company DID quite recently improve the M&P considerably. Perhaps, when the Shield was introduced and consumers questioned why its trigger was so much better than the full-size and C models, the impetus to finally improve the factory trigger was provided. Most M&P owners love the pistol, which has better ergonomics than the Glocks, but intensely resented having to install the Apex improvements at significant cost.

Anyway, allegedly, the barrel issue was fixed and accuracy is now more consistent from pistol to pistol, and the trigger has been substantially improved. My employer recently replaced our first-issue batch of M&Ps with brand-new pistols, and I couldn't be more impressed. The triggers are far better, now crisper with a much more distinct reset, and the accuracy (subjectively) seems much improved.

To answer the OP's question: with a sample size of a few hundred M&Ps, I've concluded reliability is excellent. We've had very, very few issues, all minor. Function, once you have experience with the pistol, is, well, functionally above average. Shooters of all levels of experience, from just out of the academy to many years of gun experience, typically do well with the pistol and appreciate its superior ergonomics and easy manual of arms.

I'm not a plastic pistol guy, but I have to carry one on duty and have concluded that since is the case, I prefer the M&P over any other ... uh, well, there's another story ... I recently experienced the SIG P-320, oh my ...

 

[az_imuth]

I purchased an M&P9, Glock 17(G4), and a XDm9 all within the last 6 months because I felt like I needed a full sized 9mm. Of the three, I liked and shot the M&P best, the XDm was a very close second, and the Glock was a very distant third. The Smith and the Springfield both had excellent triggers and were easy to shoot accurately. I think this was largely due to the well designed ergonomics. I really wanted to like the Glock, but the trigger was abysmal, the factory plastic sights were off by about 6 inches at fifteen yards, and the ergonomics just didn't fit me well at all.

Suffice it to say, if my M&P is the norm, then I don't see how you could go wrong with it.