s&w m&p compact -

[Fat Boy]

I have an opportunity to obtain a Smith & Wesson M&P compact in 40 s&w caliber. This gun will come with a Storm Lake brand barrel in 9mm and several magazines.

I like the idea of the 2 calibers-

My question is this; I have tried to work with a Glock 26 and found it too small for my xl-sized hands.

I have read that the Smith gun is slightly larger than the "baby" Glock

can someone tell me the actual size increase for the M&P? If it is enough, I would want to try and make the Smith gun work but I don't want to get another gun that is effectively too small for my hands..

Also, what is the durability expectation for the Smith? I have read that Glock's are almost indestructible...

 

[MrWesson]

The M&P is every bit as reliable and durable as a glock.

with the different backstraps unless you have gorilla hands I dont see the pistol not fitting your hands.

Size wise its between a Glock 19 and a Glock 26 but a little closer in size to the glock 26.

I had a glock 26 and I now have a M&P9c if that tells you anything.

That combo would be worth around 580 to me so as long as the price is right then go for it you wont regret it.

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Size comparison: http://thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=6847387&postcount=8

Having owned both guns myself, I can say that the M&P has a much better shaped grip for a two-fingered hold.

 

[kwelz]

My EDC is a M&P9c. It use to be a Glock 27 but the M&P is more comfortable to me. You really can't go wrong with either.

 

[ElrodCod]

Also, what is the durability expectation for the Smith? I have read that Glock's are almost indestructible...

M&Ps have a strong fan base ( I'm one and many will say that they are just as good or better than Glocks. IMO the jury is still out on that, they haven't been around long enough to say that definitively.
I have large hands and find the grip on the M&P compact okay as long as I use the pinky extension on the magazines. S&W will usually send the pinky extension magazine base pads to you free if you call customer service.

 

[D Rock]

I own and carry both and shoot both at least once a week. Would trust both equally. If you need a larger grip, than the M&Pc will be better for you. The link that The Lone Haranguer posted is good. Fast bolt is a great source of unbiased information. The only thing that is not in those pics is the finger extention that comes on most M&P magazines. That will help your grip but also print depending on your size.

I'm 6'3" 185 lb and use a Comp-Tac Infidel and have no problems with printing.

Dave

 

[Fishman777]

Virtually indestructible until...

... they blow up in your hand.



Sorry. I like Glocks, but I couldn't resist.

Any gun can KB, but I've only heard of one M&P KB. I've heard of a lot of Glock KBs. The gun that has to be considered the poster child of KB malfunctions should never be called indestructible. Don't say that a gun that lacks a fully supported chamber is industructible.

Sorry.


Glock's slides are probably more durable than the M&P. They also have polymer magazines, which will last longer than the M&P's carbon steel mags.

If the finishes are applied properly, they are about even (melonite vs tenifer).

The M&P has steel sights which don't break as easily as the plastic sights on Glocks. M&Ps have a stainless steel reinforced frame which is stronger than the Glock frame. They also have a stainless steel guide rod.

If the Glock doesn't KB, it will probably last longer than the M&P because of the slide. I've read those internet stories about Glocks lasting 100,000s of rounds without a single malfunction. Sorry, again. I don't believe those stories any more than I believe the torture tests that seem to appear everywhere on the internet.

During the recent ATF pistol trials, Glocks were limp wristed 7 times and M&Ps 16 times in 20,000 rounds. There were no mechanical problems with either gun. The Glock failure rate was 0.00035% and the M&Ps failure rate was 0.0008%. Both sound great, but a 0.00035% failure rate is still a far cry from 20,000 rounds in water, sand, ice, mud without a single stoppage. Limp wristing results in a stoppage, so I'd consider these issues to be malfunctions, even if they are caused by the user.

If you get a fully supported barrel on the Glock, then I'll agree that they are one of the most durable brands of autoloaders on the market.

I don't mean to sound critical of Glocks. I really like them a lot. I am only being critical of internet claims that the guns are indestructible and incapable of jamming.

If M&Ps didn't exist, my safe would be filled with Glocks and Ruger revolvers. Even though I like the M&P brand, I suspect that a G20 will probably sneak into my safe, one day. I also suspect that a fully supported aftermarket barrel will find its way into the safe shortly after the G20 sneaks in.