S&W M&P45c or M&P9c?

[Prion]

Which would you choose for a bit more concealability than the full size pieces I already own and why?

Which caliber do you like considering pistol size (9c is a 3.5" barrel and 12 rounds and 45c is 4" and 8 rounds), and thumb safety or not.

I own full size 9's and 45's and like both cartridges, one being quantity the other power. For concealability the 9 wins but the 45's power is comforting.

I'm leaning toward the 45c w/ no thumb safety.

Help me decide. Thanks

 

[skoro]

About a year and a half ago, I got an M&P45 and an M&P9c. I recently traded the M&P45 for a Colt 1911. I'm keeping that 9C, though. Much smaller, easier to conceal, and yet it still has 12+1 capacity.

Just my two cents.

 

[S&WMP45]

i have the mp45c and mp40c, get whatever feels better to you. all mp's are good guns, but you will find the compact 9 is a lot easier to conceal. plus the 45c has a lot more muzzle flip and a heavier trigger.

mp45's have little bit heavier trigger pulls do to a slightly different trigger mechanism than the 40 and 9mm.

i would get either the 9mm compact or 40 compact (the 40c is better imho)

i'm thinking of selling my 45c for a light weight commander style 1911

 

[Prion]

Don't want a 40. I've already got 9's and 45's and I don't want to add another caliber.

2 votes for the 9c, hhmmmm.........

 

[Seven For Sure]

The 45c is about the same size as the FS 9 and 40. If it's so you can conceal it easier, get the 9c.

 

[HoosierQ]

I have the 9c and it is a snap to conceal...for a double stack. I think the sort of curvilinear lines of this ergonomic gun kind of help with printing. So the 9c is a great gun. I think a .45 out of that short barrel kind of defeats the purpose. I think the .45 ACP is optimized for a 5" barrel and with its low velocity, it does not perform nearly as well in a 3 something barrel.

9c is my vote...12+1 capacity is a gun about the size of PPK is nice.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I have the full M&P 45 and have no worries hiding it. Would not want anything smaller. It's just me.

You probably will want the 45c model because you figure the caliber is assuring to you.

10 rounds double stacked on my weapon is plenty plus another 10 in a second clip with an option of a THIRD clip on a belt

I think I get tired after while and need nap from all this weight.

 

[jdh]

Seven has already said what I was going to.

Another for the 9c.

 

[DAdams]

I have been contemplating the same two items.

I don't plan on trying to conceal either in a pocket holster or IWB. Both would be too big in that scenario. In either case it would have to be IWB or OWB. OWB in my case.

I have come to the conclusion that the medium size .45 vs C is for me. Truck, house, or OWB. .45 (I have a Kahr PM9 and a couple of J Frames). I want something with the .45 flying ashtray capability too. 10 rounds of .45 in the mid size vs. 8 in the .45c. Same barrel length.

As soon as S&W puts forth the two free mags or the $50 rebate I'm in.

Something else for your conundrum to consider, but my vote is the .45.

 

[Mags]

Love my M&P9c have shot my buddies M&P 45 shot like a dream (that is why I bought my M&P). Never shot the M&P 45c if its anything like the full size it is a great gun you just gotta ask yourself do you want an average cap hard hitting 45 or a 12 round +1 cap of fast moving 9mm. Also note I'm 220 pounds and 6 1 and have no problem concealing my M&P 9c in an IWB holster.

 

[Prion]

Six nods to the 9c

3 nods to the .45c

Interesting.......Anyone else?

 

[distra]

I have the M&P45c and carry it frequently. It conceals well and is a joy to shoot. I've picked up a couple 10rd and 14rd mags for it. The 10rds mags as a a reload gives me 18+1 rds of 45ACP.

 

[Butt Ugly]

I have the compact 9mm. I don't care for it. I love Smith and Wesson but I wish I hadn't bought it.

The only problem I have with it is the trigger reset. It is not crisp like a Glock and sometimes it is hard to tell if the trigger has reset so I either let it all the way out or short stroke it.

 

[Mags]

Wanna sell your M&P Butt Ugly?

 

[Seven For Sure]

I've got a 40c and I like the trigger. It's the biggest complaint I hear about M&P's but mine is lighter than a Glock with a 3.5# connector. I have the 3.5's in all my Glocks so I've got a pretty good comparison to go by.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

The trigger on my gun is a long pull. Dont worry, keep hauling it back slowly. It will go bang soon enough.

That is one reason I bought that gun. There is a hole up top behind the ejection port that shows to me if there is one in the chamber ready to fire. It's saved my life or another already in the very beginning when I was wondering why the gun didnt fire...

Ya know.. first magazine shoot several and then... nothing? That's all of the bullets? Hmmm... thought process followed by turning the handgun around...:banghead: then I remembered there was a hole up top and yep there was one still waiting.

Back down range and pull all the way back on that trigger BOOM. Problem solved.

I tend to wait for the recoil to finish before releasing the trigger for the next shot.

hell I recall some of the civil war era percussion weapons had a shorter pull than the gun does.

 

[EOD Guy in VA]

I'd recommend the 9c... I have one and love it.
Not only do you get 4 more rounds (not a bad thing) as you pointed out, but you'll find the ballistics of a Speer Gold Dot 9mm +P compare very favorably with a 45ACP... and yes, I was surprised by that too.
Skip the thumb safety... the best safety is the link between you brain and trigger finger.

 

[Kilgor]

Ya know.. first magazine shoot several and then... nothing? That's all of the bullets? Hmmm... thought process followed by turning the handgun around... then I remembered there was a hole up top and yep there was one still waiting.

How about you just never point a gun at yourself?

1. All guns are always loaded (until you establish whether they are or not).
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction at all times: on the range, at home, loading, or unloading.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target (and you are ready to shoot).
4. Be sure of your target. Know what it is, what is in line with it and what is behind it. Never shoot at anything that you haven't positively identified.

 

[ahazen001]

Which would you choose for a bit more concealability than the full size pieces I already own and why?

Which caliber do you like considering pistol size (9c is a 3.5" barrel and 12 rounds and 45c is 4" and 8 rounds), and thumb safety or not.

I own full size 9's and 45's and like both cartridges, one being quantity the other power. For concealability the 9 wins but the 45's power is comforting.

I'm leaning toward the 45c w/ no thumb safety.

Help me decide. Thanks

I went with the M&P40c because the M&P45c does not have Crimson Trace Lasergrips made for it yet. Not only that, they are not even in development, so it will be a while if and when it does get them. That may mean nothing to you, but if it does then I would go with the M&P9c.

 

[Prion]

I'm not a laser user myself. If the laser is a non-issue would you get the 45c or 9c ahazen001? I would say your post implies the 45c would be your choice sans laser.

 

[Legasat]

I have a FS M&P 45 & 9, and a 9c.

Definately the 9c.

 

[ahazen001]

I'm not a laser user myself. If the laser is a non-issue would you get the 45c or 9c ahazen001? I would say your post implies the 45c would be your choice sans laser.

Between the 2 choices you gave me, absolutely the .45 (if as you said the laser wasn't an issue) but with all calibers on the table the .40 is a great compromise between size, power and capacity, so as a CCW I still like my decision. My bedside gun is a full size M&P .45 though, because when carry size isn't an issue, I'll go as big as I can.

One thing I always try to remember though when people start talking about the .45 as a must have if you want to defend yourself, is that Wild Bill Hickock killed 5 men in less than 2 years with a .36 caliber Colt Navy pushing only an 80-grain bullet at 900 to 1,000 fps. So, clearly a 9mm or up can be VERY effective.

 

[jon_in_wv]

In my case I chose the M&P 9C. The 45 acp loses quite a bit of steam in a short barrel so the power edge begins to tail off quickly especially when the 9mm is loaded with some of the better defensive loads. I also wanted a weapon small enough that I would carry it year round. I carry mine in the summer, IWB, under a T-shirt and in the winter either IWB or in a belt holster. Its also large enough that I can enjoy shooting it on the range. Another factor for me was the cost of ammo. I wanted to shoot it enough to become reasonably proficient. I've put about 5000+ rounds through my M&P 9C. It would have cost a bit more to do that with a 45. I feel pretty confident with my 9mm. The 45 is a good option too. The only knock against the M&Ps is the slide is a little thick when carrying IWB. The 45 uses the same thickness slide so its a wash there. The 9mm does offer the flush fit magazine which helps concealment in the summer so the butt will be considerably shorter than the 45s.

 

[cowboy1964]

If you want to compare 9mm to .45 at least choose common power levels. +P to +P or not to not.

9mm is great but it drives me crazy when people basically say it's just as powerful as a .45. It just ain't.

As far as barrel lengths go I think 4" for a .45 is fine. I wouldn't go much under that though personally. But there are 3" barrels out there. Kimber for one. Kahr is just over 3".

The M&P 45C is a pretty soft shooter. Softer than any .40 I've ever shot.

 

[LawofThirds]

I love my 45c. The only thing it doesn't particularly like digesting is really long 230 g hollowpoints like the hornady TAP rounds. They feed fine but it feels like they're in a multiple car collision when they do.