Smith & Wesson 910 vs. M & P (9mm)

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Timthinker

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In the next few months, I intend upon purchasing either a Smith & Wesson 910 or the 9mm M & P for my primary self-defense gun. Before doing so, I would like some opinions on the pros and cons of each gun.

To help with this task, let me provide some background info. I am a huge revolver fan, but years ago I owned a Colt Series 70, in .45 acp, as a home defense gun. The Colt was good but I contracted "revolver fever" and enjoyed it. But I now seek a good double-action 9mm as a "nightstand" gun, although I may apply for a concealed carry permit. I hope this sketchy info helps a bit. Thanks.


Timthinker
 
What about these two Smiths do you like? If it were me, I'd go w/ a Glock in 9mm than either of these...why? Well, I don't like the grips on the metal frame Smith autos and the M&Ps just haven't been around enough to have proven themselves (at least to me ;) )
 
Out of the two Smiths, I'd choose the M&P. It may not have been around for very long but it's quickly becoming extremely popular with pistol reviewers and gun experts across the country. It's already developed the reputation as being ... "The gun that out-Glocks the Glock." Also, accuracy is exceptional, the ergonomics is generally excepted as being unmatched and the reliability has been rated as almost flawless. The M&P will make you VERY happy.

BTW: I'm not just saying all this because I have one or I want to buy one. I've read a great number of reviews and articles and comparisons between the M&P and other polymer/C&C/duty pistols. The M&P in each instance has been in either first or second place in every category. Sorry but I can't find the magazines I read any of that in. (I think I got rid of all that when I moved recently.)
 
You really should try both to decide on your own. Being a revolver fan, I am not sure U will like the M&P trigger. I don't.

The 910 is more of a traditional DA/SA handgun. I think U would prefer that. Although, honestly, I think there are other guns out there that are better than both of those 2 options.
 
I went with the 910. I don't care for striker fired pistols, and am not wild about polymer pistols either. I found a few other things in the M&P that I didn't care for as well. The sear release does not look very durable, and the tool in the grip frame was a PIA to remove. The whole idea behind that concept puzzles me.

I shot both at a local range, and found the 910 to be more accurate than the M&P 9mm. The 910 did not malfunction, while the M&P had two FTF's. In fairness to the M&P, it was very dirty, being a range rental. The 910 was as dirty.

The M&P did have a better feeling grip, than the 910's strait backstrap grip. I remedied this by putting on a curved backstrap delrin grip, from a 5906. I put a Hogue handall over that, and now have a perfect grip, for me.

I also changed out the 910's plastic guide rod, for a metal guide rod, also from a 5906.

I prefer TDA, metal framed pistols. I also prefer a safety/decocker, on my carry pistols. I find everything I need in the 910. TJ
 
I selected the M&P9c over the 910 for CC. Simple pistol that works very well. Would do it again.

The rebate offer for $50 and 2 more mags makes it even more enticing (thru Jan'08).
 
The 908 is/was part of S&W's 'Value Line' and had some items changed around from the 3913 series it was based on. If I wanted to go with an older S&W, I would prefer the 3913. Though I think the 908 is still being made but the 3913 is not (not 100% sure about that).

If you can, be sure to handle both. You may find the M&P is a much better fit in your hands.
 
I bought an M&P 9c a couple of months ago after trying out a full size and love it. I mostly shoot 1911s and wheelguns, but wanted to try something new, and to carry if all was well. The M&P is dirt simple, ambidextrous, and has the best trigger and most comfortable grip of any plastic pistol I have ever tried. The 910 and M&P are really in different classes. The 910s competition is CZ75, p-series ruger, sig, beretta, and many more, out of these it is an average, but well built pistol, but doesn't really stand out from the pack (I own and love my beretta and sig, but the CZ75 is probably the best pistol for the money in this class). The M&P goes up against glock, XDs, p99, HK and a few others. Out of these the only real equal is the HK2000, which costs a fortune. They are very rigid, accurate, and comfortable. Recoil is surprisingly soft, and has very little muzzle flip. The "frame tool" is not that big of a deal, it can be tight, but I only removed it twice to change grips. To field strip, you can just pull the trigger, or use anything to push the sear disconnector down. The only thing I don't like is the "loaded chamber indicator", basically a funnel shaped hole to see a chambered cases rim. I could do without it entirely, but something like the indicator on an XD would be a better solution. It is also fairly thick, and like glock only has a hinged trigger safety, so I use a holster that completely covers the trigger. I am probably going to pick up a fullsize 45 before the free mag and rebate offer goes away.
 
I own a M&P and a 915 (da/sa version of the 910). Both are great guns being reliable and accurate - either one would serve you well. Either would make a good carry gun but in deciding which to carry you may want to consider how comfortable you would be with no safety and roughly 6lb trigger as in the M&P vs the 910 (da trigger is about 9lbs on my 915) with a heavier trigger and the option of using the manual safety. There is no right or wrong decision in that consideration but it is a matter of which you feel most safe and confident. If I had to choose between the two I woudd go with the M&P as it is lighter, more versitle (different grip configurations and aftermarket parts/accessories), has a light rail plus simpler and newer design. I also think replacement parts will be less of an issue with the M&P as time passes.
 
10-Ring, I am looking for a good and affordable 9mm pistol. I have heard both of these Smiths meet that standard. Are there other 9s that meet the criteria I have specified? Absolutely. I would not deny this for a nanosecond. But these two Smiths have been recommended to me by a good friend whose advice I respect. Will I consider other pistols? Yes, but I am curious about how THR members view these two. I hope this brief explanation helps. Thanks for an honest recommendation.


Timthinker
 
If you go with the 910, a good set of Hogue rubber grips might make the gun fit your hand much better. I have them on my 3rd gen S&W pistols, as I can't stand the plastic factory grips.
 
Timthinker said:
10-Ring, I am looking for a good and affordable 9mm pistol. I have heard both of these Smiths meet that standard.
Click to expand...
Either will meet that standard. What it will come down to is what kind of action you prefer. The 910, as you know, is a DA/SA with a slide-mounted manual safety on an aluminum frame, while the M&P is a "short-stroke DAO" on a plastic, uh, I mean polymer frame. I have both kinds of pistols (M&P compact and a 3913) and they are both accurate and reliable. However, because of the short, consistent trigger pull (the same from first shot to last), I personally find the M&P easier to shoot. If used as a safety, the slide-mounted lever is rather difficult to manipulate; I just use them for a decocker, being sure to push the lever back up.

Also, in the same price range, I have recently discovered CZ pistols, having purchased a 75D Compact PCR recently. Give those a good hard look.
 
10-Ring, I am looking for a good and affordable 9mm pistol.
Click to expand...

There are so many quality 9mm pistols it boggles the mind. The M&P's are very nice although they seem to be getting expensive. The other Smith semi autos have a mixed reputation.

In the end I think you are going about it the right way. I would go to a range that rents guns and work your way through the 9mm's till you find something you like.

Some folks really like Glocks. I have never shot them well. But then again I see used Glock 17's around for just over $300.00 which would be a fine sidearm.

I really like the XD series of pistols. Take a look at Berettas, Sig (Probably out of your price range, but if you like it you could look for a used one), Taurus, the various Hi-Powers, CZ's etc.
 
You did say that you wanted a nightstand gun. For that purpose I recommend a DA/SA pistol like the 910 over a pistol like the M&P entirely from the perspective of safety. If you are groggy after being aroused from sleep you are more apt to have a ND with the relatively light trigger of the M&P. That's why, as much as I like the M&P, if it was my nightstand gun I would keep it with an empty chamber. Same goes for a Glock, XD or the new Ruger striker fired gun. My gun is a revolver by the way, but the first shot out of a revolver or a DA/SA is the same.
 
Wikipedia describes the S&W 910 as DA/SA but most sellers who advertise it describe it as DAO - so which is it?? The 915 is DA/SA and I thought the 910 was a DAO version of the 915.
 
The 910 is DA/SA, and while VERY similar to the 915, the 915 is the better pistol of the two, IMHO.

The reason I feel that way, is that I currently own both, and have examined them very closely.

The 915 has an extra locking lug on the barrel, and a corresponding cut in the slide, to improve lock up. It also has all metal parts, vice the 910's plastic mag release, disconnector, and guide rod. There are probably a few more plastic parts on the 910 that I'm forgetting.

That said, my 910 is one of my favorite pistols, and a carry pistol I have, and occasionally still do, stake my life on.

The 915 is just a nicer finished, and more accurate pistol, for me, in my experience. Again, you will be well served by either one, IMO. TJ
 
Ron, thanks for the cautionary advice about the M & P. I was aware of this fact, but I think we should voice safety concerns. Since I have relied on revolvers for many years, I always inquire about the safeties on semi-autos before handling them. Better safe than sorry is a good motto to practice.

As I said earlier, all advice on the difference between these two pistols is welcome. I may select a different pistol when the time arrives, but these two are my primary focus now. Thanks again for all the information.


Timthinker
 
I own a 910, it was my first gun. I've since added a glock 34, P99 and a PT1911 with Crimson trace. I keep thinking about trading in the 910, but I just cant. It's accurate enough, easy to handle and it just feels right. My only gripe is the plastic grips, which I'll solve with a $20 set of Hogue rubber grips.

It ain't fancy, but it's a solid, solid piece.
 
One thing to consider is what size gun you want. The 910/915 and M&P9 models are great full sized range and nightstand guns, but may be large for carry. The 908 and M&P9c models are great compacts for carry, but you sacrifice grip area and sight radius to achieve compactness.

My solution would be to pick a carry gun, because the home defense gun is obvious - a 12-gauge 870.
 
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