Eeh.
What you'll find about the M&P is what you'll find about most firearms. Some like them, some don't.
1st: It doesn't have the reliability record of the Glock name. This is because it's only been in production a little more than a year. They've been working out some bugs, there's probably a few left. From most accounts, it's a solid piece. The earlier 9mm's had extractor issues, but I think that's been fixed on the newer ones.
2nd: The ergonomics are top notch. Try the different backstraps on it. I've held all of the contenders, and this one felt the best (for me). If a Glock or an XD feel better, get one of them. This is
YOUR gun you're purchasing. Go with what feels good for YOU. Shoot one at the range or store if you can, as you never know what one really feels like until you fire it.
I still need some distance practice, but at 5.5 yards I was right on with 155leads and pretty darn close with 180FMJs in my 40cal. This is a functional service piece. Columbus, Ohio PD (and many others nationwide) just ordered a bunch to employ, so it must meet the grade in accuracy.
As a carry piece, it might not do overly well. It is as bulky as a Glock, maybe more so. The compact versions are going to be a shad better in over-all sillouette, but the slide is still the same. The stock trigger is stiff enough that an AD is not likely unless something gets inside the trigger guard while holstering, but that's any gun without a safety.
The only real complaint I have personally is that mine likes to mark up the brass on extraction. There's a sharp edge on the slide that is putting a pretty sharp gouge in the cases. It looks to me that this easily could be rounded down a bit for asthetics without a compromise in the function, but isn't done for production time reasons.
My friend has a 9mm one that will spit the cases straight into your face. I haven't quite figured that one out yet.
Parts availiability is slim, but that's changing. Any new gun will require time for after-market parts to become availiable. Night sights are availiable from S&W. A few others make them.
Last but not least is the Customer Service bit. I haven't needed to call S&W for service, but the people that I've heard that had to have raved about it. Things like paid postage, Tritium sights to replace bad regular ones, etc.... I feel comfortable knowing that S&W cares enough about their product to make a problem right, plus extra.
I hope this rant has helped some. I like my M&P. Give it a chance, maybe you'll like it too.
