View Full Version : S&W M&P Compact opinions
Let me preface this by saying I actually had one a couple of years ago. Didn't shoot it much but I did like the way it felt and as I recall I did shoot it fairly well.
That being said, I had no real use for a carry sized pistol at the time and parted ways with it.
Fast forward a bit and now I do have a use for a carry sized pistol. And since you really can't have too many carry pieces in the rotation I am thinking it might now serve a roll in my rotation.
From a size perspective I think it will fall in nicely between my Glock 19 and and the smaller 26 and 43.
And I found out it comes in FDE and I'm a bit of a sucker for the FDE handguns.
So, for those of you who own one, carry one, or have put quite a few rounds through one, I'd love your thoughts and opinions. Good or bad.
Thanks.
I'm a big fan of M&P's and that includes my compact. I really like that I can have a very compact pistol on my hip with a full-size mag as my backup. With one of those extension sleeves it feels just like its big brother. That means I actually enjoy shooting it and that means it gets practice time at the range and the occasional match. I find it a little hard to conceal when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt but now that cooler weather is on the way it will be heavier in my rotation. I have a Shield for summer/lazy carry days.
It is also equipped with an Apex carry kit and Ameriglo night sights for added goodness.
zimagold
10-13-2015, 21:54
I had a M&P 9c and 45c. Generally, I could shoot it as accurately as a full size M&P with the magazine finger extender. Has reduced capacity with the shorter mags, but can run full size mags as a reload. Very easy to transition between full size and compact in training routines.
I eventually sold it for after getting a M&P Shield. I have a lean figure and was willing to sacrifice reduced accuracy (I can't shoot the Shield as well to this day) for less printing.
My brother still carries his (M&P 9c), he specifically likes the grip thickness.
hurley842002
10-13-2015, 22:02
The only thing bad about the M&P compacts is they aren't Glocks, and for me that means not shooting them as well. Truth be told, I like just about everything better in the M&P, except how I shoot them compared to the Glock 26. The M&Pc's aren't quite as small as the sub Glocks but you already acknowledged that. I really see no reason for you not to add one to the collection, especially an FDE version.
I carry and compete with an M&P40c. You can shoot it if I can every make it or to a match again. You already owned one, so I'm not sure if I can give you much for info on it that got don't already know. I carry a full size mag in my pocket, but I don't bother with the sleeve.
Yeah, I'm still trying to decide if I can justify getting it. I have the 43, 26, 19, and a 30S. I figure the M&P would kind of fall in between the 26 and 19 in terms of size and capacity. Just not sure I really need anything to fill in that gap. Lol.
Just walk into a gun store and say, "I'd like a polymer in extra medium please," and see what they hand you.
If there is a gap, it must be filled....
hurley842002
10-13-2015, 22:16
Yeah, I'm still trying to decide if I can justify getting it. I have the 43, 26, 19, and a 30S. I figure the M&P would kind of fall in between the 26 and 19 in terms of size and capacity. Just not sure I really need anything to fill in that gap. Lol.
Oh I doubt you NEED to fill the gap, but options are always nice if you have the $$. Just remember, that FDE XDS was a nice option, but you ended up parting ways with it (likely losing money on it). I only say this because I recently realized how much money I've lost "justifying" and trying to fill certain gaps with certain pistols.
If there is a gap, it must be filled....
We are talking firearms, right?
[Coffee]
Oh I doubt you NEED to fill the gap, but options are always nice if you have the $$. Just remember, that FDE XDS was a nice option, but you ended up parting ways with it (likely losing money on it). I only say this because I recently realized how much money I've lost "justifying" and trying to fill certain gaps with certain pistols.
Yeah. Plenty of truth there.
Honestly, it doesn't bother me too much to lose a little money when I part ways with a firearm. I've bought plenty of stuff just wanting to try it out or thinking I might like it and then ended up selling it for a small loss. I just think of it as a kind of rental fee. Or some sort of short term lease.
[Awesom]
hurley842002
10-13-2015, 22:43
We are talking firearms, right?
[Coffee]
Yeah. Plenty of truth there.
Honestly, it doesn't bother me too much to lose a little money when I part ways with a firearm. I've bought plenty of stuff just wanting to try it out or thinking I might like it and then ended up selling it for a small loss. I just think of it as a kind of rental fee. Or some sort of short term lease.
[Awesom]
Yeah, kind of what I chocked my losses up to.
ZERO THEORY
10-14-2015, 14:54
I carry a 9C and would be glad to let you try it out, buddy.
As mentioned, it perfectly bridges the size gap, and with a pinky extension on the mag handles just like a larger framed gun.
My only issue is with M&P tolerances for custom loads. .357s and .358s will give you fits.
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It's the only one I carry, I put an Apex DCAC in it to clean up the trigger and I really like it. I'm thinking about selling the Shield since I don't carry it anymore.
Thanks, guys. I think I've about convinced myself that I don't need the M&P compact. Not sure I would gain much over my 26 other than two extra rounds.
Buy it, then take turns shooting bowing pin matches with each one. Then sell the guns you shoot the worst with. If you can win a heads up match with a carry pistol, it should be adequate for carry, in so far as your ability to be relatively quick and on target with it.
DocMedic
10-16-2015, 08:48
I originally had one for BUG matches when IDPA was still a "thing" for me. Accurate gun for what it is, later I put night sights on it and carried it for a bit but got tired of the extra weight and bulk of the gun itself so I sold it to a member here and picked up a M&P Shield. I'd probably put around 1000rnds through the M&P9c with no real issues. I think trigger break was in the 7lbs range.
Think I about have myself talked out of this.
Now I need to talk myself out of a gray Glock 19 and an HK VP9.
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