M&P Smith - 9mm or 40 sw.

If it's going to be a range gun, then the 9mm will be cheaper to shoot, and, probably more accurate than the .40 S&W. With modern loadings the 9mm will be fine for a home defense gun as well. The .40 operates at the high end of the pressure scale, is generally less accurate, recoil is snappier, is more expensive to shoot, and does little to no better in the stopping power catagory. IMHO, a shotgun is the best "home defense" gun anyway.
 
Any of the M&P pistols are a good choice, caliber is personal preference, I have an M&P in 40 S&W, a very good choice for home defense.

The 9mm will be a little cheaper to shoot and have less recoil, the recoil from the 40 is noticeable but not excessive. As mentioned, modern 9mm ammo is pretty effective, but 40 S&W is better.

I'm the Lead Moderator on MP-pistol.com, you might take a look at our forum, lots of info over there.
 
my brother has several of both. In the 9mm, 6.5g of Pistol Powder, in a Win Case with a CCI primer with a 115g Win Silvertips: shoots 2" groups at 25 yards @ 1200 fps. This load is very pleasant to shoot.
 
Both good rounds that's why I like my Glock. Before I go to the range I pop in the 9mm barrel and shoot cheaper ammo. When I get home pop in the 40 for home defense.
 
Buy the .40, Ammo isn't that expensive for it. And when you are defending your home I'll bet you'd feel a lot safer with some hollowpoint hydroshock .40 cal rounds in your pistol than a 9mm pop gun. I carry a 9mm every day at work and hate every minute of it.
 
I`ve got a M&P 9c and love it! The only reason i went with the 9 over the 40 is because my girlfriend wanted to start shooting and the 9 is just easier to learn with. Didn`t think she would like my 454 or 45...lol
 
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I vote for the CZ75b on .40 cal. I think it will out shoot almost anything on the market. it's about the same size as the m&P and it's all steel. And it's extreamly relibable.
And its cheaper that the smith. yes, I've got the CZ, ok, I've got most of the CZ's on the market, but I have friends with M&P's and I will still say get a CZ, try it, you'll like it.
If you want A lighter gun get a CZ40P and it's got a DEcocker and CZ makes some very nice 9mm's. these are the ones my wife likes. The CZ75D, CZP01, and the one I really like the CZSP01.
Pat
 
Just got the M&P 9. Very nice tool. 18 rounds of Speer Gold Dots in the palm of my hand...you've got nothing to worry about. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
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18 rounds of Speer Gold Dots in the palm of my hand...you've got nothing to worry about.



Hopefully you are just having fun, cause if you want to live a long and full life, you have to know better than that! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Either way you go, you are getting an excellant combat pistol with the Smith & Wesson M&P. I cant say I prefer it over my Glock 35 but I do carry a S&W M&P 40c (compact) for my backup/off duty carry gun. For such a small gun chambered in the .40 S&W I was very impressed with the way the gun shot. Recoil was milder than I expected, it was accurate and most important...........reliable. Its also nice to be able to pick the right size palm swell to give you the best feel and grip angle for your style of shooting (it comes with a small, medium and large inter changeable grip swells). Very good design by S&W making the grip changeable so it feels different with each respective grip.

I give the M&P two thumbs up /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif but it still comes in second behind my Glock.
 
I can't testify to the gun but I'm just not a 9mm fan. I own a Firestar and Glock in .40 and really prefer that round.

I don't notice any negligable difference in the recoil of the 9 and 40. There is some price difference in ammo but I will gladly pay the difference.

I beleive the 9mm is up to the task of a self defense weapon as long as you use the HPs. But if you are shooting round ball or flat nose it lags way behind the 40 IMHO.

My suggestions is that if you are buying it for target shooting get either will do you well. If you are getting it for "self" defense (CCW) get the 40. If it is for home buy a the one you want and get you a double barrel 12 ga coach gun!
 
If you like to shoot a lot by a 9mm. Its still somewhat affordable to burn up a 100rds of winchester whitebox, .40 and .45 will cost you more. I really like my 9mm and there is so good self defense ammo made for it.
 
I just had a workout with the M&P in .45. It belongs to a good friend of mine, but he loaned it to me to try. Super nice for the price. It made me feel good about my shooting, and that is doing something. I also went a few rounds with an S&W Sigma in .40 S&W. It was exceptional considering the purchase price of $299.00! I would buy the M&P in either the 40 or the 45, and be a very happy camper,and just may at that.
 
Sigma's have a 14lb trigger pull.. I'm honesly not kidding!

There's an M&P45 at work that's calling my name. Will be my first plastic pistol. All 1911's or revolvers for me so far.
 
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I don't notice any negligable difference in the recoil of the 9 and 40. There is some price difference in ammo but I will gladly pay the difference.

I beleive the 9mm is up to the task of a self defense weapon as long as you use the HPs. But if you are shooting round ball or flat nose it lags way behind the 40 IMHO.




Your kidding right? No noticable difference in recoil between a 9mm and .40 S&W? Maybe I need to let you shoot my Kahr P40. I bet you would notice a difference then. Compare a Glock 26 to a Glock 27 and tell me that you cant notice the difference in recoil. Not trying to start a squabble but there is a night and day difference between the two. Also, a round ball or flat nose round should never be used for defense in ANY calibre, period. A 147 grain Speer Gold Dot coming out of a 9mm is more than up to the task. Its a very fine defensive round that many a bad guy has failed to walk away from.
 
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