Purchasing a new gun...

bwb83 · 01-22-2008, 09:10 PM

Hey guys im new to the G&G site. I am looking to purchase a new handgun and have looked at the S&W M&P .40. Has anyone had any bad experiences with it? Would I be better off with another polymer such as the XD? Thanks!

neophyte · 01-22-2008, 09:47 PM

bwb83: Sir; I know squat about S&W M&P40. What I do know.
Before buying a 'pig in a poke' find a place that rents. Shoot different ones and find the one that fits. Just because; is a terrible answer.

Personally when I "PICK"; my practical experiences help. Knowing a little about different manufactures helps.
Ruger outstanding
S&W pretty good
Glock outstanding
Beretta outstanding [get] Cougar 8000 best buy
XD outstanding
Khar pretty good.
Sir; it is cheaper to rent until you find a 'particular' that fits you. Don't worry about 'joe bob, billy bob, or jabbo from down the street.

Ask your questions here and you will get mighty fine thinking.

nathangdad · 01-22-2008, 11:41 PM

For a lighter weight, polymer handgun the .40 is an excellent choice due to lighter recoil than the .45 auto. I believe it is quite superior to the 9mm.

GlockMeister · 01-23-2008, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neophyte

bwb83: Sir; I know squat about S&W M&P40. What I do know.
Before buying a 'pig in a poke' find a place that rents. Shoot different ones and find the one that fits. Just because; is a terrible answer.

Personally when I "PICK"; my practical experiences help. Knowing a little about different manufactures helps.
Ruger outstanding
S&W pretty good
Glock outstanding
Beretta outstanding [get] Cougar 8000 best buy
XD outstanding
Khar pretty good.
Sir; it is cheaper to rent until you find a 'particular' that fits you. Don't worry about 'joe bob, billy bob, or jabbo from down the street.

Ask your questions here and you will get mighty fine thinking.

Yes, what he said. The only thing I would add is instead of S&W being pretty good, I'd have to personally say really good to outstanding as well.

All the name brands, the ones listed and some not listed, all have their specific best sellers. The one you may choose, may be none of the above. You can do no wrong in going to multiple dealers/gun shops and asking the same questions, to see what is different in the answers given, and some may carry other models that the other doesn't or didn't have.

I would thing that Sig could be another brand to consider? There is a multitude of choices out there. Make an informed and smart choice. You will never regret the choice you make when you do it that way.

G-Meister

Bravo · 01-23-2008, 12:17 AM

bwb83, I have no experience with the M&P40, but I do own the M&P-9.

Let me say that before I purchased a handgun, I got my hands on a lot of them. You should too.

The S&W M&P-9 was the best fitting handgun I have ever held. It feels like a 1911, but has a double stacked magazine. As for it's performance, I'm currently nearing 1000 rounds of the cheapest ammo I can find, and have yet to have a failure of any sort. There are people on other forums that have gone over 20,000 rounds without any failures.

The handgun is also very very accurate. I am not a great shot with a handgun, but the M&P makes me think otherwise.

If you like how it feels in your hand (I have never met someone that doesn't, there are 3 grip sizes that come with it), then I think you'd like the gun a lot.

S&W offers a life time warranty and currently has a pretty sweet rebate deal:

M&P and Sigma Pistol Offer - Smith & Wesson

The M&P is also a bit cheaper then the XD, and a lot cheaper if you factor in the warranty.

neophyte · 01-23-2008, 06:41 AM

bwp: Sir; read what the "Bravo" said
quote 'best fitting' for him

jashoffa · 01-23-2008, 07:01 AM

The Iowa State Patrol swtiched to the M&P .40 shortly after they came out. I have talked to at least a dozen troopers and they either really like the guns or they are netrual none ever say anything bad about them.

Bravo · 01-23-2008, 10:11 AM

Like I said, go hold one and you'll know right away. They are as tough as nails and rarely if ever fail. The only way you're not going to like the M&P is if you like the more blocky feel of the XD better.

bwb83 · 01-23-2008, 03:39 PM

Neophyte: I see that you are in the charlotte area? I live near Charlotte as well. Where would I be able to find a place around here to try multiple guns?

The reason I ask is I have shot my roommates glock 21. 1) its very bulky, 2) its as ergonomic as a piece of wood. I did like the power of the .45 but to me it is a little overkill...My buddy has the S&W sigma in both 9mm and .40 and I def. didnt like those either. I have held the M&P and I do like the feel of it. The compact was slightly smaller in my hand that i would like plus I do like the mag capacity of the 15 rounds in the regular .40 M&P.

neophyte · 01-23-2008, 04:32 PM

bwb83: Sir; Shooters Express out off I85 @the Mount Holly exit. 273 I think

Off Monroe rd. near Hyw. 51 Firepower If you know where the Family Dollar warehouse is? just past going out of Charlotte.
they also have one in Monroe. Charlotte side off 74: Firepower too.

01-22-2008, 09:10 PM	#1
bwb83 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Purchasing a new gun... Hey guys im new to the G&G site. I am looking to purchase a new handgun and have looked at the S&W M&P .40. Has anyone had any bad experiences with it? Would I be better off with another polymer such as the XD? Thanks!

01-22-2008, 09:47 PM	#2
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,347 Blog Entries: 2	"pig in a poke' bwb83: Sir; I know squat about S&W M&P40. What I do know. Before buying a 'pig in a poke' find a place that rents. Shoot different ones and find the one that fits. Just because; is a terrible answer. Personally when I "PICK"; my practical experiences help. Knowing a little about different manufactures helps. Ruger outstanding S&W pretty good Glock outstanding Beretta outstanding [get] Cougar 8000 best buy XD outstanding Khar pretty good. Sir; it is cheaper to rent until you find a 'particular' that fits you. Don't worry about 'joe bob, billy bob, or jabbo from down the street. Ask your questions here and you will get mighty fine thinking. __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

01-22-2008, 11:41 PM	#3
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,911	Good choice For a lighter weight, polymer handgun the .40 is an excellent choice due to lighter recoil than the .45 auto. I believe it is quite superior to the 9mm.

01-23-2008, 06:41 AM	#6
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,347 Blog Entries: 2	"Bravo" bwp: Sir; read what the "Bravo" said quote 'best fitting' for him __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24

01-23-2008, 07:01 AM	#7
jashoffa Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 444	The Iowa State Patrol swtiched to the M&P .40 shortly after they came out. I have talked to at least a dozen troopers and they either really like the guns or they are netrual none ever say anything bad about them. __________________ "I don't go shooting without my guns and they don't go shooting without me!" Member NRA

01-23-2008, 12:17 AM	#5
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,017	bwb83, I have no experience with the M&P40, but I do own the M&P-9. Let me say that before I purchased a handgun, I got my hands on a lot of them. You should too. The S&W M&P-9 was the best fitting handgun I have ever held. It feels like a 1911, but has a double stacked magazine. As for it's performance, I'm currently nearing 1000 rounds of the cheapest ammo I can find, and have yet to have a failure of any sort. There are people on other forums that have gone over 20,000 rounds without any failures. The handgun is also very very accurate. I am not a great shot with a handgun, but the M&P makes me think otherwise. If you like how it feels in your hand (I have never met someone that doesn't, there are 3 grip sizes that come with it), then I think you'd like the gun a lot. S&W offers a life time warranty and currently has a pretty sweet rebate deal: M&P and Sigma Pistol Offer - Smith & Wesson The M&P is also a bit cheaper then the XD, and a lot cheaper if you factor in the warranty.

01-23-2008, 10:11 AM	#8
Bravo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Maine, USA Posts: 2,017	Like I said, go hold one and you'll know right away. They are as tough as nails and rarely if ever fail. The only way you're not going to like the M&P is if you like the more blocky feel of the XD better.

01-23-2008, 03:39 PM	#9
bwb83 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	Neophyte: I see that you are in the charlotte area? I live near Charlotte as well. Where would I be able to find a place around here to try multiple guns? The reason I ask is I have shot my roommates glock 21. 1) its very bulky, 2) its as ergonomic as a piece of wood. I did like the power of the .45 but to me it is a little overkill...My buddy has the S&W sigma in both 9mm and .40 and I def. didnt like those either. I have held the M&P and I do like the feel of it. The compact was slightly smaller in my hand that i would like plus I do like the mag capacity of the 15 rounds in the regular .40 M&P.

01-23-2008, 04:32 PM	#10
neophyte Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,347 Blog Entries: 2	get together bwb83: Sir; Shooters Express out off I85 @the Mount Holly exit. 273 I think Off Monroe rd. near Hyw. 51 Firepower If you know where the Family Dollar warehouse is? just past going out of Charlotte. they also have one in Monroe. Charlotte side off 74: Firepower too. __________________ Craig May the Lord's face radiate with joy because of you. Numbers 6:24