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Posted: 12/10/2010 6:24:28 PM EST
I am getting my CHL finally. I feel I have had enough training to be responsible with my decisions, actions, and abilities.

I am not looking to start a caliber war but have been trying to decide between a fullsize or compact 9, or a compact 45.

I haven't been able to fondle the compacts yet as the gun stores around here don't stock them, so I will get first hand input on that tomorrow when I head to DFW.
Anyone know of a good price there? Cheaper than dirt has the best prices I have seen.

I am honestly leaning toward the 9c because I think I can conceal it better and train alot more with the cost of ammo.

I am also leaning towards the thumb safety but haven't decided on that yet either. I am a 1911 fan, but after hearing a story of a guy getting shot
with the gun in his dead hand with the safety still on I am wondering if I posses the fine motor skills this guy lacked in a high stress situation.

I like both calibers and will probably wind up with both in the future, so please guys keep it to input and what you like about your guns and if you carry, your
choice of holster and how well you conceal.

Thanks in advance
Link Posted: 12/10/2010 7:03:31 PM EST
[#1]
I came to M&Ps after many years of Glocks. The 9, 40 & 357 M&P compacts are what I would call "subcompact" due to being used to Glock sizes. The only true "compact" (in-between full-sized and subcompact) M&P is the .45C, which I don't own but is next on my list. I know it's sacrilege, but a Glock 19 with a grip reduction is really hard to beat as a CCW. Outside of that, a full-sized M&P, or other auto, is not too hard to hide well with a good IWB holster.
Link Posted: 12/10/2010 7:25:29 PM EST
[#2]
If you like 1911's you'll likely prefer the M&P's over the Glocks.  I have the 9mm, 4.25" barrel.  It's not hard to conceal at all, and very reliable.  No malfunctions over 2000 rounds in.  The Apex kit makes for a pretty nice trigger.

I was considering a grip reduction on a Glock, I'm glad I went with an M&P.  Extra cost, and not sure if I would even have liked it until I got it back.
Link Posted: 12/11/2010 2:08:22 AM EST
[#3]
I've carried all three (M&P 45C, M&P 9, M&P 9C). All three are different sizes, so you'll have to look at all three to decide which one fits you best. I'm a big believer in carrying the biggest gun you can conceal, and my daily carry is the full size M&P 9. I rarely carry the M&P 9C as I feel the subcompacts give up too much shootability. However, the M&P 45C is an excellent balance between size and shootability. Only you can decide which one best fits your needs, but try them all out before buying if you can.
Link Posted: 12/11/2010 7:52:15 AM EST
[#4]
I prefer and carry a compact 9 (S&W M&P9c). It carries more rds and practice ammo is more affordable (more practice = better shot placement).
If you go w/a 9c then get the thumb safety. It's easily removed if you decide later on you don't want it but you can't retrofit a thumb safety onto an M&P that never had one. Plus, add the APEX DCAEK kit (or at least the sear & striker block), it makes an incredible difference in the trigger.
Grant at G&R is great to deal with, has good prices and can add any desired APEX parts before it ships to you: http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=206304
There's a lot of personal preference involved in holster selection, don't be surprised if you try several before finding one that's "right" for you.
I carry AIWB (inside the waistband, up front just right of the belt buckle) and my 2 current fav holsters are the "Mr.Softy": http://highnoonholsters.com/Product_Line/_Mr_Softy/_mr_softy.html and a "Shaggy": http://shop.customcarryconcepts.com/Shaggy-AIWB-SHG.htm;jsessionid=9EC12AEF8E28E0C5BD9FD97FCD31A4CE.qscstrfrnt04?categoryId=-1
The MrSofty is very comfortable, inexpensive and prints less than the Shaggy. However, the MrSofty is slower to draw with (pistol sits lower & closer to the waistband making the grip a little harder to get to whereas the Shaggy sits the pistol a bit higher so it's faster/easier to grasp the grip) and since it's soft leather it tends to flatten making reholstering slower (if that's important to you).
The Shaggy is custom-made so takes longer to get, costs more, prints a little more than the MrSofty but is faster to draw & reholster (since it's Kydex, it doesn't flatten when the pistol is drawn). My Shaggy has the optional leather "comfort shield" which I like (YMMV).
I carry a fullsize mag w/X-grip as my reload in a Galco leather pocket mag carrier.
HTH, keep us posted!...
Tomac

(From the top) Wife's 9c w/S&W Micro light & flat-bottomed mag (her preference), my nightstand 9c w/Micro light, fullsize mags w/X-grip adapters and my CCW 9c w/finger extension mag & the aforementioned fullsize reload in a Galco leather mag carrier (all the 9c's shown have Meprolight night sights & APEX tactical sears & striker blocks installed):

Link Posted: 12/11/2010 5:44:38 PM EST
[#5]
Thanks for the positive feedback guys.

I went to Cheaper Than Dirt today and found out their online prices are way off compared to the store prices. The salesman said this is due to the money they will
make off transfer fees and shipping. I was pissed. I drove 2 hours for nothing pretty much and will probably never do business with CTD again. I went to Cabelas
to see what they had, but the only model they had with the thumb safety was the full size 45.

I guess I will be ordering one Monday from a local gun shop.

What ammo have you guys had good experience with?
Link Posted: 12/12/2010 3:13:25 AM EST
[#6]
Quoted:
Thanks for the positive feedback guys.
[snip]
What ammo have you guys had good experience with?


You're welcome. So far my 9c's have eaten everything I've fed them but for SD I carry Fiocchi's EMB (Expanding Mono-Block):

There are lots of good SD loads out there, just be sure the one you pick is reliable in your particular pistol.
Tomac

Link Posted: 12/12/2010 5:21:01 AM EST
[#7]
My vote is for the M&P 9c. Load it up with Gold Dots or HSTs and you will be good to go.
Link Posted: 12/15/2010 4:53:41 PM EST
[#8]
I ordered an M&P9 from here http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?display=home on Monday. It should be here Friday. I couldn't be happier with my experience with them compared with my recent experience with CTD.

I plan on going out this weekend and shooting the 600 or so rounds I have loaded and a few variety of SD loads as well.

I am sure I'll eventually get a c and maybe a 45 but for now being winter I think I can conceal a full size. I also ordered a Pitbull holster so I'll see if the posotive reviews I have read are worth the hype. I may order a cross breed or an MTAc as well as I am new to carrying.

Thanks for your input guys, it is greatly appreciated.
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