Consensus 9MM?

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

I’m looking to buy my first semi auto and after reading a lot of the threads here I’d decided on either a Glock 17/19 or the S&W MP 9. It seemed like people here agreed you couldn’t go wrong with either of those guns. But now, it looks like each of them is having some issues that haven’t yet been fixed.

So my question is, is there a new consensus 9MM? I’ve read a lot of the recent threads and it seems like there is a lot of different advice out there. From buying Glock or M&P and having it fixed, to buying a used Glock, to just buying an M&P and hoping you get a good one to buying other brands.

I’m leaning towards just buying the M&P with the 5 “ barrel and hoping I get a good one, or that I’m such a bad shot I really can’t tell the difference.

Thanks for the help, much appreciated.

2

These forums are just a tiny part of the gun community. A lot of the same people say the same thing over and over again. Both are good companies and of you have a problem they will make it right.

3

Ideally, you would shoot both guns extensively until you could decide what works better for you. I have actually (like many on this forum) purchased several of the same or similar model guns from several manufacturers over just the last couple of years in order to find out for sure if or how well the gun works for me. Presently, I am in a nip and tuck race between the Walther PPQ and the S&W M&P. I have three PPQs and five M&Ps at the moment and it is a very tough choice. I need a PPS to compare to my Shield and then I will continue to carry and train with them until I can (hopefully) make a choice between the two manufacturers.

Yes, you could go wrong with either the Glock or M&P if they just don’t work for you as well as something else. Yes, it is a Glock world, yes they are generally a great platform, but, for me, after 21 years of Glock ownership (I’ve owned seven) I am clear on the fact that the ergonomics of the Glock are not the best for me and it creates more work for me to keep as proficient with a Glock as what I have found that I can do with several other manufacturers guns.

There are a ton of people that do great with the Glock and swear by it.
There is also group of us that are clear that they do not care for the system and have chosen guns that work much better for us.

If you try the M&P 9MM, use the models made in recent months. They have made some important improvements to them. You can use the search function to research the M&P and Glock issues.

The Walther PPQ is very worthy of a look. Mine are more accurate than any semi-auto that I have ever owned. 100% reliable as well.

4

I think a used gen 2 g19 is a great gun… One of my favorites, actually. They can be had under $400 and are arguably one of glock’s best ever.

5

I’ve shot a lot of different Glocks and never experienced ejection or reliability issues.

I’ve put thousands of rounds through my CZ-75 and I’m still on my original slide stop (another oft-repeated internet flaw)

My SIGs are all accurate and reliable, but are mostly W. German.

I had an M&P 9c that had a bad trigger and terrible accuracy (we all get a lemon now and again).

I vote Glock 19. Gen 3 or Gen 4.

6

I’d look for an older used Glock or an M&P.

7

There’s definite differences in the ergonomics between glocks and m&P’s. So at the least, you should handle them, even rent or borrow before buying.

The m&p suits me better for a full size gun, but I feel very comfortable with a subcompact glock. No way to be sure until you give each a try.

FWIW, used glocks can be had for excellent prices, which makes them hard to pass on.

8

After mostly shooting a Glock for quite a while, I’ve just recently acquired my first M&P. They’re both good guns; the M&P fits my hands better, and I like the ambidextrous capability. I’ve only had time for one trip to the range but thus far, I’m really liking the M&P.

The PPQ isn’t on the California compliant list, so I have no experience with it.

9

Glocks seem to be getting on track, and most are reliable. Randy will be throwing out another batch of APEX extractors soon which will HELP turn the tides for that. I’m a Glock guy.

Walther PPQ is an amazing pistol. My girlfriend just bought one, and it will be replacing her HKs.

Smith M&P works. It just does. Most are accurate. They like hot ammo.

HKs work. Super reliable, super accurate. And the P30 remains Todd Green’s favorite pistol, and he shoots more pistol rounds per year than anybody I’m aware of. Vickers has also stated that they’re the highest quality pistol of their type on the market.

10

As a “novice gun guy” it won’t matter to you, frankly. You’ll either be a couple-boxes-of-ammo-a-year person in which case you’ll never wring enough use out of it to ever tell the difference, or (hopefully) you’ll get the bug, shoot the piss out of it, then quickly learn for yourself everything you want to know.

So don’t stress the decision. Much more important to just get one and start training. Neither is a BAD choice… pick on cost or availability.

11

Yes both might have issues - both are also more likely to be good than not.

Hunt around for a used Glock and I think you’ll do good. Look for a serial number that begins with the letter N or lower (Arbitrary cutoff- a G17 Serial # NLExxx is my youngest glock and works great).

Otherwise the Walther PPQ is a great pistol as well.

12

I wouldn’t play the hunt for an older glock game. my generation 2s and early gen 3s have been flawless, but when you can get a brand new m&p9 for around $450 (g&r) I would save myself the trouble of worrying about which serial number to look for, which parts need to be replaced, and how much use it has really had, when finding a used glock

to me, my newer m&ps have better ergonomics, reliability, and just as good triggers as my glocks

13

You cannot go wrong with either pistol. Yes some have had issues, but as others have mentioned both companies will stand by their products.

The Walther PPQ is a GREAT pistol. I have one in 9mm. Very very accurate, awesome trigger. The only drawbacks I have found are, higher bore axis so it is a tad bit snappy. Mags are $50.00 each. Being a new pistol, accessories are harder to find.

I have a newer manufacture M&P9. Best ergos of any of the plastic pistols IMO. Very soft shooting. My model is accurate. Trigger is worst of the bunch. It is useable but I will probably do some APEX work on mine.

I used to have a Glock 23 3rd Gen. I just could never get comfortable with the ergos of the Glock. I sold it to get the M&P. I never did have any issues with it. It was accurate.

As others have said. Get a gun and train, train, train.

14

Besides the guns you listed I’d take a hard look at the PPQ and the sig 226. The 226 is my favorite 9mm gun in any flavor. The PPQ has a bit less history and I own it in 40 but its one hole accurate at handgun distances and its been reliable so far.

15

Sounds like you’ve already researched the brands. The “consensus” (to the extent there is one) on this forum is that you want a Glock in 17/19 in 9mm, an M&P, an HK P30, or a Walther PPQ. Something on that list is pretty well “shooter approved” around here. There are other choices but these come up the most often.

The ideal thing to do is rent these and try them out at a range, then just get one you like and shoot the heck out of it. If you’re just getting started I wouldn’t over-analyze it. As others said, you have to shoot for a while to figure out what you really prefer. Even if you don’t like what you get, all of these brands are easy to sell.

16

former glock owner, current M&P owner.

both are excellent guns.

as for the 9mm, im also a previous .40 fanboy. Ive switched all my pistols to 9mm for cheaper ammo and easier control ability.

YMMV

17

I have switched all my fighting handguns to 9mm as well for the same reasons. I also reload and I wanted one less caliber to have to reload.

18

I vote for a gen 3 Glock 19. I own several 9mm Glocks, and have never had any sort of reliability issues.

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19

Used pre-2010 G17/G19 or a new post-July 2012 M&P9. HK P30 is another solid option, but I am not a fan of the trigger.

20

Another vote for a gen 2 or gen 3 19. The 19 is more easily concealed and the 17 does nothing the 19 can’t do. This is coming from a 17 owner that wishes he bought a 19.