I have shot and owned a few different pistols over the last 10 years or so. Only recently have I gotten serious about concealed carry and carry on a regular basis. Lined up some training in September and plan to do more of that. Also been doing some reading and Internet searching (probably dangerous enough on its own) and recognize the value of a consistent platform for a pistol you may only have seconds to deploy.
I have spent some time behind the following pistols 1911s, Beretta PX4, H&K USP, Sig P229, EA Witness, and just recently acquired a full size M&P in 9mm (my 1st 9mm).
Living in Alaska I like to carry a .40 S&W with mixture of bullet types as running and walking excursion are not normal if I don’t run into a moose or possibly a bear. While these worry me far less than a human attacker I like to be prepared with a few FMJs vs. the standard self defese Hornady TAP type loads. Bears have attacked here in Anchorage and stupid folks can get the moose awfully agitated. (I do add my .44 S&W when going into the back country, if bear concern is high you can’t argue with the 12g)
To get to the point I am looking for one common platform for all my pistols. For example, my buddy is 1911 all the way (2 Dan Wessons in 10mm and a Springfield EMP in .40 for daily carry).
I’m leaning toward Glock or M&P based on what fits me. Current plan is to shoot the snot out of my new M&P 9, if I like it and it fits, sell my other platforms and get a full-size and compact M&P in .40. I’d have the 9mm for dumping lots of rounds down range and the two .40s for carry. If the M&P doesn’t work for me I’ll try a similar approach to the Glock options.
I’d like to increase my dry fire exercise and drawing and can see where I loose a little as I switch between pistols. I think the whole muscle memory thing could improve if all I used was one type. How many of you see the value of one common platform? Is that value lost if you switch between calibers?
I did use the search function but could not find this particular line of question. Apologize if this is a dead horse.
Glock would be your best bet, I would think. M&P doesn’t offer a 10mm, Glock does. A 10mm would be the only semi-auto caliber I would even entertain the thought of shooting a Griz with.
that being said, I just purchased a new PPS to serve as my EDC. I’m falling love with the HK style mag release, and have already caught myself reaching for it on other guns I’ve spent years shooting. That was a little concerning for me as I never really had any trouble switching between similar platforms before, but I believe this to be a big enough difference to actually be significant. I’ve never owned any HK pistols and I am now seriously considering making one my next purchase.
For the most part though, similar platforms shouldn’t be too difficult to switch between with a decent amount of training and constant awareness of what you have on you. This is just how it has been for me anyhow.
First congrats on the M&P, fine pistol i have about 3k through mine no problems. On the other hand i think glock is a all around better pistol. I have now owned three and on the hunt for a g19. Glock has a little more on the shelf to choose from. For a trail gun i would likely look for .44 or something of that nature or an 870
Have you considered the H&K P30 “S or L” in .40S&W or a P2000? I carry a P2000SK in .40S&W and it is one fine little pistol. It is built like a brick crap house and is a tack driver.
That said I sold my M&P 40c to my son-in-law, great easy shooting pistol. I would also highly recommend it.
The Glock 20 is pretty popular for wildlife defense in Alaska, isn’t it? You could buy a G20 and convert it to .40 S&W with a new barrel. I haven’t heard any gripes about reliability when doing this and you won’t have to use a different magazine for the .40 S&W. Just a thought.
I’m a big fan of 9mm Glocks. And .40 Glocks are based on the same frame. But holding the bigger Glocks and shooting the G21, the size of the grip was an issue for me. Not one that I couldn’t overcome with practice, but practicing on the 9mm/.40 Glocks would not work for me to become proficient with the larger frame Glocks. I think I just use a slightly different grip between the 2.
The Glock 29 has a special niche for Alaskans that enjoy the outdoors on a daily basis, and I refer to it as the Alaska equivalent of a lightweight Commander. My wife and I have them, and run the Double Tap 200 grain penetrator load on our close in walks, with either the Corbon DPX or DoubleTap Barnes bullet load for a soft point. It is a lot easier to carry a G29 than a G20. Last week, we both had a G29, and a Smith 329 to back-up my Marlin Guide Gun on a trip north of the Arctic Circle.
Commonality always makes sense, and my wife runs a G19/17/26/27 otherwise. Since I shoot the M&P better, I run those or an HK when not with the G29. Whatever floats your boat makes sense for you.
And another thing going for the G29 is the ability to change its calibers for a few bucks. Drop in a .40 barrel for CCW, a 9mm barrel for cheap range practice and an extended length 10mm barrel for hunting or wildlife defense.
It’s truly a “one pistol that does it all” platform. If I was an Alaska resident it would be my most carried pistol. As a resident of the lower 48, it still rides on my waistband most of the time!
I am by no stretch of the imagination a natural pistol shooter.
I consider myself “barely adequate.”
It takes constant work for me to be able to routinely pass 8 of 10 of CSAT’s Pistol Standards. That’s shooting them cold.
Due to an injury last year, I couldn’t shoot for 7 wks. The day I got back to the range, I passed 5 of the 10 Standards. Although I was in a walking cast, that’s not acceptable.
I believe repetition is one of the hallmarks to skill proficiency, so to that end, I only maintain one platform.
I try and remove all variables.
That being said, I know folks that shoot all the different platforms they own.
I’m not able to maintain the level of proficiency I want if I do that.
Just wanted to follow up on my train of thought from the 1st post. Since then I have completed a training class and read a bit on Concealed Carry and Combat shooting, chiefly the “Modern Day Gunslinger” by Don Mann.
For me personally a simple pistol (no buttons to click no hammers to de-cock/cock) like the Glock or M&P is the way I am heading… I’m going to move my line up of pistols that direction. So far I have been very pleased with the M&P. I have limited experiences with Glock but it appears to me that the transition between a Glock and an M&P should be relatively minute. ??? (Compared to the transition between either a Beretta or a 1911 or similar)
Calibers seem to matter little in the transition (at least to me) as it was the motions involved that I wanted to smooth out.
The extra step it takes to take the PX4 off safety, and the 1st trigger pull from the de-cocked state made my motion not what I wanted for concealed carry. My 1st shot was often a little off of (still within the 8" circle). When I switched to my M&P I was faster to 1st shot and more accurate. I could just carry the PX4 safety off and cocked… ???
With all that said, I’m not a professional, and have not had as much training as I would like or should have. But, all the more reason to keep things simple. Right?
My next step now is find a better holster / belt set up…
Anyone want to trade me a FS M&P in .40 for my PX4?
