I have a S&W M&P 9 that I like quite a bit. It has somewhere between 7 to 9k rounds through it. Front night site, 5 mags, and a holster plus a single mag carrier. So I’m not terribly invested into.
I’ve always suspected [read really want to be true so I can blame my misses] that’s its one of the guns with a loose barrel and probably isn’t that accurate so I want to have an Apex barrel fitted. Along with that an Apex trigger I also want to mill out the slide and put an RDS on it. Add a TLR 1 for good measure.
Now here is the rub. It’s been discontinued by SW being replaced by the 2.0. Mags are closing in on 50$ a pop. Aftermarket support is okay but nothing stellar.
If I could go back in time I would have a bought a G19. Cheap mags and basically unlimited aftermarket. I’m thinking about going down that road instead of sinking more money into my smith.
I’d like a G19 frame with a G17 slide/barrel. The way I see it I could do this a couple different ways, a shadow systems MR920L or buy a LEO trade in 17 and chop the frame. I’d keep my smith as a spare and or give it to one of my kids.
What do you guys think? Stick with the smith or join the dark side?
Spending any money beyond springs and ammo on an old Gen 1 M&P 9 makes very little sense to me.
My first composite framed pistol was a Gen 3 G23, and it’s been completely reliable, though the trigger is pretty lousy. I’ve since bought three Gen 2 4" and 5" M&P 9s (at very low online prices) and zero additional Glocks. The G23 (and G23 with a Lone Wolf 9mm barrel) do nothing that the M&Ps don’t do better.
If you want to join the Glock collective, then do it. I’m sure the Gen 5s are an improvement on my old G23, though their MOS system seems to catch a lot of criticism. If you want to retire your old S&W and replace it with a new one, then do that instead.
I really am not a “Glock” fan boy, the grip angle just didn’t work for me.
But when I went back to 357 sig with the Underwood Leighi ammo, I looked around and the after market support of Glock is beyond belief. So I called KKM for barrels, Grey Ghost for Glock frames with 1911 grip angle. So now I have 2 pistols that work for me. That is besides the Hi Powers of which I have a cylinder and slide full house and MK3 building me a multi caliber one.
If I were you I would make a few baby steps with the Smith. First I would put a red dot on it and I think the Leupold Delta Micro will fit it. This is the red dot I have on my Glocks and I have been running a red dot since spring 2001. I have a RMR on a CZ, for the wife and the Hi Power will get a red dot on it. But my Glocks will only get the Leupold Delta micro, it is the greatest thing since man invented single malt scotch. People look at it’s small size and think oh I need a bigger window with my red dot. What they miss is with training the red dot on the Leupold just seems to float in front of your face.
So soot the hell out of the Smith and dry fire with a red dot and then make up your mind
While I’m a “Glock” guy (having used them in LE work since '95), I’m not posting to talk the OP into one or not.
Depending upon where I might have ended up working, perhaps I’d instead be an S&W-guy, SIG-guy, or any other brand or type.
I feel the frustration in owning/using a handgun which has or is becoming discontinued and may become unsupported for parts or service.
I’ve got a few “vintage” handguns and tend to not shoot them much anymore even though I like them a lot (SIG P225; S&W Mods. 60-7 and 66-2).
For me, I’ve a few main carry semiautos which seem to work for me.
Advice-wise for the OP, I’d look at this as an opportunity to choose two or more handguns which are currently available and hopefully will stay currently available for several more years. Whether it’d be an M&P 2.0 or even two of them or choose one from another brand. There are so many good guns out there whether Glock, S&W, Walther, HK, 1911 double-stack (maybe Staccato, depending on price and how much one shoots); then there’s the decision to go with optics or leave the option open by buying models which are optic-ready.
For now, keep the older M&P, at least until you’re totally comfortable and familiar with whatever becomes its replacement for primary-choice handgun.
If you like the M&P guns, perhaps stay with them. Let us know what you end up doing.
Glock 49 mos is the 19 frame and 17 slide if you go the Glock route. I’ve got an mr920, the red dot mounting system has been solid for me, don’t think you can go wrong either way.
There are SO MANY options out there that will be equal to or better than gLoCk.
Go shoot some alternatives and decide if you like / shoot them better than your M&P. I too don’t see investing that amount in an M&P. Just buy a new pistol with the features you want.
I will say if I wasn’t obsessed with 357 sig, which pretty much means a Glock for aftermarket support. I got a CZ P10F competition, as a present and I love this pistol, the trigger is great, if only I could get it in 357 sig.
I much prefer the M&P9 to the glock brick. The mags go in and out easier and a better grip angle. I would just keep it and mill it. Maybe add a better trigger.
The Barrels/recoil spring on M&P9 and the 2.0 version are interchangeable. They tightened up the slop on the 2.0 version. Years ago S&W sent me one (pro courtesy) for my legacy M&P9 when I complained about the accuracy on the 1.0… it worked. Went from ~5" @ 25m to 2.5"
If you have the patience & aptitude, fitting an apex (or maybe other maker) barrel can get sub 2"
I have both a G19 and M&P 2.0 Compact and can not say I prefer one over the other. I definitely spent more time with the Glock triggers over the years but the M&P 2.0 just feels right in the hands.
I have been a Glock fan for about 20 years now. I have an affinity for them as I own many. I have found through the years that Glocks are not for everyone for one reason or another. That said, it is one of the most dependable firearms built and have been in-service across the world since 1982. Personally, I have no problem shooting Glocks even after shooting 1911s for many years. My latest Glock acquisition is a G47 MOS Gen5. It is said to be replacing the Glock 17 Gen 5 MOS. The G49 is a compact version as the grip is slightly shorter. If you prefer something with a slightly shorter barrel, there is the G19 MOS Gen5, the G19X (no provision for an optic), or the G19X MOS Gen5. The good thing with Glocks is that there is a lot of support for them, not only from Glock, but the aftermarket as well.
Whether to buy a Glock or not is purely up to you. We can only make recommendations.
The current M&P 2.0 pistols seem to be solid. I was soured on the M&P when it first came out. I carried one and attended several armors courses. Lets just say, with all the issues that occured during that time, they went on their way.
I have carried Glocks on an off duty for a very long time, over 30 years. For their intended purpose, they are excellent firearms. There are however many other poly guns out there there have better ergos, and are just as reliable and durable.
With that, don’t let ergonomics trip you up. While a particular pistol may feel really good in a static environment, that doesn’t alway translate into better performance when your running it.
Glocks have a solid place in the market, parts and support are plentiful, and it is very easy to find a part or product for a Glock. I do venture out to other brands, but Glock has always been my goto. I’m not a fanboy by any means, but as invested in the ecosystem as I am, it would be a costly endeavor to abandon Glock altogether.
I think you need to ask yourself, do I want to try something completely different, Glock, or do I want to just upgrade my current platform, M&P 2.0. Both of them perform the same function, it really comes down to personal preference.
If Shadow Systems is in the conversation, maybe consider the Zev options also?
I’m not a fanboy of any particular brand of handgun, but I will say that the Glock aftermarket can’t be beat. I EDC a Zev Ozc9 now (it replaced a G19) after it ran about 800 trouble-free range rounds. The use of glock mags and most other accessories (key exception: holsters) is nice to me, but the addition of a superior trigger and sights makes it a winner for me.
I have a full size 2.0 .45 and it’s been the pistol I shoot best, period. We got even more accurate when I started reloading. (Coated lead bullets)
But it’s always been a little too big and I prefer DA / SA for CC for the extra margin of safety.
I contemplated selling it because I’m into .40 now but I can’t do it, I’m too good with. So I’ve ordered an M&P 2.0 Compact with night sights in .40 with a manual safety.
Hopefully I shoot it as well as the .45. As for the safety, I may only use during holstering or I may leave it on, should I ever decide to carry it.
I’m currently carrying a PX4 .40. I do fine with it but I’m better with the M&P .45.
If the .40 works out great I’ll get the .22 w/threaded barrel.