I don’t know when I can afford to buy a new gun because I want to buy ammo in bulk for the pistols I have now but…
I’d like to try out an M&P this Summer from Grant with the whole Apex set up. I own 2 guns in .45(HK45, 1911) and 1 in 9mm(G19). The G19 is my go to. I live here in New York and have to have 10 rd mags or prebans and the prebans don’t exist for the M&P obviously.
I’d like to decide whether to pick up an M&P9 and suck it up with 10 rds or get the M&P45 with it’s normal 10rd capacity.
Any opinions?
I’ve become a believer in the advice of several members here on m4c. Rather than establishing a collection of different guns, it’s better to select a platform that suits you best. Then get one for defense use, and an identical one for training.
Limited to 10 rounds I would prefer the HK45 or M&P45, whichever works best for you. Then maybe a P30 or M&P 9mm complement with similar manual of arms for less expensive training.
I agree. I am used to the Glock and HK manual of arms (more so the Glock). I have the LEM in my HK as to do away with any manual safety on both guns. I thought the M&P wouldn’t be too far off from the Glock, having no manual safety and being striker fired with similar bore axis, but I’ve never had the chance to handle/shoot one.
I personally am a huge fan of the M&P. Maybe instead of buying one you could possibly rent one at your local gun shop? See if it fits your bill? That being said … if you are already super comfortable with the G19 … stick to what you got and don’t break what doesn’t need fixing.
I certainly wouldn’t say “super” comfortable but it all makes sense. Just got that itch. Not scratching it is probably smarter. The money could go toward ammo and training. Thanks for knocking some sense into me.
Like others have suggested, do you have a reason for having so many handguns? I can imagine the amount of money it takes to set up each system. Anyways, regarding your initial question.
I have one in 9mm and I love it. The reasons I got it were because 9mm is cheaper to buy, and I’m big believer in shot placement. Seeing that you already have 2 .45 guns, why not add another 9mm to the stable?
Kuro, the dilemma is the 10 round capacity limit. Someone who would normally select a 15 round G19 might choose to go with a 45 if he is going to be limited in capacity. It’s an unfortunate choice to have to make.
Yea, it does suck. I’m in California, where we also have a 10 round limit. I just work around it by having more magazines, and I can speed reload pretty quick.
If I was limited to 10 rounds I’d go HK45c or M&P 45.
I’d also go with ether the Hk 45 or the m&p 45. I have a m&p 45c and really like it,and I’m planning on getting an Hk 45c in the near future.
The HK45 is a nice gun. Love mine. Have it with the light LEM. Part of wanting the M&P 45 was to compare.
As others have mentioned, there is a clear benefit to using a single platform. You gain muscle memory in point shooting, speed of sight alignment, accuracy, handling, and control operation as you practice with a single platform. When you play around with other platforums, that muscle memory gets jumbled and you mix them up under stressful shooting. I’ve used Sigs for years, not because it is the best pistol available, but because I am required to use it on duty. If I was allowed to carry something else and had the time and energy to dedicate thousands of rounds of training toward a new platform, I would if there was a clear benefit in doing so. At this point, I am a top shooter with the P220 and P228 which I credit in large part to my dedication to sticking with only those shooting platforms. I also stick with the standard factory DA/SA trigger and don’t mess around with the various modifications. When I shot other pistols like Glocks, H&Ks, CZs, and 1911s it threw off my Sig handling and shooting prowess is more important to me that collecting.
There is benefit from the same platform. But then there can be joy in variety. It’s all dependent on what you want out of your guns.
I’ve been a Glock 9mm shooter for years. Love the Glock 19. I carry an issued M&P 9mm, starting on my 6th year. There is a difference between the two guns, but not a great difference. Less than going from your Glock 19 to your HK with a LEM trigger, in my opinion.
If the cost of ammunition to train with is an issue, then by all means get another 9mm. If that’s not a deciding factor, then I’d probably go with an M&P 45. For me, the mid-size M&P 45 is looking very tempting.
Something to consider though… If you are using your Glock 19 as your “go to”, you might want to consider buying a spare Glock 19.
“Try out” handguns by renting one at the range or borrowing from a friend, not by purchasing one…
As has been stated many times before, it is best to pick ONE type of handgun and truly learn to master it. Purchase 2 or 3 identical handguns–one for duty/CCW, one for training, and perhaps a third one to sit in a lock box at home for use as a back-up or to arm a family member if necessary.
Most people are far better off using a quality 9 mm handgun, since for CCW and most urban LE duty, there are a lot of advantages in carrying a 9mm–easy to shoot one handed, relatively inexpensive to practice with, lots of bullets in the magazine. When I injured my strong hand a few years ago and lost its use for several months, I found out how much more effective I was using a G19 weak handed compared to a 1911…
There are several circumstances where going with .45 ACP makes sense:
– If you get issued free .45 ACP ammo at work and not other calibers
– If you already possess a large cache of .45 ACP ammo
– There is a strong likelihood you will have to shoot through laminated glass or wood intermediate barriers and .40 S&W is not an option
– You are issued a pistol type that works best in .45 ACP (ex. 1911) or clearly shoot best with such a pistol
– You live in a state that has asinine laws illogically restricting magazine capacity to 10 rds or less
In any of the above cases, it is hard to beat an M&P45 (esp. the mid-size) or HK45c.
In the recent past I have been planning to purchase a 2nd G19. 9mm is much cheaper. I do consider having 3 different platforms in my collection nice for variety sake but detrimental to becoming proficient and even having a lack of ammo due to purchasing guns instead so all points taken.
My only issue with the G19 is running out of pre-ban mags and their cost and reliability down the road. Can I just put in new followers and springs and be good to go? I suppose I could just by 10 rounders and practice mag changes and train a lot to make up for capacity. Also, only 3 of my mags are full metal lined and if loaded, the non metal lined don’t drop free. I don’t like that.
There are no stores here with gun rentals and I know no one with an M&P.
newyork–you live in a state where well built 1911’s, HK45c, M&P45, M&P40c make perfect sense. It has been my experience that the Glock 10 rd mags are not 100% reliable…
Thanks DocGKR. Since the 10rd mags are the norm for my HK, and will always be readily available, maybe I should keep my focus on that gun rather than my G19. The HK only has 1000 rds through it but its been reliable and accurate, I love the LEM, and the mag release is what I prefer.
One option is to sell your 1911 and pick up another HK45/HK45c. You could also get an HK P30 LEM in 9mm to have a similar pistol for cheaper practice…
Last question: anyone think there is a good reason to choose the M&P 45 with Apex internals over the HK45 I already own?
I am near Danbury CT right on the CT/NY border. If you are local to me and want to shoot a well used full size M&P 45 with a factory trigger let me know. You can put as many rounds through it as you want to.