Sidearms & Scatterguns p226 vs m&p 9mm

[callen3615]

Im looking for my next (2nd) handgun. I already got the 1911 itch scratched, so now I can get a 9mm. I like the 1911 and will consider carrying it, but I would rather carry a 9mm. I just want a stupid reliable, high capacity, 9mm that i dont have to worry about. I have shot the m&p and i like it. I havent shot the 226 in 9mm, only 40, and I hate that cartridge so I dont remember anything about it. The m&p I have shot had the apex sear in it and it broke great, light and almost no creep, very 1911esque. I know the sig is da/sa, and I really dont care for that, and it has no safety unlike the m&p (yes, s&w makes a m&p with a thumb safety). I really feel like I need a thumb safety for a iwb, ccw gun.

So if money was no object what would you choose?

 

[Gunfighting Inc]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I carried the 226 Blackwater tactical for a time. I hated the first double action pull; very stiff, even with a Wolf spring in it. The single action was great with a short reset. But as nice as it was, it did not compare to my Apex equipped M&P 9. The single and consistent trigger, lighter weight and softer recoil make getting a fast and accurate first shot as well as follow up shots easier with the M&P.

I wrote an article about why I love the M&P you can read at habitsforsurvival.com

Also, you DO NOT need a thumb safety for an IWB carried gun, you need a quality holster. As many times as I've seen an external safety screw up someone in training I recommend against them on any handgun carried for fighting. Do not destroy one of the best fighting characteristics of the M&P by getting one with a thumb safety.

 

[callen3615]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Well I asked because I have more tigger time on the m&p and almost none on the sig.

 

[callen3615]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Reinman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Also, you DO NOT need a thumb safety for an IWB carried gun, you need a quality holster. As many times as I've seen an external safety screw up someone in training I recommend against them on any handgun carried for fighting. Do not destroy one of the best fighting characteristics of the M&P by getting one with a thumb safety. </div></div>

Maybe it wouldnt screw them up if they trained to disengage it.

While i havent had my 1911 for long I dry fire it hundreds of times a day. I disengage the safety without thinking about it.

 

[bigmerv]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I have both, I prefer the M&P by a great margin. Not a fan of DA/SA anymore and the 226 has more perceived recoil than the M&P for me. Both have about 4k rounds through them and have been 100% reliable.

 

[Gunfighting Inc]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

[/quote]Maybe it wouldnt screw them up if they trained to disengage it.

While i havent had my 1911 for long I dry fire it hundreds of times a day. I disengage the safety without thinking about it.[/quote]

A lot of unexpected $h@t can happen when the intensity gets cranked up, let alone when someone is trying to kill you. I have seen highly trained people miss their safety, accidentally engage the safety on their 92F during force on force, get a sub-optimal grip and not engage the grip safety on a 1911 and an XD, and several other things they didn't even think could or would happen that results in their gun not going bang when they need it to. I am now of the philosophy that if I can eliminate some of these possibilities with a modern equipment choice, I will.

 

[t0kie]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...
So if money was no object what would you choose? </div></div>

I get both, because both are great pistols. The M&P is easier to shoot if you used to shoot a 1911, but we all know the P226 is "been there & done that" too.

 

[SIG700]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Personally, as a Sig fanatic, I'd go with the Sig (NOT a 226 for IWB (Although time to time my full size 220 does go in the IWB) Something more along the lines of a 239 would be better suited- and yes that opinion is biased, I carry a 239/357sig almost every day IWB). However you need to chose whats most comfortable in your hands. Highly suggest you find a gun shop with an indoor range that allows you to rent guns. Spend the money to try a few out and see what feels best for you.

The DA/SA does take time to get used to, but its now one of my criteria for a CCW gun. Sig also offers a DAK trigger (DAO) which I'm personally not a big fan of, but YMMV

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Not a fan of the DA/SA semi=auto pistol. I choose the M&P every time.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Buy which ever one cost the least and has the cheapest easiest to find mags, spend your money on ammo.

 

[callen3615]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

thanks for the help guys. I think I will go with the m&p 9mm once I can get another job.

Thanks

 

[Strangedays]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">thanks for the help guys. I think I will go with the m&p 9mm once I can get another job.

Thanks </div></div>
It is a sweet gun. If you need any help or wish to do any upgrades send me a PM I am more than happy to point you in the right direction. I have been shooting competition with the M&P line for some time now and it has proven to be a great gun for me.

 

[snipe10]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Strangedays, what upgrades did you do or recommend? I want to get one and it'd be great to get your perspective,
thanks,

 

[tsmoyer13]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Money was an object in my decision and I still chose the Sig P226 because I knew no matter what I'd never have to worry about breaking it or wearing it out. Now it has a buddy to go on the end of it in the form of a Gemtech Tundra.

 

[sudnrush]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I have an M&P and its one of my favorites fits my hand better than any other handgun I have held.
The Sigs to me have a very smooth triggers even on DA. The only thing I personally seem to have a problem with is the decocking lever.
Either the size of my hands or the way I grip and roll my support hand forward I tend to press the lever down and have sometimes blocked the hammer from falling when I pull the trigger. They are very accurate guns and they shoot very well for me as long as I don't hit that lever.

 

[tsmoyer13]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Yeah everyone has different size hands so it's really what feels best to you personally.

 

[plong]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I <span style="font-style: italic">have</span> a P229 that I really enjoy but most times I <span style="font-style: italic">carry</span> one of my M&Ps, usually the compact. Simple, reliable, and IMHO, very "shootable".

 

[Sgt. 0811]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I'm a huge Sig fan but, the M&P is very impressive, it is easier on the wallet too. I would go for the M&P pro as a happy middle ground.

 

[coryj]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

Glock 19 for the win!

Now that I've muddied the waters. I got rid of my 226 because I hated the inconsistency of a DA first trigger pull and SA subsequent pull. A consistent trigger pull has been a major consideration in my concealed carry choices.

 

[Chris@InterstateGuns]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I really like both pistols. I owned an m&p for a while and felt that it was a very smooth poly frame pistol.

On many occasions I get the opportunity to shoot a buddies' 226 in 9mm with the srt trigger system in it. I really enjoyed that pistol as well.

Seeing as you were looking for something to pull double duty (ccw and range piece), I would go the m&p route just because of the weight factor. Just my opinion, but I feel that the 226 would be too heavy for me to carry (even with a good galco belt and crossbreed iwb).

 

[Utah Shooter]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I would go with the M&P myself. In fact think that will be the next purchase that I make.

 

[branson1369]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I will be the only opposite view picked up the Sig P226 Scorpion and I liked it so much I retired the M+P Pro from the collection. The DA can be a challenge but I find I like it and it makes me think and prepare (still shooting quick) vs. hosing with the M+P. The M+P never gave me one oz of trouble in 2 years with 3 Gun

 

[bkster]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

m&p is an amazing handgun for the price you pay
light and easy to carry...its my carry gun now
i like the sigs..more for duty carry vs ccw ...imho

 

[c1steve]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

The 40 S&W cartridge may have some recoil, but the P226 in 9mm and the 357Sig are very mild to shoot. I recently bought the P226 in 357Sig, and was very surprised at how low the recoil was.

I do not think that recoil in 9mm would be a factor in either gun.

s

 

[SGT TickleFight]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

It's all about how the slide is designed and the recoil spring that is married to it. My Sig p229 in 9mm has a lot less recoil that my old beretta 92fs and weighs a half pound less.

I agree, Sigs in DA/SA are not the most CCW friendly with the de-cocker. However, the DAK models are, but my p229 really isn't that big - just a little thick at the top of the grips.

 

[Zeronine]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I think you'll find that the 1911 is probably way easier to conceal IWB than any P226 or M&P. They are pretty thick. Something like a Kahr K9 or a Walther PPS may offer a better choice.

You know there are 9mm 1911's correct? Available in full size, commander, and officer sizes....

I stopped messing with Sig years ago. They make a fine handgun, and being one of the original "wonder-nine's" of the late 80's they hold nostalgia. But their hayday has come and gone. I'm sorry but Sig triggers are aweful. They were great compared to the S&W Model 10 they replaced, but junk compared to the new market. And they loose their "hell and back" reliability claim on their competition level handguns. I being one who wasted money on an X5... M&P is an awesome platform. Especially the M&P Pro series. They have just about everything one would want in a handgun. Reliable, Accurate, Modular, Low Barrel Axis for fast followup, and the Pro series or Apex triggers are super sweet.

 

[Silverbullet2]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

The 226 and the M&P are two totally different pistols. I own both, and both are tops in their groups. Go to a range that rents them and pour some ammo down them. I have a Gray Guns 226, and the Apex M&P. My 226 is a dream, but the M&P is a great one as well. JPG

 

[SGT TickleFight]

Re: p226 vs m&p 9mm

I feel very comfortable around guns but i do feel added safety with a da/sa trigger or other "active" safety. With practice i have become skilled with the operation.

Striker fired guns always have a decent trigger, but i always give the same advise: if ccw or range work is your main function then go for a striker poly gun, but if it is going to spend time in a nightstand or desk you should have an external safety or DA feature. It is extremely easy to grip the gun improperly in the dark when you aren't sure of the gun's orientation.