Sidearms & Scatterguns Searching skills failed me.. help me pick

[pepper 2111]

looking at picking up a new full size 9mm for carrying, shooting comps, and just overall fun. I'm looking at Glock 34 or 17. and the M&P's. I can't decided if the Glock 34 is too big to carry or not..i know i can carry the 17 just fine. Also i don't know if i'll notice the 1lb difference in the trigger pull.. My other issue with the glocks is...can i attach a reflex sight to them like i can with the M&P pro series?

With M&P i'm in the same boat...5" barrel or 4.25? also, can the reflex sights be attached to models that aren't "pro." What's the story with these apex kits? I would have to get the duty kit and not the competition.. This claims to make the trigger pull around 5-5.5 like the glocks....but is it better? shorter reset? smoother? etc...than the glock?

I'm not a pistol guru so feel free to point out my ignorance. Also couldn't find crap in the search so I'm sorry. I'm sure this has likely been covered.

Thanks for your time,

Luke

 

[valkyries]

Well I Probably wont be much help here. Not sure about the reflex sight or the Apex kit. What I can tell you is that I got the four and a quarter inch barreled m&p a few years ago and have been very pleased with it. I had a jam the first time I took it out and wondered if I made a mistake. Since then I have put around three thousand rounds.through it and havent had any problems. The trigger does not have a real positive reset. I have heard the Apex kit would fix that. I believe the m&p pro comes with a better factory trigger and sights. I really like the fact the m@ps are stainless and the melonite finish has held up very well.

 

[Hawk45]

I'll take the other side, since I'm a Glock guy and don't own any M&Ps, but have shot seveal. The trigger on my G35 is nicer than on my G17/G19/G26/G21, but I only use it for comps. I carry my G19/G26 and prefer a little heavier trigger for in the heat of the moment. So you will notice a difference, but not substantial. As far as carry goes, you see what I carry (G19/G26) so a full size isn't in the books for me for CCW, but to each his own. For a CCW I see no benefit of going with a race gun. If a 2.5" barrel will get the job done at 15yds, why do you need a 5". Not preaching, just my view on the topic. I don't carry more than I need, b/c if it's to big, I won't carry it , so smallest I can go and put consistent rounds on target is where it's at. The big thing for me is sitting in a car or closed back seat with IWB. With a bigger gun it will jam into the seat cushion and seat backs causing it to twist and be very uncomfortable. A shorter grip and barrel help remedy this. Now if you use a shoulder rig, it wouldn't be an issue probably.

The short and distinct reset on the Glocks is what I enjoy most about them. The M&Ps trigger is not as good to me, even with the Apex (which is extra $ you have to now put into a new gun). But everyone is different. You really need to go try them out yourself to make the decision.

Best of luck!

 

[pepper 2111]

Thanks for the input so far guys. I to have my doubts about the full size, but i like to have one gun for all to stay 100% consistant..and im broke. Stupid 308.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

I've owned an shot both, although only the Glock in comp's.
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You can't mount a sight to a glock like you can the "pro" series smith's. I like both guns but prefer the Glock. I have a 34 and it has to be one my fav pistols to shoot and I've shot quite a few, it points well and balance is awesome. Its a smidge long to carry but can be done, easier if your a taller guy.
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The 3.5 disconnector is nice in the 34 although from what I hear the apex is supposed to be good, haven't shot one to be able to tell you. Good luck

 

[woojos]

You can always have a Glock slide milled to accept a red dot, but it costs money and it sounds like your on a budget. If this is the case, I'd also suggest forgetting all about the red dot until your gun fund appreciates.

I'll echo Hawk45's comments on the size. If you intend to carry it, I'd get the 17 or the full-size M&P and not the long slide. If you aren't used to carrying a big gun around all day everyday, it really can get to be a pain, especially in the Summer, and even the full size guns are a lot of gun to carry, never mind the long slide versions. If it's mainly for shooting, competition, or eventually serious competition, I really like the long slide versions. I'm also on board with the trigger comments, and I really like the Glock trigger compared to almost anything.

I also shoot Glocks, but I've been mulling over the switch to M&Ps. My problem is I have small hands, and if I get a high grip on the gun, my trigger finger is above the trigger and parallel with the frame just below the slide. Then when I'm working the trigger, my finger is always touching the frame. It doesn't affect my POI with my gen4 35 because the grip is a bit thinner and the hump further down, but with my gen3 23 the hump is further up and I tend to push shots left more than I would like too. It even has affected my how I draw, where I'll go after a bit lower grip for a cleaner access to the trigger. I'm used to it now, but that's a serious compromise.

If you can, find a range that rents them or make a new friend so you can borrow his guns. This type of decision is best made by actually shooting the guns, and luckily it's a lot easier to get ones hands on one of these two fine pistols than a lot of other equipment discussed on the board, so I'd take advantage of that opportunity.

 

[Pester]

+1 on shooting them as you really cant go too far wrong with either.

After shooting both and being told "just shoot a Glock. Nothing else is close" I ended up spending a lot of time with the M&P's and Glocks. For me, the M&P's consistantly got me better/faster groups. They are close and neither is perfect. I like the trigger a smidge better on the Glock and like the fit of the Smith. Ability to get rounds on target trumps all so its the Smith for me. My wife, as a previously vocal anti gun person, has, for good reasons, rethought her position and on her own tried all the top 9's. She ended up with the Smith for the same reason.

Size is also an issue and I would share that, out to 25 yards, I dont see much difference in accuracy so all my 9's are compact. Of the 9's (M&P Shield, M&P 9c, Kahr PM9 and Springfield EMP, and XD) my favorite to shoot is the EMP and for conceled carry and rounds on target its the smaller 9c and Shield.

Try 'em. One of the two will float to the top for you.

 

[pepper 2111]

Well i have shot a few glocks and have done fairly well. However a glock 23 almost turned me away from them altogether as it gave me glock knuckle something terrible. Dremel brought us back together. I wasnt able to shoot it, but i was able to hold an m&p recently and the ergonmoics were fantastic for me...so i pulled the trigger on a 5" pro series for just under $600. Cant wait to get it