M&P 45 compact...Yay?...Nay?

[MechAg94]

I don't understand why the grip safety would create an issue with malfunction drills either.

I have had a full size XD for a while and it is comfortable to hold and shoot and I shoot it fairly accurately. I got a used M&P 45 full size and it seems to me to be more of the same with a different grip style. I would say the grip of the M&P is longer front to back than the XD and feels a bit more like a Glock, but more contoured. It is just a little bit narrower in the slide, but not by much, and may be lighter. I haven't used either for carry. I have 40 cal pistols I prefer for that. I bought the M&P thinking it might make a good 45 carry option. I'm still not sure if I want to carry it, but I plan to get a crossbreed for it to try it out.

Also, if you are going to compare, you probably should look at the XD-M models that have more features. I think it all depends on your use for it. Being slimmer, I can see the M&P being a better option. The capacity of the compact model is what bothered me.

[rremt_p]

Excellent pistol, I carry mine in a m-tac holster wearing shorts and a t-shirt all the time, no problem concealing it.

Its also very accurate no problem hitting at 15-20 yds, even double taps and rapid fire.

Only complaint is trigger feels gritty, this works its self out after a while as you shoot it.

All I can say is try one, it feels good in the hand with a very natural point of aim. (Unlike a Glock which feels odd to me at least)
Never had a missfire or FTF with several different types of ammo. Its my favorite I liked it so much I traded in my H&K USP for the full sized M&P 40.

[maxlib]

Just quit worrying and get a Glock 27 like I did.

I cut my eye teeth on 1911s and .357 mag revolvers and love them to the end of the earth.

I hated the idea of Glocks, even though I had never held one. I finally started getting a bit more open minded and started looking at the Glocks, M&Ps and XDs. After some research I went shopping. The minute I picked up my G27 and did an aim and dry fire I was hooked.

Seriously, get what you are comfortable with, and preferably something you have shot before you buy.

Enjoy the journey!

[Chemist45]

Varko wrote:

Can you elaborate as to why the M&P was preferred over the XD?

We shot a bunch of different ammo, including some pretty hot personal defense ammo. Felt recoil in the S&W was very mild while the Springfield was pretty painful and we were done with the hot stuff after one magazine in that one.

In addition, the S&W trigger pull is very crisp with a little bit of a catch (Feels like it could be smoothed out by a competent pistol smith) whereas the Springfield trigger was mushy.

[olafpfj]

Just quit worrying and get a Glock 27 like I did.

You clearly missed that I don't find glocks pleasant to shoot. I have shot several and although I shoot them very well, I don't like how they feel. Nothing against glocks...they just ain't for me and I refuse to drink the kool-aid.

The one M&P I've actually had my hands on felt awesome. I hope that it feels as good when firing. I like all my guns to be pleasant to shoot if possible. My charter arms undercover .38 is awful to shoot but its reliable and I got it very cheap. I shoot it as well as is required and avoid training with it but once in a while. I don't want that in my new carry piece. I want something that will be fun and pleasant to train with and glocks have never ever been that for me. If all that was available was glocks then so be it but in this lovely free market capitalist society, I have choices. Now that I'm done sounding like a sanctimonious blow hard let me reiterate...I DON'T LIKE SPAM! umm ...I mean GLOCKS!

[varko]

Varko wrote:

Can you elaborate as to why the M&P was preferred over the XD?

We shot a bunch of different ammo, including some pretty hot personal defense ammo. Felt recoil in the S&W was very mild while the Springfield was pretty painful and we were done with the hot stuff after one magazine in that one.

In addition, the S&W trigger pull is very crisp with a little bit of a catch (Feels like it could be smoothed out by a competent pistol smith) whereas the Springfield trigger was mushy.

Thank you for the info.

[longhorn_92]

It seems I have my heart set on a .45 for carry but have ruled out any 1911's for me personally. I would simply get a Glock 30 or 36 except that I have yet to shoot a Glock I like and I don't think a .45 will improve that opinion. I have held an M&P .40 but haven't shot one. It felt great in my hand so I'm starting to lean towards this particular platform. My main shooter is a Sig226 in 9mm and I love that pistol. It feels great, shoots great, and I have all but mastered it. Will the M&P 45c be similar? The XD felt like a looser Glock to me. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

So... did you ever get the M&P 45c?...

[Hoi Polloi]

It's mid-November. Anyone up for a range day with .45s? I'd like to try the .45 side by side with the .45c as well. I'd also like to re-try the minituck if the same kind gentleman (or another kind soul) would allow me to.

[olafpfj]

It seems I have my heart set on a .45 for carry but have ruled out any 1911's for me personally. I would simply get a Glock 30 or 36 except that I have yet to shoot a Glock I like and I don't think a .45 will improve that opinion. I have held an M&P .40 but haven't shot one. It felt great in my hand so I'm starting to lean towards this particular platform. My main shooter is a Sig226 in 9mm and I love that pistol. It feels great, shoots great, and I have all but mastered it. Will the M&P 45c be similar? The XD felt like a looser Glock to me. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

So... did you ever get the M&P 45c?...

As a matter of fact I did.....

So far I love it. Shoots low but puts up a very consistent group. Carrying it in an MTAC which took a little to get adjusted right but fits great now. Pretty much carrying whenever I can.

[Weg]

Drink the kool aid and get a glock 30.... I did and will never go back. ( to a taurus PT140, or a 1911).. not sure if it is the kool aid, or the fact that the gun has never jammed and conceals well.

[gigag04]

My main shooter is a Sig226 in 9mm and I love that pistol. It feels great, shoots great, and I have all but mastered it.

Sig P220 compact?

[varko]

I finally got to shoot my M&P 45c. (BTW, thank you to those here who gave recommendations.) Very nice pistol. I was shooting it a little low too. I don’t like the dot on the front sight, but I was planning on putting night sights on it anyway. One thing I definitely love about these M&P’s (this is my second one, the other was an M&P 9) is how comfortable they are to shoot. If I would have had enough ammo I could have shot that gun all day.

[Griffen]

All I can say is that when I brought home my FNP-45, my FNP-9 was ver happy to finally have a sibling. However, my XD9sc got pretty envious to have to share range time with a stranger, and I can swear I hear some strange noises at night from my gun vault. However, my two 357 mags(call them Ruger sp101, and SW 586) could care less about the 45. They just look at it with a cheshire cat smile, and figure its just another caliber to beat down.

I'd post a picture but its too large, and I can't figure out how to reduce it with my public high school education.....