First time handgun buyer! Have a question.

[brentb03]

I have owned many shotguns and rifles but I am looking to make my first handgun purchase. I have already decided that I want a 9MM (need to get used to handguns before stepping up and cheaper ammo for hopefully lots of range time). This gun will be mostly used for range shooting and home defense although maybe conceal carry in the future. Looking to spend in the $500 to $600 range. With all of this said I have done quite a bit of research and have narrowed down my choices to a S&W M&P 9MM and a Glock 19. Has anyone fired both if so what are your thoughts? I do plan on firing both before I buy but would love to hear from some handgun veterans who are not trying to sell me anything!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Emperor]

Both are very nice! Flip a coin.

 

[aroundlsu]

Welcome to Bayoushooter. Both are excellent first handguns. They are different grips though so try them out before deciding. Personally, I would get the smith because I like the grip angle better and it's just cooler overall.

 

[JBP55]

Two good choices. If you go with the S&W get a very new pistol because S&W has recently improved the trigger and hopefully resolved the 9mm accuracy issue some have.

 

[Dishonored]

M&p is actually available still around here as far as I can tell....And is a nice gun. It is a bit higher than a gen 3 g19 and in my opinion having shot both and I owned a m&p.... I would go with the g19 hands down. GLOCK parts are everywhere and so are their certified smiths. But you will be waiting to get one of those... Most distributors are out.
Shoot them both before choosing. The one thing i do like about the M&p over the GLOCK is the grip texture. It is not near as "slick" as the glocks and the straps are interchangeable.

 

[johnmichael]

^^^Good advice, spot on describing the different grips between M&P and Glock. My nod would go to Glock also...I like the build better and just easier to work on.

 

[luv1979]

I love them both! I have the S&W and my father in law has the Glock 19. When eevgetbtogether to shoot we trade shooting them back and forth. You can't go wrong with either one, both are excellent guns.

 

[neverknowsbest]

yes both are great. i have a 23, and it fits my hands just right. if you have larger hands, you may want something different. but ive had no problems with mine.

 

[peyton676]

I got to handle a G17,MP,and XDM last night,all seem sweet and feel good
No 19s in stock so all i could get my hands on was a 17 that i wasnt looking to buy.
Ive narrowed down to a G19 and Xdm. Still very unsure
Didn't care for xdms grip safety,or smiths trigger

 

[Jack]

M&p is actually available still around here as far as I can tell....And is a nice gun. It is a bit higher than a gen 3 g19 and in my opinion having shot both and I owned a m&p.... I would go with the g19 hands down. GLOCK parts are everywhere and so are their certified smiths. But you will be waiting to get one of those... Most distributors are out.
Shoot them both before choosing. The one thing i do like about the M&p over the GLOCK is the grip texture. It is not near as "slick" as the glocks and the straps are interchangeable.

Look at a gen 4, its got more texture and the back straps. It also has a better mag release.

 

[Dishonored]

Look at a gen 4, its got more texture and the back straps. It also has a better mag release.

I wish I would have went with a gen 4 now. But hey I can always buy them the next go around. What wrong with having two generations of the same gun? Lol

 

[fng]

I own both and to me neither one as any better than the other. Both are VERY accurate and VERY reliable. It's which ever one you can find the best deal on.

 

[brentb03]

Thanks for all of the replies. As it turns out fate or rather potential gun ban made the decision for me. I was only able to find the M&P and only in .40S&W not 9MM. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but will try to hit the range tomorrow. It does feel good in the hand!! Again thanks for the replies.

 

[Mac 1]

I have both the Glock and S&W and they are good pistols. One that I have not seen mentioned though, is the Steyr M9-A1. It is a fantastic gun. Very little recoil and it has trapezoid sights. I have 12 9 mm pistols and the Steyr is the sweetest of them all in my view.

 

[saggitarius449]

M&P 9. Great gun.

Sent from Samsung Galaxy Note using Tapatalk 2

 

[kapkanimd]

I have the M&P 9mm threaded version. I put in the APEX DCAEK kit and it is currenlty my favorite gun to shoot. That plus after breaking it in more and more it seems to even get better. Don't have a glock so can't compare, but I thought I would give my +1 for the M&P. Link to kit:

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid35.html