First Impressions: S&W M&P 9mm (Now w/Range Report!)

[Tomac]

Picked it up from Robert at RK Gunsmithing today (did his usual fast & competant work, thx!), the Meprolight night sights & APEX trigger parts went in quickly & easily.
 
Tried all 3 of the interchangeable backstraps and the large fits my hand best w/presentation right on target, as good as the FN57 for me.
 
The trigger is just amazing! Before the APEX parts it was your typical Glock-type trigger but now it's very light & crisp, can't wait to try it out. While the trigger's not *too* light I'm still glad I bought the version w/the thumb safety (which seems to require just the right amount of pressure to activate/deactivate). Best $60 I ever spent on parts!
 
Ditto on the mag release, I really like where it's located and how much pressure is required to use it; seems a good balance between speed of use and preventing accidental mag drops. Mag changes are faster for me, I attribute this to the wider mag well and angled mag design of the S&W.
 
Strips down a little easier than the FN57 but that's not terribly important.
 
Slide release is stiff and takes a bit of effort to use, perhaps this will improve w/time. If it doesn't I may resort to pulling the slide back to release it instead of using the slide release. This is my only complaint to date w/the S&W. ETA: Was told the slide release is meant to be operated w/the thumb of your *support* hand so I gave that a try and, hey!, it works!
 
Empty, the Smith weighs 25oz, 4oz heavier than the unloaded FN. W/a loaded 17rd mag it's 35oz or 7oz heavier than the FN w/a loaded 20rd mag.
 
Bottom line: In exchange for 7oz more weight and 3 less rds I now have a pistol w/night sights and a far better trigger that's much more affordable to shoot. I may end up replacing my .32 Tomcat w/the subcompact version for CCW.
Tomac

Configured for nightstand duty:

With the FN57 it replaces and the Tomcat a subcompact may replace:

[popsgunner]

Thanks Tom, great gun, fits very well in my hand too. shoot it lots and keep up the review.

[Tomac]

Thanks Tom, great gun, fits very well in my hand too. shoot it lots and keep up the review.

Will do! I'm planning on taking DefTac's 2-day handgun class next month where I'll run 500rds through it over a weekend, that should provide some definitive answers.
Tomac

[Nealio]

Right on Tomac, those M&P's have been tempting me a lot lately...

[Tomac]

Right on Tomac, those M&P's have been tempting me a lot lately...

W/the 3 different backstraps & the APEX parts, it's *very* tempting! You're welcome to give it a try sometime at the George Nourse range!...
Tomac

[Nealio]

W/the 3 different backstraps & the APEX parts, it's *very* tempting! You're welcome to give it a try sometime at the George Nourse range!...
Tomac

Is that the outdoor one just south of the Canyon County Landfill?

[neby98]

Yes pickle's butte.

[loaded]

Nice looking, I bet you will enjoy that one

[junkie]

you will be happy with your choice

[agunforeachhand]

tomac, let me know when you will be at the nourse range. I wouldn't mind trying out the MP if you don't mind

[Nealio]

tomac, let me know when you will be at the nourse range. I wouldn't mind trying out the MP if you don't mind

I figured you had probably owned 1 or 2 M&P's by now..

[Tomac]

tomac, let me know when you will be at the nourse range. I wouldn't mind trying out the MP if you don't mind

I'll be there early this morning (around 8?) to try out both the M&P and the new Kahr CW9 I picked up at Cabela's last night. However, if that's too early I can meet you there next weekend at a time convenient for both of us.
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

I'll be there early this morning (around 8?) to try out both the M&P and the new Kahr CW9 I picked up at Cabela's last night. However, if that's too early I can meet you there next weekend at a time convenient for both of us.
Tomac

I would be game for next sunday if you are Tomac? I got up a bit late this morning due to kids up late last night or I would have been all over this morning. Just let me know. Thanks

[Tomac]

Just got back from the range and tested both the S&W & my new Kahr CW9.

The S&W has an incredible trigger due to the APEX parts, making possible hits further out than I've ever managed before (my handgun skills are indifferent at best). Nice reset so followup shots are fast & accurate. It's certain that the pistol is more accurate than I am and mucho training is in order for me to learn and make best use of that nice, nice trigger (got a 2-day, 500rd handgun class coming up next month).
With the trigger being as nice as it is, I'm glad I have the removeable thumb safety "just in case" to help prevent ND's (yes, yes, I know my trigger finger is the ultimate safety but I'd prefer to be safe than sorry for the present and I can always remove the thumb safety later on if I change my mind).
The Smith ran 100% w/appx 100rds of mixed FMJ & JHP.
One feature I really like is if you slam a fresh magazine into the mag well the slide will autoforward and chamber a round w/o having to use the slide release.
I am *very* pleased w/the Smith for nightstand duty.

I approached the Kahr w/a little caution due to the small size & light weight, wasn't sure what to expect recoil-wise.
Turns out recoil is relatively stout but very manageable, perhaps even more manageable than the recoil from my .32 Tomcat!
The DAO trigger takes a little getting used to if you haven't handled revolvers in years (like me) but the result is surprising accuracy for such a small package & DA trigger. Taking a little time clustered shots into nice, tight little groups whereas speeding up greatly increased group size (I view this as a training issue only).
Sights were dead-on and presented on-target, even w/the smallish grip size.
The Kahr also functioned 100% w/appx 60 rds of mixed FMJ/JHP and will soon assume CCW duty.
Tomac

The Smith M&P, Kahr CW9 & the Tomcat the Kahr is replacing:

[agunforeachhand]

Glad you got to try them out tomac. Glad you are happy with them. I have heard nothing but good about the M&P plus it is a smith and wesson.

[Tomac]

Glad you got to try them out tomac. Glad you are happy with them. I have heard nothing but good about the M&P plus it is a smith and wesson.

Current pricing of $470 doesn't hurt, either! (plus, you can have them install some or all of the APEX parts):
http://www.gandrtactical.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=206301 
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

tomac how was the accuracy?

[agunforeachhand]

I figured you had probably owned 1 or 2 M&P's by now..

I wish lol

[Tomac]

tomac how was the accuracy?

I didn't test it for group size but from a rest I was getting hits at 100yds if I did my part.
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

I didn't test it for group size but from a rest I was getting hits at 100yds if I did my part.
Tomac

K thanks tomac

[neby98]

Tomac I've been looking at the CW9 and the PM, I'd like to hear any pointers you have about it. It's been 5 years since I've shot a kahr and it was in 40, which had some kick to it.

[Tomac]

Tomac I've been looking at the CW9 and the PM, I'd like to hear any pointers you have about it. It's been 5 years since I've shot a kahr and it was in 40, which had some kick to it.

What sort of pointers are you looking for? I like the 9 in the Kahr but I'm afraid the 40 would be a bit much for me. Come on out to the George Nourse range next Sunday about 8:30am and try the CW9 for yourself!
Tomac

[neby98]

That would be awesome! I'll do that. I've heard from some folks that kahrs can rotate a little bit in the hand, and then also I was hoping you'd keep us posted as you learned more about it basically. But I would love to give one a try, that would pretty much make up my mind.

[Tomac]

That would be awesome! I'll do that. I've heard from some folks that kahrs can rotate a little bit in the hand, and then also I was hoping you'd keep us posted as you learned more about it basically. But I would love to give one a try, that would pretty much make up my mind.

I guess we'll see you next Sunday, then! Btw, I received a Cabela's promo card where if I spend $500 I get a $150 store card. I bought the CW9 & a holster for $500 then used the $150 card to purchase 650rds of 9mm. Not too shabby!... 
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

I guess we'll see you next Sunday, then! Btw, I received a Cabela's promo card where if I spend $500 I get a $150 store card. I bought the CW9 & a holster for $500 then used the $150 card to purchase 650rds of 9mm. Not too shabby!... 
Tomac

I got one of those cards from cabelas too. Freakin sweet deal.