I am looking to buy my first pistol in the next week or two. I wanted a glock because of their good reputation and aftermarket support. I read somewhere that M&P's shoot more similar to a 1911 than glocks do. I know I want a 1911 later on, so this caught my attention. Can anyone attest to this? Would yall chose a glock or M&P in 9mm for a first time pistol shooter? I plan to get a 9mm now and a nice 1911 later on. Thanks.
Sidearms & Scatterguns First pistol
- Thread starter jackh
- Start date
Re: First pistol
A lot of it is all just personal preference. I prefer and use glocks, some guys don't like the glocks and run the M&P. Both are good brands, I suggest going to a store and putting hands on and see which or feels better or find a range that rents and try them both out. That's the best way to find what you like.
A lot of it is all just personal preference. I prefer and use glocks, some guys don't like the glocks and run the M&P. Both are good brands, I suggest going to a store and putting hands on and see which or feels better or find a range that rents and try them both out. That's the best way to find what you like.
Re: First pistol
You can't go wrong with either. Check em out at the gun counter.
See how well they "point" for you.
Pick an object, close your eyes, pull the gun up, and open your eyes. See how close the sights are lining up to your target.
Try the triggers, see which is more ideal to you.
Or just buy the 1911. You can buy RIA for the same price.
You can't go wrong with either. Check em out at the gun counter.
See how well they "point" for you.
Pick an object, close your eyes, pull the gun up, and open your eyes. See how close the sights are lining up to your target.
Try the triggers, see which is more ideal to you.
Or just buy the 1911. You can buy RIA for the same price.
Re: First pistol
Both are good choices, how they feel in your hand will probably be the deciding factor. However, if you plan on adding laser grips they mount much better on the M&P in my opinion.
I have shot and carried Glocks primarily but if I was starting over from scratch on the polymer gun I would seriously consider going the M&P route. Only problem I have is no G19 size 9mm. But I could work around that.
Jeremy45
Both are good choices, how they feel in your hand will probably be the deciding factor. However, if you plan on adding laser grips they mount much better on the M&P in my opinion.
I have shot and carried Glocks primarily but if I was starting over from scratch on the polymer gun I would seriously consider going the M&P route. Only problem I have is no G19 size 9mm. But I could work around that.
Jeremy45
Re: First pistol
I have owned a ton o both i used to be a glock person all the way i still think they have a better trigger (that is if you don't put an Apex in the m&p). But for some reason I bought a few m&p's and they seem to point better for me but i agree go hold a few of both and see which is better for you personally. After I started shooting m&p's I sold all my glocks and replaced them with m&p's don't get me wrong i still think glock is a great gun exspecially the gen 3 don't like the gen 4 much rough textured rubbed my side to much while ccw and i think it might be a little more reliable but to close to call there.
I have owned a ton o both i used to be a glock person all the way i still think they have a better trigger (that is if you don't put an Apex in the m&p). But for some reason I bought a few m&p's and they seem to point better for me but i agree go hold a few of both and see which is better for you personally. After I started shooting m&p's I sold all my glocks and replaced them with m&p's don't get me wrong i still think glock is a great gun exspecially the gen 3 don't like the gen 4 much rough textured rubbed my side to much while ccw and i think it might be a little more reliable but to close to call there.
Re: First pistol
The Glock 19 is the easy answer here.
It is the quintessential handgun. Small enough to conceal if you want, large enough that it's not a "little" gun. Holds 15+1. Legendary reliability.
A note on how well a pistol "points"...
Glocks, in general, don't "point" well if you try to point your fist at any given target. 1911's do. A Glock is designed so that the muzzle points at a target when you're pointing your index finger at the target.
Try it. Put the glock in your hand, trigger finger off the trigger. Point your trigger finger at a target. Look at the sights... you'll be on target. Simple. Glock. Perfection.
The Glock 19 is the easy answer here.
It is the quintessential handgun. Small enough to conceal if you want, large enough that it's not a "little" gun. Holds 15+1. Legendary reliability.
A note on how well a pistol "points"...
Glocks, in general, don't "point" well if you try to point your fist at any given target. 1911's do. A Glock is designed so that the muzzle points at a target when you're pointing your index finger at the target.
Try it. Put the glock in your hand, trigger finger off the trigger. Point your trigger finger at a target. Look at the sights... you'll be on target. Simple. Glock. Perfection.
Re: First pistol
I used to hate Glocks, I did not like the grips on the Gen3's & older, Then I tried a G19 Gen4, I now have 2, they are great, only trouble I had with them was the occasional brass to the face, but that has been solved with the new Apex extractor.
I used to hate Glocks, I did not like the grips on the Gen3's & older, Then I tried a G19 Gen4, I now have 2, they are great, only trouble I had with them was the occasional brass to the face, but that has been solved with the new Apex extractor.
Re: First pistol
Though not a substantial point of argument, being that I don't make my living with a gun and don't carry, I have a simple rule that I always follow:
Life is Too Short for Ugly Guns.
And the Glock is balls ugly.
I had one. It shot great. But it was by far the ugliest I have ever owned.
My pistols now are 2 full size 1911s, 1 Kimber Pro Carry, and my new FNX-45 Tactical.
Though not a substantial point of argument, being that I don't make my living with a gun and don't carry, I have a simple rule that I always follow:
Life is Too Short for Ugly Guns.
And the Glock is balls ugly.
I had one. It shot great. But it was by far the ugliest I have ever owned.
My pistols now are 2 full size 1911s, 1 Kimber Pro Carry, and my new FNX-45 Tactical.
Re: First pistol
I like the m&p. I own two: the 45 full size, and the 9c. I carry the 9c everyday and love it. It is a little smaller than the glock 19, but not much. For me, I like the 9c better than the 19 only because I personally shoot it better. It's all personal preference, and I totally understand why so many love the 19.
I like the m&p. I own two: the 45 full size, and the 9c. I carry the 9c everyday and love it. It is a little smaller than the glock 19, but not much. For me, I like the 9c better than the 19 only because I personally shoot it better. It's all personal preference, and I totally understand why so many love the 19.
Re: First pistol
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Though not a substantial point of argument, being that I don't make my living with a gun and don't carry, I have a simple rule that I always follow:
Life is Too Short for Ugly Guns.
And the Glock is balls ugly.
I had one. It shot great. But it was by far the ugliest I have ever owned. </div></div>
I used to also think they were ugly, but after using them, and them workingso well, they began looking better and better to me. Now I love how they look!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: eleaf</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Though not a substantial point of argument, being that I don't make my living with a gun and don't carry, I have a simple rule that I always follow:
Life is Too Short for Ugly Guns.
And the Glock is balls ugly.
I had one. It shot great. But it was by far the ugliest I have ever owned. </div></div>
I used to also think they were ugly, but after using them, and them workingso well, they began looking better and better to me. Now I love how they look!
Re: First pistol
I shoot both Glocks and 1911 and revolvers and I am proficient with all of them. I never got the big ordeal with the "Glock angle" but I point all my guns just fine. Go shoot both and see what works best. They are both fine pistols that will be around for a long time.
I shoot both Glocks and 1911 and revolvers and I am proficient with all of them. I never got the big ordeal with the "Glock angle" but I point all my guns just fine. Go shoot both and see what works best. They are both fine pistols that will be around for a long time.
Re: First pistol
Buy the one you smile the most about, if it's a range gun. I bought a Rock Island 1911 as my first pistol and it's been fine. I wouldn't trust my life to it, but it hasn't given me a single issue I couldn't blame on me.
If you load, 45 is no more expensive than 9. And 1911's love cast bullets, saving even more.
Buy the one you smile the most about, if it's a range gun. I bought a Rock Island 1911 as my first pistol and it's been fine. I wouldn't trust my life to it, but it hasn't given me a single issue I couldn't blame on me.
If you load, 45 is no more expensive than 9. And 1911's love cast bullets, saving even more.
Re: First pistol
M&Ps are closer to 1911s because of the grip angle. Glocks have a more aggressive angle that can initially throw off a shooter who is accustomed to a 1911-type angle.
With enough training either option will do well for you. Your technique will adjust accordingly. Both have a good record for reliability.
M&Ps are closer to 1911s because of the grip angle. Glocks have a more aggressive angle that can initially throw off a shooter who is accustomed to a 1911-type angle.
With enough training either option will do well for you. Your technique will adjust accordingly. Both have a good record for reliability.
Re: First pistol
If you are going to be using it/them as self defense weapons, get two alike systems. If you get used to the revolver style "pick it up and pull the trigger" action motion of the Glock...you could (and probably would) have a brain fart when you grabbed the other fire control system and fail to flip off the safety. Bad JUJU in the dark thirty hours. JMHO
If you are going to be using it/them as self defense weapons, get two alike systems. If you get used to the revolver style "pick it up and pull the trigger" action motion of the Glock...you could (and probably would) have a brain fart when you grabbed the other fire control system and fail to flip off the safety. Bad JUJU in the dark thirty hours. JMHO
Re: First pistol
Pick up a used glock or m&p and decide if you like it. You won't lose much value and you can truly decide if it's what you're looking for.
I don't particularly care for the grip angle of the glock, but you can adapt to it quickly by spending time on the range.
In the end I like the m&p more, but wish it was a little more compact.
Pick up a used glock or m&p and decide if you like it. You won't lose much value and you can truly decide if it's what you're looking for.
I don't particularly care for the grip angle of the glock, but you can adapt to it quickly by spending time on the range.
In the end I like the m&p more, but wish it was a little more compact.
Re: First pistol
This was a great topic. I have always been a rifle/shotgun guy and I just got my chl. I am going with the glock 27. Good luck with your buy
This was a great topic. I have always been a rifle/shotgun guy and I just got my chl. I am going with the glock 27. Good luck with your buy
Re: First pistol
Training also helps overcome inconsistencies in chosen systems. I own an M&P and a SIG, for instance. If I use the same grip on the SIG that I use on an M&P, the slide tends to not lock back because my thumb will depress the slide lock. At this point I have no problems with grip on either draw: my thumb is in the place it needs to be because I've done it so many times in the past.
Training also helps overcome inconsistencies in chosen systems. I own an M&P and a SIG, for instance. If I use the same grip on the SIG that I use on an M&P, the slide tends to not lock back because my thumb will depress the slide lock. At this point I have no problems with grip on either draw: my thumb is in the place it needs to be because I've done it so many times in the past.
Re: First pistol
get a Glock and a 22lr conversion for it and practice ,practice, practice.
get a Glock and a 22lr conversion for it and practice ,practice, practice.
Re: First pistol
Go to the range and shoot both.
ergonomics, sight acquisition, feel, trigger
No question both will do the job well
Never liked the feel of Glocks and have one strike the primer but not fire, but have haf same with hammer pistols.
I have avoided M&Ps and XDMs so cannot comment
PX4 is the worst trigger I have ever shot
always feel at home with a Beretta 92 or HK USP
My favorite is my CZ-75 in 40 S&W
Go to the range and shoot both.
ergonomics, sight acquisition, feel, trigger
No question both will do the job well
Never liked the feel of Glocks and have one strike the primer but not fire, but have haf same with hammer pistols.
I have avoided M&Ps and XDMs so cannot comment
PX4 is the worst trigger I have ever shot
always feel at home with a Beretta 92 or HK USP
My favorite is my CZ-75 in 40 S&W
Re: First pistol
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MtnCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Consider getting a little instruction from a skilled pistol shooter when test driving for your first pistol. If you don't know proper grip / form, the test drive may not be worth much.
</div></div>
+2 - outstanding advice
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MtnCreek</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Consider getting a little instruction from a skilled pistol shooter when test driving for your first pistol. If you don't know proper grip / form, the test drive may not be worth much.
</div></div>
+2 - outstanding advice
Re: First pistol
I couldnt't agree more about the training and instruction. Guns are like surfing, it would take a lifetime to figure it all out on your own, and little time at all to learn it from a professional.
I couldnt't agree more about the training and instruction. Guns are like surfing, it would take a lifetime to figure it all out on your own, and little time at all to learn it from a professional.
Re: First pistol
It's apples and apples. Just comes down to if you want a Granny Smith or a Washington apple. It's all preference and taste.
I personally sold a Glock 23 so I could fund an M&P9. I haven't looked back but I am considering getting a Glock 19 somewhere down the road.
It's apples and apples. Just comes down to if you want a Granny Smith or a Washington apple. It's all preference and taste.
I personally sold a Glock 23 so I could fund an M&P9. I haven't looked back but I am considering getting a Glock 19 somewhere down the road.
