Sidearms & Scatterguns 1911 vs m&p

[callen3615]

I hate to do this because I was set on a 1911, but I recently checked out a friends m&p with the apex sear and it is throwing me for a loop. I love the feel/weight of the 1911. Im kinda old school and like the looks, feel, and controls. But the m&p is cheaper and also offered with a manual safety. This will be my first handgun, I plan on using it as a range toy and maybe carrying at some point. I have borrowed a friends gi style 1911 and been training on it. If I get a 1911 its either going to be a ruger sr1911 or an sti spartan. I do plan on reloading. If I were to get the m&p Id probably get it in 9mm. Im just so conflicted, my heart wants the 1911 and my head tells me that the m&p is an all around superior weapon.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Hard choice. I own many of both and love both guns.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Sti spartan is a bad ass 1911 for the money

 

[arkansashntr]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

I'd get the M&P over those 1911 choices.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

If you like to tinker or personalize your toys, the 1911 is the better choice. If you want it to just go bang then get the M&P.

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShtrRdy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you like to tinker or personalize your toys, the 1911 is the better choice. If you want it to just go bang then get the M&P. </div></div>

Thats the thing, Im a tinkerer. Im in school to be an engineer and I love to take things apart and work/fix things.


Whats the consensus on the 9mm spartan? Id love a 1911 but Id like to be able to afford ammo, even reloads.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

I own an sti spartan in 9mm. Its an awesome gun to play with. I changed the recoil spring to a 10 lb and i run 122 gr lead bullets from ccastings in az over 3 grains of clays powder. Comes out to just under 5 bux per 50. The extra weight of the 1911 really reduces muzzle flip and its a great gun to shoot. My buddy tried it and liked it so he bought the ria tactical model in a 9mm and that to really shoots good.

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Are you talking about reloading 9mm ammo or 45? If you're just plinking at the range with 9mm then you can buy store bought for pretty cheap like $200 for 1000 rounds plus the cost to reload outweighs the cost benefit. 45 acp OTOH can be pretty expensive. I figured with a case of good 45 ammo at $350+ and a good reloading set up which will cost $1000+/- you'll need to reload 4 times to break even, that's paying off the 1000 rounds and the reloading equipment. Really good ammo you can get 5-6+ reloads out of 45 acp ammo casings. Some people say reload until the casing splits which is another option but I don't do this because it's not worth the repercussions to me if there is ANY type of malfunction in the gun.

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Ive already have reloading stuff besides dies. I would reload either caliber.

Im pretty sold on the spartan in 9mm.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

on a side note you can buy a lee turret press and everything to go with it to load 1000 9mms for 20 bux more than a case of 9mms.. loaded this way for years and recently upgraded to a hornady l n l ap did some figuring and you would have to load 3300 9mm or 1700 45s to recoup the cost of the hornady.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

if you shoot 10k plus 9mm a year believe me its worth the effort to reload them.

 

[Ltdshooter]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Go with the M&P and put in the Apex Forward Set Sear (FSS)and you won't want anything else! This is the shit with the M&P's with the manual thumb safety. It is as close as you will ever get to a 1911 in a polymer pistol. If you leave the factory springs in the M&P with the FSS you will have great feeling trigger that has about .110 total travel. It will start out at about 4.75 pounds and after a around 400 - 500 rounds it will be at 3.75 or so pounds. I've got 2 set up this way and going for a third. Do it you won't regret it one bit!

 

[Ultraman550]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ltdshooter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go with the M&P and put in the Apex Forward Set Sear (FSS)and you won't want anything else! This is the shit with the M&P's with the manual thumb safety. It is as close as you will ever get to a 1911 in a polymer pistol. If you leave the factory springs in the M&P with the FSS you will have great feeling trigger that has about .110 total travel. It will start out at about 4.75 pounds and after a around 400 - 500 rounds it will be at 3.75 or so pounds. I've got 2 set up this way and going for a third. Do it you won't regret it one bit!
</div></div>
I have that in my M&P 45 and I couldn't believe the difference. I was comparing STI, Nighthawk, Baer etc... cringing at the $2500-$3000 price tag just for a hand gun and then.......I shot an M&P with the FSSTK!! I loved it so much I bought the same thing. I have the DCAEK in my M&P 9mm and am thinking about upgrading to the forward set sear kit. I think Apex is doing trigger upgrades on H&K P30's as well which is my next move.

To the OP, go with an M&P 9mm. They're great guns, they are capable of fitting most peoples hands very well because of great ergonomics and interchangeable back straps and they have a nice relatively low bore axis. With the Apex trigger kits you can turn it into a silky smooth piece of weaponry. I love mine.

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

My friends m&p40 is really nice with the new sear. It felt night and day different from a 1911 tho, just apples to oranges.

A m&p 9mm with safety is about 460 from buds while the sti is 630. Hmmm

 

[gjantzer]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Add $160 for the forward sear and the M&P costs as much as a very nice STI 1911.

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Add $160 for the forward sear and the M&P costs as much as a very nice STI 1911. </div></div>
Yes it does, but it holds twice the rounds, will shoot any ammo, is more ergonomic, more reliable, and has more features.

See what I mean? I cant decide.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Add $160 for the forward sear and the M&P costs as much as a very nice STI 1911. </div></div>
Yes it does, but it holds twice the rounds, will shoot any ammo, is more ergonomic, more reliable, and has more features.

See what I mean? I cant decide. </div></div>

The 1911 has been used in service for over 100 years and remains unchanged.......and you're giving the reliability nod to the M&P?

 

[jasonk]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Add $160 for the forward sear and the M&P costs as much as a very nice STI 1911. </div></div>
Yes it does, but it holds twice the rounds, will shoot any ammo, is more ergonomic, more reliable, and has more features.

See what I mean? I cant decide. </div></div>

The 1911 has been used in service for over 100 years and remains unchanged.......and you're giving the reliability nod to the M&P? </div></div>

If they still built the Model T then I'd have to give the reliability award to the Toyota Camry

 

[RADcustom]

Re: 1911 vs m&p


Skip to 0:53 and tell me how reliable your Camry would be.

<object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wA2P76gQUCo&feature=channel_video_title"></param> <param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wA2P76gQUCo&feature=channel_video_title" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"> </embed></object>

I don't think the Camry could hang.

 

[jasonk]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RADcustom</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> [video:youtube]http://youtu.be/wA2P76gQUCo[/video]
Skip to 1:00 and tell me how reliable your Camry would be.

</div></div>

I'd be just fine.......

 

[RADcustom]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Well played.

I haven't seen that model on the lot, it must be a special order AWD model.

 

[Downzero]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gjantzer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Add $160 for the forward sear and the M&P costs as much as a very nice STI 1911. </div></div>
Yes it does, but it holds twice the rounds, will shoot any ammo, is more ergonomic, more reliable, and has more features.

See what I mean? I cant decide. </div></div>

Shoot any ammo my ass. My M&P has a pretty short chamber. It won't take 147 grain bullets any longer than about 1.130" max (SAAMI max for 9mm luger is 1.169").

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

going to a gun show tomorrow. Im no closer to making up my mind, hope I see something that helps me decide tomorrow.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: cpt. obvious</div><div class="ubbcode-body">going to a gun show tomorrow. Im no closer to making up my mind, hope I see something that helps me decide tomorrow. </div></div>

This sounds like the best plan. In reality, both are damn fine firearms; amongst the best. Seeing one that you just have to have will definitely leave you happy in the end. I would like to see a pic of what you end up with. Good luck!

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Good luck. Both are great guns. Buy both.

 

[427Cobra]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Buy the M&P, later as the funds become available build a 1911, in the end building will satisfy your sense of tinkering.

 

[callen3615]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

This really seems to be a 50/50 issue.

From all that ive read, and my limited experience with 1911s they are more accurate than most polymer pistols and can be just as reliable with the GI guide rod and properly sized reloads. The m&p is just the simple option, gas it up and go.

 

[aloreman]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

As long as you stick with round nose bullets any 1911 will have no reliability issues. The issues come from low velocity semi wadcutter loads and poor quality "gunsmithing".

 

[USAF1A8]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 427Cobra</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Buy the M&P, later as the funds become available build a 1911, in the end building will satisfy your sense of tinkering. </div></div>


Satisfy it... for a while... then you'll buy another and another then another

 

[BruceWayne]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Id go with the 1911 over the M &P

 

[Takashi]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

My vote goes to the M&P. Simple reason: if you get a 1911 as a tinkerer, you will spend so much money on it you'll never have the funds together for an M&P. And you will start eyeing those $2k-3k 1911s and you will end up getting them.

Especially with the money an engineer makes out of the gates.


Not to mention, your first 1911 can then be a high end STI/SVI or Wilson or what have you.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

Since you are planning on using this as a range toy I would go with the M&P in a 9mm, maybe even go with the M&P pro because it has a longer barrel. As for the 1911 I bought a Springfield Armory GI model and sent it off to Birdsong for their coating. While I waited for it to come back I bought a set of VZ grips.

I have never had a malfunction with my 1911. That being said I have never had a malfunction with my M&Ps, however I haven't had them as long as the 1911.

 

[gjantzer]

Re: 1911 vs m&p

If range shooting is your primary use and accuracy is a major concern for you, read this:
http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=97829
(link initially posted by mattj)

accuracy seems to be a major problem with some m&p 9mm pistols.....
if I purchased a new pistol and it was shooting 8" groups at 25 yards I'd have a hard time bringing it home with me!