MaddMax

I have 3 FS 9's (FS-FS L and FS Pro), a 9c, 9 Shield (along with the FS 45 and an M&P 22). All my 9's are stock, were and still are tackdrivers right out of the case. I have friends with 40's and can hold my own shooting with them easy at all/any range we're shooting.

As for accuracy it's more in the shooter than the handgun. ALL the M&P handguns will out shoot their owner. Some times just for kicks, we'll trade weapons to keep it more interesting too.

If you can find a range that rents or have friends that have both, try them yourself and see how they feel to you.

JeffWard

They are both excellent guns 99.9% of the time. Both are accurate.

If you plan on getting the C and the Shield down the road, I'd personally go all one caliber, 9, 9, and 9.

Others here will suggest you get the 40, with the option of a 9mm conversion barrel and a few 9mm mags, you'll have both 40 and 9mm.

The 9 is cheaper to shoot. I reload 40 and 9, so it's all the same to me!

JeffWard

stepheninaz

There is no accuracy issue with the 9mm. I don't know where this urban legend comes from.

jasonuscg

I used to think the same thing, but I was wrong.

Apex Tactical Specialties with Bar-Sto Precision Machine are working on a fix for the issue. Apex is also working on a replacement locking block. G&R Tactical has been fitting some oversize Storm Lake barrels as well. All this effort is specifically for the M&P9 due to early unlocking.

stepheninaz

Just my opinion, but after reading a ton of data on this "issue" and experience with my own early M&P9, I think this is a simple matter of shootability for certain shooters. Of course excluding 9mm's that had a genuine, diagnosed problem. Some guns just don't work well for some people.

My son's Ruger P94 is an example. I can't shoot that gun worth a shit, no matter what I do--it just doesn't work for me. The rare times that I can get acceptable groups out of it, it required way too much concentration to even bother with. My son shoots it just fine. If I owned it, knowing how well I can shoot, I'd be sending it off to Ruger--needlessly, it's a gun/shooter mismatch, nothing more. My buddy, a long time gun owner, Sig Fan could not shoot my Glocks without malfunction and poor accuracy. As soon as he hands it to me, it runs perfect and shoots great, just another example.

Having said that, I'm SURE a match grade barrel would improve things, but does that mean there's something wrong with the base platform to begin with? Most any gun in the right hands improves with a tight tolerance barrel. Has anyone done slow-motion camera analysis on the M&P9? Seems like that technology would tell a boatload about the timing of the gun.

As far as the "good groups at 15yds, then crap at 25yds" problem, this is clearly explainable. Lots of people shoot very well at 15, and fall apart at 25. I find 25yd shooting VERY difficult off-hand, mostly because of vision limitations. One easy way to test this is to simply place a target at 15yds, cutting the target backer out to reduce bullet disruption, then place a target at 25yds directly behind the 15yd target. This would remove shooter error at 25yds. My guess is that people who struggle at 25 would suddenly notice much better 25yd groups.

Again, just my opinions.

stepheninaz

There's another factor at work too, I believe. My own experience with Glock's (and I'm sure this is likely true across other polymer platforms) simply trying different trigger bar/connector combos in a gun could significantly improve (or hurt) a particular gun in terms of practical accuracy. I think this phenomena is present mostly in polymer framed guns, due to varying flex, and less than stellar fit n finish of sear/striker relationship on these mass produced (cookie cutter) guns; and, from a purpose of use stand point, that's to be expected. These are not target guns, they're self-defense guns built first and foremost for reliability and durability---and they're marketed/spec'd as such.

Keep in mind, I'm not a fan boy of anything--not even the dozens of Glocks I've owned thru the years. If I find that my new M&P9 performs poorly, I will let everyone know--but it certainly wasn't the case with my first M&P. I'll shoot any brand that works well for me. I was seconds away from a Walther PPQ, when I switched gears and went back to the M&P. Better the devil you know...

lastexit

The PPQ has one of the smoothest trigger pulls ive experienced in a factory striker fire but it has neutral weight distribution and i like my fs9 as it has some weight at the muzzle. As far as accuracy goes mine is plenty accurate if the shooter does his part.
Over 2000 rounds thru mine since new this spring and whether bulk ball, LE, civilian defense or hot handloads...115 thru 147 grs...this gun devours and expels everything ive fed it. Still shooting 124gr golden sabres handloaded to 1250fps for practice and DT 124gr +P @ ~ 1300fps for carry. Just a hair or two short of the 357 sig loadings.

Regarding cal choice the 40 is an excellent choice given the barrel switch options.
that said....for civilian defense carry the 9 with good jhp's does the job just fine provided you can shoot. If i was 6' & 200 lbs id probably go with a 40 and shoot 135gr at ~ 1400 fps. Obviously the 40 isnt going to impart any magical damage if you shots are poorly placed.