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9mm or 40 S&W

3K views 17 replies 10 participants last post by  BennyRayRiddle 
#1 ·
I just took my concealed carry in Arkansas over the weekend. Sent my paperwork off yesterday. I'm looking at getting a full sized handgun and a smaller handgun for conceal carry when the full size is too large. I've shot several handguns and I'v decided on Smith & Wesson M&P. I've also went to a IDPA match and spectated and really want to shoot in some IDPA matches to practice some defensive situations. So.... With all that said, I'm thinking of getting a M&P 40 S&W and then getting a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel for the IDPA shooting, since that ammo is cheaper. That way I can practice with the same handgun. I do realize I'll have to purchase 9mm magazines. I do like the idea of having a 40 S&W for defense and the 9mm for IDPA and practice. My question to all of you is should I get the 40 S&W and spend the extra money on the barrel? Or should I just get the M&P 9 and be done with it? Also I haven't had a chance to fire a 40 S&W, so I'm not sure on what the recoil differences are in a full framed M&P are. What are your expert thoughts?
 
#2 ·
I'm thinking of getting a M&P 40 S&W and then getting a Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel for the IDPA shooting, since that ammo is cheaper. That way I can practice with the same handgun. I do realize I'll have to purchase 9mm magazines. I do like the idea of having a 40 S&W for defense and the 9mm for IDPA and practice.
Sounds good to me. And you already have your major/limited gun when you're ready to take your competition to the next level. gun,
 
#3 ·
Thanks KRWeiss. I've been reading around on the forums waiting on a reply to mine. I seen some posts that you were involved in talking about Apex triggers. What is your opinion on saving the money I would spend on a 9mm conversion barrel. Then buy a 9mm instead and get a Apex trigger kit? Better investment than a conversion barrel?
 
#4 ·
I did this same thing (bought a 40 and then SL 9 mm conversion). Bear in mind this setup is not IDPA legal when I read the rules some time ago.

However, this is how it worded now:

6. A barrel of another caliber that is not offered in the original factory model.

So it may or may not be legal.

Your local match will not probably care. Larger sanctioned matches may.

I would find out for sure before you get to high level matches.
 
#5 · (Edited)
+1

My extensive and wordy response, which disappeared when my phone went into sleep mode, said essentially the same thing. I used my M&P40, with either a Storm Lake or KKM conversion barrel, as my SSP firearm for several years. By the time I started going to regional competitions, I was shooting predominately Limited class.

Edit: Saved it, then corrected, so I wouldn't lose it... again.
 
#6 ·
I know that this is "slightly Off Topic, but -- LE is transitioning back to 9mm (at least in my part of this planet), the FBI just switched this year, NYPD has been using 9mm effectively since 1986...and my own LE Agency is giving us that option too.

I switched from a .40S&W to 9mm 24/7 two years ago. The bullet development has really helped the 9mm become more effective--in the end it's all about placement...and .40S&W will punish a auto more than the 9mm...just my lousy back-east cranky opinion...YMMV... :yes
 
#8 ·
The bullet development has really helped the 9mm become more effective...
Bullet development doesn't occur in a vaccum. All those developments do just as much, more in many cases, for larger duty calibers.

40S&W will punish a auto more than the 9mm...:yes
The M&P was designed as a 40S&W, which had to be "dumbed down" so to speak, to become a 9mm. One of my M&P40s has sent well over 100,000 rounds downrange and shows no sign of the additional punishment that 9mm fanbois keep trotting out. Jeff Ward also shoots tens of thousand through his M&P40, and I've never heard him complain about such "punishment" either. I do change the recoil and striker assemblies about every 20,000 rounds, which is 1/4 to 1/2 as often as S&W recomends for their armorers (5,000 & 10,000), but since S&W sends them out for free it doesn't cost me squat.

At what point should I expect to start seeing this additional punishment, and do you really think the average shooter is likely to shoot enough rounds to make it there?
 
#7 ·
I just got an M&P 40 last week, and my SL 40-9 barrel is due to be delivered today.

I did get to shoot it yesterday using winchester 180 gr bonded hp (Q4369) and was amazed at how the 40 handles the recoil. That particular load is supposed to be a full powered SD load; it felt like I was shooting standard or slightly warm 9mm loads.

I also got to swapped the 40 barrel with my FS 9mm and ran 3 mags through. Only shot out to 10 yds, and I was using some pretty weak reloads, but no issue at all, and the gun felt like what I imagine a .22 feels like (never shot a .22 before) .

In short, i think your bes bet would be to get the .40 and the storm lake barrel. As far as Apex mods, i'd hold off until you shot the gun, each m&p trigger is different and some come out of the box pretty good. If it's a newer production gun, I'd just get the Apex USB; I like a combo of the pro sear and apex striker block for a very good 5 lb pull.
 
#11 ·
Always get the .40 and a SL 9mm conversion barrel then you will have both.

Oh, and man up and shoot the 40 for competition, its what I run in USPSA, even though all production matches are scored at minor, I am more than eager to run my daily carry in match too... whats the sense of shooting competition if its not with a real gun anyway? I thought that was the "idea" of IDPA too...

EB
 
#18 ·
Just get the M&P9 and be done with it.


The conversion barrel, a full set of extra magazines, and having to stock two calibers are money and resources more profitably spent on training and ammo.

The only advantages I can think of for your plan are being able to shoot USPSA limited major instead of minor, a slight increase in wounding potential in a self-defense situation, and the ability to use two types of ammo during a severe shortage. The slight increase in wounding potential is counteracted by increased recoil and decreased magazine capacity. This is especially apparent for small handguns and a shooter that is sick, winded, wounded, firing one-hand only, weak-hand only, from an awkward or unstable position, and/or is less skilled because they misspent their resources.


If you intend to shoot limited major then get an M&P40 and shoot 40 otherwise get an M&P9 and if you get into USPSA shoot production or limited minor. (I've been shooting limited 10 minor with my M&P9 Shield for the last few matches.)
 
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