M9 or M&P9

adams77331 · #1 06-28-07, 20:09

I need to buy a 9mm for possible military carry (State Guard). Pistol qualification is only offered for the 9mm, using military ammo, so other calibers are not an option. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the Beretta M9 or S&W M&P9.

Any opinions? I may be using this pistol to compete with our marksmanship team. I don't know what the competition format is yet.

Thanks.

dialM4murder · #2 06-28-07, 20:32

I love my M&P 9. One of the lightest recoiling 9mms on the market period. Combat accurate, and a custom fit is assured with the 3 interchangeable back straps. David bowie and Dan Burwell both do amazing custom work with the M&P. Its also lighter and has a higher capacity then the M9.

adams77331 · #3 06-28-07, 20:38

Good comment. Are there military style holsters available for the M&P9. For some reason the current rules for 9mm qualification requires a holster, just not a drop-leg style. (Is a drop leg holster more scary than not? Sounds like the "scary-looking" gun ban.)

dialM4murder · #4 06-28-07, 20:42

A good number of holsters are now available for the M&P.

http://www.mp-store.com/index.php?cP...bcb747d3981fdf

http://www.mp-store.com/index.php?cP...bcb747d3981fdf

adams77331 · #5 06-28-07, 20:55

Since you've been kind enough to answer this thread, may I break the thread subject for a minute? (I have another post in the competition section).

What is your take on the pros and cons on going with the Colt LE 6920 for the same competition?

dialM4murder · #6 06-28-07, 21:22

That I couldn't answer as Im not a Colt aficionado. A lil too rich for my blood.

**VA_Dinger** · #7 06-28-07, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by adams77331

I need to buy a 9mm for possible military carry (State Guard). Pistol qualification is only offered for the 9mm, using military ammo, so other calibers are not an option. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the Beretta M9 or S&W M&P9.

Any opinions? I may be using this pistol to compete with our marksmanship team. I don't know what the competition format is yet.

Thanks.

Your "State Guard" gives you an option to carry your own personal weapon? If so, go with the SW M&P. It is hands down superior.

If you’re going to be issued an M9 and just want something of your own to shoot buy yourself an M9. Weapons familiarization is very important.

adams77331 · #8 06-29-07, 08:10

They are leaning that direction for Mexican border deployment. QRT members carry their own sidearms. It is conceivable that we may one day/year be issued M9s and M4s, just not anytime in the near future. I will probably purchase and M&P9 first, then a M9.

Striker5 · #9 06-29-07, 09:01

Sounds like a plan. I bought a Beretta some years ago to train with and practice for pistol qual, etc. It was pretty much a business decision and I was surprised at how happy I was when I opened the box and realized just how darn nice a new Beretta is!

You can't go wrong either way. I would go w/ the M&P9. Congratulations on having a choice.

R1pper · #10 06-29-07, 15:56

I have yet to shoot the M&P 9 but my department went from the SW99 (JUNK!!!!) to the M&P 40. What a difference, I keyholed the first two rounds I fired never did that once with my 99. The M&P will be a lot lighter too, that makes a big difference when carrying it all day long and into over time

**KevinB** · #11 06-29-07, 17:09

State Guard is not the same as the NG.

I'd go with the M&P, I find the M9 a dog, who's adoption was a blight on the .mil. FWIW in a 9mm my preference for duty carry is still the Glock19.

Can't go wrong with the LE6920 either.

ShipWreck · #12 06-30-07, 01:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Manley

I have yet to shoot the M&P 9 but my department went from the SW99 (JUNK!!!!) to the M&P 40. What a difference, I keyholed the first two rounds I fired never did that once with my 99. The M&P will be a lot lighter too, that makes a big difference when carrying it all day long and into over time

Sorry, I disagree - I have a SW99. It is a clone of the P99 A/S - and while I slightly prefer my P99 to my SW99, it really is essentially the same gun.

I pad $439 for my SW99 when they were discontinued in 2005 - I shot it better than a $1200 1911. It was actually irritating. Now that I have a real Walther, I shoot that even better.

NCPatrolAR · #13 06-30-07, 04:01

To the OP, I'd go with the M&P. It has better ergonomics, haas adjustable backstraps, etc

In regard to the SW99, it is a POS. I carry one daily only because I'm forced to.

Pat_Rogers · #14 06-30-07, 08:05

Adams- apparently you are in the TX State Guard, 5th Air Wing (if we assume from your avatar).

My understanding is that the state guard is a non DoD organization with little or no standards (according to the w/s) that is to back fill for the NG when they are deployed.
I say this only because on LF forums a member of the TX Guard attempted to pass himself of as a real guy, and the resulting investigation brought this org out to a number of people. (FYIW, he was from Austin).

In what case then would you deploy to the frontier? Right now there are multiple NG units on Jump Street. has the charter been amended to include supporting the NG when they are still in the state.
I'm confused here...

Back to you original question- as long as there are no standards other then 9x19, and the odds of you carrying "on duty" are slim, get something useful for yourself in your real world and get the M&P. It is clearly superior in all respects to the M9.

ShipWreck · #15 06-30-07, 14:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCPatrolAR

To the OP, I'd go with the M&P. It has better ergonomics, haas adjustable backstraps, etc

In regard to the SW99, it is a POS. I carry one daily only because I'm forced to.

To each is own. Like I said, I prefer the original version - the Walther P99 - It is my all time fav gun - and, I've gotten 15 people to buy one since last Nov. I prefer it to a 1911, personally. I shoot it in SA just as well.

Greg Bell · #16 06-30-07, 15:39

I agree, the Walther P99 is an excellent firearm. Frankly, the M&P owes a lot of its design to it. The Walther was certainly the most influential design of the 90s--despite which fact it never reached any real success for itself. Thanks to Walther, most modern service weapons have MUCH better ergonomics, and generally more thoughtful layouts.

davemcdonald · #17 06-30-07, 16:10

I wouldn’t advise packing any heat in the state of Texas without credentials or a concealed carry license. The TSG is a volunteer support group. They are not Peace Officers nor are they an actual military unit. If your volunteer unit orders you to buy weapons in order to arm yourself during a deployment, you should get something in writing articulating your authority to carry and your use of force. That may save your bacon from getting arrested and allow you a tax break. You may also want to take a look at your choice of hobbies as this is not 1836 and providing your own rifle and horse is a bit out-dated.

Other than that, if you are just wanting a pistol and a good AR, then the S&W M&P 9 and Colt 6920 are good choices in my opinion.

Texas State Guard
Our Volunteers, similar to not for profit organizations, receive no compensation for their time, simply, the satisfaction from helping others in need. Hence, our motto; “Texans Serving Texas”

We have Texas State Guard components throughout the State of Texas that provide the following services in times of emergency;

•Shelter Management
•Shelter Control
•Shelter Operations
•Medical Services (Doctors Nurses, Paramedics)
•Assists local authorities in mass feedings
•Volunteer Coordination
•Legal Support (Attorney’s and Paralegals)
•Communications
•Chaplain Services

Dave

adams77331 · #18 07-01-07, 09:26

Dave, Pat & Kevin,

I never indicated that I was going to be armed when on State Active Duty and I should not have made any reference to any border operations. I currently am not authorized to bear a weapon of any kind, that doesn't mean that others are not. Current policy doesn't equal forever policy and it doesn't hurt to be prepared/skilled. If there was zero chance of the state guard ever bearing arms, then there would be no need for weapons qualifications, as is offered at AT. My OP stating "possible military carry" was only to make sure that I don't purchase any pistol that would not be suitable for military carry. I can't afford to purchase many of these weapons. The comment about my "choice of hobbies as this is not 1836 and providing your own rifle and horse is a bit out-dated" was funny.

I won't get into an arguement here about the Texas State Guard, but we are not merely a volunteer support group and we are an actual military unit, one of the three branches of the Texas Military Forces, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and the Texas State Guard, all under the command of the TAG. http://www.agd.state.tx.us/

I think you automatically mischaracterized all of my statements as I have not been ordered to purchase or carry any firearm. Let me make it clear that no one in my unit would carry any type of firearm unless specifically authorized. I'd be happy to discuss anything with anyone concerning this subject offline.

Pat_Rogers · #19 07-01-07, 09:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by adams77331

I need to buy a 9mm for possible military carry (State Guard). Pistol qualification is only offered for the 9mm, using military ammo, so other calibers are not an option. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the Beretta M9 or S&W M&P9.
I may be using this pistol to compete with our marksmanship team.

Thanks.

Adams- When i saw your original post (quoted above) you stated that you wanted to buy it for possible military carry.

What did you mean then> What you said in your first post or last?
Can you eleaborate on who in the State Guard is authorized to carry weapons?

Your OP actually didn't concern marksmanship competition, and it appeared that it was an afterthought.

Perhaps my confusion is when you refer to military the unstated inference is real military- such as United Stated Army; United States Marine Corps et al, and not a State support organization.

Don't misconstrue. I am glad that people volunteer to assist the community. Like many, i have issues with some people/ organizations that appear similar to, but do not meet the standards of, those groups they mimic.
Groups like the Civil Air Patrol and USCG Auxillaries, certain SAR and others provide unique skill sets to assist local and other agencies in helping their communities.
Good luck with your endeavors!

**Army Chief** · #20 07-01-07, 10:31

Essentially, taking nothing away from the Texas State Guard, I guess the moral of the story is what we're really talking about here is a private citizen, seeking to make a private purchase of a privately-owned weapon for private purposes, since the State Guard has neither the charter nor the authority to specify that any of its functionaries employ a firearm in the performance of their (voluntary) duties.

Again, I'm not belittling the State Guard at all; I just think that membership in this organization appears to be largely irrelevant to the original question. Were we talking about a National Guardsman (ARNG, ANG), I might actually recommend the M9 for commonality of parts/training/manual of arms/familiarity, but in this situation, the M&P9 is an easy choice.

Chief