Considering a caliber change, maybe even a platform change (from M&P Pro9)

[xanderzuk]

So I currently have a Smith & Wesson M&P Pro 5" 9mm as my go to, do all pistol. However, recently I've been considering a caliber change to .40 or .45, and possibly even a platform change (I will address reasons why below). I'd love to hear your suggestions and opinions.

First, let me start with what I like about the M&P Pro 5" 9mm:

-Extremely ergonomic, fits my hand like a glove, great point-ability.
-Extremely accurate
-Great trigger (the best of the plastic fantastic that I've felt)
-Great sights and sight radius
-High reliability
-High quality
-Cheap(er) ammunition

Cons for M&P Pro 5" 9mm:

-Relatively expensive magazines

-Poor after market support on holsters. I can't seem to find an off the rack holster that covers the entire slide (doesn't leave muzzle protruding), or one that is ready for a weapon light

-**Hypothetically** not as much power as alternative calibers

-Difficult to detail strip, extractor pin is installed with 67 trillion ton press, and you have to remove the rear sight to remove and clean the firing pin safety plunger (I would love to meet the person that came up with this)

Ok, so my reasons for considering a caliber change:

-Again, this is my do all pistol: self defense, IDPA and other matches, side arm while hog hunting.

-Self defense: I really don't want to start a pissing match, I just don't think .40 or .45 is going to limit defensive capability

-Matches: There have been times with the 9mm that I've made solid hits on steel, and had to follow up to knock it over

-Hogs: If for some reason my primary goes down, or I want to dispatch an immobilized hog, it'd be nice to have a little extra power. Likewise, most of our hunting is at night, I'd like to have a holster that has a weapon light capability

I briefly thought about going to a Glock, as their after market support is huge, they're easy to detail strip, and available in alternative calibers. The downside for me is, not as ergonomic, and recent late Gen 3&4 issue's make me nervous.

I'm also considering going to the standard 4.25" M&P line as they seem to have more after market support with holsters etc., maybe there's something else entirely you think I should consider. Perhaps you also think I should quit bitching, either way let me know!

SOOO sorry for the long post, please let me know what you think!

[DocGKR]

"First, let me start with what I like about the M&P Pro 5" 9mm:

-Extremely ergonomic, fits my hand like a glove, great point-ability.
-Extremely accurate
-Great trigger (the best of the plastic fantastic that I've felt)
-Great sights and sight radius
-High reliability
-High quality
-Cheap(er) ammunition"

Sounds like the perfect pistol nirvana; why on earth would you want to go away from all those positive features????

"-Relatively expensive magazines

-Poor after market support on holsters. I can't seem to find an off the rack holster that covers the entire slide (doesn't leave muzzle protruding), or one that is ready for a weapon light

-**Hypothetically** not as much power as alternative calibers

-Difficult to detail strip, extractor pin is installed with 67 trillion ton press, and you have to remove the rear sight to remove and clean the firing pin safety plunger (I would love to meet the person that came up with this)"

How many magazines do you need? I got 12 for my M&P45 and found that was more than adequate--even found a good sale price for them.

Get a custom holster--no big deal.

I am an M&P armorer and find them not much harder to work on than Glocks--certainly far easier than Beretta, HK, Sig, etc...

If you have to move them, the sights are easy enough to move and simple to put back in place if you use a good witness mark. Of course, how often do you need to do that? I can't say I clean the firing pin safety plunger too often--maybe every 20,000 rounds or so. The new pistols use a much easier extractor pin--you can send it back to S&W and they can replace your current pressed in pin with a roll-pin or send it to Apex for one of their outstanding extractors--of course, how often do you actually need to replace the extractor? I have yet to change one on an M&P.

It sounds like you should consider a M&P9fs or M&P9c to augment your current pistol.

[goodoleboy]

If you are dead-set to change from a 9mm to something with a little more umph, I would go with a .40 cal. If you go with the .45, you are going to have considerable sacrifice in the mag capacity with only maginally more power than the .40 (50 fps or so with identical bullet weights).

Realistically, the .40 is not a huge leap from 9mm+P or +P+ loads, and 9mm is damn cheap compared to .40. But, if you are set on an upgrade, I wouldn't consider anything other than a .40. You could get a 10mm, but the ammo prices are unbelievable, same with .357 sig. Always remember this, no defensive handgun cartridge is a "man stopper." You are going to have to have quick follow-up capabilities for any defensive handgun round.

As far as a platform change, I would consider a Glock, lots of holster options, even with lights.

[xanderzuk]

How many magazines do you need? I got 12 for my M&P45 and found that was more than adequate--even found a good sale price for them.

I currently only have the two that came with it from the factory, $40 x 10 = $400, getting close to the cost of another gun (of course I find most magazines to be overpriced to begin with).

Get a custom holster--no big deal.

Point taken, who do you recommend?

If you have to move them, the sights are easy enough to move and simple to put back in place if you use a good witness mark.

Good idea, I honestly didn't think of that. I admit I have no experience installing or removing pistol sights, what tools will I need (I wonder how much more this will set me back...)

Of course, how often do you need to do that?

I'm a clean freak, I'm sorry. I've been trying to become dirtier, but one could have worse habits I suppose..

how often do you actually need to replace the extractor? I have yet to change one on an M&P.

I don't want to replace it, I JUST WANT TO CLEAN!! IT'S SO DIRTY IN THERE!!

[xanderzuk]

If you are dead-set to change from a 9mm to something with a little more umph, I would go with a .40 cal. If you go with the .45, you are going to have considerable sacrifice in the mag capacity with only maginally more power than the .40 (50 fps or so with identical bullet weights).

I think this is an excellent point. In the event that I did make a caliber change, I was leaning towards .40 to begin with, simply because of capacity.

Realistically, the .40 is not a huge leap from 9mm+P or +P+ loads, and 9mm is damn cheap compared to .40.

Is it completely safe to cycle these through my current platform? If so at what frequency, and how should I change my maintenance, if at all?

[KhanRad]

The road to contentment is filled with blood, tears, and lost fortunes.

[czydj]

Unless you stay in 9mm, the cost difference in .40 or .45 cal practice ammo will add up quick. IMHO, it's much cheaper to buy a few more mags, even if you do it one or two at a time. Much less painful that way!

[1_click_off]

I recommend a Raven.

I carry a P30 9mm with a TLR-2s daily with it. You can wear it IWB or OWB pending attachment options you get.

Be prepared to wait if you order it....... Mine was a 6 month wait.

Good thing is they update the order list weekly on this site so you can track it.

If you go Glock 40, you might be able to get away with a 9mm barrel/mag and shoot your current stock of 9mm through it. I have been told the extractor will still eject the 9mm casings when doing this, but I would research it more.

[G-lock]

Mags:

44mag.com
Botach(I know)
www.gregcotellc.com
GRTactical

Can be had for 25 or so...

Holsters:
Raven, NTAC and various other will build what you want/need but prepared to wait.

Site tool:
Brownells
Midway
Speed Shooters Specialities(sic)
About 120 or so.

Clean it you say, lube it and keep shooting...

+P's are fine, +P+ I'd limit.

No need to upgrade, but if you want to give it away, I'll send my FFL info(J/K)....

[Leonidas77]

The only suggestion I have is to change the caliber.

People will argue endlessly about how gelatin tests prove 9mm is just as or nearly as effective as .45. But the cold hard truth is that a .45 will always make a bigger hole.

I too have shot steel with a 9mm and been disappointed when the steel would not fall. I changed caliber and never had the problem again.