Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pistols

One size fits all doesn’t work in the world of handguns, but one style that comes in full, compact and micro-compact versions comes really close to fitting the needs of every shooter. Smith and Wesson strived to meet that standard with their M&P9 series of semi-automatic pistols. These striker fired handguns come 9mm, they’re dependable and innovative.

The M&P9 is a popular choice for law enforcement and for military use around the world. Depending on the style, they can carry seven to 17 rounds in a flush magazine. Over a dozen barrel lengths, weights ranging from 20 ounces to almost three pounds and just about any finish you can imagine, including Robin’s Egg blue, lend to Smith and Wesson’s goal of meeting the needs of every pistol shooter in one well machined, well-engineered package.

You might miss on the range with this pistol, but you won’t miss out on the options you have in purchasing one that fits you exactly. Smith and Wesson gained fame from their revolvers, but they’ve scored a hit in the semi-automatic world as well. The M&P9 is solid, reliable, easy to use, easy to grip and accurate.

The first thing you’ll notice when you pick up any M&P9 is the grip. The rougher texture is designed to improve grip, thereby increasing control and accuracy. Whether you’re in wet or dry conditions, the stippled surface provides greater control. The trigger is crisp and the beavertail design aids in sighting, control and overall accuracy. The internal chassis is stainless steel extending almost the full length of the frame. This makes the frame more rigid and theoretically improves accuracy.

The grips are wider than most competitive models, and if you find them too big, you can keep the M&P9, just move from the standard, to the compact or down to the micro-compact. The magic is that all three sized M&P9 pistols perform identically, they’re just larger or smaller to accommodate you.

Magazines ranging from 17-rounds in the standard, to seven in the micro-compact, a dozen barrel lengths from 3.1 to 5-inches and over a dozen finishes, with custom color schemes designed to work in desert, jungle, urban and suburban settings make this a classic for almost any use.

The standard version is popular among law enforcement officers, federal agents and militaries around the world. In the longer barrel versions, it’s a competitive target pistol as well. With the wider grips it works well with shooters with larger hands, providing an advantage in accuracy.

The compact is small enough for concealed carry with larger people and is a good choice to mount in a holster next to your steering wheel in a car or truck. Its size and heft greatly reduce recoil making it a great handgun to take to the range for an afternoon of target shooting.

The micro-compact was designed for concealed carry. It fits in a pocket, purse or a variety of shoulder, belt or leg holsters and is nearly invisible. It retains the high rate of fire, lower recoil and accuracy of the larger versions.

• 2.0 – 17-round magazine, the heaviest model at 44.7-ounces, 4.25-inch barrel. A full-sized pistol.
• Shield – Micro-compact at just 6.1 inches overall and weighing 20.6-ounces. A 3.1-inch barrel, Hi-Viz fiber optic green front and red rear sights, and an 8-round magazine.
• Shield EZ – Satin aluminum Cerakote finish, available with purple orchid polymer frame, 8-round magazine, 23.2-ounce weight and an overall length of 6.8-inches with a 3.675-inch barrel.
• Shield Plus- A 10-round magazine in a micro-compact frame. 20.2-ounce empty, a 3.1-inch barrel and a length of 6.1-inches. Great concealed carry choice.
• Compact – Arguable the favorite compact in the line at 24-ounces, 7.25-inches overall with an ample 4-inch barrel and a 10-round magazine.
• Performance Center – Another popular concealed carry compact with 10-round magazine. Four-inch barrel, 7-inch overall length and weighing 21.8-ounces.