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Originally Posted by SimpleGreen

I posted this on a local gun forum, thought it would be cool here, too. I'm currently breaking down to one handgun for the time being and I was deciding which it would be. My Springfield EMP9 that I've had a while or my recently acquired S&W M&P9...

Anywho, as a followup on the previous thread...

I picked up a Smith & Wesson M&P 9MM (4.25") on Sunday. It was used in LIKE NEW condition with everything included like factory. Realized when I got home it was made circa Summer 2006 and doesn't have any of the M&P revisions aside from the black magazine followers and maybe the non fubar'd finish. My other handgun is a Springfield Armory EMP 9MM. It is #568 and so its also probably from sometime in '06. I've had it for about a year. My goal is to pick one and sell the other. I don't have a lot of interest in having more than one handgun right now as I prefer shooting rifles for enjoyment.

Note: I had a Smith & Wesson M&P 9MM Pro Series, SS Slide, 5" (bought new) but sold it. I wasn't crazy about the sights and it ended up being a little long for my liking.

I stopped by Precision Firearms in Baton Rouge this evening after work. This wasn't scientific. I'm no Bob Munden or Jerry Miculek. In fact, I probably suck. I use a thumbs forward grip and an 'I dont remember how to stand' stance :rofl: I bought one target for each gun. I decided to shoot for bullseye at 15 and head at 30.

Brought all the ammo I had on hand. Each gun ran mags loaded with either Speer Gold Dot +P, Federal HST +P, Remington UMC Target, or Winchester White Box.

This was the Springfield Armory EMP 9MM. I think I shot 5 mags at the head and 5 at the bullseye (8 rounds each).

The EMP of course being smaller is more work to control. The SA trigger makes accurate shots easier but twice I double tapped on accident. It's a comfortable gun but as my relatively short range session wore on it slowly became uncomfortable to shoot because of its smaller size (I have average hands, I'm 5'9"). It's really has some pop with +P (which actually it's not rated for I don't think). I had two malfunctions. Once the slide locked back with rounds left in the mag so I had to release the slide and keep going. The 2nd time I didn't seat the mag all the way and it dropped down far enough to not feed after the first shot. Typically the slide will lock back on a loaded back about once per outing. It fed the hollow point rounds fine. I did note that if I want to release the slide with the slide stop/release I can't reach it with my thumb very well. I have to hit it with my left hand.



This was the Smith & Wesson M&P 9MM. If I recall it was 4-6 mags at the head and 6 at the bullseye (17 rounds each).

The M&P being larger was more comfortable and was a pleasure to shoot through the entirety of my visit. The trigger is vastly different from my EMP of course and took some adjusting. It had no malfunctions of any sort with any ammo. I can reach the slide stop/release with ease using my shooting hand as well. I noticed however that I'm shoot consistently low and to the left. I'm pretty sure I did that with my last M&P as well. Perhaps a serious adjustment is needed on my part. My best friend shot my M&P as accurate as his Glock where I shot it low/low left so I'm confident it's my lackluster handgun skills.



In summary, I love my EMP's handsome looks/classic styling. I also enjoy the SA trigger. However I kind of feel like I am hurting myself by staying with the baby 1911. I think whether or not one may be more accurate than the other doesn't matter at this point. The M&P I feel is going to be accurate enough to make me happy, reliable enough to depend on, but more importantly the simpler manual of arms and 'service' size of it will be preferable while I pursue some more training and learn the fundamentals of handguns. I have had handguns for two and a half years now. A revolver, a fullsize 1911, the baby 1911, a sub compact XD, and a 5" polymer gun. It seems now I should settle on a service sized weapon, a tool, that I can learn with. All other things aside.

That was a long read!

IMO the EMP is a fine handgun, I personally love the way they look and believe they are good little pistols for concealed carry. As far as the malfunctions, I am not sure how many rounds you have put through it, but all 1911's and 1911 style handguns I have encountered love to be well broken in. The EMP, like most of the Springfield 1911's are built with very small tolerances, making for a nice tight pistol, this also means that regular cleaning is more of a necessity. I personally love the 1911 style pistols, but most of the well manufactured 1911's I have had tend to have a few malfunctions until I have put at least 1000 rounds through them, then they become a reliable firearm. I personally would not use a 1911 style pistol for self defense until I have done a 1000 round breakin on it, then verified that it has not malfunctioned after another 500 rounds. The verification must be done with quality ammo with a cleaning about every 50-100 rounds. I would not recommend the +P ammo even if the gun can handle it, guns are manufactured to use standard ammo and usually the springs inside are not designed to handle the recoil, causing jams and malfunctions, think of it as putting a big cam in a motor with stock valve springs.

On the flip side the S&W is a very dependable pistol, but not very concealable or asthetically pleasing. It will likely go bang every time you pull the trigger and will likely cycle whatever ammo you feed it, it also has a larger capacity and is easier to control. The S&W has never been my favorite, but I can't say anything bad about it as I believe it is a well built and reliable piece.

As far as shooting low-left, I have always seemed to shoot glocks and M&Ps low and to the left until I compensate, I don't really know why.

If your looking for something reliable for home or vehicle protection that is fun to shoot and you shoot a lot go with the M&P, if your looking for a nice looking gun that will fit well as a CCW go with the EMP. You also don't find EMPs as easy as you do the M&P.