My 16-year old is looking at getting into action matches. Which 9mm would be better - a Glock or a S&W M&P? I have an FEG Hi-Power clone that he can start with.

I've had both. S&W M&P is clearly superior in terms of ergonomics. Reliability is likely about even.

Ergonomics, let him have some input on which pistol best fits and best points. I've spent so many years shooting revolvers, 1911s, and Sigs, that everytime I pick up and point a Glock, it feels way odd with the barrel having a tendency to naturally point high. The M&P on the other hand, feels and points wonderfully. Flip side, I know several having tons of experience with the ergonomics of the Glock, and it fits them like a glove. You can shoot both of them straight thumbs, but for me, they have a different feel in the hand and a different ergonomic fit in how they naturally point.

I should know that! I think I'll take him to the local range and rent one of each so he can try them out.

How big of a boy is he?

What type of competition will he be shooting, as that could make a difference too.

He should make the decision himself not you. after getting a feel of each pistol available . like the XD , Glock 17 , M&P , Sig , ect!!

I'd also throw in the Ruger SR9. Great ergos.

Calif.Hunter,

Here's an idea you and your son may consider. If he likes the Hi Power consider a Charles Daly HP. A very good Browning clone out of the box. All it needs was the magazine trigger disconnect removed, if it isn't already done. They sell used online for $350-400. Best of luck shooting!

He's 16, 5 ft 10 and growing. Skinny but with long fingers - longer than mine and I'm 6 ft with average sized mitts. To start with, it would be informal time plus penalties "action" shooting - plate rack, pepper poppers (when fire conditions are okay for shooting metal) - other wise silhouette and a 3-gun stage. He already has his AR and a shotgun (1100 Tactical) to use. If he gets really into it, he may want to do more formal "steel challenge," etc type shoots.

I think letting him choose is the best route unless there are other considerations based upon match type..

Since your in California, and I'm assuming he will be limited to 10 round mags, I would really consider one of the Springfield Range Officers in 9mm.

But if he wants a Polymer Pistol for Compitition, I'd highly reccomend the Glock Longslide Competition Model, for �ber reliability!

Definately let him shoot several different models before you buy. See what fits his hand the best and points most naturally for him.

For me, nothing points better than a 1911. JMO, though. Good on you for getting him started in the Shooting Sports.

I missed the CA bit. I was gonna recommend against the less common pistols as you can't get mag extensions for them, but I guess that's a non-issue. If he's ever gonna get involved in USPSA, be sure that whatever he gets is on the approved list for Production Class as that's what he'd likely want to shoot in. http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-NROI-production-gunlist.php For Production you've gotta have a double action first trigger pull. Any of the common (M&P-Glock) 5" models would be a great choice.

A double stack 1911 puts you in USPSA Limited division, I'd skip that option.

A single stack 1911 could give you ten rounds, so that could be an option and you could shoot SS division in USPSA.

I'm not familiar with IDPA, so it might be worth checking out their rules too.

For 3Gun I'd recommend any of the plastic guns (Glock-M&P) in 9mm. Be careful with what mods you make, as they might put you in a more competitive class for pistol events.

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If he'll be starting with, and primarily shooting, outlaw type matches.....Buy whichever fits him best between a Glock and M&P and a pile of ammo.

Congrats on getting your son started. Mine aren't quite ready for the big leagues, but they were running airsoft stages in the backyard a few days ago. It's a great thing for them to get involved in.

He has a Kimber Classic II in .45 that he won (in my name, of course) at a FNRA dinner. He shoots it well, but slowly. I think he'd have more fun and have an easier start with a 9mm...he can move on to other options on his own if he gets into it. By the time he's out of high school or shortly thereafter, I hope to have us out of CA so the option of more than 10 rounds would still be a factor.

I would take him to an indoor range and let him shoot a few pistols, no one I know of ever picked up a glock and said wow this thing feels so good. the difference is I can hit with a glock with the very first rounds out of the mag better than any pistol I have shot. honestly just about all the guns feel better in the hand than a glock does, but I don't shoot them as well. for example I don't shoot an XD very well at all for some reason.

lots of great guns out there I would have him try the M&P, glock, XD although I don't like them personally they are a heavier glock copy with a worse trigger, thats right I said it. another great gun is the walther PPQ, awesome trigger and the best feeling polymer pistol I have put in my hand. if you don't mind weight a CZ 75 is really tuff to beat, everyone needs a CZ 75

He's mentioned the CZ-75. How is the trigger pull weight on those? They are a traditional SA/DA action aren't they? (I've never been fond of the change in trigger pull on those, like the Beretta/M-9.) I've also heard they have a long reach to the trigger, though they feel about as good as a Hi-Power.

We'll go the range and rent what they have available to see what he likes.

Being a 1911 fan, not necessarily a 9mm fan, that Springfield Armory Range Officer in 9mm, sounds like a fun pistol to have and use on targets.

Having had both, go with Glock...

Glock all the way

yep

You wont go wrong with either one, but I prefer the glock.

Have both both are good choices
Hank

There's a Springfield range officer 9mms in the classifieds right now.

The M&P will rust and the Glock will not. Ergonomics count for a lot. Let him try shooting both and see which one he prefers.

I carried an M&P for four years daily at work. Would not care to own one. I do own a Glock or two...magazines will be cheaper and easier to find for the Glock.

Flip coin.




Travis

The 5" M&P Pro 9mm is a sweet shooting handgun. Mine is extremely ergonomic, very accurate, light recoiling, 100% reliable to date with about 3K assorted rounds through it. Glocks work too, as do Springfield XD's.

I can't speak for the others mentioned but the CZ75 I have is more fun than a person should have.

I would go with the M&P, simply because that is what I have experience with, and it simply points better for me. I'm sure there is nothing wrong with the Glock as they have been around a long time, but just my choice.

I'm an XD guy, wish I had an XDm too, I like the ergos on the M&P and hate them on the glocks. I do not disparage any of them though as disparaging the glocks would be rather foolish. Glocks are simply quality weapons that don't feel good to me.

I have been issued, as well as personally owned both M&Ps and Glocks. I would take a Glock every single time. The sorry mushy triggers on a stock M&P just plain suck. They of course can be swapped out with parts to make them better, but I still prefer the Glock.

For just starting out in competition, I would choose a G17 or G34, both in 9mm. Then sign up for production class, which mandates 10 rounds in mag, and evens the playing field. You can shoot production with a minimal cash outlay.

Then if he decides he is really into it, he will likely have had enough opportunities to shoot other competitors guns, that he can make an informed decision, as to a full blown competition/race gun.

Personally, I am still shooting Glocks and single stack 1911s, 20 years later...

For most competitions, I use my P-14 but my favorite is a custom Commander put together by King's Gunworks back when they knew what they were doing in the 70's. S&W revolver rear sight, crisp trigger, tightly fitted bushing, etc. I won A-class in our club for several years running with it.

The only striker-fired handgun I have is a sub-compact XD-9.

Well, he didn't like either the Glock or the M&P. He liked my FEG Hi-Power clone and his Kimber 1911 in .45. He did shoot the M&P better than the Glock. The range didn't have a CZ-75 to rent, so maybe we'll try one of those out since it is close to the Hi-Power ergonomically. He did think he'd be faster on recovery, etc with the 9mm to start with, versus the .45.

Don't bet your next paycheck that the Glock won't rust.

They don't do the tenifer anymore.