HELP! New gun purchase - M&P 40 vs. PX4 40

[fisher_of_man]

UPDATE:
well....I did it today...finally pulled the trigger and made it happen. went to all the local gun stores....held both the M&P .40 and the PX4 Storm .40 in each one of them. Talked to the guys at each place and was sadly surprised that none of them would come off thier sticker price at all. Saw that Bud's had it online for $475...but really wanted it today...so I could head to the range and enjoy what I've finally decided to go with. And apparently none of our local gun shops are into doing transfers...so I either had to deal with one of the "shady" pawn shops on the "bad side of town", or suck it up and pay a little more. Ended up at my local academy where they were $30 cheaper on the gun ($529) and about $10/box on ammo than any of the local guys were...and actually acted like they wanted my business. Would love to support the local "little" guys...but was pretty shocked at thier whole attitude about it all. I realize one gun isn't going to make or break the deal for them...but they'd of probably gotten a repeat customer for futre purchases as well as my praise of them to my friends.

The guy at Academy was so helpful (also a surprise) and knowledgeable about both guns and made it an easy process. After I finally made up my mind on the M&P, everything moved along quickly and easily. Picked up 200 rounds of WWB. Went home and gave it a good cleaning and headed to the range.

I have to say....I am very pleased....I think I made the right choice. The gun ate the WWB flawlessly. Felt good in the hand, good recoil, good groupings, overall smooth performance...even had the Glock guy next to me coming over to check it all out. Took my buddy with me that hadn't shot any (or very limited) handgun and he enjoyed shooting it too and got pretty good groupings after a mag or two. The worst part of the whole deal......200 rounds doesn't last long with the high capacity mags. I couldn't believe how fast we blew through them...and then...the fun was over.

I completely enjoyed shooting this gun and was impressed with everything about it. So...if you happen to be looking at an M&P...I get it...you'll love it. And...S&W has there new holiday gun special on where if you buy one between Oct 1st and Dec 31st, you can get a rebate of 2 free mags or $50. Of course I'm going to opt for the mags.

just ordered some Federal LE HST 165 gr from ammunition to go tonight too...all in all, it's been a great day....other than all the money that left my bank account! I see how this could get real expensive, real quick!

thanks for all your help in helping me find my first handgun...the M&P!
FOM

[CompVest]

Excellent choice but I could be prejudice!

[Nintao]

Enjoy it I know I enjoy mine!

[agbullet2k1]

Beretta forgives you....

j/k congrats on the new addition.

[fisher_of_man]

Beretta forgives you....

j/k congrats on the new addition.

you wouldn't believe the fight that raged within me....back and forth and back and forth I held both for a LONG time before finally deciding on the M&P. You can bet I'll keep my eye on the PX4 storm though ...I think it's a great gun, great platform...and would be a great addition to the family...maybe someday!

[Nintao]

Well my brother (Wildscar on forum) gives me hell for having my M&P40 because he shoots a 92FS... he is a better/faster shot than me (except at one IDPA match that will live on forever in my mind haha). But overall he is glad that I finally got SOMETHING. And besides, untill I can come closer and more consistent to shooting what he does... I can grab the AK47 with the scope :p.

It is all in good fun I am sure!

[CompVest]

Well my brother (Wildscar on forum) gives me heck for having my M&P40 because he shoots a 92FS... he is a better/faster shot than me (except at one IDPA match that will live on forever in my mind haha). But overall he is glad that I finally got SOMETHING. And besides, untill I can come closer and more consistent to shooting what he does... I can grab the AK47 with the scope :p.

It is all in good fun I am sure!

Good plan. Clint Smith says that a handgun is there so you can fight your way to something bigger/longer!

[fisher_of_man]

thanks guys for all the advice and input thus far. a couple of weeks ago before I bought my new M&P, my bro-in-law was with me when we went to academy to get some shells for dove hunting....(we hang out together often - same age (+ or - few years), interests, ideas, etc) and got to looking at handguns while we were there. and evetually got into the discussion on CCW. come to find out, he'd been wanting to get his too...so, after some checking around with local instructors, we are going to be taking the class together in the next couple of weeks. I glad we were able to talk about this and find out that each of us was interseted in that...since then, we've had some pretty cool discussions about it all...and about what we could arm our wives with because neither of us felt that they'd want a gun or would be ok with carrying one...much less having to use one.

It's been great to have someone that you know and trust and can talk to about the whole deal and even discuss carrying methods with. besides, I think it'll make taking the class and range time more enjoyable for both of us. I've sent him the link to this website too...so maybe we'll have a new member soon

[Furyataurus]

Hope you get a good instructor!!!! Not someone who'll put you to sleep! I had a good instructor that kept things interesting.

[fisher_of_man]

Hope you get a good instructor!!!! Not someone who'll put you to sleep! I had a good instructor that kept things interesting.

me tooooo! I am really looking forward to the class, so I hope that whoever it is does a good job and is interested in being there too.

[Nintao]

What helped when I took the class was the fact that the instructor had everything that was needed on site. He had the packets to send into DPS, did finger printing there, etc. so all I had to do was bring hte photos to class and fill out the packet (which he helped with). That made things a whole lot less painfull. Of course the $50 price tag made the deal Wonderful!