Range Report: Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm

Range Report: Smith & Wesson M&P Compact 9mm

We recently picked up a Smith&Wesson M&P 9mm compact for my wife. She likes how it fits her hands with the small backstrap. And, I like that I can try out and M&P for a personal carry option (though, I will probably go for the M&P compact 45). It comes with three different sized backstraps, two magazines, and no magazine disconnect. The reason I like the lack of a magazine disconnect is that it is one less thing that can malfunction. Like a Glock, its safety is the trigger. But, since the best safety mechanism for firearms is between your ears, I don’t have problem with this.

The one thing that I find disconcerting with the pistol is the grip angle. Since I am life-long 1911 shooter, the pistol does not point naturally for me. I really wish Smith&Wesson had matched the grip angle on the 1911.

We went through about 200-250 rounds of 9mm through the pistol. The brands of ammunition it liked were:

• Black Hills
• Lawman
• Federal American Eagle

The other brands we tried that it did not like were:

• Silver Bear
• Winchester White Box

Compared to my Star BM, I found the recoil to be a little snappier. I also liked how easily it is to take down for cleaning. The only tool needed for disassembly is the pin that holds the backstrap in place.