Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

I'm in the market for a new pistol, and these are the two that I've narrowed it down to. This isn't for home defense or concealed carry. I'm just looking for something fun to maybe do competition with.

24/7 :
-$350ish out the door on consignment at the local gun shop
-17 round magazines
-comes with 4 mags
-Not really a pro, but the grip is Coyote Tan, and who doesn't like Coyote Tan?
24/7 :
-not sure how available aftermarket parts are
-Taurus isn't as established as Smith & Wesson
-Holster options seem somewhat limited, but maybe I'm looking in the wrong places

M&P :
-17 round Mags
-tons of aftermarket stuff
-Serpa makes a holster for it, this would be good IMO for competition
-if my hand ever changes size, I can swap out the back straps,
M&P :
-About 100 bucks more than the 24/7 out the door
-only comes with 3 mags
-shorter barrel (4.25 vs 5.25) might affect accuracy at longer ranges? Unless the S&W is inherently more accurate.

So, I need your help gun enthusiasts. Does anyone have experience with one, or both of these? Let me know what you guys think!

In regard to the shorter barrel on the M&P - the M&P is offered in 5" in 9 and 40.
Personally though, when I shoot, the 4.25 or 5 question is not relevant - the problem is my skill level - the difference in 4.25" and 5" length doesn't matter.

I shoot the 5" M&P in IDPA. And from what I gather, the M&P share of IDPA is significant and growing more so. The same cannot be said for Taurus.

Lots of folks bash Taurus, but Taurus, IMO, makes a good firearm.
I think Comp-Tac makes an excellent IDPA approved holster for the 24/7.

But really - forget what I just typed, and get the one that fits your hand the best and that feels most comfortable to you - and forget about the 4.25vs 5, holsters, aftermarket, inherent accuracy, etc.

I shoot a 5" M&P 9mm Pro in USPSA Production Division. The M&P pistols continue to gain popularity in both IDPA and USPSA, but Glock still dominates. Only very rarely have I seen a Taurus used in action pistol competition.

Also, a caution on the SERPA Holster, some match directors prohibit its use. This has to do with the retention mechanism being operated with the trigger finger during the draw.

Blade Tech and Comp-Tac are two good holster choices for IDPA or USPSA Production Division.

Here is a listing of the pistols used during the 2010 IDPA National Match:

http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=290

Competition? Get the M&P. They make trigger upgrades for the M&P, which is something it sorely needs to beat the Glock 34/35 trigger. The Serpa holster isn't bad, I've used one for years in 3-gun. Every AD that has happened with the Serpa is due to operator error, EVERY SINGLE ONE!!! Stick with a holster, learn it, don't switch in the middle of a class/match and expect to be high speed/low drag. I run my Serpa on a thigh rig.

Yep, choose the one that fits your hand and feels good.

If they both feel good, go M&P and play the odds on quality and robustness.
My nephew and I have identical M&P 9c's, with between us maybe 10,000 rounds through them, sometimes 500 in a day without any cleaning, of all kinds of stuff in all kinds of weather. Not one problem of any kind.

If neither feels good, go find something else.

Regarding SERPA Holsters... I own one, but I'm not emotionally vested in it or any of my gun gear. Regardless of what one thinks about the SERPA Holster, it's being banned at more and more venues. Some may find the below link enlightening.

http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?s=9 ... 66&t=96534

I've always felt the Serpa retention gizmo was a solution looking for a problem. A quality holster has quite enough retention capability without widgets.
I like the comment in one of the posts:
"Your finger used to squeeze the trigger should be used for that and only that, when handling a pistol. Using the same finger to manipulate a release device on a holster is simply stupid. "

Got a chance to handle both and both feel good, the Taurus feels a little heavier though. I'm leaning a little further towards the M&P right now.

Thanks for the advice guys, and I'll look into other holster options also.

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I just got the M&P, and I love this thing. Thanks again guys!

Congratulations on a great choice. Hope to see you at some action pistol matches soon.

Made the right choice for sure.

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