M&P 3.6 vs 4 for EDC?

[GmanVP9]

I do not live close to a range to try either. But, upon doing some research, it seems that the 4" is close to a G19 and the 3.6" is closer in size to a G26? Just curious for the M&P guys what did you choose and why? I normally carry 3o'clock and I live in a state with a 10rd magazine capacity, just looking for a new EDC Im worried that the 4" might be too much in the summer months.

[psalms144.1]

The 3.6 upper is a "G26" length slide on a "G19" slide frame. The nominal "G26" equivalent is the M&P SUBCompact, not the Compact 3.6

Not sure why that posted before I was done typing, but, the Subcompact does not come cut for RDS, whereas the Compacts do.

I owned, briefly, a 2.0 4", with the newest uberest trigger. I found it to be distinctly uninspiring. It was reliable, and G19-sized, but accuracy was iffy at best, especially compared to a Gen5 G19. It did have a useable manual safety, which was a plus, but it's inability to group worth a poop at 25 yards (in my hands and the hands of three other well-accomplished pistol shooters) made it a "pass" for me.

It's a shame, I really hoped it would be my "Glock Killa." Trigger was much nicer than the Glock, and the grip angle was mo' bettah for my hands, but, again, accuracy is sort of a requirement for me.

[G19Fan]

I do not live close to a range to try either. But, upon doing some research, it seems that the 4" is close to a G19 and the 3.6" is closer in size to a G26? Just curious for the M&P guys what did you choose and why? I normally carry 3o'clock and I live in a state with a 10rd magazine capacity, just looking for a new EDC Im worried that the 4" might be too much in the summer months.

Is a p365.too small?

[psalms144.1]

Another vote for the P365 or P365XL. The P365 obviously has a native 10-round magazine, and the XL neutered 10-rounders work flawlessly for me when I'm traveling to capacity restricted states.

[maximus83]

The 3.6 upper is a "G26" length slide on a "G19" slide frame. The nominal "G26" equivalent is the M&P SUBCompact, not the Compact 3.6

Not sure why that posted before I was done typing, but, the Subcompact does not come cut for RDS, whereas the Compacts do.

I owned, briefly, a 2.0 4", with the newest uberest trigger. I found it to be distinctly uninspiring. It was reliable, and G19-sized, but accuracy was iffy at best, especially compared to a Gen5 G19. It did have a useable manual safety, which was a plus, but it's inability to group worth a poop at 25 yards (in my hands and the hands of three other well-accomplished pistol shooters) made it a "pass" for me.

It's a shame, I really hoped it would be my "Glock Killa." Trigger was much nicer than the Glock, and the grip angle was mo' bettah for my hands, but, again, accuracy is sort of a requirement for me.

Maybe you forgot to add your $200 aftermarket barrel?

^This has been my experience with all M&P's I've owned, including the M&P M2.0 4" compact. Roughly equivalent to my G19 Gen 5's and G47 out to about 15y. Beyond that, the stock M&P's always open up, even the M2.0's although they are improved over Gen 1.

[gc70]

I do not live close to a range to try either. But, upon doing some research, it seems that the 4" is close to a G19 and the 3.6" is closer in size to a G26? Just curious for the M&P guys what did you choose and why? I normally carry 3o'clock and I live in a state with a 10rd magazine capacity, just looking for a new EDC Im worried that the 4" might be too much in the summer months.

Most people would probably notice the 4" model is 4 ounces heavier before they would notice it is 0.45" longer. I chose the 3.6" because -for me- it had slightly better balance. I was also accustomed to the balance of the 3.6" because I previously had a 9c (now called the M2.0 3.6 Subcompact) which had the same weight, length, and height (using finger-rest magazines). The M2.0 3.6" was an easy choice for me because it's height with a 15-round magazine was only 0.02" more than the 9c/Subcompact with a 12-round finger-rest magazine.

Since you live in a capacity-limited state, the Subcompact may make more sense because you can use 10-round magazines with flat floorplates to reduce overall height by about 3/4" compared to the Compacts designed for 15-round mags and neutered to 10.

122760

[GmanVP9]

I did not expect the dislike for the M&P from a few people. I guess I really should take a trip out to the range despite the distance.

[Tannhauser]

Here's a great thread to read about M&P pistols:

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?53728-I-m-gonna-make-my-own-Stack-A-Toe-but-better-with-blackjack-And-hookers

Personally, I have 6 M&P 2.0 pistols. All of them are reliable and accurate. The platform works very well for me.

[Beat Trash]

I did not expect the dislike for the M&P from a few people. I guess I really should take a trip out to the range despite the distance.

I would strongly recommend going to a local range where you can at least handle both the 3.6” and 4” compacts. Being able to rent and shoot both would be even better. But they might have both versions available to rent.They feel a bit different in the hand. The difference between the two boils down to personal preference.

While I also prefer the Glock 19, Gen 5, I own a 4” M&P 2.0 Compact. Only because the 3.6” version wasn’t a thing when I bought the 4” gun.

[idahojess]

I like M&P's, but I've found that Smith doesn't really have great availability for 10 round compliant guns, unless they have a 10 pound Mass. trigger or California features. (I live in Washington).

For some reason they won't stick a 10 round magazine in a "normal" M&P and have it available. There is an SKU for 10 round normal versions, but it really seems hard to find, and is often much more expensive than the average M&P.

Might be worth researching how easy it is to get the version you want in your state. A 10-round Gen 3 glock or Sig 365 might be easier to get and buy backups for.

FWIW, the used 3.6 2.0 compact model (that I purchased sans magazines), fits very nicely into a Shield Arms fanny pack in a vertical orientation, which is pretty cool. I also have a 2.0 compact 4" model, which is a very nice gun that has been trouble free.

[coN]

I have a 1.0 sub on my 3 o'clock atm which is the 3.6" barrel and 12 round capacity. I prefer it to the similarly sized G26 and P10S. Both Glock and CZ's pinch the shit out of my finger when firing.

The 4" is effectively a G19-sized M&P and with the right holster it disappears, it's just not as comfortable as the subcompact M&P IMO.

[CraigS]

I am the same as coN. I like the fact that I can go really short w/ a 12rnd mag if needed. 90% of the time I carry w/ a 14 or 15 rnd and sleeve but sometimes, w/ the right pants, that 12rnd means it becomes a pocket gun. My spare mag is a 17 w/ sleeve so I have 30-32 rnds on me. And if one wants to go crazy, the 23rnd from the FPC carbine works too.

[psalms144.1]

Back to the original question - what do you consider normal "carry" attire. What you wear is more likely to have a bigger impact on "concealment" than what pistol you choose - within limits. Since the grip is the part of the pistol most likely to be "seen" while concealed, barrel length (within reason) becomes moot.

If you're looking for true concealment under a t-shirt, I don't think either of the M&Ps is a good choice. If you're going to be wearing a heavier cover garment, they should be fine, IN A GOOD HOLSTER. 3 O'Clock OWB is a VERY hard place to conceal, really conceal, and, since you live in a capacity restricted state, I'm going to guess that an inadvertent discovery of your "concealed" pistol will be a BAD THING (TM).

I've become a real fanboi of the P365 series of pistols for actual CONCEALED carry, despite hating Sig as a company with the burning white-hot passion of 10,000 suns. If you really have to carry CONCEALED (e.g. a trained LEO is not going to spot your pistol in a casual glance), full size pistols are hard to carry without real cover garments, IWB/AIWB holsters, and great habits.

Best of luck!

[Virtuosity Student]

I purchased the 3.6” 2.0 Compact (15 rd, not the subcompact 12rd version)and it was my EDC for years. No issues with that gun. It ran reliably, fired everything I put through it, and accuracy was better than I could shoot. My annoyances were very subjective and YMMV.

• I had a hell of a time finding a holster for that specific model and the one I ended up getting was actually made for the 4” even though it was marketed as a 3.6” specific model.

• The 3.6” model would not fit a full size WML whereas the 4” model will.

• I was on the fence about upgrading the trigger when Smith dropped the new ‘2.5’ models with the updated triggers and slide serrations. Figured I would rather have a better stock trigger than to goober with it myself.

• I was unpleasantly surprised how many of my LGS did not have M&P mags in stock and had to order them. This came after losing a mag while out riding an ATV. Not sure what or how it happened but I speculate that somehow the mag release got depressed and it fell out. Had to pay $40/mag and wait a week.

Ended up trading to a buddy of mine and going back to Glock. I like ubiquity in mags, holsters, accessories, etc.

I would buy a 4” model if I were to go back down that rabbit hole. The 3.6” model offered no advantages in concealment. If one was more concerned with concealment, I would lean towards Shield Plus.

[Navin Johnson]

Back to the original question - what do you consider normal "carry" attire. What you wear is more likely to have a bigger impact on "concealment" than what pistol you choose - within limits. Since the grip is the part of the pistol most likely to be "seen" while concealed, barrel length (within reason) becomes moot.

If you're looking for true concealment under a t-shirt, I don't think either of the M&Ps is a good choice. If you're going to be wearing a heavier cover garment, they should be fine, IN A GOOD HOLSTER. 3 O'Clock OWB is a VERY hard place to conceal, really conceal, and, since you live in a capacity restricted state, I'm going to guess that an inadvertent discovery of your "concealed" pistol will be a BAD THING (TM).

I've become a real fanboi of the P365 series of pistols for actual CONCEALED carry, despite hating Sig as a company with the burning white-hot passion of 10,000 suns. If you really have to carry CONCEALED (e.g. a trained LEO is not going to spot your pistol in a casual glance), full size pistols are hard to carry without real cover garments, IWB/AIWB holsters, and great habits.

Best of luck!

Such a great post

I will just add I have friends that had MP compact and Glock 19’s and got tired of trying to dress around them so just stopped carrying them and carrying at all.

It’s much different if you’re required to carry 24 seven because of your job, then you’ll buy a wardrobe to do so.

I believe the 365 and the shield plus are the best Compromises. They are notably, smaller, and easier to conceal than even a 26. And both can be legitimately pocket carried if you have decent pockets.

[G19Fan]

Back to the original question - what do you consider normal "carry" attire. What you wear is more likely to have a bigger impact on "concealment" than what pistol you choose - within limits. Since the grip is the part of the pistol most likely to be "seen" while concealed, barrel length (within reason) becomes moot.

If you're looking for true concealment under a t-shirt, I don't think either of the M&Ps is a good choice. If you're going to be wearing a heavier cover garment, they should be fine, IN A GOOD HOLSTER. 3 O'Clock OWB is a VERY hard place to conceal, really conceal, and, since you live in a capacity restricted state, I'm going to guess that an inadvertent discovery of your "concealed" pistol will be a BAD THING (TM).

I've become a real fanboi of the P365 series of pistols for actual CONCEALED carry, despite hating Sig as a company with the burning white-hot passion of 10,000 suns. If you really have to carry CONCEALED (e.g. a trained LEO is not going to spot your pistol in a casual glance), full size pistols are hard to carry without real cover garments, IWB/AIWB holsters, and great habits.

Best of luck!

This is a great post.

We only own p365s at this stage besides a legacy g43, g19 and a les baer).

I too hate sig with a burning passion but the p365 line just works for us

[Ghost Dog]

3.6" seems to balance and handle recoil better less slide mass slamming back down. Lighter for carry matters most to always carry. Can use 4" holsters though some 3.6" available.

Apex trigger is a nice upgrade if one was so inclined.

Quality jhp like hst or Punch already full expansion from 3.6"

[CraigS]

It is easy to cut a kydex or molded plastic holster to fit the 3.6 length. A little bit of heat to round over the ends and you are gtg.

[medmo]

I’ve had a 2.0 4” compact for a few years. Thumb safety, Dawson sights, Apex trigger, Holosun 507c. My opinion, absolutely nothing about this pistol to not like or love including accuracy. I’ve shot some damn impressive 40 yard groups off hand with it. For me it carries comfy and concealed under a t shirt with a JMCK AIWB 2.5 and a Mastermind pillow. The longer 4” barrel might be beneficial if you plan on carrying AIWB.

[LockedBreech]

Back to the original question - what do you consider normal "carry" attire. What you wear is more likely to have a bigger impact on "concealment" than what pistol you choose - within limits. Since the grip is the part of the pistol most likely to be "seen" while concealed, barrel length (within reason) becomes moot.

If you're looking for true concealment under a t-shirt, I don't think either of the M&Ps is a good choice. If you're going to be wearing a heavier cover garment, they should be fine, IN A GOOD HOLSTER. 3 O'Clock OWB is a VERY hard place to conceal, really conceal, and, since you live in a capacity restricted state, I'm going to guess that an inadvertent discovery of your "concealed" pistol will be a BAD THING (TM).

I've become a real fanboi of the P365 series of pistols for actual CONCEALED carry, despite hating Sig as a company with the burning white-hot passion of 10,000 suns. If you really have to carry CONCEALED (e.g. a trained LEO is not going to spot your pistol in a casual glance), full size pistols are hard to carry without real cover garments, IWB/AIWB holsters, and great habits.

Best of luck!

I'm right with you 100% on the P365. Fuck Sig, seriously fuck Sig, for being such an ass of a company and then making the obvious first choice carry pistol so I have to give them money.

I think the only type of clothing I have found almost impossible to conceal well in is a tucked-in button up shirt and jeans, which is unfortunate because I find that a comfortable getup. Basically limits you to a pocket carried LCP. Untucked short sleeve button ups are where I live for concealing these days.

Fortunately I live in a state that is a frigid nightmare about 1/3 of the year, so at least those months are easy.

OP, I like the 3.6" and 4" M&P Compact, I don't think there's much of a difference, but I have to agree with the posts that suggest getting some range time on the P365 or Shield Plus. We have great options these days for high cap subcompacts, use them.

[D-der]

I'd picked up a 4" 2.0 from my local guy a few years ago, it's an accurate, good shooter. I ran a few hundred rounds to confirm there were no gremlins and sent it to Primary Machine to be milled for a 407C with BUIS front of the optic and put in an Apex trigger resulting in a pretty sweet, accurate shooting pistol, the pistol carries well, grip texture is great but...I got wrapped up in 365's, XL' s and now Macro' s so I'm thinking I've got others for night stand duty and the M&P is gonna be on consignment.