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May 2009

Two Big 9mms: High-Capacity, Full-Size Self-Defense Picks

At the range, S&W’s M&P9 had a great grip that was comfortable to hold and shoot. The double-action CZ 75B had plenty of good points, but we got a sore finger from shooting it.

While many of us prefer full-caliber cartridges in full-size pistols, there are many reasons and many mandates to pack a large, high-capacity 9mm handgun. There are plenty out there to choose from. For this test we chose one of the oldest, a double-action CZ 75 B ($597), and one of the newest, the S&W M&P9 ($679) to compare. Both held a lot of rounds, 16 and 17 respectively, and both were big

We much preferred the M&P 9, front, over the CZ, though both were very good guns. The M&P had slightly better accuracy, very comfortable handling and lots of innovation, but we think the CZ might last longer. It’s all steel and fully machined, a dying breed of auto pistol, we suspect.

handguns by any measure. They approached the bulk of a full-size 1911 45 ACP, though both were shorter and the M&P was a good deal lighter… unloaded, of course. …

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