Glock G19 Gen5 9mm vs Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact 9mm

These two compact 9mms are nearly identical on paper — both carry 15+1, both run striker-fired polymer frames, and length and height sit within 0.04", though the M&P is 0.18" narrower (1.16" vs 1.34") and 3.57 oz heavier (27.2 oz vs 23.63 oz). The meaningful gaps live off the spec sheet: the M&P 2.0 Compact ships with a thumb safety (the G19 Gen5 has no thumb-safety option from the factory), a 5.3 lb factory trigger against the Glock's 5.8 lb pull, four user-changeable backstraps versus Glock's three Gen5 inserts, and an aggressive grip texture that can shred thin undershirts under appendix carry. The G19 Gen5 ships with three magazines to the M&P's two, and it sits inside the largest pistol aftermarket on the market.

Pick the Glock G19 Gen5 if:

• You want the deepest aftermarket of any pistol — more holsters, sights, triggers, and replacement parts than any competitor, including the M&P line
• You want the lighter gun: 23.63 oz against 27.2 oz, 3.57 oz off the belt
• You want three magazines in the box instead of two

Pick the Smith & Wesson M&P 9 M2.0 Compact if:

• You want a factory thumb safety — Glock does not offer one on the G19 Gen5, and it is the standard ask for shooters transitioning from a 1911 or revolver
• You want four user-changeable backstraps for grip-circumference fit, one more size option than the Glock Gen5's three inserts
• You want the more aggressive grip texture for wet-hand retention and rapid fire, accepting that it can chew through thin undershirts during appendix carry

Both are compact polymer striker-fired 9mms with the same 15+1 capacity, the same 4" barrel class, the same optic-cut-required status on these base models (S&W and Glock both sell separate optic-ready variants), with the M&P 3.57 oz heavier and 0.18" narrower. The decision turns on the thumb safety, the grip texture, the magazine count, and how much aftermarket depth matters.