Other than comparing size and weight, not sure it is fair to compare a Gen 3 vs. M&P. To me they are two totally different animals. My Gen 3s were retired when I started carrying M&Ps. Not so much from a reliability or capability standpoint, but more so for commonality and familiarity. Didn't want to mix carry between a double action auto and two stage system. Totally different trigger pulls. Not to mention my M&Ps have the thumb safety as well.