I am very happy with the S&W development team on this.

My 45 is a perfect grip size, with excellent trigger reach and ergonomics. I have the thumb safety and no mag-disconnect feature. I like the dual scalloped slide. The black stainless is nice. The trigger is nicely shaped; better than the hooked ones. I was surprised it has a useful beavertail of sorts. WHile no hammer, it is still nice.

Very happy for $450.

My M&P45 is a real good shooter. And the ergonomics are outstanding. I think you're going to be very pleased.

I had been in the market to prchase a .45 for about a year and a half - that's when I came upon the S&W M&P .45. I liked the looks of it, liked the feel of it - so...... I bought it and haven't regretted it. While sending lead down range, I was really impressed how little recoil was. Close to 2K in rnds sent down range without a problem. I love it!

It looks like S&W really did it right with this one.
One of these days I'll have to pick one up.

I like the M&P series of pistols, I like the M&P .45, but I hate the forward scallops on the slide...I hate forward cocking serrations on any semi-auto slide. If I could get one without them I'd add another one in a minute.

I also hate FCS with a vengeance. I buy my 1911s without them, and on the really sharp ones, I just mill them off for a smooth finish. That is extreme.

The SW1911 serrations are thin enough, and not sharp. I tolerate, but still dislike mightily.

The 945 fish scales are so unique, they actually are tolerable. They are still sharp as the devil. i do not carry this gun, really.

The M&P45 wavy serrations grew on me. While I do not use it for a press check (why bother when there is a huge hole in the hood of the barrel, or risk an out-of-battery event), I like the distinction it makes between its smaller brethren 9 and 40. those 2 do not have the front serrations.

They are also failry mild, in terms of spacing and sharpness.
The other feature which is very nice is the stipling. Not abrasive, yet grippy.

I read some stupid article in "On Target" about the Springfield Custom Shop modifyng an XD Tactical 45, and most of the features like the extended beavertail and grip stippling added to that "custom" polymer gun are what is offered standard on the M&P. Granted, the article said the trigger work, and adjustable sights were done, I still think for a polymer service utility pistol, it is weird.

I like custom 1911s, and workmanship on steel like most members here. Still, a production defensive tool should be as practical as possible to eliminate variables.

I like the palm swells.

I've also one of the Earth Brown M&P 45's with thumb safeties ... (really just a nod toward my long-standing appreciation of Colt Model O pistols and my ingrained skills, including depressing the thumb safeties when appropriate ).

So far, so good.

I like the heft, balance, ergonomics, controllability and functioning.

I like the robust extractor and roll pin used as an extractor pin in the .45 models (one of the results of the then-anticipated military pistol trials, I was told).

Couldn't care less about the front slide serrations. Don't use 'em. Doesn't bother me from an aesthetic perspective, either. It's just a defensive service-grade handgun for me ... but other folks are certainly entitled to feel differently. The S&W design team apparently determined they were one of the more popular features requested & added to other pistols in the market place, so they were incorporated. Enough somebodies must like 'em.

The trigger on the .45 model is a bit heavier than the other calibers. Apparently rated at 7 1/2lbs +/- 2lbs, versus the standard 6 1/2lbs +/- 2lbs.

Mine is on the heavier end, naturally. Figures.

Inherent accuracy doesn't seem to suffer for it, however. I was able to experience some very surprising, and satisfying, accuracy using a mix of 3 different hollowpoints and a standard FMJ load during my first range session (only 200+ rounds). Better than I expected for a service-grade pistol.

I'll be a bit curious to see if (when) a Pro-series .45 model is released, and what modifications are made to it. Might be interesting.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Fastbolt,

I have wanted one for some time and I just picked one up on the first. Mine is also the "OD" or brown version. I love the feel and the sights, it si a great shooter. I compared it to my 1988 Sig P220 and it was a lighter recoil but I love the trigger on my Sig. The M&P 45 is a great gun. I am very pleased with it so far.

quote:

Gunz "Very happy for $450."

I would be too.

The cheapest you can find one around here as you described is $600.

MOONDAWG

I love my MP 45 also. Small hands and 3 backstraps make it fit. I have a 45c coming soon. Try Buds in Paris Ky. Best prices. Good
luck