M&P 45 full size. What kind of accuracy are you seeing?

Rule3 · #1 10-18-2010, 05:33 PM

For those shooting the full size MP 45 what kind of accuracy or grouping are you getting? I realize many factors are involved such as skill, ammo etc but just trying to get an idea of how accurate this gun is compared to others.

If you could lock it in a Ransom Rest how tight would the groups be?

Anyone shoot one in competition?

Thanks

hdfinder47 · #2 10-18-2010, 07:08 PM

I pretty much do one-hole groups at 50 yards with whatever I shoot - then I wake up and eat breakfast and take a shower. (jk cuz you weren't getting any response.)

Rule3 · #3 10-19-2010, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdfinder47

I pretty much do one-hole groups at 50 yards with whatever I shoot - then I wake up and eat breakfast and take a shower. (jk cuz you weren't getting any response.)

Maybe no one shoots a MP 45??

45times6 · #4 10-19-2010, 10:26 AM

I've been really impressed with the accuracy of my fs M&P45. If I do my part, I can keep groups within 2"-3" at 15 yards using factory 230-gr FMJ. I know for sure, too, that there are much better shooters out there than me, so the weapon itself is probably capable of even better.

BTW, I had some stippling done by Boresight Solutions, which really helped things, since the more aggressive texturing allows me to maintain a more consistent grip. I highly recommend Ben Simonson's work to anyone with a polymer pistol.

8th SPS USAF · #5 10-19-2010, 01:59 PM

After I broke my MP 45 FS in, I loaded 185/200 LSWC with TG. light

loads of 4.5 grns. At 11/15 yds I got 6/7 shot one hole groups off

hand. 8th

Rule3 · #6 10-19-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8th SPS USAF

After I broke my MP 45 FS in, I loaded 185/200 LSWC with TG. light

loads of 4.5 grns. At 11/15 yds I got 6/7 shot one hole groups off

hand. 8th

I have tried factory rounds,Loaded lead, FMJ and plated. I have used HP 38, Bullseye, Unique and Auto Comp. My Springfield Armory XD's (not XDm) will out shoot this gun with any ammo. I do not expect it to be a $2k race 1911 but something is not right. I really like the gun and it functions perfectly, the trigger is not bad and I see no sense in putting the $50 Apex sear in it for a 1lb trigger reduction.
It's "Combat" accurate enough, I guess I just expected better

TSQUARED · #7 10-19-2010, 04:04 PM

I tried a 185 gr. JHP. 230 gr. FMJ, 200 gr. Plated and 185 gr. LSWC. All groups were between 1 1/4" and 2" at 50 ft from a sanbag rest. I was impressed by it's acuracy and total reliabilyt with the various bullet shapes.

18DAI · #8 10-19-2010, 04:15 PM

According to the firearms guys at the Guilford County NC Sheriffs department, 2.5" to 3" at 15 yards is about as good as that pistol gets.

Like you said, combat accurate. That was using Speer 230 grain JHP. Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

Fastbolt · #9 10-19-2010, 04:43 PM

I've used an assortment of different hollowpoint duty loads and a little Ball ammo in mine.

If I focus, I can obtain 1-hole groups out to 15yds, shooting 2-handed unsupported.

I've experienced some 5" & less groups at 50yds shooting both standing, 2-handed, unsupported and kneeling.

It has pretty much equaled the practical accuracy of my 1911's at the same distances.

I've seen some other shooters (even instructors) struggle with it a bit in order to make 3" groups at 15 yards, though.

Then again, one guy who carries an issued 4566TSW and owns a G21SF was immediately able to shoot my M&P 45 better than either of the other guns, and ordered himself a M&P 45 pretty quickly.

Overall, the M&P 45 has surprised me by its inherent accuracy.

Although I'm not a target/sport/competitive shooter, nor do I bother with "benching" pistols, I'm pretty sure the pistol is capable of better than I've been able to accomplish with it. I'm the weak link in the equation.

The revolver-like trigger takes some adjustment for shooters of some other designs, such as the 1911 & Glock, but being a long-time revolver shooter I felt like I adapted to it fairly easily.

The initial stiffness of the trigger required some effort on my part, although it was consistent & predictable. Once it started to smooth out and lighten up it became much easier to shoot with the same accuracy (going from initial 8 1/2 - 9lb averages down to 5 1/2 - 6lbs a couple of thousand rounds later).

I'm going to try a M&P 45 with the APEX sear in the near future (belonging to another instructor) to see how it does.

I've handled and used some other plastic .45's ... G21, G30, G21SF, G36, SW9945, HK P9S45 (part plastic

), Wilson KZ45, along with some other plastic 1911's and HK USP/USPc .45's. Of those, the HK P9S & USP's were similarly accurate, although I didn't care for the overall ergonomics or triggers.

I think the M&P 45 makes for a very good 'defensive/service pistol'.

Having carried and owned a couple of different 4513TSW's, and having handled and fired a M&P 45c a couple of times, I can do better, more easily, with the M&P 45c. Weird ... and I really like the S&W TDA 3rd gen guns ... but there you go. When I get around to ordering my M&P 45c I doubt my original 4513TSW will see much use outside of occasional range practice. My CS45, maybe, just because it's smaller and I've spent a LOT of range time enjoying the diminutive TDA .45, but the M&P 45c is something I anticipate carrying more often than any of my other 9 pistols chambered in .45 ACP.

sonny · #10 10-19-2010, 08:57 PM

A comment from an outsider. I'm a Glock guy. Yes, they may be ugly, but they've been reliable for me. I have lots of Smiths, but they're revolvers.
I have a model 30 and a model 36, both in .45 Auto. The model 36 is the SLIMLINE model and is new to me. Compact frame, a tiny bit smaller than a 9mm Glock model 19.
I can no longer shoot well offhand. Generally, IMHO, if you want to know what the gun can do, rather than what "you" can do, then you need a rest.
My new model 36, with a nasty stock trigger, about 8#, puts five rounds into 0.67" @ 10 yards, and 10 rounds into 0.9" @ the same distance. From a rest. This is with Win Whitebox ammo.
I have held the Smith; have NOT shot it, but my only criticism is that the bore axis sits a bit higher than the Glock. It might just be a nice gun. I hope to rent it sometime soon at my LGS and check it out.
Since these guns are designed for "combat accuracy," then these guns...and the H&K's, SA's and others, do a pretty fine job.
Sonny

three-five-seven · #11 10-19-2010, 09:53 PM

Make sure you are using a good proper grip. I took a cheap refresher course from a member of Team Smith and Wesson (it was on TV on one of the Midway sponsored shooting programs) and you can too. It involved a correct firm two handed grip. You may be able to find it on You Tube or on one of the programs if you subscribe. Sometimes we need to go back to basics in our shooting forms. The pistol in question was a Sig 220 and quite quickly I cut my groups in half. I am only concerned with close range 7 to 15 yards. My groups shrunk down to 2-3 inches. Also I discovered that the more expensive ammo like Remington Home Defense load really tighted up as compared to Blazer brass ammo. I also like Glocks and Sigs and love Smith revolvers. My glocks tightened up too. I think your M&P will do better also. I like most firearms and respect the tastes of others. Experience, talent and a fatter wallet let us buy "better" firearms. I believe most firearms are more accurate than their owners can shoot. good luck and have fun with your .45 M&P.

bronco45 · #12 10-19-2010, 10:59 PM

I have found and fell in love with the 45c. 4"barrel and short grip frame.

I put an Apex sear and USB in it and dropped the trigger weight to 4.5 lbs. What I really like is a trigger shaped like a S&W revolver.

20 yds weaver stance, 5 rounds of Blazer ball 2" at Point of Aim. This is all the 45 I need. Accurate, easy to carry, and reliable.

torrejon224 · #13 10-21-2010, 06:36 PM

My full size 45 has the Apex sear/sfety block and trust me it makes a huge difference. That said using my 185jhp reloads and at 50 yards my groups average between 2.5 and 3 inches, 25 yards 1.5 and at 7 yards, it will easily make one ragged hole. These aren't "precision shooters" by any means but they are one great combat gun which I sure wish had been around in my day!!

lion711 · #14 11-03-2010, 09:36 AM

Bought a full size "demo" from a local dealer; made in 2007 and I assume all stock.
The trigger pull is heavy and I thought it would make for difficult shooting, but in actuality it's just not noticed. The break is fine and with 185 gr Magnus swaged HP; 5.2 gr TG I'm seeing 4 - 4 1/2 inch at 50 yds. from a rest; 2 1/2 inch from 25. This is basically on par with my Springer LW Operator - another "combat", not target pistol.
It's also very fast to reload and splits are on par with my 1911's and former Glocks; (.15-.17 sec is best I can do with anything).
Only down side to the .45 is it's more difficult to find accessories compared to the 9's and .40's.

Fastbolt · #15 11-03-2010, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lion711

The trigger pull is heavy and I thought it would make for difficult shooting, but in actuality it's just not noticed. The break is fine ...

That's probably the best description I've come across regarding the M&P 45 relative to my own initial experience. The heavy trigger didn't adversely affect my ability to experience very good accuracy from the very first magazine load. It did become smoother and lighter over time, with the same predictable break, which was fine, and it continued to offer me excellent accuracy.