I just picked up an M&P-40c and wonder how comfortable owners feel about no thumb safety. I'm not used to that and it bothers me.

Any experience or advice?

Thanks,

Ken

The basic design of the pistol has 3 safeties without the thumb add-on. It was made an option for those whose department requires it or they just want it.

Although the thumb safety is an integral part of my S&W 1911 and I use it religiously, I see absolutely no reason to have one on my M&P 9Pro.

I say learn the manual of arms for the gun you have, or else stick with a gun whose manual of arms you know.
The manual of arms for the M&P includes "keep your booger hook off the bang switch unless actually firing."
In competition, we disqualify people who insist on keeping their finger inside the trigger guard when reloading or moving to a new shooting position (unsafe gun handling), thumb safety or not.

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Science plus Art

I pocket or IWB carry my M&P9c and there's no safety on it. It took a while to get used to it, but as long as you keep your finger off the trigger, it's quite safe. Of course as a carry gun, I cleaned up the trigger parts to be smoother, but left the pull weight at the 6.5lbs it came with.

If you don't pull the trigger, the gun will not fire. The long trigger pull is basically your safety. You'll have plenty of time deciding if you want to fire it> I love mine, all 3 of them. I carry them daily with one in the pipe, feel completely comfortable with no reservation. I own a couple of 1911's, it's just one more step I don't have to worry about. Isn't the whole idea of self defense predicated on being able to draw and fire as quickly and accurately as possible... practice lots and you will love it.. I think... confidence comes with practice

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Jack C

Thanks for the advice. I'm put more at ease. I especially liked the "If you don't pull the trigger, the gun will not fire." I chuckled at first and then realized the intelligence of that statement. I'm not comfortable enough to keep one in the pipe yet. I'll keep it cocked though and see if I ever hear a click -- lol. I do have the habit of keeping my fingers away from the trigger until I shoot, so that works, but things can happen when you remove a gun from your pocket. I should get a pocket holster if I want to do that. I carry my Taurus 85 loose in a pocket at times. I'll stick to the 85 if I want to use a pocket.

Again, thanks,

Ken

Please, NO! Don't carry guns loose in a pocket!

Any carry gun MUST be in holster that covers the trigger to be safe.
Ask the guy who nearly neutered himself with his Taurus 85 at the OKC mall trying to get out some change he accidentally dropped into the wrong pocket.
Not to mention all the pocket crud that can get into the gun.

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Science plus Art

thank you, thank you, but I wasn't the originator... as for the pocket, I'm with OKy.. no pocket without some kind of holster, plus I think it is much to large a gun for a pocket. I have a bunch of different holsters I use. I'd start out with a good leather Santos, it tucks in nicely for me. But have C-tac, Fobus, and a few others depending on what pants I wear and whether or not they fit... As for one in the pipe... it took me a few weeks of shooting lots of rounds at the range before I put one in ... I had to be comfy with how the gun functioned, and about that time one of the range officers nailed me when I was done shooting and getting ready to leave. He jumped me hard about not loading the gun when I put it in the holster... told me I'd be dead before I could load it... I always load it now and don't think twice about it..

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Jack C

Agree with previous posts. Pocket carry is scary! I have a couple of "pocket" guns and both have either a Bianchi or an Uncle Mike's sidekick. My MP40c carries very well in a Galco IWB, kydex. Love it!

As a 40c owner/shooter/CCW-er, I thought I'd jump into the fray. No offense to the OP, but he sounds like he's somewhat of a newbie, which is ok, since we all started out as newbies at one point or another.

As to the (original) topic of thumb safety, unless you're carrying a 1911 style pistol, for example, that is "cocked and locked", thumb safeties are just one more thing/step you gotta' do "when second(s) count".

When the OP indicates that "...it bothers me" not to have a thumb safety, I'd like to know what exactly/specifically bothers him. He goes on to state the "intelligence" of basic trigger control, that he's "not comfortable enough to keep one in the pipe yet", and he's considering pocket carry with an exposed trigger.

I could be totally off base here, but it sounds like the OP is a good candidate for a basic gun safety class.

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MotorCityGun

Revolvers don't have thumb safeties, I own an MP 40 Pro Series and don't miss the thumb safety at all. The long trigger pull is your safety. +1 on the holster, I carry mine in a Galco Concealable belt holster.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

We are on our second week of our new 40c being at the factory.
After only a 100 rounds it kept locking back with out any reason.
This is my wife's carry and She knows how to shoot, This Gun is very accurate. But she wanted a extra safety just for peace of mind.
If you are going to carry a gun there needs to be one in the pipe.
And because there is one in the chamber flip shoot is faster than rack and shoot every time.
A Pistol is for a last resort personal protection to equal the odds.
To carry it with out one in the chamber could mean that you may lack the confidence to use the weapon in the first place.
This not a game this is self protection.
If you are in danger leave at all cost, but if you can't you will be glad that you have a gun that is really loaded, which leave you more time for all the other things going through your mine at light speed as your heart beats faster than you have ever noticed.
As I Have said this is my wife's gun and i have only shot two mags through it just to say I did and it is a nice gun. I do hope you have good luck with your 40c and that you never have to use it out side you gun club.

Agreed. Us revolver shooters actually like not ahvign the thumb safety. Pull the trigger and it goes "bang" is a very good thing. Besides the M&P packs flatter without the thumb lever.

FWIW, If one in the spout makes you nervous. Try this ( If you have a mag disconnect safety). Just pop the mag out when you holster the M&P so as to add additional safety while holstering. Then just reseat the mag and your set to go .

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Dave

I've very comfortable carrying my 9c without a thumb safety on it. I pocket carry mines as well as wast carry it.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

You're joking, right? You better stick to your revolver. No disrespect intended, but revolver guys should probably not give out advice like this to relatively new pistol guys. It could get them in trouble.

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MotorCityGun