M&P Tool

[N.P.E.S.]

Hi All,

By way of introduction, I am a Glock fanboy that has recently discovered the M&P series of pistols. I purchased my first M&P (.40) last week, and I must say, it is my favorite handgun ever.

The gun is fantastic in my hand, the purchase on the gun is incredible, and I finally feel I have a gun that I can get a comfortable sight picture and stance on immediately. I wish you all would have told me sooner about these things!

Anyways, I know there are a lot of previous mentions about the take down, and I have done it both ways, but I need clarification.

1) If using the tool and lowering the little hook inside the gun, do you need to reraise the hook, or will the insertion of a magazine do it sufficiently?

2) If you use the tool too much, will it become loose, and eventually not go back in?

3) Is the dry firing method for take downs (although not mentioned in the book) sufficient, and are there any long term effects?

Thank you in advance, and lastly, I would like to say, that with concealed carry finally coming to Illinois, I will be purchasing a shield to carry, instead of my glock 19.

[Thiokol]

Welcome from another Illinois member. To answer your questions,

1). Inserting the magazine will return it to its proper position.

2). No.

3). I'm not sure about long term effects but I always use the method described in the owner's manual.

[GKC]

I never take the tool out of the grip...I take it out once, to change the medium grip (which comes installed on the gun) to the small grip. I replace the tool, and leave it. I have read of others whose tool became loose or broke the tabs with excessive use.

I use a small screwdriver, pen, dowel rod, whatever, to push down the lever, or pull the trigger. (I triple check my guns to make sure they are not loaded before I start cleaning them.)

I never push the lever back up. The magazine will do that.

[N.P.E.S.]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it. It is such an awesome gun.

[MSG Glenn]

Welcome from your neighbor to the north, the 49th state to get concealed carry!

Your questions have been answered. Do you have any other? There's a lot of good advice from seasoned M&P users here. Just about the time I think I know it all I find something new. You made a good decision getting an M&P. I loved my Glocks but these M&Ps are even better.

Since I also come from being a Glock owner & a Sigma owner I'm well used to checking & double checking the chamber to make sure it's empty & check to make sure the magazine is removed. Then I use the trigger method for field stripping. No damage has been done to my older M&P 40 or my new M&P 40C & I wouldn't expect any more on these than on Glocks. Although I don't make a habit of it I've heard from many experienced gun owners that there is no chance of damage by dry firing a striker fired pistol.

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by N.P.E.S.

1) If using the tool and lowering the little hook inside the gun, do you need to reraise the hook, or will the insertion of a magazine do it sufficiently?

2) If you use the tool too much, will it become loose, and eventually not go back in?

3) Is the dry firing method for take downs (although not mentioned in the book) sufficient, and are there any long term effects?

1. Insertion of magazine is OK.

2. I have heard that it will make it loose, and because it is difficult to remove, I never use it. I use a finger or a Bic pen or pencil eraser, etc.

3. Dry firing method will not hurt anything unless you do it while the pistol is loaded.

[kennyb]

a big welcome to this forum....share what you know!

[Rapidray]

welcome to the forum! enjoy your new 40.

[TahoeDust]

Welcome. If you like your full size, you will love your shield.

[ginzo]

Welcome, good questions. Just brought home a 40c today, my newborn, to go with his FS daddy!

[Saudade]

Welcome! I have a 9mm.

I have used the "takedown tool" to strip the slide but have used a variety of other tools as well. I've done the trigger pull too.

Since this is really part of my cleaning ritual, I have a couple of allen wrenches in my cleaning kit to take the grips off my 1911 and my Berettta M9 when I feel the need. These work well to lower the lever to disengage the sear.

As others have said, once down it stays down until you insert a mag.

[jeffhughes]

I never use the tool on any of my M&Ps.

I make sure it's clear and break it down just like a Glock by pulling the trigger.