I missed the boat on these before they were discontinued. Managed to find one, (NOS- test fired 6/2012), from an online source. It only has the mag safety. (sku 209202) I've always liked the 357sig round and wanted an M&P in that caliber. I have an M&P 9, 40 full size, M&P 9C, 40C and a 9mm Shield. Shot all but the Shield.

There are only a few companies that make a pistol in 357sig and at the moment, that most likely be the norm. I still seem to find ammo for sub- $20 per 50 and currently have north of 1200 rds. I admit that I don't get to the range as often as I would like.

I own a SIG 226, Glock 31 & 32 and this one. I saw an M&P 357C for sale which ultimately led to this purchase. I was inquiring about the "C" version and casually told the seller I really wanted a full size. I picked it up yesterday afternoon.

Striker fired pistols? Not me. Never.

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RIP Shipmate

I am with you! I have one on layaway at my LGS. No safeties, other than the internal ones. I am a late comer to the new M&P models but I am hooked. Not going to accumulate several as I am set on my M&P 9 FS, but the 357 is interesting as a really good caliber and I have purchased a 40 bbl and have bought some additional magazines. My gun comes with a 10 rounder and two 15 rounders. I think that between the two guns, I'll have three calibers. The full size guns are small enough for me for concealed carry. I like 'em. Too bad Smith and Wesson discontinued the 357 s. I think they are fabulous.

I bought a very nice used one last week and I didn't know they had been discontinued, I'm glad I got it now. It has the thumb safety.

Mine has the word "STAINLESS" on the left side of the slide, I wonder how old mine is, the serial number is DUK7***, does anyone know where to look that up?

I've been reading this board for some time, I like it, lots of good info.
Thanks,
Bill

The only M&P I have that has the word "Stainless" on it is my 40C. Not sure when they started doing that, or quit doing it for that matter. I'm positive someone will be along to enlighten us.

Welcome to the Forum Bill!

EDIT: Upon further review, it appears that stamping "Stainless" on the slides was discontinued the latter half of 2011.

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RIP Shipmate

yeeeey, found mine yesterday!
NIB (DXX7***) @ awesome price too!

just waiting for delivery to my FFL, SSE conversion & transfer ...

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Nice! A "natural born" .357!

I've used the 357Sig almost since the day it was introduced in the US. Employer-issued Sig229s. Wound up buying one myself, and then a Sig239, 1996.
Got MY M&P357 when I found, in retirement, that I don't do well with SA/DA guns any more. My M&P does not have the thumb safety. I love it and wish I had another.

The NC Highway Patrol is switching from .357 M&P's to SIG P226 (North Carolina State Highway Patrol Selects SIG Sauer P226 in .357 SIG - American Rifleman). If 1,800 P226s are coming in, then there should be a lot of M&Ps going out (to the used market?).

I wonder what drove or caused this switch of the NCSHP from the M&P to the SIG? Initially I thought that it might be because the 357 is no longer produced by S&W, but then I thought that S&W supported those agencies that continued with those guns no longer produced... Nothing wrong with the SIG in my opinion, but unless the decision was driven by the lack of production of the particular model by the manufacturer, or some other reason, are the M&Ps worn out or this just another part of the "manufacturers trying to out-maneuver each other for "market-share." anyone know?

No doubt maneuvering, which is normal and proper, and money-spending that probably should not be going on. Who can say on the worn-out question but it seems dubious? It never ceases to amaze that the taxpayer is expected to foot the bill for new weapons at the rate of what seems like about every three years when nothing much really is gained. Even more amazing is that there are few complaints. The word frugal seems to have disappeared from the lexicon of every government agency in the country.

But back to the subject, I have had a M&P.357 for several years now and, in spite of the trigger, which is early-M&P atrocious, it has consistently out-shot every small caliber M&P I have tested against it. I have often wondered whether that is a function of a particularly good barrel, particularly good ammunition, or maybe both? (Wouldn't seem likely the pistols are fitted any differently in assembly than the 9mm or .40 pistols, so fitting wouldn't seem to be a factor.)

It may be a combination of both, but my gun shoots very well with just about anything - even with the inexpensive Remington 125-gr FMJ loads that no doubt are intended for practice and plinking. It's been a sort of ray of light in the darkness that has surrounded my limited experiences with the M&P9s I have owned.

NC SHP hasn't really had that too long and had been pro Beretta for a loooong time (92, 96, Couger in 357sig). They must of had some issues to make a dump that huge.


My local shop has a M&P 357sig trade in for about $320. I can barely afford to buy 9mm now, so no way can I get spendy with 357sig or 45acp.

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I miss my 4546 the most.

I have a M&P 357 ser# MPX8xxx with a 4 1/2" barrel. The slide has stainless imprinted on it. S&W product#209302. I ordered it for a policeman and he never picked it up. No one bought it so I took it to the range and ran half a box thru it. it shoots well and it has no safeties. It will shoot with the mag removed. The hang tag said $550. I think they go for more than that now. Police trade-ins going for $500. My other 357 sig is a p229 Sig SAS gen 1 two tone DAK.

LOL If my dealer tried that, I would roll out the door with laughter.

They've sold Sig 220/226/229s for less than $500 as trade-ins (and nothing is going to cost more on the trade-in market).



Correction on my above post, the 357sig M&P was $339. All of the Atlanta .40 M&Ps are $319.

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I miss my 4546 the most.

ihave mp40fs just bought a 357 sig barrel from midway 82 dollars fits like a glove functions perfect very happy two for one gun

I might do that eventually, just for the novelty of having another caliber to shoot. For now, I have more fun shooting 9mm at the range with Stormlake 9mm conversion barrels for both my 40C and 40FS.

Nice find, rags. Love the "357" on the slide.

Now, if S&W would do a 10mm M&P, I'd be very interested. They already have the large-frame M&P45, so conversion to 10mm shouldn't be too difficult.

I thought I was doing well just to find a .357 Sig barrel for the M&P. You mangaded to find the whole gun!!! ENVY!!!

That's something I'd pick up. I don't have a 10mm in the stable. A friend of mine loves that caliber. Not worried much about getting "one more caliber" to stock up on, as I love guns, and bullets make me happy! I'd buy the M&P 10mm in a heartbeat.

I just thought of something... I don't have an M&P45!

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RIP Shipmate

Not sure about exact dates- but I do know the older M&P's have STAINLESS in the slide. In my experience, the ones with that mark also still have the smaller diameter sear spring. No biggie- easy fix

I know that I said I was not going to buy any more than the two M&Ps than I have, the 357 and 9 full size models, but, that full size 45 does seem interesting......hmmmm...

I don't believe I ever heard you say that.

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RIP Shipmate

The .45 I have has out shot every small-caliber M&P it's ever come up against. I have to be careful with handloads because it appears to have a short lead or throat infront of the chamber, but other than that it has been a great gun.

They stopped putting "stainless" on the slide sometime in 2012 as far as I can tell. The guns are still stainless. Same composition as they always were. I prefer the cleaner slide with less words on it anyways.

My M&P 9mm FS's don't have it. One is late 2013 test fired, the other is February 2013 test fired.


IMO the later the M&P the better. Lots of gradual improvements. The late 2012 models onward have most of the updates. Current production guns have a more durable finish iirc.

I agree on no manual safety. However, I would like a lower manual safety as an aftermarket option, so it could be "ridden" much like a 1911 safety. This would be especially nice on apex FSS guns, which gives the M&P a class leading competition trigger. Albeit a touch too short and light for defensive use without a manual interlock on trigger movement.

Rags,
I think that I may have been slightly delusional for a moment a bit ago and said "I don't need any more guns...."!!!!
M29since14,
Thank you for that bit of information. See, that is what I am afraid of...another accurate 45, especially made by Smith and Wesson! I had 645 that was a great gun but not accurate enough for me. Now, you tell me that the gun that I was not trying to acquire is worthy of acquiring....
You know, with "friends like you......."

Well, I will have to think on this for a while. She-who-must-be-obeyed has put me on restriction.... Oh it isn't that she objects to my hobby, in fact she assists me init, BUT, she has given me a limit. I have a Class 3 dealer friend who has obtained an 870 SBS for me. The Boss has said "That's it for the year." So, the M&P 45 will have to wait until January 2!!!

Yeeeeeey, found me an extra barrel on eBay

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M&P OTAKU

Nice score!

If I had my druthers, I would've gotten a 357Sig version - just to have it on the slide - then pick up a .40 barrel for carry and 9mm for range.

Love the M&P interchangeability.

Get to pick mine up later at the end of the month
I got lucky with mine, it came with factory night sights?!??!?!

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M&P OTAKU

Where did you find them at that price?

Anyone know where you can find the marked North Carolina Highway Patrol issued ones at?