On Glock's web-site, they describe, with some detail, their "safe action" system, which consists of three (3) passive safeties: trigger safety, firing pin safety and drop safety. They also include an interactive illustration which demonstrates how each of these passive safeties operate. I must say that it's very well done and very edifying.
On the other hand, in each of Smith & Wesson's descriptions of their M&P semi-automatic pistols, there is language which reads, "proven safety features", yet nowhere does it describe those features in any detail.
Before I purchase my first Smith & Wesson M&P pistol, I would like to know what "proven safety features" means.
Trigger safety-bottom half must move before trigger will move.
Striker won't move without trigger pulled.
Drop safety keeps the striker from moving.
Any current striker fired pistol will/should have these three safety systems in order to compete for commercial, military, and law enforcement contracts/sales.
Thumb safety's are usually available (or not) to augment internal safeties (or confound them)!
Trigger safety-bottom half must move before trigger will move.
Striker won't move without trigger pulled.
Drop safety keeps the striker from moving.
Any current striker fired pistol will/should have these three safety systems in order to compete for commercial, military, and law enforcement contracts/sales.
Thumb safety's are usually available (or not) to augment internal safeties (or confound them)!
So, the M&P9 has the same 3 passive safeties as the Glock, plus an optional manual thumb safety, correct? Is this spelled out anywhere on Smith & Wesson's web-site? I couldn't find it anywhere!
An LEO/Armed Forces guy may know this by the nature of his/her job, but
to a neophyte like me, this is important stuff! I'm very surprised that this information isn't readily available.
So, the M&P9 has the same 3 passive safeties as the Glock, plus an optional manual thumb safety, correct? Is this spelled out anywhere on Smith & Wesson's web-site? I couldn't find it anywhere!
An LEO/Armed Forces guy may know this by the nature of his/her job, but
to a neophyte like me, this is important stuff! I'm very surprised that this information isn't readily available.
Thanks for your assistance, Roccaas.
All modern striker fired guns have basically the same safeties. Obviously there are variations due to copyright infringement but the basic drop safety and lack movement by the striker without pulling the trigger. ..is there.
This goes for Glock, M&P, Sig 320, HK VP, Walther PPS and PPQ, S&W 99, Canik, and anyone else I may be forgetting. Some even have a decocker
"........As the slide of the pistol enters battery, the striker engages the sear. At this point, the sear is held back in a partially cocked condition. When the trigger of the M&P is pulled, the trigger bar first engages the firing pin safety plunger, lifting it upward, and releasing firing pin safety. At the rearward extreme of the trigger bar's travel, it engages the sear. The sear is rotated downward by the trigger bar, fully cocking, then releasing the striker. The striker makes contact with the primer of the chambered round, which in turn ignites the gunpowder and propels the bullet forward"
All modern striker fired guns have basically the same safeties. Obviously there are variations due to copyright infringement but the basic drop safety and lack movement by the striker without pulling the trigger. ..is there.
Music go my ears, Arik. Thanks!
As as soon-to-be, new gun owner, I am trying (very hard) to do my "due diligence". My goal is to find a pistol which is not only capable of doing its intended job, but also capable of doing so in a manner which is safe to me and those around me.
As as soon-to-be, new gun owner, I am trying (very hard) to do my "due diligence". My goal is to find a pistol which is not only capable of doing its intended job, but also capable of doing so in a manner which is safe to me and those around me.
Just remember that with those guns the safeties are passive. Meaning the gun can't go off by itself. Put your finger, or anything else, in the trigger guard and the rules change.
As as soon-to-be, new gun owner, I am trying (very hard) to do my "due diligence". My goal is to find a pistol which is not only capable of doing its intended job, but also capable of doing so in a manner which is safe to me and those around me.
Hard to think of a modern, properly functioning pistol that doesn't meet those two requirements . . .
Just remember that with those guns the safeties are passive. Meaning the gun can't go off by itself. Put your finger, or anything else, in the trigger guard and the rules change.
I would have to say that Glock's marketing people are really good at what they do. I have run into a lot of people who feel that the Glock is a far safer pistol than other manufacturer's striker fired products. As was said, all striker fired pistols have essentially the same safety mechanisms built in.
The safe use of a firearm does have something to do with the gun itself but is more a function of safe handling and following all the safety precautions available. Nobody should simply rely on the mechanics of a firearm to keep them safe.
I would have to say that Glock's marketing people are really good at what they do. I have run into a lot of people who feel that the Glock is a far safer pistol than other manufacturer's striker fired products. As was said, all striker fired pistols have essentially the same safety mechanisms built in.
The safe use of a firearm does have something to do with the gun itself but is more a function of safe handling and following all the safety precautions available. Nobody should simply rely on the mechanics of a firearm to keep them safe.
If you compare the S&W and Glock web-sites, it's very obvious that Glock did its homework, IMHO. The site is very well-conceived and easy to navigate. Further, there's plenty of useful "information" contained on those pages! As a retired IT Professional, I appreciate Glock's effort.
That said, I wouldn't make the jump fto say that Glock's are safer. Beware of the Glock Koolaid!
....and the holster. Next to a well practiced shootist, the holster is probably the best safety. Blocks the finger from the trigger (well, most of them), prevents a muzzle-first and rear slide/hammer-first drop (see:1903 Colt .33ACP that killed its owner on rear drop).
Exception may be the Beretta 92 where one "rides the trigger".
....and the holster. Next to a well practiced shootist, the holster is probably the best safety. Blocks the finger from the trigger (well, most of them), prevents a muzzle-first and rear slide/hammer-first drop (see:1903 Colt .33ACP that killed its owner on rear drop).
Exception may be the Beretta 92 where one "rides the trigger".
This is an excellent cut away view of the operation of the Glock. The M&P is very similar and they both have the same two mechanical safety features:
You'll notice that I said "two" mechanical safety features because they really only have two; trigger safety and striker block.
The striker block only does one thing, it prevents the striker from moving through the firing pin hole. This has two benefits. First, should the sear accidentally release the striker, the striker is blocked by the striker block. Second, if the gun is dropped on the muzzle, the striker block prevents the striker from hitting the primer through momentum. Thus the firing pin (striker) and drop safeties are handled by the same device. It just makes people feel better to say there are three safeties.
The trigger safety has always been a mystery. Most think it's there to prevent the movement of the trigger by an accidental finger. Obviously, a finger, or anything else, that gets in the trigger guard will depress the trigger safety first and therefore, won't prevent the trigger from moving. So, what's the purpose? I'm glad you asked. The answer is momentum prevention.
If the gun were to be dropped on the rear of the slide, it's possible that the momentum of the trigger could be enough to cause it to move rearward. This would have the same effect as if it were pressed intentionally. If that happened, the gun would fire because the striker block would be defeated by having the trigger back.
This is where the trigger safety comes in. That little lever prevents the trigger from moving should the gun be dropped on the rear of the slide. This is the same in every gun that has a trigger safety.
Three safeties I never want in my carry gun are: Thumb Safety, Magazine Safety, and Grip Safety. The best safety any pistol can have is a good holster....
There's a lot of talk about the LAPD's increase in accidental discharges when they began the switch away from the 92 and towards the M&P 9.
The theory was that the firmer DA only trigger pull of the 92 had been managed by training LEO's to "ride" the 92‘s firm trigger back to reset, and to keep some pressure on the trigger while waiting for the next shot.
"Riding" the lighter M&P trigger caused the accidental discharges until training caught up to the newer technology.
I seem to remember reading that "riding" was also trained for DA revolvers before the mass movement to semi-auto pistols for law enforcement.
This will be interesting to watch as the military switches from the 92 to (most likey) a striker fired pistol.
There are a lot of holster makers out there and a lot of different styles of holster. The Uncle Mikes holsters that were mentioned have been around a long time, they are affordably priced and pretty rugged, but being made of nylon web they tend to be more bulky than the molded kydex or leather holsters.
I don't believe you mentioned what model M&P you were looking at nor whether you are looking for a concealed carry or open carry holster. Assuming concealed carry is your plan, be aware that the larger the gun the harder it becomes to conceal and the more important the holster becomes. I carry a Shield in a Lobo Gun Leather enhanced pancake holster. Most holster makers produce a version of the pancake holster and for concealed carry, OWB, you can't hardly go wrong with this style. It keeps the gun tight against your body so that it "prints" less under your cover garment. With the Shield's short barrel, the holster really doesn't extend far below the belt which makes it easy to conceal under a loose fitting untucked shirt.
The theory was that the firmer DA only trigger pull of the 92 had been managed by training LEO's to "ride" the 92‘s firm trigger back to reset, and to keep some pressure on the trigger while waiting for the next shot.
Interesting theory, but untrue. The Beretta 92 models are DA/SA. Thus the follow up shot actually has a lighter trigger pull than the M&P.
Yes, the proper trigger control is to keep your finger on the trigger. Trap it back after the shot and then let it out to the reset. Then take up the slack and prepare for a follow up shot. This is the same for every gun regardless of manufacturer. Not related only to the 92 series at all.
What Are M&P Pistol's "Proven Safety Features"?
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