New to the forum, but have read alot about barrels and triggers not being as good in earlier models? As I recently purchased a 9mm Shield (love it by the way), I am now undecided between a new full size m&p 9mm and a fnh fns 9mm. Are there any issues with the most current manufactured m&p's? Anyone opinion would be welcomed. Thanks.

Welcome A Board I. got a new M&P 40C last summer. I have it in A I W B. As I type its been flawless.

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Spin The Wheel

My M&P Pro Long 9mm is one of my favorites. It has had some Apex upgrades. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

The current model full size M&Ps are excellent self defense pistols right out of the box and most are extremely dependable.

Now, with that said, and keeping in mind that people that hang out on internet forums such as this are some level of "hobbyist" and probably asks more of their self defense pistols than the "average Joe/Jane" that buys the gun, takes it to the range a few times and then parks it in the nightstand drawer. Hobbyists tend to go to the range pretty regularly and so they want more than just good enough.

As you read this and other boards you'll detect that it seems a majority of people have installed Apex Tactical action enhancement kits/triggers in their guns. If you plan to shoot regularly, I believe the investment in one of the Apex kits is quite worthwhile. A smooth trigger pull with a crisp predictable release will improve your accuracy considerably.

I have no real knowledge of the FN, so can't speak to differences.

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Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

Depends on who you ask. Some people post rants about the "awful triggers" while others wonder what their problem is.

I have seen some experienced 1911 shooters that cannot cope with a striker fired trigger, and their choice is either to learn a new trigger system or install APEX parts to get close to a single action trigger. Both approaches work, for different individuals.

Since I shoot in IDPA/SSP, I use an essentially stock M&P 9 Pro 5". Visible modifications bump you up to other Divisions.

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Science plus Art

Thanks for the replies, please keep'em coming as to quality of the m&p's since 2013.

I have a late 2015 Shield 9mm and a M&P 22 Compact and I think there's a lot to be said for what the prior two posters said. For those off us that carry for self defense or shoot for fun, or in competition classes that require stock pistols, the M&Ps that I've shot, as built, are fine firearms, out of the box.

A lot of folks on forums, including this one seem to be convinced they need lighter triggers, or smoother triggers, or whatever Apex or whoever else makes to make their pistol acceptable. That's fine for them.

Personally, if I ever shoot someone in self defense, I don't want to be explaining why I thought a lighter trigger or different sear, or whatever were needed so I could be more accurate (insert deadly). That's the same reason I don't carry +P ammo. But it's my decision. Others can do as they wish, and defend themselves in court if they ever are engaged in a shooting.

FYI, I was a Military Policeman in the Army and carried an issue 1911 .45 (tells you my age) which I can assure you was not "tuned" and I could shoot it fine....maybe not at 25+ yards, but in most police encounters. So, I'm comfortable sticking with stock pistols.

If I can't shoot them, I sell them. Just my 2₵.

I agree. My late 2015 Shield 9mm is box stock. It is a remarkable shooter. I carry Federal Personal Defense HST standard pressure ammo (vs the Law Enforcement Tactical, which is the same ammo BTW). I'll be picking up my new .380 Bodyguard next week, plan on box stock as well, with Federal Personnel Defense Hydra-Shok standard pressure ammo (vs the Law Enforcement Tactical, which is the same ammo BTW). My M&P compact .22 also shoots great, right out the box...

I have quite a few M&Ps, in .22, 9mm, and .45, including a CORE and a Shield purchased in 2015. My first M&P, a 9mm FS I bought in 2006, is box stock except for the sights, and usually when I let others shoot it they ask who did the trigger work. Nobody has done anything; it's just fired thousands of rounds over the last nine years.

The Apex triggers are very nice, but in my view, the "need" for a replacement trigger in the M&P is exaggerated. If you're used to shooting a Model 41 in bullseye matches, you likely won't like the trigger of a new M&P, but if you put a few hundred rounds through it, you may find that you'd prefer to spend money on more ammo rather than on a new trigger. (Though if you simply have plenty of money, go ahead and get an Apex, which is undeniably excellent.)

Unless you just really prefer the feel of the FN, I'd suggest getting a M&P FS, especially if you already like the Shield.

My advice, and worth every cent you paid for it.

Cheers,
Whisper

The FNS-9 is a superb pistol. It is accurate right out of the box and has a very good trigger. There are not as many aftermarket items for it, and not as wide a selection of holsters.

The M&P9 gets high marks here, of course, and is well-established as an industry standard for striker-fired pistols, particularly regarding ergonomic fit and reliability. S&W may be the best company in the business for customer service, if needed, and that is a plus factor for choosing an M&P. Newer M&Ps have a fairly nice trigger out of the box, although some folks add Apex parts to make the trigger smoother, shorter, and lighter (this is more for the range and competition than for self-defense use). There are persistently reported problems with M&P9 accuracy at longer distances (over 10-15 yards) that seem to affect some M&P9s, even newer ones. Several companies, including Apex, Storm Lake, Wilson Combat, etc., make aftermarket barrels in an attempt to solve this problem -- indicating the problem is real, even though S&W has been working on it for some time, instituting rolling changes to M&P9s over the years to tweak the gun.

For me, it would be a very close call between the two pistols (and the Sig P320 comes to mind as a similarly priced pistol that is also very good). As I sit here today, I plan to buy a FNS-9 or FNS-9c next... but tomorrow, if I walked into a gun store, I might buy another M&P9.

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S&W Rover

My M&P 9 Shield and M&P 22 FS are stock, except for fiber optic sights and "cleaned up" trigger parts. My M&P 9 Compact, was my first IDPA gun, so I did a Burwell trigger job and added fiber optic sights. It's also my present carry gun. My new M&P 9, 5 inch Pro is my new IDPA gun and I expect more out of it than my other M&P's. I installed an Apex competition kit and fiber optic sights (rear to match the front). When I noticed some of my longer shots were just outside the perforation on an IDPA target, I did a benchrest ammo test and found the best ammo (147 grain American Eagle) only got 3.5" to 6" groups. I installed an Apex gunsmith fit barrel and now average groups a third that size. This will definitely improve my accuracy and IDPA score.

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NRA R.S.O. & Life Member

The basic original M&P9 does everything the newer ones do.

I have a 2013 M&P pro 9 with the 5in barrel. I shoot IDPA about once a month, just because its fun. I go to the range every couple of weeks with friends.
My APEX flat trigger and forward set sear arrived yesterday. I can't wait to get it installed and get to the range to try it out.

I think I've gotten to the point that for me its been great but time to put in what I feel will be a big improvement for the trigger.

My M&P has been great, always goes bang, never had an issue.

I have MP 9 SKU 309701 L/E with night sights 3 mags with all updates trigger bar , slide lock new type flawless trigger is good .

I purchased a new M&P Shield 9 on 12/26/15. I took it home and racked the slide a few times to break it in a bit. I immediately noticed abnormal wear on the top of the barrel over the chamber (the square portion). I shot it and it got much worse. I sent it back for repairs with a detailed description of the issue. I got it back 2 weeks later with NO EXPLANATION or repair. I immediately called and spoke to a VERY rude customer service rep who said he has been around guns "a long time" and they all wear differently.

I have purchased 6 shields for my family members and I had a 40 for myself previously. NONE had this issue and still do not show this abnormal wear after hundreds of rounds. Aside from that, I own LOTS of pistols and have also been around guns "a long time" This was not normal wear. He cut me off when I was talking and was generally dismissive of my issue. This gun also has something in the trigger bar grinding and clicking that none of the other shields have. I can see the trigger bar shift when it happens. HE also dismissed that issue.

I sent the gun back and the next morning called first thing and asked for a customer service manager to make sure the pistol is repaired this time. A very rude female receptionist cut me off when speaking (I think they're trained to do that at S&W!) and put me on hold mid sentence. She said a manager would call me right back and I am yet to get that call three hours later.

I called back and spoke to "Tom". Although he too cut me off mid sentence he did offer at least to accept an email from me with photos of the issue with the gun. He was in agreement that there is an issue with the wear and said he would put a notification on the repair to have the M&P specialist personally inspect the issue. I also emailed him photos of three other M&P pistols I have purchased with NONE of the wear my brand new gun is getting.

As of now, I am VERY disappointed with Smith and Wesson customer service and am hoping they resolve this issue appropriately the second time around. I'm hoping this is not an early warning sign of diminishing quality of the M&P line.

I will update when I get a resolution.

Sorry to hear, could you please post those pictures here for us to see...

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Jack C

You know, I never really thought anything of it until I read your post. I have a .40 Pro that I bought about 5 years ago. I don't recall the build date however. I also have a 9 Pro that has a build date of Dec 2015. It has about 500 rounds through it, while my .40 Pro has close to 10k rounds through it. When I look at the barrel wear on my older 40, I'm absolutely amazed at how little barrel wear is on it, for a gun that has close to 10k round through it. However, my 9 which has around 500 rounds through it, shows more barrel wear that I think it would at 500 rounds. It's not as much as my 40, but still is alot of wear considering the round count. I don't find it abnormal though as you do with your Shield. But I do definitely see a difference.

I have an older M&P and even with the different barrel twist the gun is way more accurate that I ever be, I tested several different brands of ammo and while there always some differences in accuracy I found that at self defense distances the gun is plenty accurate (trust me). New production M&P's in my opinion have a better trigger and for the average gun owner is more than adequate, it is far more important to seek and get proper training than a lighter trigger. Eventually would be nice to have a trigger job but it has taking me many years to come close to have a decent trigger discipline as I don't know many people who can use a basic trigger as it should.

Sorry for the delayed response. Here are photos of my shield (brand new!!) and my brother's that I got him as a wedding gift in early 2015. His has MANY rounds through it.

S&W emailed me yesterday to notify me they received the pistol. We shall see if they do the right thing and live up to the praise so many seem to give their customer service department. So far, they have really let me down.

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	IMG_1127.jpg (47.1 KB, 104 views)

Wow... I think I'll remain speechless.. on this one. Thank you for the pictures..

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Jack C

I know sometimes a bad one comes out on the production line. I get that.. what bothers me about this entire thing is S&W's complete unwillingness to admit there is an issue with this gun both the first time I sent it in and when I received it back unrepaired and immediately called. I first spoke to "Joe" who made it VERY CLEAR he absolutely did not care. He claimed that "he knows a lot about guns and autos all wear differently". Then "Tom" who also seemed to just not give a ****. I can assure you if THEY had purchased this pistol they would be furious to get it back unrepaired. I'm still waiting to hear from them since I know they got the pistol back already.

It drives me nuts becauseI brought this home the day after Christmas and S&W has had it at their facility the majority of the time since then.