M&P 45acp yea or nay??

flinch · #1 08-29-2009, 06:45 PM

Howdy. Want the M&P 45 desert tan badly/ Got a 4" XD that holds 13 rounds vs. 10 in the M&P. Love the XD. Will I like the M&P as much or more? Cant shoot it before I buy it..

RABULL · #2 08-29-2009, 06:52 PM

I have 2 of the S & W M & P .45's (one with the thumb safety, one without). I have not shot an XD so I can't compare the two; however, the M & P .45's are great handling and shooting handguns. S & W really got this one right. I would sure recommend the M & P .45 and I am very happy with mine.....

flinch · #3 08-29-2009, 09:25 PM

Thanks RABULL

sjmjax · #4 08-29-2009, 10:47 PM

I'm very pleased with mine. It's also the desert tan version with thumb safety and no magazine safety. A combination that mimics the 1911 and I'm very comfortable with shooting.

Mine has been both exceptionally accurate and tolerant of a wide range of both factory and hand loads.

Just had a range session with it this afternoon. Should have kept a target to show you. I normally use 50 yard rifle targets at 15 yards for my handgun shooting. After two 10 round magazines there is just a big hole where the 9 ring use to be. Target after target like clockwork. Bullet goes exactly where you place the white dot on the front sight.

Don't know if they are always that consistant. I also have a M&P 9mm. Every bit as reliable but not as accurate. Not awful, just doesn't consistantly shoot as well as my .45 version.

avmech · #5 08-30-2009, 11:04 AM

Have both the M&P 45C and the XD45 Service. They are both very good pistols, comfortable to shoot, accurate, reliable. You won't go wrong with the M&P.

Smith Pistol · #6 08-30-2009, 04:50 PM

Nay IMO, and here's why I think "Nay" is the appropraite answer from me. First, it's a plastic gun. I prefer something that will outlast me and can I can keep looking good. I can't see a plastic pistol being a lifetime weapon and I wouldn't look forward to ruining the plastic frame through use (scratches, gouges, etc). Although metal guns can have wear, it's obvious that plastic will fare much worse.

I also don't like striker-fired pistols with DAO operation, especially with the consistently heavier trigger on the M&P series as compared to the XD. A DA pull is fine at the start for me, but I prefer the accuracy provided by a second SA pull that I can get in a traditional pistol format. At least with the XD, the firing pin seems to be half cocked already so it's like a "single and a half" pull.

I've also found the factory trigger very mushy on every M&P series that I've tried. If you like the trigger pull on the XD, you will be disappointed with the M&P. The XD still has a tiny mush feel just before it breaks, it's lifiting the firing pin block out of the way, but the M&P has much more of it. Bad triggers are one of the killers for me on anything I consder.

Finally, the clincher for me was when a neighborhing agency pulled the M&P from duty use due to failures. That tells me that S&W didn't get it right with the first generation of these disposable pistols. Just like with their previous line of semi-auto pistols, the best version came at the end of production in their third generation line, IMO. It seems to me that it may be the same with the M&P series of semi-auto plastic pistols.

That's much of what brings me to the "Nay" answer that I gave myself. Feel free to disagree.

Fastbolt · #7 08-30-2009, 05:17 PM

I've come to really like my M&P 45.

I own 9 pistols chambered in .45 ACP.

The only plastic .45 I own is the M&P 45 (and I've handled and shot my fair share of plastic .45's.)

When it comes time to take a .45 to a range session I reach for the M&P 45. I enjoy shooting it more than any of my metal-framed .45's, including my 1911's. Odd, but there you go.

My M&P 45 has been very accurate. Surprisingly so, even though the trigger pull weight was on the heavier end of the normal spec range.

I recently installed one of the newly revised stainless strikers (which appears much heavier and more robust than the earlier revised black MIM striker). Not because it was necessary, but because I'd ordered one during a spare parts order and just wanted to see if I could notice any difference when shooting the gun.

I expected the same initial heavy trigger pull with the striker assembly (new striker spring, new striker foot engagement surface, etc). Interestingly enough, to my surprise I found the trigger pull smoother and not at all gritty like I did when using the original MIM striker. Bear in mind that this was using the original sear which has NOT been modified in any way, too, since this gun is intended to see occasional carry as a dedicated defensive weapon.

I've noticed that many of the M&P pistol parts I've received have been listed as revisions, and while this is certainly not unusual for S&W when it comes to their standard models and the parts made for them they seem to have been busy making a lot of revisions (refinements?) in the M&P line.

I think S&W is really putting a lot of effort and attention into this line.

I also think S&W has a real winner on its hands with it, too.

They can't seem to keep their website updated fast enough to reflect the growing number of American LE agencies (and other countries) which have been adopting this new line.

While I have no plans to add any more Glocks or 99 series pistols to my personal collection (and I like both, especially when chambered in 9mm), I'm seriously considering adding a 3rd M&P pistol to my collection ... and maybe a 4th. Didn't expect that to happen.

At this time I happen to think the M&P is ideally suited for being chambered in .45 ACP, BTW. Not something I'd necessarily say about Glocks or the 99 series.

I like mine ...

BarbC · #8 08-30-2009, 05:46 PM

I have the M&P full size 9 and like the quality and ergonomics. I wanted a .45 and although the M&P was much better built, I bought a used 4" XD because it was cheaper. The XD is ok and easy to shoot but the slide is a bit stiffer than the M&P 45 (18 pound spring vs. 16 pound). I'm waiting for a M&P .45 compact now. I won't trade in the XD, but I still like the M&P line better.

Spotteddog · #9 08-30-2009, 07:15 PM

Obviously a decision reached due to being a woman of breeding and refinement!

Nframe357 · #10 08-30-2009, 09:41 PM

I've had my M&P 45 since spring of 07, it's gotten more accurate with time, the trigger has gotten much better. I too feel S&W got this one right, I was looking at XD45's when my delaer showed me the M&P, it just felt "right" in my hand and still does. It's now my nightstand gun...

flinch · #11 09-02-2009, 08:52 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm going to get one.

pawncop · #12 09-02-2009, 09:24 PM

Good choice flinch, I carry a S&W M&P 45 ACP as my duty gun now. Used to carry a Glock 21C, and happy to have a S&W at my side now.

I own a 4506, the M&P and a 1911 S&W and am please with all three.

Fastbolt · #13 09-02-2009, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawncop

Good choice flinch, I carry a S&W M&P 45 ACP as my duty gun now. Used to carry a Glock 21C, and happy to have a S&W at my side now.

I own a 4506, the M&P and a 1911 S&W and am please with all three.

Me too.

Of the 9 pistols I have chambered in .45 ACP, the S&W model line is represented with a CS45, 4513TSW, SW1911SC and a M&P 45.

I'd have been very pleased to have finished my career carrying an issued M&P 45, as well.

MarshallDodge · #14 09-02-2009, 11:52 PM

I have shot both the XD45 and the M&P45 and I would give the edge to the M&P for accuracy and ease of carry.

I foresee the XD going on the market after you have the M&P for a while.

1911ES · #15 09-03-2009, 09:34 PM

The M&P .45 is a very nice pistol ... if you like the polymer type weapons. My wife has a Springfeild XD .40 and it's a good shooter, but I think the M&P's are a better overall pistol.
As with anything else, it comes down to preference. You should shoot the M&P .45 just to make sure it's to your liking.
In fact, I looked at the M&P's today !