M&P 40 ???

[off road]

Daughter is majoring in criminal justice, and wants to go into Probation/Parole when she graduates from college. California Parole recently adopted the M&P 40. Being a Glock guy myself, I know nothing about S&W autos.

She shot a lot when she was younger, but not so much lately. I would like to get her back shooting, but want to put her on something that will be relevant later on. She really probably needs the compact, rather than the full size. Not sure if they would issue her a compact? Not sure about backup guns either, but I will have her train on the J-frames as well.

Anything special one needs to know about the M&P 40's???

 

[turbo38gn]

Daughter is majoring in criminal justice, and wants to go into parole when she graduates from college. California Parole recently adopted the M&P 40. Being a Glock guy myself, I know nothing about S&W autos.

She shot a lot when she was younger, but not so much lately. I would like to get her back shooting, but want to put her on something that will be relevant later on. She really probably needs the compact, rather than the full size. Not sure if they would issue her a compact, or insist on a full size? Not sure about backup guns either, but I will have her train on the J-frames as well.

Anything special one needs to know about the M&P 40's???

Buy a lot of ammo.... it is an amazing gun... maybe a little trigger work is all you may want to do..

 

[smitret]

MP40

Daughter is majoring in criminal justice, and wants to go into parole when she graduates from college. California Parole recently adopted the M&P 40. Being a Glock guy myself, I know nothing about S&W autos.

She shot a lot when she was younger, but not so much lately. I would like to get her back shooting, but want to put her on something that will be relevant later on. She really probably needs the compact, rather than the full size. Not sure if they would issue her a compact, or insist on a full size? Not sure about backup guns either, but I will have her train on the J-frames as well.

Anything special one needs to know about the M&P 40's???

I find recoil more easily handled in a MP40 than any other 40S&W.

The three grip choices are a plus.

I wouldn't bother with trigger work until after 500rds through the weapon.

I smoothed my trigger and my buddy just shot his. His results
almost match mine.

Zero problems with my FS9.

Good Luck

 

[Firehouse]

I'd take an M&P40 over a Glock 22 any day. Great weapons.

 

[Stu454]

Atlanta PD and Dekalb County PD (our two largest metro area departments) both went with the M&P 40. And Glock is just up the road in Smryna. I'm sure Smith offered the departments a great deal, but Glock probably did as well.

And these two departments shoot guys on a regular basis, so they do try to get them decent equipment.

FWIW, I'll probably pick up an M&P 40 full size in the near future.

 

[chessail 77]

The adjustable grip (backstraps) will likely give the M&P a better fit and ergonomics are better on the Smith, as to customer service and reliability ...the S&W is strong there as well...

 

[off road]

I don't see her ever being able to conceal a full size. I haven't examined a compact up close, but that will be our project later in the week. She likes shooting the 3913, and something about that size would be perfect.

We have a friend who is in Parole, and he still carries an old school full size 9mm (5906???). He conceals it very well in an OWB holster with just a baggy shirt, but he is a big guy. He is about to retire and doesn't want to mess with learning a new gun, so so far, he is passing up their offer of a new M&P.

 

[R1_Demon]

If they are concealing and she is a smaller framed person, then I would go with the 40c. That's what I carry CC and have no problems concealing it and it's pretty lightweight as well. I'm sure she could conceal the FS 40 if she needed to, but if she doesn't really need to, then why bother?

I say go with the 40c. It's a very nice firearm to shoot. Also, when you first get it, clean it really well and then go out and shoot it. I'm sure you'll like the trigger. Most people put in an Apex kit before they even shoot the darn thing or just because people said to. I see no need for an Apex kit. Mine feels and works perfectly as is...stock.

 

[Richbmw]

I own an M&P .40 and I love it. It's my main home defense gun, easy to shoot, easy to take down and clean. It has been flawless in its operation from day one and I have put over 500 rounds through it. I say go with the full size and wait to see about any trigger upgrades. Like others, I am perfectly happy with my M&P .40 trigger.

 

[MotorCityGun]

Atlanta PD and Dekalb County PD (our two largest metro area departments) both went with the M&P 40. And Glock is just up the road in Smryna. I'm sure Smith offered the departments a great deal, but Glock probably did as well.

And these two departments shoot guys on a regular basis, so they do try to get them decent equipment.

Add the Detroit PD and ATF to the LE agencies that have switched over to M&P 40. I wonder if there is anyway to find out how the female members of these organizations have adapted to M&P 40's?

I should mention that I, too, love to shoot my .40c which is my EDC, however, your daughter's MMV.

 

[Tom Goodrick]

Eventually she'll probably want both a 40c and a 40FS. The FS will be fine using the small grip. Keep an M&P clean but not oiled excessively and it will work fine.

You should also be aware there is a choice of safeties on the M&P line. You can choose from none, mag safety or thumb safety. Her work may require a certain type.

 

[Rangel]

For a long, long time, 38 caliber revolvers were the mainstay for police carry. Then with the advent of reliable semi automatics, the 9mm had quite a run. Today the semi autos are here to stay and 40's are (I think) the police standard sidearm of choice, although I see a lot of officers, especially males, opting for 45ACP, when given the option.

If she can shoot a J frame revolver for any length of time with out wanting to toss it because it hurts her hand, power to her--maybe she'd like a 45 semi auto M&P. My wife's 5'0 tall, weighs 90 pounds and can shoot a 45ACP without any discomfort and most importantly, quite accurately.

That said, my wife is still a bit more accurate shooting 9mm. Less firepower, less recoil. Myself? I find the 40 to be the best balance of the bunch. I'm more accurate shooting 9mm too, but with the right ammo (ammo has advanced more than guns in recent years) the 40's offer the best combination of lethal force, recoil comfort and accuracy to me.

The S&W M&P compact in 40 caliber is pretty good in delivering all the above, typically has a very smooth trigger action, if nothing else, is reliable and is easy to break down and service, if needed.

S&W really, looked very hard at Glock, which dominates law enforcement markets, then 'adopted' what Glock does well in their M&P series. Then S&W added a few things and as a result, they arguably offer a superior product at a better price. To compound matters, some feel the latest, 4th generation Glocks, aside from their changeable backstrap, are inferior to the 3rd generation Glocks, with spring and recoil issues yet to be resolved.

I think a an M&P 40C would serve your daughter well, although typically, a compact isn't a law enforcement officers primary, department issued sidearm.

 

[Bicky Robby]

My experience with pistols chambered for the 40 S&W round, are all from Glock platforms (27,23,22,35). I have found the felt recoil is more manageable as the frame gets bigger. I find almost no difference in recoil management between the subcompact 9mm (26) & 40 (27) Glock platforms.

I am sure the comparison will be similar with the M&P. My M&P 9 is on par in performance with my Glock 17. Both guns can accept low levels of manitenance and still perform at a high level.

The big advantage the M&P has, are the adjustable backstraps. Proper grip is the link between shooter and gun. If the gun does not allow the shooter to have that solid link from grip to the trigger, results will at best be inconsistant. The M&P in any caliber is a good choce for anyone as long as that person is committed to practice at the range and dry fire away from the range.

 

[ET.]

I trust my life to Glocks. I carry a Glock 27 concealed every day. My G21sf stays in my nightstand. In a moment of weakness I bought a M&P 40 Pro Series 5" barrel last week simply because it was in stock and I could hold it. I had wanted a G35 for range & competition shooting, but there wasn't one in town. I'm happy with the M&P. The Pro Series I purchased has a competiton trigger that has been tuned to about 4 lbs. It feels great. My neighbor bought a regular M&P and spent $150 on a trigger job. The Pro Series cost about $100 more but you get more. The Hi-vis sights on the long slide are perfect for comp/range time. The night sights on the compact are perfect for SD. I would trust my life to the S&W M&P series pistols from what I've experienced so far (500 rounds). I'll let you know after another 5000 rounds.

 

[Craig19]

I've had my M&P 40 since Aug. I really like it, I don't think the trigger is bad, I find it a little smoother than my GEN 4 22. I haven't put a ton of rounds through it, but it has been 100%. Two of my sisters (both weigh less than 130 lbs) really liked it, and they hate my Glocks.

 

[dcxplant]

I'm glad everyone so far has all positive things to say.

I considered an M&P 40 but I was put off by the significant slide to frame gap. It seems to me it exposes the pistol to detritus that may get into the action.

Any comments on this?

Thanks!

 

[Whbk4life]

I would think that the gap makes it easier for debrie to fall out. Plus it's much easier to clean.

 

[turbo38gn]

I'm glad everyone so far has all positive things to say.

I considered an M&P 40 but I was put off by the significant slide to frame gap. It seems to me it exposes the pistol to detritus that may get into the action.

Any comments on this?

Thanks!

That's the worst you can come up with..... ?..... not an issue whatsoever. Although I once found a toothpic in mine... but it fired fine..

 

[Trippy]

the Ontario county SD also went to the M&P 40

 

[Bicky Robby]

Evey Glock on the planet has the same gap. The loose tolerances of the M&P, Glock and XD's make the guns still work in less than desirable conditions. But the point is.......they go "bang" when they need to.