Making M&P Safeties "stiffer"

[vboy36]

Hi All,

I am concerned that the thumb safeties on my M&P 40c and 9c are not "stiff" enough, they come off too easy, sometimes when the gun brushes another surface. I read an earlier post on this site from 2016 about adjustments that can be made to the safety (removing it and filing the hole deeper, which makes me want a gunsmith to get involved), so I was wondering if any updates are out there. I like thumb safties on all my autos.

Thank you

 

[Farmer17]

Sounds like it would be a quick and easy job for a gunsmith.

 

[vboy36]

Thanks, Farmer17. I just read some recent posts on this subject, April 2019, I am calling a gun smith tomorrow and S&W customer service.

 

[Saudade]

Can you define "stiff enough"?

 

[vboy36]

Can you define "stiff enough"?

lol, well the current safety is too loose, does not need an intentional effort to release it as compared to a manual safety on a Shield or Ruger SR9. But your point is well taken, I am not sure if an adjustment to the current M&P Safety will be "stiff enough" but I bet it will make it better than it is now. Hopefully I will find a gunsmith that has done a few of these.

 

[Farmer17]

Quite a few people have complained about this and I believe S&W will fix it for free and it's also fairly easy to do yourself by just file cutting the notch a little deeper on the safety. If you mess up, a new safety is about 12 bucks and by doing it yourself you could do it slowly until you get that perfect "feel. I've heard of some people sending their guns to S&W and getting it back and it's better but still not perfect.

 

[Rastoff]

You could replace the plunger spring with a stiffer one. That will require a little research to find the right size.

 

[APS]

My jm custom kydex iwb3 holster will not allow the safety to come of while it the gun is fully holstered. It will also put the safety on if you forget in the last inch or so of the holstering stroke.
But yeah outside of the holster the safety could stand to be a little stiffer. I did not know it was going to be relatively easy, going to poke around for some more info.

 

[Sheepdogged]

If you are the original owner, I would send it to Smith & Wesson and tell them the safety deactivates too easily. Even if you're not [the original owner], I would still see what they would be willing to do. They don't want one of their guns implicated in an accident either.

 

[vboy36]

Thanks all for the info! I spoke with a gunsmith and may take it to him to have a look BUT I think I will check with S&W cust serv again. I called them yesterday to see if there was an "upgrade" to the safety and they said no. I will call them back and say the safety comes off too easy and see where it goes from there. I have a Kydex insert and it does keep the safety in place. Also thinking about having the lever cut and only a button size safety, lack of leverage could help the issue. I would buy an extra safety from S&W. Thanks again

 

[Mountain Walker]

As far as I can see, Smith & Wesson gets an "F" on their thumb safeties. Plenty of good examples out there but some S&W thumb safeties are poorly designed and don't work properly.

 

[Rastoff]

As far as I can see, Smith & Wesson gets an "F" on their thumb safeties. Plenty of good examples out there but some S&W thumb safeties are poorly designed and don't work properly.

What doesn't work? When the thumb safety is on, it blocks trigger movement which prevents the gun from being fired. Isn't that what they're supposed to do?

 

[kbm6893]

All of my M&P's have safeties. I wish they offered a single sided not so huge version. I had an SR9 once and they safety was perfect. Smaller than the M&P but a nice positive click. The Shield safety would be perfect if it was a teeny bit wider.

But none have ever come off without me taking them off. Only one I carry regularly is the Shield. The new 9MM EZ has a more positive click than the ones on my full size and compact 2.0 guns. But again, I don't need or want a double sided safety. Don't know why S&W doesn't sell single sided safeties. They sell double sided and the plugs if you remove them, but not a single sided.

 

[Mountain Walker]

What doesn't work? When the thumb safety is on, it blocks trigger movement which prevents the gun from being fired. Isn't that what they're supposed to do?

Yes you are right. My issue that they are not positive and stiff enough. Also they are larger than necessary. The new military contract Sig M-18 has a perfect safety which is large enough but not too large and the action is very positive on and off. Perhaps you example is good. BTW I am OK with the Shield Thumb Safety even if it is tiny. Seem to work reliably with the side of my thumb if I move it quickly.

 

[vboy36]

I am going to live with it...for now. Been carrying it for several days in a new holster. Safety stays in place. Practicing dry firing...etc. I agree that the design sucks, the lever is too big but...it is a great gun, both the 40 and 9mm. I have extended mags for both as well. Practice, practice, practice. Thanks again!

 

[Rastoff]

Yes you are right. My issue that they are not positive and stiff enough. Also they are larger than necessary. The new military contract Sig M-18 has a perfect safety which is large enough but not too large and the action is very positive on and off. Perhaps you example is good. BTW I am OK with the Shield Thumb Safety even if it is tiny. Seem to work reliably with the side of my thumb if I move it quickly.

Please don't take this wrong, but your point are an opinion. You don't like the size and detent. Nothing wrong with that. It's why we have so many gun makers.

I have no issue with the size of the thumb safety. I do find it a little weak. Even so, mine has never come off without me doing it.


Moreover, the thumb safety is really superfluous. All it does is block trigger movement. As long as the trigger is used properly, the gun will not fire unless done so intentionally.