• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

LE only M&P...what's the difference?

I could be totally wrong here...but I heard a couple different things. One being that the LE only comes with an extra mag and night sights for the same price....and then I heard its for LE only because they discount it. Not sure whats the truth...tried researching it and didn't really get much of any answer...but I will keep digging lol
 
There are LE editions of firearms which traditionally come with three magazines. One for your firearm and two for your belt pouch. These often have night sights. However these are NOT LE Only. Anyone can own them.

There are firearm manufacturers that give special pricing to first responders. Usually when you submit your order for for these the form has a statement saying something like "you will not resell the firearm for a minimum of one year." Obviously manufactures do not want to undermine their dealer network with discounted firearms. Traditionally these purchaser are limited to a portion of the production, for example a sporting clays O/U would probably not be on the discout program but a pump would be. Also the first responder can only buy a couple of firearms each year under these programs.

Then there are also firearms intended to be sold ONLY to departments or individual Officers for duty use. These are less money because the 11% Federal excise tax on firearms has not been paid to the Government on these firearms. These pistols (even if officer purchased) must be shipped directly to the Department.
 
I have an LEO M&P 40C on order from Streicher's Police HQ. It'll come with 3 mags & Trijicon Night sights & costs $455, the same price for FS M&Ps .40 s&w & 9MM. calibers. The.45 cal is $499 for FS & compact. The wait for delivery might/will be longer.

This deal is for LEO, Security & Military but my retired Army ID card & Security license was just glanced at. I think I could have bought it without either.
 
Last edited:
Lower price and an extra mag. That's the only difference. You can get regular or night sights.
 
The range and carry "kits" (9/40) come with 3 magazines too but no night sights. I don't know if the .45 is available as a range and carry kit.
 
There are LE editions of firearms which traditionally come with three magazines.

Then there are also firearms intended to be sold ONLY to departments or individual Officers for duty use. These are less money because the 11% Federal excise tax on firearms has not been paid to the Government on these firearms. These pistols (even if officer purchased) must be shipped directly to the Department.
This is the reason why LE guns are cheaper. No excise tax. We have some LE guns in the store for sale only to LE. We need to make a photo copy of their police ID to send it to the mfr to verify it was a LE sale. There is nothing different about these guns from the ones sold to the public, except the lack of excise tax paid. GARY
 
Last edited:
Lower price and an extra mag. That's the only difference. You can get regular or night sights.
Exactly. M&Ps sell for $398 without night sights at Streicher's. I may never need night sights on any firearm I own, at least I haven't so far, but at $67 for $150 sights I couldn't pass it up. My son has them equipped on his PD M&P 40 & likes them better than factory sights even for daytime. He has Trijicons on both Glocks that I gave him so he's well used to them.
 
S&W has the Nations Finest program with provides a $50 rebate for Military and Police. (even buying for personal use).
 
Can anyone please educate me on the LE only versions of the M&P's?:confused:

The SKU number on the full size duty guns usually begins with a 3 on LE guns (3 magazines), a 2 on standard capacity guns and a 1 on guns with mags of 10 rounds or less. Beyond that, the features are the same as the commercial guns with the same remaining SKU number.

Example: 209300 is commercial; 309300 is LE. The 309300 has three magazines, but is otherwise identical.

Night sights are still optional on LE guns in the sense that they have their own SKU numbers. What a dealer may have in stock is simply what the dealer chose to order from the distributor.
 
S&W has the Nations Finest program with provides a $50 rebate for Military and Police. (even buying for personal use).
I'm sincerely hoping that my M&P ships before June so I can take advantage of the deal. Any military - Active, Reserve, Guard or Retired is eligible. I can put that $50 to either a new holster, spare mags, a .357sig barrel or ammo as I see fit all of which I intend to buy eventually.
 
LE guns come with three mags instead of two (two for the compacts), and night sights are an option. As someone else posted, the main advantage is the LE price, which is fixed at lower than normal retail. While it may not seem fair, and certainly doesn't likely add much to the company's profit margin, it puts S&W pistols back in the holsters of American police officers - which is good advertising - Glock did it with much success.
 
I buy pistols from Buds Gun shop but go through Buds Law Enforcment Supply. My MP9 / MP40 and MP45 all came with 3 mags and night sights for a LOWER price than what everyone else was paying for the regular MP's...usually about 25 to 50$ cheaper. To buy through Buds you have to send in Military ID or proof your a LEO to buy through their Law Enforcement shop. I dont know what other places require though?
 
Back
Top