I recently found a great deal on a new M&P45 that has the ambidexterous external safety. I have no problem with the extra safety per se, but on this model, because the safety is ambidexterous, the safety levers are much larger than those on the Shield and M&P 9. I am an old revolver man and I love the DAO striker fired semi autos. I don't consider the additional thumb safety to be a problem, but I do have a problem with the size of the thumb safety on the M&P 45.

Is is possible to remove the safety lever only and continue to use and fire the gun without anything coming loose or otherwise interfering with the operation of the firearm. I've watched the video on the Apex sight that shows the external safety being removed as a part of an installation or adjustment procedure. That's not hard to do. But so far, I have not been able to find information about actually removing the external control and leaving it off.

The size of the thumb safety on this gun is such that it will come into contact with the sweat shield on most IWB and other holsters, if present. My practice is to just leave the safety in the "off" position all the time. A holster made for the gun is likely to be made with the safety in the on position. That would mean the gun wouldn't fit properly, at least not as well, in the holster if the safety was not "on".

I'd like to remove the external levers, but I don't want the safety to be able to be engaged without me doing so on purpose. I sure don't want to try to use the gun for personal protection and find the safety to be engaged without me knowing that and being able to snick it off quickly.

So, can I modify the gun by removing the external safety lever portion without in any way negatively affecting the reliable function of the firearm? Could the ambidexterous safety lever(s) be replaced by the small external safety lever found on other models if I ordered that part from S&W? That would get rid of the large levers on both sides of the gun. If you have a link to information about this modification, I'd sure appreciate having it. Thanks for your help.

So long ... Pudge

You might just want to look for a non-thumb safety version. The safety levers will just lift out and should not cause an on-safe issue.

However, since you plan to use the pistol for personal protection, you might want to consider the downstream impact of using a firearm that you removed the safety on, in a criminal or civil cases that could/would follow.

I come from a 1911 background, so the safety is normal and I carry an M&P .45 w/thumb safety daily. It's all a training and practice issue.

Your call, good luck

I can say I've done a bit of research on this one...probably a like you.

First off I don't believe there are smaller thumb safeties available (OEM or aftermarket.
I've seen/heard how to 'snip' off the right side lever but that's mostly been to add a CT grip laser.
Last is to pop the sear housing block out. Ambi will come right off. On the left side of the SB below the ejector you'll see a silver square piece compressing a spring (thumb safety detent/detent spring). That has to come out too.

The trick is though, I think you have to replace the open square notches with the plastic square plugs.

Your final concern about the weapon going on safe even after taking out the manual safety can't happen because you will be effectively taking out the stuff that would keep your trigger from moving, if it had a manual safety.

Thanks for your reply. It makes good sense. I am comfortable with the weapon without the safety in place (as long as function is not compromised in any way, and I'm not too worried about justifying going without it since the gun is available without any external safety or with the much smaller single sided safety. It's an option, and totally unnecessary for the gun to operate completely safely. If the operator can handle the no safety models without issue, removing the safety won't make things worse if it doesn't materially affect the standard operation of the firearm. That's my frame of mind about that.

I also have some 1911's and like them well, However, having some 45 years of constant training with double action revolvers, and several years of training with DAO striker fired pistols, and relatively little such training with the 1911, it is not subconscious for me (yet) to manipulate the external safety. That's not a problem on the range, but it sure would be in a high stress personal protection situation. The external safety on my M&P 45 is much easier to move than those on my 1911's. I can deal with that, but I'd just as soon have those big paddles out of sight, out of mind. But I want confidence that doing that will not compromise the function of the weapon. Thanks again for your thoughts.

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So long ... Ken

Jiman,

Didn't see your reply until I posted above in response to BO308. Since there are models with the small single safety like those on the M&P 9, etc, I wondered why one couldn't just order that part and replace the ambi safety lever part with that one. Perhaps a call to S&W is in order. I also intend to take a closer look at the ambi safety lever part and see if I can't just modify it to reduce (or as you say "remove) the levers, especially on the right hand side. If the left side lever could be reduced in size so that it does not interfere with holstering yet still be able to be manipulated and the right side could be clipped off, that would satisfy my needs. If clipping the right side off could be done so that there wouldn't be a hole that needs filling, that would be even better. Thanks for your reply.

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So long ... Ken

Pudge,

Good luck on your investigations. Frankly, I'd prefer a left side only thumb safety (as a right handed shooter) as seat belts etc can catch on the ambi's but so far so good.

Stay safe

As this situation proceeds, I'll try to give a report on what I find or decide to do as it unfolds. Copy that about the seat belts. I like them and prefer to use them, but they sure do interfere with where I like to carry my firearms!! Thanks ....

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So long ... Ken

I'd remove the safety and plug the frame with these just like the factory does.

M&P Manual Safety Frame Plug, Left [1871] - $3.00 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties

M&P Manual Safety Frame Plug, Right [1872] - $3.00 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties

My problem with the thumb safeties on the standard M&Ps is the angle. They're angled too high when in the off position so it feels awkward to rest my thumb on top unlike a 1911.

Kthom,

I thought the manual safety on the 45,40,357, and 9mm were all the same ambi safeties? I guess not. The one on the Shield is definitely smaller and left side only.

In any case, if you did snip off the right side, it does still leave the silver metal end where the safety used to be, exposed. I don't believe you can cover it with one of those plugs.

When guys make the mod to put a Crimson Trace laser grip on the right side, the new grip mostly covers the right side hole.

With all that said though, if you keep the safety you pretty much have to train yourself to always put on safe when you're not firing and part of your natural draw stroke to "rub" it off as you clear your holster. That way there's no confusion or wondering.

Just don't shoot with your thumb underneath the safety. Rest it on top. Otherwise you risk accidentally putting it on safe as the gun recoils preventing you from firing another shot (until you disengage it again). Can be a frustrating single shot experience, but it's just a simple grip change.

IMHO, those holsters that are cut to automatically put/keep your gun on safe is a good thing. Most of those same brands will also make it without that feature if you wish. It's just a matter of molding the channel differently.

Good luck man.

Thanks very much for the links. If the piece with the external safety levers can simply be removed and the holes filled with these plugs, I am good to go. I am in agreement with you about the angle of the safety levers. Definitely different from those on the 1911. They are easy to manipulate but that's just not in my very long term programming and I'm afraid I'm too old to ever assimilate that manipulation into my subconscious actions!

Jiman,

I think you are correct about the safeties on all models. A closer check reveals that the difference is in the frame mod to allow the low profiles to function. As I said, I have no problem with the safeties being present on the gun, but my very long term practice has not included the use of them on a DAO type striker fired pistol. I'd prefer just to not have the levers in place, so I think I'm going to just remove them and fill the holes with the product linked above.

Thanks to both of you for your well stated advice and information.

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So long ... Ken

This is the best way to deal with your issue. I have added a manual safety to my M&P 45 (it had the correct sear block to do that), and you can just remove the safety lever, spring and detent, and you will have no issues. The plastic plugs just slip right in the frame, you install them before you replace the sear block.

Very good, Sir! I have just ordered the frame plugs. I will proceed. Thanks for your comments. They confirm what I thought was correct. That helps!!

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So long ... Ken