Gang, any insight as wheter or not you think Smith go the modular route?

Modular handguns are merely interchangeable grip panels, so they already have.

I doubt they will but wish they would. This is just my opinion, I have no inside information. Most people seem happy with interchangeable grip panels and it would require a pretty big change to the manufacturing process.

The most common definition of a modular handgun is one where the trigger group and rails for attaching the slide are one unit with a serial number that can be placed into different grips and works with different slides and barrels. Not just interchangeable grip panels.

Slides and barrels are typically so expensive it makes more sense to buy a whole new gun instead of using the same trigger group with different upper halfs of the gun.

I would like having the option of different grips though. One thing I like about the P365 series is being able to use after market grips and also being able to try different length grips. Lot more options and much bigger difference than you get with grip panels. Since they are just polymer grips are reasonably priced too.

I hope not . If 9mm is your cartridge choice just go buy a siggly 320 somethun . I think s&w got the m&p grip right with the 4 different grip inserts it fit most any hand size very well and you can sand it down some if hard on soft hands or change the texture type with a solding tool. You also have a option of a metal frame handgun . You only need to be smart enough - well seasoned to know what model to buy .

I like it on my 2 -365s.
The 17 round X Macro Mags are backward compatible with my 12 round X.
Wouldn’t mind having a little larger, not longer grip on the X.

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Modular means a lot more than just changing grip sizes. The serialized chassis is the actual firearm, not the frame, so the chassis can be legally dropped into different frames. I would think that S&W will follow suit at some point, because it's extremely popular with SIG pistols and others. Here is a pic of my son's SIG P320 chassis and barrel that he dropped into a B&T kit.

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I would like to see them do something like Sig does, although I prefer S&W's grip over most, but I would like to be able to interchange slide/barrel lengths/grip lengths ect: I think it would be pretty cool.

Buddy has the 365 and he bought an Aluminum grip module for his. So he effectively has a metal frame 365 now. Can't do that with a lot of other platforms. I do like that option.

Rosewood

the promise once made by Sig for "low cost" modularity with the P250 never happened..(until they discontinued them).. the X-change kits cost pretty much what a complete pistol cost.. the grip change is wonderful and low cost... but change of caliber and length was not much of a cost savings... and since S&W has somewhat handled grip size options, I don't think a modular system is in the near future.. but eventually they will make one.. too popular to ignore.

I suspect that there will be some, not all, S&W fanboys who aren't found of the P320 who will say "no" out of pettiness. Others will just be resistant to newer technology and change. IMHO, a sterilized chassis system would be great.

1. It opens the door for aftermarket frames and subcompact, compact, and fullsized frames without having to buy a new gun and go through all the red tape.
2. It makes swapping parts, working on the gun, and cleaning much, much, much easier and faster.
3. It would be great for those who live in CA with their roster, other states with their firearm registration, and states that only allow 3 or so serials on their carry permit. They could have multiple guns in one without have to jump through hoops or having to pay extra fees.
4. The frame can be dremeled, stipple, sanded, painted, etc without permanently altering the gun and loosing resale/trade value.
5. Some have mentioned that modularity isn't needed because unlike the P320, the M&P 2.0 has backstraps. Well the stock P365-XMACRO also has backstraps and aftermarket P320 and P365 grip modules have grip panels for wood or G10 grips. The modular Beretta APX, Springfield Echelon, Canik SFx RIVAL, and upcoming HK SFP9CC will have changeable backstraps.

Modular pistols are a great idea...right up until the guy running the numbers at the company realizes that this means fewer guns sold with a bigger profit margin. The other factor is that the stats guy would also say, "But modularity cuts into our market share of complete guns sold, which won't please the shareholders."

In short, it's a great idea for the military and the civilian customer, but not so good for the bottom line.

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Release the Kraken

They spend money on materials, labor, electricity, machine time, shipping, taxes associated with firearms, etc, to make a complete gun. Then, if we're buying them for $400-$500 retail, they sell them to vendors for less than that. Subtract all of the above, and they have their minimum profits. Then, if they're like Sig and Beretta, they sell accessories, different grip modules, and the like that aren't subject to the cost of all the red tape that can be shipped right to their customers doors....

For example, I purchased an FDE, ODG, and black Beretta APX grip module in different sizes, respectively, at the cost of $35-$50 each, depending on the coupon code. Then Beretta came out with The APX A1, and I purchased one of the new grip modules. Collectively, they've made more of a profit than had the gun not been modular. I, and many Sig P365 and P320 owners have spent hundreds of buyer accessories that I never spent on an M&P or other platform.

I don't believe Sig, Springfield, and all the other manufacturers are hurting for profits. The Keltec P11, Beretta Nano, Ruger American pistol, and others also had the modular serialized chassis system. Manufacturers have been doing this for decades now.

Sounds like you should check out the wilson grip module for your P365.

If I'm missing something here that's not unusual but, I never really understood why the military was so anxious to get a modular pistol. How often is that feature actually employed.

They weren’t. The MHS only called for changeable grip panels. Sig and Beretta submitted examples with the serialed trigger packs, Beretta was the only of that kind that met the grip panel requirements. Modular is not the trigger pack despite what the errornet tries to claim.