About got me talked out of it!

[JFerg]

My CCW for the past 6 years has been an XD .40 Tactical. I've shot thousands of rounds thru her and can't recall ever having an issue. The loaded chamber and strikers indicator I could see AND feel were nice touches for me. But she's getting old and wore so I thought I'd retire her.

Been shopping around for a new CCW. I've never cared much for Glocks even considering with the agency I work for I can get one for about $400. Never liked the grip angle and with the Gen4 my hands are to big to fit in the finger grooves.

Been looking at the M&P40 Pro 5" to replace my XD Tactical. I like the looks and feel of the M&P in my hand, although I've yet to find a Pro 5" in stock locally, plus the fact that's its American made and its in my price range.

BUT, the more I read about the M&P line on these type of forums the more I'm having seconds thoughts!!! Inaccuracy, slide lock issues, sight issues, dropping mags, poor customer service from S&W, etc. Wondering if I should just buy another Springfield? I'm aware that any mass produced product is going to have issues but after researching online the M&P line seems to have more than most.

 

[WR Moore]

For all the whining you hear on the internet, there are thousands (actually,about 3/4 million) of other customers who aren't having problems. While you may get the occasional hickup in customer service, unlike other companies, they will keep trying to get it right.

We adopted the M&P40 in March 2006 and have had only a few issues with captured recoil springs 'uncapturing' without causing any malfunctions. I bought a M&P9 in August the same year and have had zero issues.

The magazine catch and slide release are expendable items intended to be replaced at around 15K rounds, as is the trigger return spring. Given their price (mag catch under $5) if customer service won't spring for one, it's not a major issue should you be one of those who have a problem. I'll also note that depending upon the location of controls on any brand/model of weapon, you may have to adjust your grip to avoid operator induced error.

I personally take the inaccuracy claims with a great deal of salt. I've been an instructor for 30 years and it took quite a while for me to get used to the trigger. While it's much like an extrememly well tuned DA revolver, it isn't what most semi shooters expect and they tend to lose patience during the stroke and finish with a yank. Customer service/warranty will take care of actual problems.

For those who get upset about a half cent bit of paint falling out of a sight: grow up!

'Tis your choice.

 

[1sailor]

For the life of me I don't kow why their MP's are different than mine. Firing at 50ft I can pretty consistantly get groups of just barely over 2" and at 25 yards about 3" (sitting). These are 10 round groups. If they were hundred round groups they would be the same size. I have never had a problem with anything. Seriously, the gun has never failed me in any way. For practice and range work I usually install my 9mm barrel and a 9mm mag. Even with this combo I've never had any problems except when I was loading 9mm into .40 cal mags (then the last round wouldn't chamber). If you look at one of the threads it was started buy a member who didn't even have an MP yet. I have never tried every make and model of pistol out there so I can't say the M&P's are better than everyone else's but mine had done exactly all of the things we want our pistols to do and has done none of the things we don't want them to do. I currently have over 4,000 rounds through mine ( about 3,500 9mm and well over 500 of .40 cal). It took me a little while to get used to a striker fired pistol but I have absolutely no regrets with my purchase and often surprise myself now with how well I can shoot it.

 

[growr]

I finally had to replace a striker assy. on my M&P FS.40 that I use in USPSA/IDPA matches. I only got 16,000 rounds downrange and about ten times that in dry fires before I started getting light hits from the firing pin.

Called S&W on a Monday AM and they took 2 days to get one to me here in Montana with NO CHARGE to me at all.

Just another example of how poor things have gotten at S&W......I don't know WHAT I am going to do with the other 4 M&P's.........leave them stock like the match gun....no mod's at all.
( I know ...being a smart *** here,)

Get one and make your own determination. I doubt that you will regret it.

Randy

PS. I do own and use a SA XD Tactical 5" .40 as well and finally had to change out a slide release and spring. I let SA do that. SA's a great firearm as well. I just like the interchangeable back straps.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

My wife and I both have M&P 9 Compacts and now 2 new Shields in 9mm. All four have been flawless, great shooters, and totally dependable. All of the Internet stories are hard for us to believe. S&W customer Service has always been outstanding in the two times we have called them. I broke the take down tool on my 9c, called CS to BUY one and they sent one out FREE. Also called to BUY a magazine finger rest for one of my magazines, and again they sent it out the next day FREE.

Now to brag a bit. My wife's target from her second magazine ever fired in her new Shield, shot at 15 yards. Seven shots, 7 hits....and she is a 68 year old grandma to boot!

 

[paud]

I am a novice to all of this. Month ago I bought my first hand gun, M&P .22
I am still learning and becoming proficient.
With that said the only real way to see how a gun holds up is through scientific test. Take out as much of the human factor as possible.

 

[kris7047th]

I am a novice to all of this. Month ago I bought my first hand gun, M&P .22
I am still learning and becoming proficient.
With that said the only real way to see how a gun holds up is through scientific test. Take out as much of the human factor as possible.

Uh .. no .. learn how to properly care for it too. Skip the scientific testing. Get good training to learn how to run your gun. The M&P.22 is good to train cheaper (and have fun with too) but you need a higher caliber for carry. I can not stress enough to get the best professional training possible to develop correct skills instead of fixing bad ones learned on your own or from someone who thinks they know.

 

[vigil617]

My wife and I both have M&P 9 Compacts and now 2 new Shields in 9mm. All four have been flawless, great shooters, and totally dependable. All of the Internet stories are hard for us to believe. S&W customer Service has always been outstanding in the two times we have called them. I broke the take down tool on my 9c, called CS to BUY one and they sent one out FREE. Also called to BUY a magazine finger rest for one of my magazines, and again they sent it out the next day FREE.

Now to brag a bit. My wife's target from her second magazine ever fired in her new Shield, shot at 15 yards. Seven shots, 7 hits....and she is a 68 year old grandma to boot!

That's excellent shooting with any new subcompact, IMO.

I wouldn't in a million years post a picture (if I had been brave enough to take one) of my second target at 15 yards from my Shield 40.

Come to think of it, I don't have one from 15 yards YET (800 rounds downrange) that I would be proud enough to post here.

But I'm tryin'.....and in the meantime, at 3 to 5 yards, I'm as dangerous as your missus at 15.

 

[NUTTBALL763]

I too have to carry a Glock Gen4 because it is what is issued at my Dept. I have never had an issue with a Glock but like most I just don't like the way they feel in my hand. One of my LT's purchased an M&P and I got to shoot it on one of our range days. I have been a fan ever since and currently own seven of them (don't tell the wife). I have never had any issues with any of mine and currently carry the M&P9 (FS) or the Shield off duty. I do not own one of the PRO'S but have heard of trigger issues with them. That is strictly hear say though not from my experience. I would definitely give the M&P a try but would purchase a normal 4.25 inch M&P9 and with the money you save from buying a PRO have the APEX DCAEK kit put in it. I think it's way better then the enhanced PRO trigger kit.

 

[blujax01]

...I've been an instructor for 30 years and it took quite a while for me to get used to the trigger. While it's much like an extremely well tuned DA revolver, it isn't what most semi shooters expect and they tend to lose patience during the stroke and finish with a yank. ...

This.

Bears.

Repeating.

While it's much like an extremely well tuned DA revolver, it isn't what most semi shooters expect and they tend to lose patience during the stroke and finish with a yank.

 

[Lee in Quartzsite]

That's excellent shooting with any new subcompact, IMO.

Thanks Virgil. She is a Gunsite Academy graduate and now always shoots better than I do....AR-15, Shotgun, Lever Action, doesn't seem to matter. The class was worth every penny. Now shooting is her passion and gun shopping her hobby. Lucky me!!

 

[paud]

Uh .. no .. learn how to properly care for it too. Skip the scientific testing. Get good training to learn how to run your gun. The M&P.22 is good to train cheaper (and have fun with too) but you need a higher caliber for carry. I can not stress enough to get the best professional training possible to develop correct skills instead of fixing bad ones learned on your own or from someone who thinks they know.

I must have been misunderstood. I was referring to those who were "disappointed" as to the accuracy of the weapon.
As to training, I would say absolutely!! I have marked in classes I will be taking SOON.

 

[clcdawg]

I say get one. My M&P 9fs is my favorite gun I have. Earlier this year I was thinking I needed a glock 19 so I went and rented a gen 4 at the range. I shot the M&P more accurately and just liked it better. For the record I have shot glocks ( I once had 3 glocks) more than M&P's so it wasn't that. After getting my M&P I got rid of all my glocks.

 

[ccpacker]

When posting problems, seldom do you get the entire story, either because the shooter doesn't actually know it or you get what the poster wants you to hear so as to get you on his side. Awfulizing is a great poster trait.

 

[kris7047th]

I must have been misunderstood. I was referring to those who were "disappointed" as to the accuracy of the weapon.
As to training, I would say absolutely!! I have marked in classes I will be taking SOON.

Some of that accuracy issue has to do with not pressing the trigger back correctly. When I lose focus, I tend to go back to a bad habit of mashing the trigger .. low & left. But when I am *on* shots go where I want them. Just because a certain person has owned a gun, shooting for 30 years does not equate to shooting right. Quite possibly a fair percentage of long time shooters have been shooting wrong all of those years if they never learned what *right* is from the start.
How many of you have had formal training?

 

[JFerg]

I do not own one of the PRO'S but have heard of trigger issues with them. That is strictly hear say though not from my experience. I would definitely give the M&P a try but would purchase a normal 4.25 inch M&P9 and with the money you save from buying a PRO have the APEX DCAEK kit put in it. I think it's way better then the enhanced PRO trigger kit.

LOL!! My point exactly!!!! No matter what model your looking at, even from M&P owners, there's horror stories out there. Actually, I haven't heard of trigger problems in the Pro series besides the usually reported "grittiness" before now, so thanks for the heads up! LOL

The XD Tactical has a 5" barrel, before that I carried a Norinco 1911. I prefer larger FS auto for carry. I've tried the little ones; LCP, a tuned Makaroff, S&W .45 Chief Special. Just not comfortable shooting em and oddly enough carrying either. For some reason the FS seem to wear more comfortably for me.

Over the years the .40 has become my personal preference. I know it causes a caliber debate, whether asked for or not, but I want something larger than 9mm but cheaper and more capacity than .45. The .40 S&W fits the bill for me.

For this reason I was looking at the .40 5" Pro. If they offered a .40L I'd buy it but they don't. I know I'd want TruGlo TFO sights and a Apex EAK trigger. After some polishing and break-in I may want the Apex DCEAK also but that's a wait and see option.

 

[NUTTBALL763]

It's all about preference and what you like, but I think you would like the M&P.

 

[accessbob]

Love my M&P40c and have not had any problems with it at all (about 500 rounds down the pipe).