Adding Safety to New M&Ps

[FilmMkr]

Happy New Year, everyone!

I own a half dozen 1911s and I am shopping for my first polymer gun. As a S+W owner (627 PC and Model 41 PC) naturally I want to go with an M&P, and I'd like to start with an M&P9, either full size or L (maybe both!)

My current carry weapon is one of Luke Volkmann's 4.25" guns, so using a thumb safety is second nature to me. I'd like to install the Apex kit to whatever iteration of M&P I end up with. I know that the M&P9 206301 comes with a factory-installed safety, and I've seen several on Gunbroker for a reasonable price. If, however, I wanted to go with the 5" L version, there is not one available.

I've noticed that the newer M&Ps that I've fired at the range and handled in the stores have a plugged hole in the frame where the safety is normally located. Does anyone here have any experience installing a safety on an M&P that was not originally sold with one? Is it possible? Where could I find one?

Many thanks -

Filmy

 

[chuck s]

Unless you have the frame notches you can't add a safety. The standard M&P has no safety levers nor magazine safety although both are available. The reasons still escape me but probably because people will buy them.

The M&P is not a M1911 and the floppy safety on the M&P won't function as you expect it to assuming you keep your thumb on top of the M1911 lever at all times as you should.

And the M&P needs no safety lock anyway, the trigger although light is exceedingly long especially compared to a good M1911.

I've carried the M1911 for decades and good versions (Ed Brown) for the past 20 years. My M&P9 has no external safety and needs none.

-- Chuck

 

[FilmMkr]

Thank you for the reply, but as I mentioned, I am going to replace the stock trigger and forward sear with Apex upgrades, lowering the pull to about 3 lbs and shortening the stroke to near 1911 length. Please refer to this link>>>Apex Trigger Kit

I appreciate that not everyone feels the need for a safety for the M&P, but there is already a very long thread about the pros and cons of safeties.

I'm jut asking if anyone has done it, and if so, how they went about it.

Thank you.

 

[iouri]

I think the hole you referring too is internal lock which when locked with key will prevent firing. Only service pistols equipped with those, I think. Check MP manual page 28 if that's the one (PDF can be downloaded fromSW site). So in short safety can not be installed in that plugged hole.

 

[mcracco]

Have you handled an M&P with a thumb safety? I ask because they are quite wimpy compared to your typical 1911 TS. In stock form the M&P TS is way too easy to engage or disengage.

 

[chuck s]

I had Dan Burwell do a trigger job on my M&P9 over two years ago. Nice 4.5 pound trigger, just like my M1911s, as I asked for. Even this weight didn't cause any need for a frame safety.

What's your usage for a pistol with this light trigger? (Just curious.)

-- Chuck

 

[FilmMkr]

Thanks, iouri - I appreciate the response.

mcracco - no, I have not. I will do so this weekend (two gun shows in Houston!) I think Hilton Yam has a workaround to tighten it up, though. I'll see if I can find that link.

Chuck - IDPA primarily. I also want to take it to Thunder Ranch with me in May in addition to my .45s.

 

[leftnose]

Thanks, iouri - I appreciate the response.

mcracco - no, I have not. I will do so this weekend (two gun shows in Houston!) I think Hilton Yam has a workaround to tighten it up, though. I'll see if I can find that link.

Chuck - IDPA primarily. I also want to take it to Thunder Ranch with me in May in addition to my .45s.

I could be very wrong but I don't think the Apex FSS is IDPA legal because it is an externally visible modification to the gun. The FSS uses a replacement trigger blade with a more Glock-like design.

If you stick with the DCAEK which is IDPA legal, the trigger pull weight is high enough that you really don't need a thumb safety, especially if it is to be used as a competition gun.

 

[mcracco]

leftnose; you are very wrong to think you are wrong. FSS is not legal for IDPA but he will be fine with either AEK mods. Good pickup.

 

[leftnose]

leftnose; you are very wrong to think you are wrong. FSS is not legal for IDPA but he will be fine with either AEK mods. Good pickup.

Is the CAEK legal for SSP? Isn't there a minimum trigger pull weight?

 

[FDE]

To answer the original question; "I've noticed that the newer M&Ps that I've fired at the range and handled in the stores have a plugged hole in the frame where the safety is normally located. Does anyone here have any experience installing a safety on an M&P that was not originally sold with one? Is it possible? Where could I find one?"

The short answer is yes it is possible If:
Your gun has the frame plugs that can be removed
Your gun has the newest thumb safety compatible sear block housing (s&w is phasing out other sear blocks versions so a new gun should have the right one)
You can buy the safety lever from speed shooters specialties .com
There is a spring and a detent you will have to locate but I haven't found a source. Many people remove their safeties so you should be able to buy these from somebody. I do know S&W will not sell the parts to add a safety.
It is very easy to add a thumb safety if you can find the 3 parts that make it function. It is also easy to make it have a more positive "click" but I wont get into that now.
I personally like the thumb safety on m&p's. Yes I know its not needed but I like it and I don't understand people who are so against having them. To each their own!

 

[richardraw316]

i am right with you. I have a M&P 45, i want the thumb safety, and do not have one.
i have written S&W and indeed will not sell the parts for it, jerks.
not sure what to try next.

 

[fail wagon]

your only option is to sell it and buy one with a safety.

 

[accessbob]

If you want one with a safety why not just buy one with a safety instead of buying one without and then fretting about it? I bought an M&P40c that had a safety. I don't want a safety but it was what was available when I wanted it and so I am living with the safety. My FS M&P45 didn't have the safety and that is how I liked it.

So I could have waited until I could find one which didn't have a safety to meet what I originally wanted. But I wanted to get back to the M&P badly enough that I was able to find someone to trade for my Glock 23 which I had at the time.

JMHO

 

[GKC]

I've owned a couple of M&Ps with a safety, and I have to say that they are disappointing. The idea is good (if you want a thumb safety) but the execution is not. They are far too easy to engage/disengage, and have a mushy feel to them...no crisp click on and off like a good 1911 thumb safety.

I don't have a thumb safety on my current M&Ps, other than my Shields...which really isn't a thumb safety as much as it is a frame safety, IMO.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

My only FS M&P 9mm has a thumb safety and it was bought that way. I can ride it just like I do my 1911s and it has a nice crisp on and off, but it's because I modified it to be that way.

There is a zig zag notch on the lever bar where a spring loaded detent with a triangular shaped protrusion sticks out on the block. I basically trimmed the notches on the thumb safety bar just a little bit deeper so that triangular protrusion goes in a tad deeper into those notches. I did it slowly and checked for fit often. Now it's tight in both directions but still easy to flick on and off just like my 1911s.

My reasons for liking thumb safeties on the M&P: I'm used to them on 1911s and other platforms with frame mounted safeties and I'm not going to rely solely on a trigger tab to keep it from getting pulled if something got caught in the trigger guard no matter how remote of a possibility that is.

 

[isaidme1]

I too want to add a thumb saftey. I called S&W and like other were told they will not sell you the parts. I have found the thumb saftey bar itself but am not sure what other parts are needed beyond that. I would have bought one with it already but if I wanted to trade I had to get the one that was in stock already and it didnt have one. Mine does have the frame plugs.

 

[kws148]

I second, third, fourth, etc.. to add a safety to my 45c. If anyone knows what parts are needed and could fill me in it would be greatly appreciated. I know that it's not needed but I, like the others have mentioned on here are used to having a safety.