msp2640
Member
Gents - I carried an M&P 45 for the final 4+ yrs of my career, was very hesitant about giving up my Sig 226 40, for a "plastic" 45. Went to the range for the transition to the S&W 45 late 2011/ early 2022 and was more than pleasantly surprised - actually enjoyed shooting it! Times change, my old PD transitioned back to a new Sig 9mm, I had already been retired nearly 7 yrs. I was told "the job" was selling the M&P 45s to current and retired guys, so I reached out and put my name in for one. I received a basically, unissued one, matching box, etc, in the summer of '23. I wanted to keep the original slide assy in perfect condition, so I found a parts kit with a 4.6" bbl on GB, to use on the frame. This was where I hit the road block - I had no idea of the differences between a Gen 1 vs Gen 2 - and obviously the Gen 2 slide assy wouldn't work on the Gen 1 frame. Everything got put aside for the next 18 months or so. Last month, I found a near new Gen 2 M&P 45 on GB and won it for the opening bid - this one has a 4" bbl and also a thumb safety. Read about removing the thumb safety and other changes. I also was considering changing the trigger to the style used on the 10mm versions. Thanks to Dave from this forum for his insight on the trigger setup - you know who you are! I finished the changes I wanted to make, to the newly acquired 45 and it's ready for it range use! If I get this right - I have attached pics of my Gen 1 duty pistol (which will stay in it's pristine condition) and my now updated Gen 2 45. Thanks, Bill in MA
