Can I install a thumb safety on a M&P 9L ?

[Mark IV]

(I originally asked this in the M&P sub-forum, but got nothing but dozens of views, so maybe this sub-forum will yield better results.......or any results !)



I have one of the newer M&P 9L's that were re-issued (for LEO's as I understand) a few years after the 2011 discontinuing of this model. It has the little square tabs filling in the holes where the thumb safety would go (in fact, I just noticed that one of them is missing).
Information is kind of sparce, but I've read that this has been done before, with others claiming it can't be done. I'm also reading the S&W is less than cooperative in this, for possible legal reasons, but I may give their tech department a call on Monday and hope to get some solid info.
There's a company (Speed Shooter Specialties) that sells the lever and detent ball and spring pretty inexpensively. Here's the links....

M&P Manual Safety Lever [1960] - $12.50 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties

M&P Manual Safety Lever Detent Ball and Spring [2022] - $12.50 : Welcome to Speed Shooter Specialties

Also, from what I'm reading, installing a safety is dependant on having the right sear block IIRC, but I haven't been able to dredge up any more detail, so I don't exactly know what to look for in my pistol.
BTW, this pistol's test-fire date is Dec '14.
Any info, or even a push in the right direction, is much appreciated....

 

[retired2006]

In my experience, if the pistol has the square plastic fillers for the safety lever, you can retro fit a thumb safety. I have did just that MANY times. You will need the safety lever, a detent, and the spring, which you have found. It just requires you to remove the sear block from the pistol, the plastic filler tabs, and install the safety. No fitting is required.
One thing I do to my pistols in regard to the thumb safety, they move pretty easy from safe to fire, so I use a needle point file, and deepen the detent notches on the lever. This gives me a move positive feel, which I prefer. YMMV

 

[Mark IV]

In my experience, if the pistol has the square plastic fillers for the safety lever, you can retro fit a thumb safety. I have did just that MANY times. You will need the safety lever, a detent, and the spring, which you have found. It just requires you to remove the sear block from the pistol, the plastic filler tabs, and install the safety. No fitting is required.
One thing I do to my pistols in regard to the thumb safety, they move pretty easy from safe to fire, so I use a needle point file, and deepen the detent notches on the lever. This gives me a move positive feel, which I prefer. YMMV

Hey, thanks for the reply, and the solid info!
I've read that the M&P safety was a bit too easy to switch on and off, and your suggestion to stiffen it up by altering it with a needle file sounds like a good idea, but, can you elaborate on exactly where to file? (I realize this may be apparant once I have the parts in hand, but I'd like to be clear on it.)
Also, I've looked at several videos that show the frame being re-assmbled, and even a safety being installed, but as is often the case, they're less than clear. I'm particularly interested in seeing exactly how the detent and spring are positioned. There seem to be some discrepancies in some of the shots I've seen.
Thanks again !

 

[retired2006]

When you get the parts, if you are still unclear about the filing, PM me.

 

[Mark IV]

That works, thanks. I just got a shipping confirmation a little while ago (I knew I should've ordered yesterday! Coming from the Jacksonville area, I'd have for sure had the parts by Saturday!)

 

[Neal]

As of today, 6/8/18, Speed Shooter Specialties has the ball detent and spring listed, but no safety levers. Anyone know of any other sources? Thanks

Correction: I just found the safety levers under the M&P 45 parts, but it says fits ALL M&Ps. Is it true that the 45 safety levers are the same as the ones on the 9/40 frames?

 

[Nightowl]

I removed the manual safety from my M&P 2.0 FDE pretty shortly after I bought it. Before I removed it, I had several instances where I nudged the safety on while in the act of shooting. Kinda annoying.

No safety, no problem.