Full Size M&P Thumb Safety is Not Stiff

[Zebra War Wagon]

Hello S&W enthusiast, collectors and experts. I recently purchased a new full sized M&P with the thumb safety and it appears that the safety is not as pronounced (Stiff) as the thumb safety on my Shield. I suspect that during average CCW, that the thumb safety will disengage. I am aware that many do not like or use the thumb safety, but I prefer to carry with the thumb safety engaged. So, my question is if there is something I can do to make the safety more pronounced/stiffer to disengage?

 

[retired2006]

There is something you can do, if you are skilled and handy with needle point files. It involves removing the sear block assy, and the safety lever from that, then filing the safety lever detent notches deeper. i have manual safeties on most of my M&P's and I have found that most all of them needed to be modified to be more positive, the way I like them.

 

[scattershot]

I have done that to mine, with good results. Just be careful when you take it apart. There's a tiny spring in there that will get away from you in a hurry, if you're not careful.

 

[bubbajoe45]

I just had a gunsmith remove mine while he was doing some other work. I felt this looseness was a hazard to carrying the pistol (and it did get swiped off during the course of carry!). Image drawing the weapon (for real) not being sure if it was on or off! You couldn't just carry with it off because you couldn't be confident that when you drew it wasn't on.

 

[Saudade]

Well, I'm no expert and none of my M&Ps have a safety, but the lever on the FS is large compared to the Shield. This would make it easier to flick on/off.

You may consider buying an extra safety in case you're not happy with any results from filing the notch.

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

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

Thanks for all the info. I do like the idea of a deeper notch in the safety lever. I may just attempt that fix.....if things go sideways, I can alway put all the pieces in a box and drop off with the gunsmith and let him fix it. Sometimes you just have to let the professionals in on the project.

 

[ultratec00]

All my M&Ps have the safety and all needed some touch up, except the shield. It's fairly straight forward once you do it and only requires slight adjustment. It doesn't take a lot, so do NOT take off too much else it will be too stiff. The safety levers seem to be somewhat available for purchase and suggest you pick one or two up as spares.

As many M&Ps there are with safeties, you would think Apex, or someone, would offer an after market option that is more positive with different profiles.

 

[CommonCents]

ahh wish I woulda seen this thread, my 9c just got an apex duty carry kit and polymer one piece trigger, im excited to try it out!. I have the ext safety too. I like that its prominent so I wouldn't fail to disengage on a draw, but would like it to be a bit stiffer as well. That big lever has plenty of leverage.

Is there a writeup with photos or a video on this?

 

[dg2062]

Does Anyone have a Illustration or Video of How to file the safety lever detents

Does Anyone have a Illustration or Video of How to file the safety lever detents in order to make the safety a bit stiffer?

 

[JL Murray]

Mine is at the factory in mass. right now I called S&W and talked to them about the safety and they said to send it in so they could check it out, I haven't heard anything back yet about it or if they are going to try to make it stiffer or not, it's been there just over a week.

 

[ultratec00]

I sent my first M&P45C back for this reason and it returned somewhat better, but not enough to warrant the effort and time to send it back.

Better off doing the fix yourself and it will turn out much better.

Mine is at the factory in mass. right now I called S&W and talked to them about the safety and they said to send it in so they could check it out, I haven't heard anything back yet about it or if they are going to try to make it stiffer or not, it's been there just over a week.

 

[TAC]

You would think S&W would at least get that right! Shipping guns with defective safeties, no excuse!

It seems flaws like this are becoming more common place, and buyers are becoming more complacent!

 

[JL Murray]

I sent my first M&P45C back for this reason and it returned somewhat better, but not enough to warrant the effort and time to send it back.

Better off doing the fix yourself and it will turn out much better.

I was afraid it might void my warranty if I did it myself instead of the factory.

 

[ultratec00]

The mod is made to the safety itself, which can be purchased online. Do the mod to the spare and if for some reason you have to return the firearm to the factory, put the original back in.

I recommend buying a spare, or two, anyways in case you screw up the mod.

I was afraid it might void my warranty if I did it myself instead of the factory.

 

[jim46ok]

I have done that to mine, with good results. Just be careful when you take it apart. There's a tiny spring in there that will get away from you in a hurry, if you're not careful.

Do that part of disassembly in a large Ziplock. Catches those small parts that seem to have a mind of their own.

 

[jake1945]

My M&P 45 manual safety is the same as yours. I just learned to live with it and check it now and then. I'm not good at disassembling pistols and S&W return is not acceptable. When carrying I always assume the safety is off and I don't touch the trigger period. Kinda like a Glock or S&W pistols without manual safeties.

 

[JL Murray]

I sent my Gun to the factory with a note asking them to take a look at it to see if they could make the TS stiffer because i would like for it to either be stiffer or have no TS at all.

It came back today, I was pleasantly surprised because the good folks at S&W removed it for me and installed the frame plugs.

 

[jim46ok]

S&W return is not acceptable.

Could you share with us why not?

 

[JL Murray]

I'd like to know why he thinks sending it in is "not acceptable" as well especially since that is what the representative at S&W recommended me to do when I called to ask if it would void my warranty if I removed the TS myself because I thought it was too easy to get flipped.

BTW the representative did not say one way or the other if it would void the warrantee just said it may or may not and that they recommend that I send it on for them to look at. So I followed their advice and sent it in.

I very much appreciate them looking at it and doing the work they did on it.