How accurate is the M&P40

[1sailor]

Just what kind of accuracy is the M&P40 really capable of. Lets put aside for the time being the obvious"as accurate as you are" responses and concentrate on the gun itself. Has anyone here spent much time at the range with theirs. What kind of groups is it capable of. I used to enjoy informal target shooting but always owned revolvers with adjustable sights. I had planned on buying a model 66 or a 19 but ran into a really good deal on an M&P and spent my range gun money. I won't actually have the gun for another couple of weeks and I am just curious what I can expect out of it. Does anyone make an adjustable rear sight for it?

 

[OKFC05]

Just what kind of accuracy is the M&P40 really capable of.

With good ammo, it will knock down plates at 50 yards---in the right hands.
99% of the complaints about "shooting low" and plate sized groups at 10 yds are purely lack of skill with the long pull "combat tupperware" triggers.
Dawson and Novak have adjustable sights for M&P.
S&W M&P

 

[SMMAssociates]

1sailor:

Bear in mind that these are essentially SD guns, stamped out in large lots for the Law Enforcement market and other concealed carry (especially the Compacts) uses.

Being able to put six or so rounds into a 6" circle at 30' is about all we can really expect.

(My 40FS came through with both the front and rear sights way off. I don't know how the thing got out that way, but it wasn't too hard to fix that.)

Presuming you get a good one (both my 40C and 40FS seem to be), you can expect to do that all day, and make a mess out of a bullseye target at about 50', too.

As to "match barrels" and other silly stuff, forget it....

However, the Apex DCAEK kit (or just the drop safety plunger mod) smooths the trigger feel out quite a bit, removing some of the nasty Tuppergun Trigger effect.

Just IMHO, of course.... Also, adjustable sights don't excite me - especially on a carry gun .... There is a slight advantage, presuming the gun's tight enough to hold zero, of moving the sights around so POI equals POA, but it shouldn't be that far off for Combat use....

Back in 1968, I ended up having to grab a 6" M19 Combat Magnum, with a Patridge front sight and an adjustable rear sight. The Military was grabbing everything, and I needed a "duty" gun (rent-a-cop, among other things).... I haven't carried it for decades, but it survived three or four years on-the-belt (and gouged the heck out of several steering wheels), and is still exactly where I put it back then. Miracle, I think....

Some months later, I needed a "concealment" gun - I can't hit anything with a snubbie - and found a 4" M10HB (non-adjustable sights). Nobody cared about printing in those days, and I'm kinda big. Both of these guns are tack drivers if I do my part, but neither were stamped out like Tupperware, either. The 4" shoots as well as I can....

Mostly, those two hand-cannons were confidence out on the street. Fortunately, I never needed to fire either off the range, but I always knew that I could do what was necessary without worrying about the gun.

I feel the same way about my two EDC rotation 1911's, and about the 40C. (And, once in a while, the 40FS feels like riding on my belt a bit, too.)

Regards,

 

[1sailor]

I already have a carry gun. The M&P40 was kind of an impulse buy. It was new from a dealer and to sweeten to pot he threw in an extra magazine (it originaly came with 3 in the box). For $400 with 4 mags I found myself being the new owner. Of course that was the money I was going to put towards my new (to me) revolver. So maybe I'll take it to the range and play with it a couple times but I have a feeling I'll end up selling it to my son who would really love to have it. Nothing against the gun. I just let the impulse get the better of me and bought one not suited for what I wanted to do.

 

[g_conway]

I put mine in a vice last week.

Dead center on target with a 1/2" group at 7 yards.

Dead center with a 3/4" group at 10 yards.

1/2" low with a 1.1" group at 20 yards.

All at indoor range with Federal 180 Gr FMJ

Not to dissapoint, but far far far more accurate than I am.

 

[1sailor]

Well that is respectable. I will try it out a few times before I decide what I want to do. I used to enjoy competing against myself but over the years found myself without the time. I now have more time and thought I might enjoy taking it up again. Of course I used to have better eyesite too. Heck it might not take as much of a gun to outdo me anymore.

 

[fbates]

After installing Apex DCAEK, RAM, FRE, and Trijicon HD night sights. Indoors, from 15-25 yds, using two hand, point shoulder. About 200 rds. I think it's adequate for its intended purpose. YMMV

 

[Tom Goodrick]

My 40FS came with windage adjustment on the rear sight. I only wanted a home defense gun so I have not checked accuracy carefully and 50 ft is all the distance I want. Everything I see and feel with the gun is first class. My trigger was good after a hundred rounds. My trigger pull is not very long. Mine is about 8 months old. I understand that quality has improved over older models. So the response you get depends on the age of the gun.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

To speak to the title of the thread with one word that describes my pistol:

VERY

 

[popo22]

I carry a .40 FS "on duty and a .40c as off-duty/back-up. i've put about 1000 rounds through the "FS" and probably 1500 through the .40c. I too am suffering from the fate of age (eyes, hands shake more, etc.). At 15 yards I can keep groups inside 1 &1/2" with the .40c consistantly and a little better with the "FS" "two handed" and unsupported, hope that helps.

 

[Lost Lake]

That gun retails for $398 new with three mags. You got 4 for $400, so I'd say you got a good deal!

Obviously a 4" barrel semi-auto .40 is not a target gun. I'd keep it as a self defense gun and be happy you got a good price. Then buy yourself a target pistol like an old High Standard .22 from the 50's and 60's or a S&W Model 41.

Do you shoot iron sights or scopes?

 

[SMMAssociates]

Lost Lake:

For essentially a plinker, the M41 is a superb choice in .22LR target guns. Unfortunately, they are expensive.... The M22A and it's relatives are nearly as good at a third the price, but if you buy an M22A, don't even get near an M41, or you'll want to toss the M22A....

popo22:

Exactly! The M&P40FS (and the M&P9FS) are supposed to replace the old S&W M10 on the LEO's belt. Super choice! (I've got an M10HB, which, IMHO, is a better gun than the "pencil barrel" version; both are simply solid K-Frame .38's.) I can shoot the 40FS just about as well as the M10HB. The 40C is a little snappier, and a little slow to get back on target, but with the Apex DCAEK kit in both of them, pretty much as good as my old wheelguns. For that purpose, on and off duty LE guns, they're super. And for non-LE, the bigger one's a great range or truck gun (or bedside gun), while the Compact carries well under most concealment situations, without giving up much. It also lets me actually hit things - my old Charter snubby won't....

I'm old enough to have bought the M10HB brand new in 1968 or 1969, and the Charter when they were brand new. Shake, eyes, etc., now.... One thing I did notice in the last couple years. The doggie made me get up and let him out early one Saturday AM, and I missed a step. Using a cane ever since. That built up my right wrist, and I actually shoot better now. The dog thought the whole thing was funny....

(He's from Texas! My daughter bought him from a guy working for my sister at a postage-stamp ranch south of Dallas, and then flew him to Columbus. One early January morning, about seven years ago, it's "Hi Daddy! His name is Sammy. He's 13 weeks. Bye!" and back to Columbus.... Third dog in a bit under 30 years at the time, but first puppy. HELP!)

Regards,

 

[1sailor]

I always shoot iron sights and I do prefer centerfire. I was thinking about something though. It might be necessary for me to buy my revolver also. It's been a long time since I did much paper punching. If I'm not happy with the results I'm getting with my M&P I won't know if it's the gun or because of the years that have gone by. Well shoot, this is gonna get expensive.

 

[1sailor]

Lost Lake, Where are you finding that $398 price. The best price I found other than the deal I got was just over $450 and it only came with 2 magazines. I'm not a LEO so I don't get the discounts.

 

[Lost Lake]

Lost Lake, Where are you finding that $398 price. The best price I found other than the deal I got was just over $450 and it only came with 2 magazines. I'm not a LEO so I don't get the discounts.

The price is for first responders. Firemen, police, military, former military, security guards, volunteer firemen, paramedics.... The list is long. You may qualify and not know it.

 

[sna0403]

I qualified at the LEO academy in November with my FS 40. It impressed a bunch of SWAT guys carrying glocks. (small "g" used on for emphasis!) Part of our "fun' shooting was a metal silhouette at 50 yards. I got 112 dings out of 16 and a couple got 16 for 16. That being said, it is my on/off duty gun.

 

[stainless1911]

I qualified at the LEO academy in November with my FS 40. It impressed a bunch of SWAT guys carrying glocks. (small "g" used on for emphasis!) Part of our "fun' shooting was a metal silhouette at 50 yards. I got 112 dings out of 16 and a couple got 16 for 16. That being said, it is my on/off duty gun.

Congrats.

You swear an oath to uphold both the law, and the constitution. The constitution is the supreme law of the land, therefore, when the law and the constitution oppose one another and you have to choose, default always, to the constitution.

Be safe out there, thank you, and best of luck to you.

 

[dirty gary]

My 40c is OK, but it got better when I used FS mags with the adapters. The extra length of the grip seems to help me, although it makes the gun a little harder to carry concealed

 

[g_conway]

My 40c is OK, but it got better when I used FS mags with the adapters. The extra length of the grip seems to help me, although it makes the gun a little harder to carry concealed

"It" got better, or you did?

 

[Titegroups]

I would say 2" groups at 25yds is about the best I would expect from it, from a rest. Hard to beat a fixed barrel automatic .22 for cheap, stock, accuracy. Ruger marks, high standard, colt woodsman etc.