kaseofkors
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 16
I recently purchased an M&P and thought I'd post a review and my impressions. The particular pistol is a M&P .40 Full Size Thumb Safety Model #206300, No IL or Magazine Safety. The date off of the fired case envelope is 03-13-2012.
I purchased this pistol LNIB locally with less than a box of ammo through it for $400.
This is my first polymer striker fired pistol and I specifically sought out this model due to it's ability to be easily converted to either 9mm or .357 SIG. I also sought out the thumb safety variant as I personally prefer this feature. The ability to convert to a non thumb safety variant with simple frame plug additions from S&W is also a feature I find novel. I personally would have elected for a magazine safety variant to eliminate the laser engraving warning on the slide. But there is not a thumb safety and magazine safety full size .40 S&W available as a standard item from S&W. The intended purpose is for HD, principally for my wife. She absolutely loved the M&P compared to several others when we were looking.
My initial impressions were good. Everything appears well finished. Feel in the hand was outstanding. The pistol sights are very easy to pick up in a Novak style. The machined flat on the rear sight allows for charging the weapon one handed on a table edge or similar surface. Point ability was great as well. All the controls were easily reached, manipulated, and ambidextrous. The exception being the magazine release. But easily switchable. The usability and ambidexterity of the controls is particularly important as my wife and I are opposite handed. A lot of different pistols, while great for me, are absolutely terrible for my wife. And, the main area of concern is generally the magazine release for my wife, being a lefty. She had no issues releasing the magazine with her index finger and remarked how easy it was. The safety was easy to move, almost too easy. I really wish this part had a little more resistance to moving and more of a 'click' into positions. The interchangeable back straps is a great feature and allows a lot of customization to your grip. I found the large to fit the best and for my wife the small provided her the best fit. Field stripping is ridiculously easy with the rotating take down lever.
The pistol performed well at it's first quick trip to the range. One hundred rounds of WWB were fired with zero malfunctions, even with intentional limp wristing. Once ammo prices and availability improve a bit more in my area I'll be running more to get a better idea of the reliability. Recoil was a real surprise, or the lack of. I have fired other .40 S&W's and noticed a fair more recoil to my 9mm pistols. Not so here. It was different, a little snappier, but not much. Accuracy was acceptable. Now here are my main issues with the platform. The grip is too slick during firing. I found the pistol to move around in my hands too much causing me to constantly have to fiddle with my grip. As well as the pistol feels while holding changes when firing. I am planning to purchase a stippled back strap. I wish S&W had used a more aggressive texture on the pistol back straps and front strap. The other beef is with the trigger. I am a DA/SA guy. I don't mind take up or a little weight, but I like a clean and crisp break. This does not have that. The pull is very 'spongy' and 'gritty'. There is no real 'wall' before the trigger breaks either. Reset is there but could be a lot better. I plan to either put a Burwell trigger job or APEX parts in. But, I think S&W could/should have cleaned this up from the factory.
Overall it's a great little pistol. On par or exceeds the competition in it's price point for features, fit, and finish. The modularity of the pistol is one of it's best assets. Absolutely love this capability. Ergonomics are outstanding. And, having a readily adaptable pistol for use by both my wife and I is a big plus. Though, it would be nice if S&W had made the pistol 100% ambidextrous buy designing the magazine release to work similar to the FN FNP/FNX series. The trigger quality should be better, especially the grittiness. And, the texturing more aggressive. I would like the safety to be a little more positive as well. All in all though I'm happy and with a few modifications it should be outstanding.
I purchased this pistol LNIB locally with less than a box of ammo through it for $400.
This is my first polymer striker fired pistol and I specifically sought out this model due to it's ability to be easily converted to either 9mm or .357 SIG. I also sought out the thumb safety variant as I personally prefer this feature. The ability to convert to a non thumb safety variant with simple frame plug additions from S&W is also a feature I find novel. I personally would have elected for a magazine safety variant to eliminate the laser engraving warning on the slide. But there is not a thumb safety and magazine safety full size .40 S&W available as a standard item from S&W. The intended purpose is for HD, principally for my wife. She absolutely loved the M&P compared to several others when we were looking.
My initial impressions were good. Everything appears well finished. Feel in the hand was outstanding. The pistol sights are very easy to pick up in a Novak style. The machined flat on the rear sight allows for charging the weapon one handed on a table edge or similar surface. Point ability was great as well. All the controls were easily reached, manipulated, and ambidextrous. The exception being the magazine release. But easily switchable. The usability and ambidexterity of the controls is particularly important as my wife and I are opposite handed. A lot of different pistols, while great for me, are absolutely terrible for my wife. And, the main area of concern is generally the magazine release for my wife, being a lefty. She had no issues releasing the magazine with her index finger and remarked how easy it was. The safety was easy to move, almost too easy. I really wish this part had a little more resistance to moving and more of a 'click' into positions. The interchangeable back straps is a great feature and allows a lot of customization to your grip. I found the large to fit the best and for my wife the small provided her the best fit. Field stripping is ridiculously easy with the rotating take down lever.
The pistol performed well at it's first quick trip to the range. One hundred rounds of WWB were fired with zero malfunctions, even with intentional limp wristing. Once ammo prices and availability improve a bit more in my area I'll be running more to get a better idea of the reliability. Recoil was a real surprise, or the lack of. I have fired other .40 S&W's and noticed a fair more recoil to my 9mm pistols. Not so here. It was different, a little snappier, but not much. Accuracy was acceptable. Now here are my main issues with the platform. The grip is too slick during firing. I found the pistol to move around in my hands too much causing me to constantly have to fiddle with my grip. As well as the pistol feels while holding changes when firing. I am planning to purchase a stippled back strap. I wish S&W had used a more aggressive texture on the pistol back straps and front strap. The other beef is with the trigger. I am a DA/SA guy. I don't mind take up or a little weight, but I like a clean and crisp break. This does not have that. The pull is very 'spongy' and 'gritty'. There is no real 'wall' before the trigger breaks either. Reset is there but could be a lot better. I plan to either put a Burwell trigger job or APEX parts in. But, I think S&W could/should have cleaned this up from the factory.
Overall it's a great little pistol. On par or exceeds the competition in it's price point for features, fit, and finish. The modularity of the pistol is one of it's best assets. Absolutely love this capability. Ergonomics are outstanding. And, having a readily adaptable pistol for use by both my wife and I is a big plus. Though, it would be nice if S&W had made the pistol 100% ambidextrous buy designing the magazine release to work similar to the FN FNP/FNX series. The trigger quality should be better, especially the grittiness. And, the texturing more aggressive. I would like the safety to be a little more positive as well. All in all though I'm happy and with a few modifications it should be outstanding.
