M&P 40 on its way

[jeffrefrig]

I read another thread on the Forum that mentioned AIM Surplus so I checked them out. I ended up ordering a 40 caliber LEO trade in, no thumb safety. $300 with tax & shipping to local FFL. I would imagine no break-in period will be needed, if these even need a break-in? Anyone who got one of this "batch", I'd appreciate any input, good and/or bad. I thought I remember someone talking about magazine issues, but I'm wrong more than I am right! Being from a police dept., I would think any issues would've been addressed by now.
Thanks for any thoughts or warnings.

 

[STORMINORMAN]

Start looking for the 357 SIG and/or 9mm conversion barrels...

You should let us know how pleased you are upon receipt: doubtful most M&Ps need much of a break-in, but you can never tell?

Enjoy!

 

[stansdds]

Used firearms, unless they have been fired very, very little or not at all, should not require a break in beyond test firing to determine reliability with your preferred ammo, recoil familiarization, and to determine point of impact on the target.

With any used semi-auto firearm, a new recoil spring is a really good idea unless it is a factory reconditioned weapon and has already had the spring replaced. A good cleaning and proper lubrication is in order. Also clean the magazines and check the followers and springs for wear. A worn follower or magazine spring can turn a reliable semi-auto into a jam-o-matic.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Thanks. The gun only comes with one mag so if the gun seems to function ok a couple new mags could be in the near future. The shop owner seems pretty cool, he’s also LEO. I’ll trust him on tips for a couple new magazines. I should have 15 & 25 yard range examples within a couple weeks. Going out tomorrow with 4 I haven’t shot yet.

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

There are compact and full size Police return M&P 40 pistols out there.
Does yours hold 15 rounds or less?
I didn't need a modern Smith but I ended up buying a Police surplus full size M&P 40 from Cabelas Gun Library a little over 1 year ago for $265 + 6% tax.
It is a Gen 1 and I was able to buy a new 9mm barrel from Midway for $80 and it functioned flawlessly with a new18 round 9mm magazine.
I take it to work everyday and have returned it to the 40 caliber configuration.
There has been zero problems and my pistol looked new.
I hope you have fun with the new to you pistol!

 

[jeffrefrig]

DUSTYDOGDAN (I like that handle!), the store owner said all the 9mms he’s dealt with are like new, as the 40s would be the service pistol and not the 9s.
Other FFLs may have different opinions.
I’m pretty sure it’s 15 or less. This will be my first venture into S&W pistols. I only shot a EZ380 I gave to the middle female, two mags, so this is a new ‘hood for me. We’ll see soon.
I also am reminded they have different generations like another manufacturer.
If this shoots like my Gen 3 G23, I will be happy. My friend has issues with his M&P 9mm. He’s gonna clean it up and we’ll see tomorrow. (His he bought new and he’s had a couple stove pipes every outing. I may start a new thread tomorrow if we have questions.
You guys are the best!! Thank you.

 

[hardluk1]

Most LE's don't shoot thetre handguns very often and then not many rounds down range . Any wear will be holster related not rounds down range . My m&p 4.25 40sw has around 10,000 rounds thru it and other than changing grip inserts to the more aggressive 2.0 type and bumping the way to lite 16lb recoil spring up to a 20lb recoil spring its still stock and been my big city or road trip carry . 18lb recoil spring might be fine too with standard pressure ammo but for sure no blue 16lb spring . See what color spring you have when you check it out ., Blue or green or no color , it could be an aftermarket spring , the same spring used in glock full size but not knowing it would be my first change along with a new striker spring and some some wolff +5% mag springs . just to be sure it functions well .

You still need to shoot your new to you M&P enough for You to break in to it ! So figure a few hundred rounds with 50 being ammo you hope to carry in it .

I like Federal 180gr HST ammo for a standard pressure factory load .

We have 5 m&p going back to the early days thru a more recent 2.0 5" ported PC model . Never had a function issue but practice ammo has been home rolled swc or coated swc for both our 9mm and 40sw

Link below shows most ammo options .
https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/#40SW

 

[jeffrefrig]

That spring may be the issue with my friend's 9mm. I'll check it out, or at least ask him to when he gets it home. I never thought to have him check the recoil spring, etc. Thanks for the tip.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

I've never met any M&P that required a break-in period.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I have bought several LEO trade-in Sigs from AIM but no S&W's yet. The M&P's are always gen1. I am holding out for a 2.0.
If you want to know where the second mag went for your gun, check the latest AIM sale ad. They are selling all the Glock, Sig and S&W mags they stole from the trade in pistols. Kinda shady, in my opinion.

 

[hardluk1]

That spring may be the issue with my friend's 9mm. I'll check it out, or at least ask him to when he gets it home. I never thought to have him check the recoil spring, etc. Thanks for the tip.

One of my wifes pistol is a M&P 4.25 core 9mm and even with standard pressure ammo the 18lb recoil springs works very well with out any nose dive that can be seen or felt with an over sprung handguns and my wife is 5-2 and 67 years old .

 

[Farmer17]

I bought an ex Detroit PD .40 smith and Wesson 1.0 and it’s a great gun in every way. I wish it had the thumb safety and a little bit lighter trigger pull but with no thumb safety I wouldn’t want the trigger to be any lighter so I’ll leave it as is, it’s a great defensive handgun! It was basically new in the box for 300 bucks.

 

[mckenney99]

I am a fan of the .40 S&W round and I own several different makes and models (Custom Colt 1911, 2x Sig P226s, Sig P229, Beretta 96, Glock 27, Kahr K40, Star Firestar M40, Browning Hi Power). I bought a new LE .40 S&W M&P 2.0 with a 4 inch barrel with the full sized 15 round frame. To me the M&P was a much softer/smoother shooter than the Glock 22 or 23 models I have shot. I would put the feel of the recoil impulse as about the same as my duty issued Beretta 96 or my issued Sig P226 or Sig P226 Tactical. I have bought a bunch of the different LE turn-in magazines that AIM has gotten over the years and they have all been very good. I do go through and give them a good cleaning and if they have a bit of wear to them I replace the springs with new Wolff springs and I've never had a problem.
I'm not sure if it's a curse or a godsend that AIM is only about 30 minutes away from my home.

 

[hardluk1]

I bought an ex Detroit PD .40 smith and Wesson 1.0 and it’s a great gun in every way. I wish it had the thumb safety and a little bit lighter trigger pull but with no thumb safety I wouldn’t want the trigger to be any lighter so I’ll leave it as is, it’s a great defensive handgun! It was basically new in the box for 300 bucks.

I saw the sear block assemble block WITH a thumb safety safety for sale new . I had a wise moment an saved that link - Replacement Smith & Wesson Model M & P Series Sear Housing Block Assembly, 9mm, New Factory Original (w/ Thumb Safety)

My m&p 4.25 40 was my first double stack that I would keep and carry and it does the factory thumb safety do to many years shooting 1911's . I added the apex fss trigger kit and after testing trigger return springs I settled on an adjusted pull weight that is currently at 3lb 4oz very close to my lw commander trigger pull weight . That apex trigger kits been in it for about 10 years .

 

[Paul in Nevada]

I stand corrected. The pistols currently offered are 2.0's.

 

[jeffrefrig]

So, I got the M&P40 today. It’s in like new condition, the mag is smooth, and all seems good. Weather permitting I’ll show yinz a picture of the target. Trouble is so far is they have a nice .45caliber. Probably a total $100 more. I think it’s M&P45? Should pull the plug while I’m still able?

 

[jeffrefrig]

Well, today I had a last minute decision to try out my new to me M&P40. I tried to hold center mass with most shots. Couple head shots low. I shot Blazer 180 gr. FMJ, if that matters. I wanted to shoot at the 15 yard range but it was full of tactical guys with high dollar looking guns, basically destroying the target hanger things. Heck, I hit paper at 75 feet with a pistol. The gun went bang every time and most hits would really hurt where they landed. I’m happy for my first attempt with this 40 caliber.
Need more time and ammo next time!
I put the wrong date on the target but what’s one day, eh?!

 

[stansdds]

Not bad for first time shooting a new-to-you pistol. I'm sure that with more familiarization, those groups will shrink in size. I also practice with my handguns at 25 yards. Yes, it gets me away from the range that is usually filled with those who have difficulty hitting the broadside of a barn from within the barn and the tacticool guys with high end compact 1911's that seem to suffer from sight alignment and trigger control issues. Aim small, miss small, and if you can hit your targets at 25 yards, then a 7 yard encounter will not present an accuracy problem.

 

[jeffrefrig]

stansdds, that 25 yard range is a good distance to get comfortable in for the reason you stated. If I get this picture to post, you can see the accuracy of my dad’s K22 Masterpiece. That brown thing is a Styrofoam chicken wing I found in our Food Service Dept. I tried to shoot its eyes out. Close enough for me! I did use my bag for a rest; cheating? No, not me. Lucky? Perhaps!
If I can even get close with the 40 caliber pistol I’ll be more than happy!

 

[stansdds]

stansdds, that 25 yard range is a good distance to get comfortable in for the reason you stated. If I get this picture to post, you can see the accuracy of my dad’s K22 Masterpiece. That brown thing is a Styrofoam chicken wing I found in our Food Service Dept. I tried to shoot its eyes out. Close enough for me! I did use my bag for a rest; cheating? No, not me. Lucky? Perhaps!
If I can even get close with the 40 caliber pistol I’ll be more than happy!

You missed! You just gave it an eyebrow shave.