M&P .40 or .45

[Jaeger62]

Don't want to really open up a "Caliber Battle" but I am about to buy a new M&P for a duty gun and am looking at the .40 and .45

Some background, I've shot a Glock 22 for 13 years, I'm used to the .40S&W round and have always shot it well. But I've shot the M&Ps and like them a lot, my concealed carry/off duty weapon is a Shield .40

Is there any great reason to switch to a .45? I'll admit I've always kinda wanted one. The other point I'll mention is I'm about to start reloading and going to the .45 while still having my Glock 22 and Shield .40 would obviously require caliber to buy components for.

Any of you shot both the M&P 40 and 45?

 

[alde]

I have both an M&P 40c and 45c and they are both great pistols. The only real advantages to the 40 over the 45 is magazine capacity and the last time there was an ammo shortage there was a lot more 40 available. There is great self defense ammo out there for both and they are both proven calibers.

 

[Lost Lake]

I think the .45 is a softer recoil...

The .40 is a high pressure round and can deliver a heck of a wallop. The M&P chassis tames it wonderfully though.

Both are great guns. Go with the one you will want to use the most I guess.

 

[2tango2]

fwiw as mentioned above regarding ammo scares.....the Walmart in Amherst NH must have about 50 of the 100 round value pack WWB in 40 and not a sniff of anything else

I bought a Shield 40 and am determined to tame that round...or as bigdaddyhoffman would say...a little "frisky" lol

 

[Arik]

If you are dedicated to the 40 i would just stay with it. Buying a 45 will just divert the money you can use to buy more 40 ammo, mags and reloading supplies. But to be fair there is nothing wrong with the 45 its just that at this point, when everything is scarce, i would concentrate on adding to what i already have.

Btw i have the 45 M&P and its a great gun, especially after the Apex upgrades

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[all357mag]

Had a Glock 22, now have an MP 45c. No comparison. The M&P has a Better trigger, more accurate, better made!

 

[Arik]

Had a Glock 22, now have an MP 45c. No comparison. The M&P has a Better trigger, more accurate, better made!

I sold both my M&P 9 and 357 cause the triggers were just beyond bad and im not very picky. The 45 was nice. Triggers are a personal preference and both are equally quality made guns.

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[Jaeger62]

Ironically, here in north Texas, there has been PLENTY of .45 ammunition available everywhere I go, while 9mm and .40 has been incredibly difficult to find.

 

[2tango2]

Ironically, here in north Texas, there has been PLENTY of .45 ammunition available everywhere I go, while 9mm and .40 has been incredibly difficult to find.

That's because everything is BIGGER in Texas right?

lol

.45 has been making a bit of a comeback here in NH...9 is still scarce though

 

[Bobbj22]

Started shooting with the G23. Later, I bought a Colt Defender (everybody gets a 1911 eventually). A couple of ammo cases later I decided to snag a Shield 40 due to the hype and the perceived recoil is much less than the G23 in my opinion. I bought a 45c a couple of months ago and it is by far my favorite of all of them. Didn't like the gritty trigger and patience is not my strong suit so I sprang for an Apex kit. Even though the Defender has that 1911 dream trigger, I enjoy shooting the 45c more (especially after installing the aluminum AEK trigger). With the extra metal in the slide on the FS 45, I can imagine it's even more fun to shoot. The G gun has sentimental value because it was my first handgun, but it has definitely been demoted to the safe. You'll probably find yourself doing the same and you'll love either the 40 or 45. Let us know how things panned out for you.


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[blujax01]

When you can't find small primers you may still be able to feed your .45.

 

[SSGT Pride]

I bought Both in full size! Sorta like Lay's Tater chips.....You cant just have one!

I love em both...both are super accurate but the .40 seems to penetrate stuff like a car door better than the .45

 

[Tomkat]

Based on your criteria to not include a caliber debate and all of the information you provided, a 40 S&W would make the most sense.

 

[dwdlt]

I think it is more of personal preference. I have both the M&P .40 and .45, and both shoot nice. While I agree with others that the 45 does have a little softer recoil, I myself am more accurate with the .40......Granted, I just bought my .40 and have only put about 100 rounds through it so far....

 

[scattershot]

I think I would go with the .40, also, because you're already set up for it, and the .40 in any particular frame size will hold more ammo. I have both the .40 and .45 in the compact, and the .40 seems to have a much better trigger.

 

[M29since14]

Is there any great reason to switch to a .45?...

Any of you shot both the M&P 40 and 45?

Yes, a very good reason. I think you will find the .45s are much more accurate. My M&P45 shoots rings around any M&P40 I have seen or heard of, and this does not seem to be uncommon.

I have both and have shot them both for several years now. I wouldn't even consider picking up the .40 if I needed a pistol and the .45 was lying next to it. Across the table either would do; at 25-yards or more, no comparison.

 

[kennyb]

count me in the 45 M&P camp as well

 

[catcus-jack]

.45 ACP M&P

 

[Dohmein]

I dig the M&P 45. A sweet shooter. Around here .45 ammo is easier to get than 40 for some reason.

 

[golfer_ray]

I had 9mm pistols & bought a used M&P 40 as I didn't want all my eggs in one basket with no 9mm ammo available. It shoots fine & I've been very happy with it. I have seen very little 45 ammo in OKC for months, but plenty of 40 so I went with that caliber.

You'd mentioned that you've wanted a 45, so go with your heart unless you are concerned about ammo supplies in your area.