M&P .40 summer long test

[Big45]

I had a new M&P .40 . so I took it out for a range test on Memorial day weekend,,, I am normally OCD. about cleaning, and lubeing my weapons. but I wanted to use this as a house gun, and decided to see how good it was. So I did NOT clean it and I shot it all summer. only wiping down the out side. I finished my test last weekend, Labor day, Over the course of the summer i experienced 0 failures of any type. it ate every type of ammo I put in it, and NEVER failed even when dirty... I just now cleaned it. Yep I would say it is worth of being a new house pistol. Full sized M&P.

 

[Srigs]

My 40c has been 100% reliable and I will be buying a full size very soon.

 

[DrewW]

Never had a failure in mine either and I typically shoot handloaded lead SWC's, never a failure to feed or fire since I have owned it. Bought new in April about 3000 rounds through it with some sparse cleaning.

 

[Forsmithers]

My M&P.40C has about 1,500 rounds through it since April, 2008. The longest I went without cleaning was a measly 150 rounds because it is a service pistol and we naturally keep those cleaned and lubed when we're done at the range.

So far, no failures or major complaints at all and the gun exceeds my expectations. It fits nicely in the various uniform, paddle and in the pants holsters that I have for it. The grip and shooting position in the hand is very comfortable, recoil is not at all bad for a .40 and it points well.

The Melonite finish is not as rub resistant as the Glock's Tenifer finish but it is better than blued steel. My only complaint is a rub mark on the top of the slide below the rear sight where it connects with a threaded brass sleeve on the inside of my issued Safariland 6365 duty holster. Since I noticed the rub mark I put some electrical tape over the brass sleeve and that seems to prevent further rubbing where it meets the top of the slide. Sure that was a holster issue that caused the rub but the finish was not as durable as I would have expected or hoped. BUT, I've also got several thousand draws out of the uniform and paddle holsters while staying proficient with the new pistol and holsters and the finish is not bad. Especially considering the pistol is worn 50-60 hours a week easily.

 

[LoneStarWings]

The M&P was designed around the .40, it's hard to go wrong with one in that a caliber. I have about 4000 rounds through mine with no problems, granted I clean it every 200-300 rounds.

 

[Spotteddog]

Am I beginning to note a really reassuring trend here?
The 40c was the only S&W example they had to rent when I was trying to pick between Gaston's, H/K's, X-D and Sig. It was the way that pistol felt and handled that convinced me to make the M&Pc my first ever tupperware.

 

[BigRich315]

Am I beginning to note a really reassuring trend here?
The 40c was the only S&W example they had to rent when I was trying to pick between Gaston's, H/K's, X-D and Sig. It was the way that pistol felt and handled that convinced me to make the M&Pc my first ever tupperware.

I agree there, the first time I actually held one I walked out of the shop with it. I'm afraid to go look at 45's

 

[toocool]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I have a question on the M&P40c...how is the recoil? I had a Springfield XD compact in .40 and, while I shot it OK, it hurt like hell to shoot...the thing in the trigger seemed to cause my trigger finger to blister quickly. I really like the M&P compacts better than the full size, and would like to consider the .40.

 

[Spotteddog]

The FFL, armorer, and knower of all at my local range described ALL brands examples of .40 S&W compact pistols as being "waspish". I agree with his assessment. To me, the .40 doesn't recoil like any other load out of any other gun? It doesn't have the "torque" during recoil that the .45ACP has in a like size/weight pistol. But produces far more torque, than a 9X19 in a similar size gun. The sharp spike of pressure rise in high pressure loads (which the .40 S&W is) some folks can find disconcerting. The ergonomics of one platforms layout over another can't be over emphasized IMHO? While I shot the Glock and X/D well, it was easier for me to wring quicker more accurate strings out of the Sig and M&P. Some folks like N frames, some like L's, still others like K's. My "K" frame in a D/A auto loader is the 9X19/.40S&W sized gun. I suggest you search rental's to borrow till you can verify if they work best for you. YMMV?

 

[reklawsr]

I have the 40c and it fits my hand the best out of several autos & revolvers I have. Also have had no feeding issues (totally reliable so far). I was surprised at the low recoil I perceived compared to what I expected for this cartridge in a small pistol.

 

[growr]

My Full Size M&P .40 has over 12000 rounds through it in USPSA and IDPA matches and has NEVER failed in ANY manner. It just keeps on getting better. Never had any work on it trigger wise or other wise, no need for a trigger job..... Just shoot it. Your will probably do the same!
Randy

 

[BigRich315]

Don't want to hijack the thread, but I have a question on the M&P40c...how is the recoil? I had a Springfield XD compact in .40 and, while I shot it OK, it hurt like hell to shoot...the thing in the trigger seemed to cause my trigger finger to blister quickly. I really like the M&P compacts better than the full size, and would like to consider the .40.

I wouldn't trade my 40c for anything. A .40 definitely takes a firm grip and strong wrist to shoot. I'd say the recoil is more "snappy" than anything. It doesn't kick too hard but is a very quick release. With the M&P you can get back on target quickly with a good grip, wrist, and above all practice. The natural pointability and ergonomics of the gun are the best I've come across.

 

[Forsmithers]

Toocool, my dept. shoots Winchester White Box 180 gr. FMJ for practice ammo and Winchester SXT in 180 gr. for service ammo. I have not had any problems with my M&P40C and I think the felt recoil is less than the G23 it replaced as a service pistol. I have the large size grips on mine which adds a little palmswell and a little rubber on the top of your hand below the tang. I normally shoot in the high 90's (%) with this gun and do not have difficulty shooting one handed or with the weak hand only. Recoil in any .40 is going to be a little snappy because of the high pressure round BUT this is by far the best shooting .40 I've shot so far. The full size, which is a bit big, is easier on recoil than the compact but that can be said of pretty much any full size/compact pistol comparison.
Good luck with your decision!

 

[unclefish]

I only have about 1000 rnds through my .40 and I'm impressed. No feed issues at all. I am going to have a few lbs shaved off the trigger

 

[Alcoy]

You guys convinced me. I am getting the M&P9c with thumb safety. I am accustomed to the 1911 thumb safety.

 

[Dirtman]

My MP 40 was my 1st MP which I bought in July 2006. I have put about 4,000 or 5,000 rounds through it with absolutely no failures at all. I always clean it after every range visit and never run over it with a truck or soak it in the creek, but it goes bang every time I squeeze the trigger. That's all I care about.
Since then I have bought a MP 9c and a MP 9 Pro. Great ergonomics, accurate, dependable and with a great lifetime, no BS, warranty. The 40 is a bit "snappy" compared to a 9mm and 45 caliber but still easy to control.

 

[tension]

I keep reading about a .40 S&W as being "snappy". I think someone started using this term on the internet and other people us it out of habit. I shoot 9mm, .40 and .45 and see very little difference in the recoil. They all feel good to me.

 

[Dirtman]

I keep reading about a .40 S&W as being "snappy". I think someone started using this term on the internet and other people us it out of habit. I shoot 9mm, .40 and .45 and see very little difference in the recoil. They all feel good to me.

Before I bought my MP 9 Pro I used to spend most of my time at the range firing my 40 caliber MP. Loved it and never had a problem with recoil. Then I bought my 9mm Pro and started shooting it most of the time while at the range. I noticed a big difference in how I felt at the end of a shooting session. The 40 was noticablely (to me)more physically tiring. I still like my 40 very much and shoot it a lot (along with my 38 snubbie, 357 686, and 45 S.A. Micro Compact) but the 9mm's are a lot easier (again, to me) on recoil especially after after several hours of shooting.