M&P 40C, what're your thoughts?

[Bigpoppa]

As one person has said that he does not leave the house with his 40c and I have the same sentiment. The 40c with Crimson trace laser grip has been my EDC every since I have acquired it about 18 months ago.

 

[MSG Glenn]

I bought a new 40C about 3 years ago & shortly before that a used full size M&P40. Love them both. What's very convenient is full size 15 round mags will fit nicely in a 40C. I added an X-Grip to two of them & carry them loaded in the compact about 25% of the time. At the range it's nice to have them all loaded & just keep shooting. Loading time is cut down considerably.

While on the subject of loading - I strongly suggest that you buy a Magpul Uplula loader. Well worth the money (I think about $25). It makes loading new stiff magazines to capacity much easier & loading at the range much faster.

The price of $359 is a good one. I bought my 40C with 3 mags at a police supply store for $349 but that was a Police/Security/Military/First Responder price. I had to wait a while for shipment. It seemed like months.

 

[gunny4053]

OK, if this goes South I'm blaming you guys. I did the deed and will pick it up tomorrow after work. $325 OTD . I'm trusting you to keep me straight, as I passed on a Glock 23 with a great trigger for the same price. I know you wouldn't lead me astray, but I'm working outside my comfort zone here. The trigger on the M&P seems reasonably crisp with no creep and absolutely no grit.

I've got a line on some compact mags for under $30, and need to shop for a couple full sized mags and Xgrips. I've got several holsters that should work, but worst case, I've got a Sticky and a Remora that will do for now.

I've already got some .40 loaded, but will grab some SD ammo to work with. I'm partial to Gold Dots and Hornaday Critical Duty, so what else would you suggest? I plan on shooting this a bunch before I start to tinker, and I will tinker...it's just my nature.

Well, there you have it. I'll pick it up and pop a few rounds before I come home, so I should have an opinion on it by then.

Thanks for the positive remarks, they really helped on this one.

 

[SMMAssociates]

I just picked up a 40Shield a couple weeks ago. Two range sessions so far. A couple of feed failures and/or ejection issues, but it's a new gun and my reloads are a little scary ....

Overall, recoil for the Shield using my own reloads is a little stiff v.s. a 40FS - I haven't tried them in my 40C lately. "SD" loads in the Shield are spectacular , but in either case (or in the full size gun or the Compact), being a 1911 guy, I don't find any reason to toss it....

The Shield's trigger (I'm talking about the bang lever) seems to be identical to the 40FS and 40C. Might be some internal differences, but it looks and feels the same. The "action" is a tad smoother than my pre-DCAEK M&P's, but still needs the sear and trigger mods. I'll be (trying) to install them in an hour or so. Film at 11 ....

I wouldn't mind one of Apex's metal triggers, but can't stand those "safety" levers made up of a rat's tail inside the larger trigger. I don't think that'd put me off, but it wouldn't put me "on" either....

I paid about $375, give or take, at my local gun pusher's.

Regards,

 

[jstanfield103]

Congratulations on the 40C. I will be picking up my 40 Pro tomorrow (7-24-2014) and have already bought a 9mm Magazine to go with it. Now just to buy the 9mm conversion barrel and I would be all set.

 

[CaptRon956]

I'm partial to Gold Dots and Hornaday Critical Duty, so what else would you suggest?

You're right about the Compact 40 being like a Shield on steriods, that's basically what it is... I don't own a Compact however I do own a Shield 40. I've tried Federal 180 gr. HST's, Federal 135 gr. Hydra Shoks, Win PDX1 165 gr, Hornady custom XTP 155gr & American Gunner XTP 180 gr. and felt that the pistol liked the Win 165 gr. PDX1's. For target I fed it 165 gr. FMJ's from freedom munitons that it liked a lot... I imagine the compact would give similar results.

 

[bronconagurski]

I was vacillating between getting the Shield 40 or the Compact .40, then I saw the GB seller named Sportsman Supply auctioning the Compact 40s with no reserve, and they were selling in the low to mid 300 dollar range. So I bid on one and won it, and am glad I did. Let me say I was already leaning toward the Compact since the only size difference from the Shield is the width, and I am 6'3" 200 plus, so that doesn't matter to me. And those extra rounds were appealing as well. To be totally honest, I trusted the Compact .40 for safety more than I did the Shield .40 as well. I won't get into that again, but while it wasn't the major deciding factor, it did cross my mind. All in all, already having the Shield 9mm, I am glad I bought the Compact .40.

 

[M&P Freak]

For what it's worth, the .40c is a fine gun. I have an early one and love it, shoots real well. With 10 + 1 of .40 S&W on board, it's a lot in a small package.

 

[gunny4053]

Well, it's home! I went by the shop after work and picked it up. $325 out the door, listed as used, but absolutely as new. The warranty card hasn't even been filled out.

Went up the hill to fire off a few rounds and see where we're at. 40 rounds of my reloads and a mag of 180gr Gold Dots at 7 yards. There's no doubt you've got a little powerhouse in your hand, but nothing that can't be handled. The first 10 rounds were low and left using a 6 o'clock hold, but grouped pretty well. Went to more of a Combat sight picture, placing the front dot so it covered the target, and the low shots were gone. I adjusted my grip which corrected the left a little, but I'll still need to work on that. Since I was dodging thunder storms, I didn't have much time to really play with it, so next time out I want to try different back straps and see what effect that has.

The good part, 50 rounds and not one malfunction. There is however one downside. My trigger finger was a bit sore. I'm not sure whether it was from the shape of the trigger, or recoil snapping the trigger back against it. There will have to be a solution to that.

My Remora fit the C like it was made for it. A couple of my holsters for the Glock 30 fit very well, so I'm set for a while.
Once I get it cleaned up, I'll get the obligatory pictures up.

 

[bronconagurski]

Congrats, gunny.

 

[gunny4053]

Thank you, thank you very much.

 

[gunny4053]

Now here's a stupid question. Can the thumb safety be added? Mine doesn't have one, but I see the insert that fills the slot where it would go.

 

[78Staff]

Now here's a stupid question. Can the thumb safety be added? Mine doesn't have one, but I see the insert that fills the slot where it would go.

Hey Gunny,
Nice pull, 40c's typically go for $399 with LE discount, so $325 is a great deal! I have the FS Pro Series in 40, with Apex FSS trigger/kit, and also have 9mm and 357Sig barrels, and can convert back and forth. I shoot a lot of 9mm when training/at range, and switch to .357Sig for defense/personal use. Oddly enough, I don't shoot the 40 that much, I just keep the barrel and some ammo on hand in reserve .

The 9mm barrel is easier to find, you can go with a S&W oem barrel, or a Storm Lake conversion barrel. Add a couple 9mm mags and you are good to go. For range use, you can even get away with using your existing 40/357Sig mags, you just won't be able to lock back on last round, and might have feed issue with the last round or two. I'd suggest going ahead and picking up a few 9mm mags along with the barrel if you want to shoot 9mm. You can find them at a bunch of places for $25 ea. Also, re the 9mm barrel, you can either try to find an oem S&W barrel, or get a Storm Lake conversion barrel. the S&W will be cheaper and it will work, but it will be *slightly* undersized in the lug area - this is S&W's attempt at preventing end users from doing exactly this change. There is a whole monster thread on 9mm barrel in 40 M&P Slide on the big AR forum I think, plenty of pics and measurements - worth a read if you are considering trying out 9mm in the 40. I started with the oem barrel (shown below), but wound up buying the SL conversion barrel for peace of mind. IIRC, the only other issue is the 40 breech is sized for the 40 while the 9mm is slightly less, so the general consensus is the 9mm conversion is best for range/training use only - not for carrying/SD use. Some will disagree there, though.

EDIT - the 40/9mm barrel thread I mention is linked here - http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...ems-40-9mm-conversion-kits.html#post135820458

The S&W OEM 357Sig barrel is harder to find, but is a true drop in (S&W actually sold kits to LE with both barrels at one time), and no issues using for carry/SD. Also uses the 40 mags you already have, and is a blast to shoot, at least in a Full Size. Maybe not so much in a compact lol. Storm Lake also makes a 357Sig barrel for the compact, if you can't find an oem. 357Sig ammo is priciest of the three, and sometimes very hard to find, and is a bit finickier to reload due to the shoulder and case sizing, etc, but if you are experienced reloader it shouldn't be an issue.

As for adding the safety, used to you could not without a new sear block and some filing on the frame, but with the newer models that have the cutout, you can add a safety by exchanging a few parts - Get the parts from Speed Shooters Specialties (thumb lever and detent block with spring, part # 1960 & 2022 I believe, but call and double check). You don't need a new sear block either anymore.

Anyway, good luck with the 40c. I thinking about adding one as well, I've been carrying a buddies Glock 23 for a few days to try it out, but I still like the M&P's better. Actually heading to a gun show tomorrow, if I see a good deal I'l probably grab it, otherwise will just do an LE order for one...

Oh, and for ammo, I like HST... there are newer, fancier rounds, but imho HST just gets the job done. Horandy XTP Custom is also good, as are the ones you already listed.

 

[SMMAssociates]

Now here's a stupid question. Can the thumb safety be added? Mine doesn't have one, but I see the insert that fills the slot where it would go.

gunny:

Not a stupid question....

The problem is that the thumb safety requires a sear module that's designed to accept one, as well as a few components, and a cutout in the frame for the safety lever.

If you already have the frame cutout (with a little plug in there), you may have a sear module that'll work. S&W's fooled around a bit, I think, but if you look at the sear module, and do not find a quarter-inch-ish hole going from the right to left side, you just may be in luck.

(The hole is for a "Hilary Lock" - a key lock. Your frame may already have a cutout for the key, too, but may not.)

A spring and little cam are needed to provide "detents" for the thumb safety lever. They're probably not there, but the Hilary Lock (and/or the hole) preclude their presence. Speed Shooters should have a complete sear module and thumb safety parts (I'm not sure what other components are included) though. Something like $30....

You should also think about the Apex "DCAEK" kit. Another $100, but it seems to smooth out the action considerably, and if you've got some gunsmithing skills, or a handy smith on speed-dial, fairly easy to install.

I have a 9C with a thumb safety. I can't say that I'm excited about it, but it won't be a problem if you're used to a 1911 and some other semi's.

Meantime, enjoy!

Regards,

 

[speedyquad]

I carried the 40c until I bought a shield for my wife. Then after carrying her shield while running errands, I bought a shield for myself because of the weight difference. I would have no issue carrying the 40c again.

Once you figure out what size backstrap works best for you, look up A2 Stippling - A2 STIPPLING. The owner is currently enlisted in the military and stipples the parts in his spare time. I will say that I am not a stippling person, but since I added the #8 design backstrap, tool and mag baseplates, I've changed my mind.

 

[Rastoff]

Now here's a stupid question. Can the thumb safety be added? Mine doesn't have one, but I see the insert that fills the slot where it would go.

Yes sir, the thumb safety can be added, but you don't need it. Here's why...

Take a look at this pic:

Here we have an M&P 45 with thumb safety in the on position. The little tab, indicated by the red arrow, is blocking the movement of the trigger bar, indicated by the green arrow. That's all it does; prevent trigger movement. So, as long as nothing presses the trigger, the gun won't fire. A proper holster accomplishes the same thing. A conscientious owner, who won't let his garment get in the way during re-holstering, will accomplish the same thing.

So, Gunny, yes, you can add a thumb safety. Most of the necessary parts can be found at Speed Shooters Specialties. We can help you with the install. You just don't need it.

 

[gunny4053]

78 Staff, good to see you're still around! Since my heart thing last year, it seems like I haven't kept in touch. Sorry for that, hope you're doing well.

Rastoff, thanks for the pics, those say a lot. I don't feel the need for one, was just curious if I could add one if the urge hit me. I'm in the camp that believes "keep the booger off the bang switch" and pay attention to what you're doing and you won't need one. On the other hand, if I have a firearm that has one, I'm not above using it.

I believe I've solved the sore finger thing. The trigger had quite a seam down the center and a small hump right at the end. I took a small file and some fine sand paper, smoothed it out and flattened the hump. It feels much better even when dry firing, so tomorrow we'll give it another try. I think I'll try some different ammo, maybe something in the 165 gr persuasion, just to see how it compares to the buck eighty stuff I shot the other day.

 

[Georgia Yankee]

Like my 40c, but...

I live in the deep south, where I wear a light jacket December-February, and wear a polo shirt and khakis the rest of the year. I can conceal the 40c under a very loose polo shirt with a rather heavy weave. The pistol itself is flawless in function, and I can get really good accuracy from it. Anything under $400 for a used one in excellent shape is a bargain.

Nevertheless, I did end up buying a micro 380 automatic because the 40c is a little too bulky and heavy to be 100% comfortable. I still have the 40c because I really like the accuracy and firepower. I think I may need a better holster.

 

[Georgia Yankee]

357 SIG

Also, check Midway for aftermarket 357 SIG barrels.

 

[BigBoreShooter]

Love my 40c. It's normally by edc gun, but I do carry the M&P45C sometimes.

My 40c is a great shooter.