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

[78Staff]

By the way, you can download the parts lists for the variants of the Compact. The ejector, recoil guide rod and spring and most other critical parts are exactly the same between the 9mm and 40. The slides have different part numbers, but I'll bet the difference is only the "40" or "9" stamped on the side. The 357 Sig variant was no longer listed, but I'm sure it shares nearly everything with the 40 too.

So, I feel like I have three guns in one, for about $300 more. After much more practice with these variants, I will eventually select which one I choose to use for CCW, and settle in on it.

This is what I do as mentioned above, all three barrels for each M&P I have - it's one of the great things about the M&P platform, although I think some of the Glocks you can do similar...

Re the slides, in the Full Size, the weights are slightly different for each caliber, that's how S&W is able to use the same recoil spring assembly for all three calibers. I don't know for certain, but I would assume the Compact is the same way.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

I just bought my first ever S&W, the 40 Compact. My head swirls from the never-ending and sometimes heated debate over 40 versus 9, with a few 357 Sig fans out there too. Some of my buddies swear by the 9 mm and others swear by the 40. To me, it comes down to what you can shoot comfortably and accurately. I'm a pretty big guy and the 40 (or 357) doesn't knock me too much.

I decided to have it all ways, so I could discover for myself which I liked best in this one platform. I found an eBay seller offering Storm Lake 40-to-9 conversion barrels and also 357 Sig barrels for $129 each. Apparently it's next to impossible to find new original S&W barrels these days. I would have bought factory barrels as they are cheaper. But the Storm Lake barrels drop right in and fire beautifully. The 9mm is the more serious option for me, while the 357 Sig barrel was more just for kicks, quite literally. Of course, I bought some 9mm mags for the 9 mm barrel, while the 40 mags are labeled for 357 Sig use too. I have only popped maybe a 100 rounds of of 9mm and 357 Sig each through the gun so far. I had a couple of FTE events with the 9mm rounds, but that ammo was old and had a patina on the shells. The 357 fired with zero hitches.

By the way, you can download the parts lists for the variants of the Compact. The ejector, recoil guide rod and spring and most other critical parts are exactly the same between the 9mm and 40. The slides have different part numbers, but I'll bet the difference is only the "40" or "9" stamped on the side. The 357 Sig variant was no longer listed, but I'm sure it shares nearly everything with the 40 too.

So, I feel like I have three guns in one, for about $300 more. After much more practice with these variants, I will eventually select which one I choose to use for CCW, and settle in on it.

Amen to what you said above!! This is what I love about the M&P's... specifically the 40 FS and 40c... VERSATILITY. I am planning to order the Storm Lake ".40 to 9mm" conversion barrel as well as the SL .357 SIG barrel at some point for my 40c. You never know when some outside event will occur that leads to another ammo shortage... and if all I can get ahold of is .357 SIG, I will still have a working handgun. All in all, for an extra $250-$300, it's like three guns in one. Good point about .40 and .357 SIG functioning in the same mags. So all that would need to be done besides purchasing the barrels is to buy a few 9c or 9 FS mags (perhaps with X-grip)?

I remember reading somewhere that the 9c's ejector also had to be changed when installing the ".40 to 9mm conversion" barrel. Can anyone verify this? A friend just bought the SL ".40 to 9" conversion barrel and did not change his ejector and he's put about 300 rounds through it so far. My LGS salesman laughed when I mentioned that saying that the 1mm difference between the 9mm and .40 would be negligible for the ejector.

During the last shortage in early 2013 I remember that all my LGS had .40 S&W and .357 SIG in stock (in most cases just FMJ, but usually a few HPs) but none of them had any 9mm in stock. That memory always stuck with me even though later that year when I got my permit my first two handguns were 9mm.

I saw a video recently where Kyle Lamb was comparing Glocks and M&Ps (linked below). It was close, but in his opinion the M&P won overall. One of the interesting things that Kyle said was that he's heard that when chambered in 9mm, both handguns feed reliably, but that Glock's .40s (specifically the G22) seem to have more malfunctions feeding .40 rounds than the M&P does. I am in no way trying to fire up the Glock fans on here... I love Glocks myself... all I'm saying is that when a guy with Kyle Lamb's resume (former DELTA operator and founder of Viking Tactics, just to name a few) makes a statement like that, I sit up and take notice!

http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orf_zlp3Rdk

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

So here are some pics - DCAEK kit and trigger installed, along with .357sig barrel and I-dot pro sights. Even with the latest revision slidestop, reset is pretty nil. As stated before, this is a EDC so reset really isn't that critical to me here, but compared to shooting the FS with a RAM, for instance, it's a very noticeable difference. 9mm barrel and mags on the way as well, so mirrors my FS that I have setups for 9/40/357. Another thing I love about the M&P's .

Shown with flat, pinky extension, and FS mags with XGrip - one has stock baseplate, one has the Apex 10-8 - the XGrip works fine with both. Going in an MTAC IWB so will to start breaking it in tomorrow

How do you like the X-grip adapters so far? Was thinking of picking up some myself. Apparently S&W makes the X-grips that come with the TALO versions of the 9c and 40c and they actually say "M&P" on the side instead of just "X-grip", but they sell them for about $20 plus shipping (according to what the S&W rep I spoke with said). I think the regular X-grips just go for about $13 or $14 on Amazon or Ebay.

 

[78Staff]

How do you like the X-grip adapters so far? Was thinking of picking up some myself. Apparently S&W makes the X-grips that come with the TALO versions of the 9c and 40c and they actually say "M&P" on the side instead of just "X-grip", but they sell them for about $20 plus shipping (according to what the S&W rep I spoke with said). I think the regular X-grips just go for about $13 or $14 on Amazon or Ebay.

They feel nice, I haven't shot with them yet but expect to Monday. They will really be for range use only, I'll EDC with one of the short mags. They are actually a tad longer than the FS with FS mags, maybe 1/4 inch, but it doesn't really make a difference for my uses. Yeah I just bought the plain ones, to be honest I didn't know S&W had branded versions, but no point paying almost twice the cost for it to say S&W, imo .

 

[78Staff]

I remember reading somewhere that the 9c's ejector also had to be changed when installing the ".40 to 9mm conversion" barrel. Can anyone verify this? A friend just bought the SL ".40 to 9" conversion barrel and did not change his ejector and he's put about 300 rounds through it so far. My LGS salesman laughed when I mentioned that saying that the 1mm difference between the 9mm and .40 would be negligible for the ejector.

I saw a video recently where Kyle Lamb was comparing Glocks and M&Ps (linked below). It was close, but in his opinion the M&P won overall. One of the interesting things that Kyle said was that he's heard that when chambered in 9mm, both handguns feed reliably, but that Glock's .40s (specifically the G22) seem to have more malfunctions feeding .40 rounds than the M&P does. I am in no way trying to fire up the Glock fans on here... I love Glocks myself... all I'm saying is that when a guy with Kyle Lamb's resume (former DELTA operator and founder of Viking Tactics, just to name a few) makes a statement like that, I sit up and take notice!

I recall reading that somewhere as well, but it's not required. Basically you just need either the S&W or Storm Lake conversion barrel, and 9mm mags for reliable feeding of all rounds. There is a slight difference in the breech face, but it's so minor as to not affect anything. Still there are many who consider the 9mm "conversion' to be range/training use only, ie not to be used for carry/defense.

I read the same Kyle Lamb article - you have to factor in KL is sponsored by S&W, but still it was a good read, and holds water as he also mentioned for true SHTF/EOW scenario the glock might be a better choice b/c there is a kajillion of them out there so finding parts/mags/etc would be easier in a post-apocalypse type world

 

[gunny4053]

Another shooting day after work tomorrow. I adapted a FS AGrip to my compact, and must say it came out looking pretty good. So, new grip enhancement and trying out some 165 gr rounds. Just trying to find that sweet spot between my eyes, the gun, and its ammo of choice.

78Staff, I'm thinking about giving your trigger setup a try, that looks intersting.

 

[78Staff]

It's a world of difference than the stock trigger - less takeup, less overtravel, a more natural motion imo than the hinged trigger S&W uses. I really prefer the FSS setup, but that's not really suitable for a EDC, imo. As the DCAEK is considered a Carry/Duty kit, It will still keep an aprox 6lb trigger, although if you install the entire kit and use the stock spring vs the apex spring, it will lighten it about lb or so. Or, you can just buy the trigger only and keep all other parts stock. I highly suggest the poly trigger. The aluminium trigger is twice the cost, and about 8x harder to install lol. I think the DCAEK with poly trigger is $110 at most places, or $35-ish for the trigger alone.

Kit requires removing the rear sight to replace the striker block and spring, so factor that in as well. The M&P rear sight typically comes out fairly easy, unlike the Shield which for some reason is a PITA to remove. But if you pay someone to do it that bumps the cost up a bit. IF you were thinking of replacing sights it's best to do it a the same time, obviously.

 

[gunny4053]

Ordered the poly trigger so I can give that a look see. I'll probably go ahead and get the DCAEK kit as well.

 

[gunny4053]

Well, I received notice my trigger shipped today and should be here Wednesday. My day off, so it won't take long to have it installed. Since I was bored today, barrel hood got polished.

 

[78Staff]

lol...bling .

I'm a little disappointed in the soft reset on my 40C, even with the updated slide catch... though I know I said it didn't matter to me on this particular one. But, it still annoys me. I'm just about ready to completely replace the rear SHB so I can put a RAM in it lol. Must resist spending money for no reason!

I'd also forgotten how much travel still exists in the DCAEK kit (compared to a FSS kit, anyway) and getting used to that again is trying as well. Need to put some more range time on it. Would love to put FSS kit in and be done with it, but it's really not practical for an EDC.

Also, I've decided I need a new holster. Tucking just isn't working for me, So I guess I'll just have to go with something else.

 

[gunny4053]

The Apex trigger arrived right on time today. Promptly installed it and the heavy duty sear spring that came with it. I like the trigger better than the OE, but the trigger pull felt a little stiff. I put the OE sear spring back in, then did a little fluff and buff. I like this much better. I will say the reset is better with the HD sear spring. I'll have to get out shooting and try the different setups to see which works the best.

 

[gunny4053]

Here's some updated pics for your viewing pleasure.



A little fluff and buff bling. I like at least a little shiny on my guns.



My adapted AGrip.



The new Apex poly trigger.



Should have a FS mag and Xgrip soon, plus a couple more 10 rounders.

 

[78Staff]

Looks good. Not sure about the blingi-ness, but if you like it...so be it .

I installed the older style SHB and RAM into mine tonight. Took a bit of work had to trim a bit off the frame plug to make it all work, but the reset is very much improved .