M&P 45 FS: 4" or 4.5" Barrel

[had2]

I am looking at the M&P 45 full size as a home defense gun, and am unsure of what the different barrel lengths might offer. I assume the longer barrel is more accurate beyond a certain distance. It is probably completely irrelevant for home defense. Am I missing something, and, if so, which should I go for?

 

[pfurrer]

I have both. The four inch just feels more balanced to me. That's my two cents.

 

[MIST]

Sounds to me like you should find a retail establishment with a wide array of the M&P 45s. That way you can play with all of them and pick the one that you like the best. I did just that and decided on the 45C with no manual or magazine safety.

 

[Martya]

For home defense either would serve well. The 4" is a couple ounces lighter, but for the environment of use - typically 1-7 yards - that added 1/2" length of the 4.5" probably makes no difference.

Thus it comes down to what feels comfortable in your hand. And if this applies, since it is for home defense use, perhaps what feels comfortable in your spouse's hand.

 

[samdweezel05]

When it comes to a hand gun, the barrel length will decide the sight radius and velocity of the round to an extent. The length won't add any noticeable accuracy in this case. Go with the one that feels better in your hand.

 

[Dean1818]

Just a thought, my 45 compact does HD duty, range duty, and can be carried CCW when needed.

The 4 inch barrel on the compact helps improve accuracy potential as well.

You can also get extended mags, so your ammo count can be just as high as the full size as well

Getting a pistol that can be used in many applications should at least be considered

The choice of a full size, limits you to range and HD, if you liv in a CCW state

 

[presspics]

I have the midsize 45 and absolutely love it!! It's only .5 inch but it makes the gun feel completely different.

 

[justsaymo]

I really like them both.

 

[falconman515]

This is an old thread but it asks my question.

I am now gonna be in the market for a .45 and I own a S&@ MP15 and M&P9 CORE so it seems to make sense to stick with em' and go M&P45

So I am curious basically what this threads asks ... 4" vs. 4.5" and why?

For me it will be another range gun to shoot a couple mags after shooting mostly my 9 and then also will be used as a HD gun as well in the nightstand.

I know the overall answer will be to go to the gun shop and get the one that feels the best which I will do, but I am curious what others have decided on and why after doing the same thing.

Thanks so much guys and I look forward to some more replies.

 

[blujax01]

I wish S&W made the M&P45 with a 5" barrel, similar to the Pro9 C.O.R.E. (I also wonder why the 4" is considered a compact, but I digress)...

As someone alluded to earlier, the longer barrel allows for a longer sight radius - that is to say, the length between the rear and front sights. And a longer radius makes your sighting more accurate.

For the range or Home Defense, the full sized 45 makes sense.

 

[andrewcdub]

I wish S&W made the M&P45 with a 5" barrel, similar to the Pro9 C.O.R.E. (I also wonder why the 4" is considered a compact, but I digress).

I've tjought the same thing. To me there wasnt much of a difference bwtween the 4.5 and 4" so I just went with the fullsize.

 

[78Staff]

Yeah it can be confusing, there are 3 basic models discounting sight and safety options, etc - Full Size with 4.5", Mid-Size with 4", and Compact with 4" and shortened grip.

Honestly to me the Mid Size makes no sense - if I wanted that gun I could buy the Compact and use extended mag or X-Grip and have essentially the same gun as the MidSize, and still have the compact for CCW. The Full Size would be preferable for range/plinking/hunting/etc, the Compact for CCW. The Mid seems like a gun in no mans land...

I'm leaning towards a 45c as my next handgun purchase, to take the place of my Shield. Short grip for carry, extended mags for range use.

 

[MyDads38]

I could use some help with this choice myself. Was at a LGS today and they had a FS M&P 45-4.5" Bbl. with all acc. including 14 round ext. mag used for $450. Also had a used 4" model for $500 used.

I noticed the rear sight on the 4.5" model was adjusted all the way to the right. This concerned me, but guy behind the counter said "probably more to do with the shooter than the gun". Didn't make me feel any better, but he continued to say "you can send it back to S&W under warranty" but I thought that was just original owner?

Anyway, the 4" model didn't seem to have any issues, but not sure if it came with all original accessories, as did the other. This model also had the ambi safety, which is about the same as on a 1911, except my strong hand seemed very close and I was concerned about accidentally flicking the safety on during firing/recoil. My 1911 doesn't have an ambi safety.

When I first bought my new 1911 45 auto, I thought the sights needed adjusting on it; but after several range trips and getting used to owning a 1911 again, I now hit dead center without ever making any adjustments. My groups originally started low left and I had stringing. But each trip to the range, I got more comfortable and my groups became centered. It's my favorite pistol and my EDC.

Any help appreciated. FWIW, I think he would come down to $450 on the 4" model and would also come down to maybe $400-$420 on the 4.5" model. My biggest concern was the rear sight on the 4.5" model.

On a used M&P 45, are these prices in the ball park?

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I have a 45c and have been considering a full size. For me, the 4.5" barrel just balances better with the longer gripframe.

What I'd really prefer is a 5".

 

[BillR1]

I have both, so I can "make" all 3 configurations. Both guns are great shooters!

 

[ca survivor]

I have the 4.5 get the 4 in FS frame it feels more balance.

I'm I the only one that cuts the beaver tail off, like in the compacts ? LOL

 

[Bill in W. Ky]

I went with the 4 inch because it is the same size as my 9mm and my 357..

 

[rags]

Just picked up a 45c today. I have a 9c and 40c that shoot well. I like the "slightly" larger size that the 45 has. Now, to shoot it.

 

[falconman515]

Still up in the air on what I am going to get ... wish I could find a shop locally that carries all 3 so I can give them a fondle and see how they feel.

 

[Shell Shocker]

I went with the 4.5", I plan to add a silencer to the gun later on and only found threaded barrels for the full size. That might not be a deciding factor for you but it's something to consider if you may want one down the road.