M&P Safety Options

[LWCmdr45]

I know that not everyone agrees with me, but I like safeties on semi-auto pistols. One of the things that got my attention when the Smith M&P series was introduced was that they were advertised as being available with/without manual thumb and/or magazine safeties. Now that I am (finally!) in the market to add a M&P to my safe, I've been looking at the current offerings and have settled on the .40S&W "full sized" (4.25" barrel, 15+1 capacity). I would prefer *both* the ambidextrous thumb safeties *and* the magazine safety. I don't know if it's just me, but I can't seem to find the variant that includes both. The #206300 has the thumb safeties, but the only models I can find that include the magazine safety are a couple of MP9c variants. Has S&W phased out the mag safety option?

If the mag safety is no longer readily available from the factory, is it feasible to *add* it to a #206300?

Thanx all!

Steve

 

[Jeb21]

I agree with you regarding the thumb safety on the MP. I like them. I do not like the mag disconnect safety. However, to each his own.

 

[T-BoneFL]

They have not phased out the mag safety as far as I know. I checked the PDF manual, and most of the M&P line is like the the FS 40: cannot have both the MS and TS.

My 9c has a mag safety. I got it because I did not want the ugly disclaimer on the slide. I never removed it, but will one day. My 45c does not have the mag safety. The disclaimer is not really that bad. I could fill it in with black paint.

I did see a YouTube video where a guy pulled out the mag safety. Maybe if someone does not want theirs, maybe it'll fit yours?

-T

 

[Houdini1953]

While I understand your concern about a manual safety for a new weapon, I must tell you that the M&P is a striker fired weapon and has no hammer to hit a firing pin unlike some of the older weapons you are accustomed to.

The only way it or a Glock will fire is if some thing such as your finger pulls the trigger the same is true of the S&W M&P line of weapons, there are internal safeties in these weapons that allow you confidence of no NG's, I carry mine with one in the chamber at all times with no concern due to this fact.

This does not mean it is completely safe because it is possible with a poor holster choice or not reholstering the weapon that a foreign object might get into the holster and actually pull the trigger (which would cause the weapon to fire).

Go to you gun dealer and ask many question as well as Smith & Wesson and feel comfortable with your new M&P as I as well as others on this forum do!

 

[stainless1911]

I keep my brain safety engaged all the time.

 

[Mountain Walker]

I keep my brain safety engaged all the time.

I am pleased for you! I see folks at the IDPA matches having problems with re-holstering after their shooting drill. The range master helps them keep their shirt out of the holster. Just imagine a real world situation like a "holdup". I wonder if your brain safety will be engaged under real stress. You may not do as well as you think now. Life is full of surprises just when we think we know for sure how things are going to go. There is nothing wrong with a thumb safety as long as the operator trains with it and doesn't use it as an excuse to ignore any safety rules. Some folks may like the idea of being 100% safe and having the thumb safety as another redundant layer of safety.

Since you are a 1911 fan, no doubt you are familiar with using the 1911 cocked & locked. It's really a very safe system. I have a finely tuned 1911 with a wonderful 4.5 pound trigger that is a joy to shoot. Now that pistol shoots like a 22 match pistol, but I could not imagine carrying it around without a thumb and grip safety. Yet my friend who participates in IDPA very successfully has his Glocks tricked out with 3.5 Glock Triggers. It's hard for me to get used to that idea. I think that the introduction of a thumb safety on striker fired weapons is a good idea for those who want to carry this kind of pistol. Re-holstering a striker weapon carried in the 4 O'clock position would be safer if there were a thumb safety on it.

 

[GKC]

I had two M&Ps (45 FS and 9c) with thumb safeties, but my current M&PS (45c and 9c) do not. I traded the FS 45 for the 45c because I wanted a smaller size, and I also didn't like the thumb safety on it. It didn't engage positively or feel as secure as the thumb safety on my 1911s. It also didn't seem to fall under my thumb naturally like the safety on my 1911s. Likewise for the 9c, so I traded it as well. Neither of my current M&Ps have the magazine disconnect either.

It comes down to personal preference and what you learn through practice. I am comfortable keeping my finger off the trigger...and in a high stress situation, I worry more about releasing the safety on the M&P than I do a 1911. However, if you like and/or feel more secure with the thumb safety, then that is what you should have. The great thing is, we have choices!

 

[Mountain Walker]

I had two M&Ps (45 FS and 9c) with thumb safeties, but my current M&PS (45c and 9c) do not. I traded the FS 45 for the 45c because I wanted a smaller size, and I also didn't like the thumb safety on it. It didn't engage positively or feel as secure as the thumb safety on my 1911s. It also didn't seem to fall under my thumb naturally like the safety on my 1911s. Likewise for the 9c, so I traded it as well. Neither of my current M&Ps have the magazine disconnect either.

It comes down to personal preference and what you learn through practice. I am comfortable keeping my finger off the trigger...and in a high stress situation, I worry more about releasing the safety on the M&P than I do a 1911. However, if you like and/or feel more secure with the thumb safety, then that is what you should have. The great thing is, we have choices!

Some good thoughts. I completely agree about the safety not being positive. When handling the M&P with thumb safety, I observed that the thumb safety could too easily flipped on or off. It is easy to see that the thumb safety could also be brushed off or on when wearing the gun. This situation is exacerbated by a poor design of the safety itself.

By contrast, the SR Ruger series is a striker weapon with low profile ambidextrous thumb safeties that are very positive. It is very difficult to accidentally brush these safeties off or on due to a positive action and sleek profile. Despite this sleek profile, the safety has enough of a ledge to easily manipulate. I would say that Ruger got it right. Interesting enough the SR has a striker indicator that allows the operator the ability to put his thumb on the back of the slide preventing the striker from being fully cocked or firing. This could be useful in holstering in an area not in full view. Not sure this is an intended feature, but is redundant to the thumb safety.

My favorite 1911 thumb safety is the standard Government style without an extended wing and I install an extra power Wolff spring to make the action of the thumb safety very positive. After attending Gunsite Training, the high hold seems quite natural and standard Gov't thumb safety provide plenty of purchase for my thumb. I fail to see the advantage of winged thumb safeties that are so popular.

 

[GKC]

I fail to see the advantage of winged thumb safeties that are so popular.

Many options are installed for the "cool" factor, and not necessarily for functional reasons. Many people advocate the FLGR on 1911s, for example, but I don't find it of any value, personally.

 

[Brian_P]

<--- Gun noob. How does a mag safety work?

 

[stainless1911]

<--- Gun noob. How does a mag safety work?

When the magazine is out, the gun won't fire.

If someone is fighting with you for your gun, you can eject the mag, and the person wont be able to shoot you with it if he gets it.