M&P Thumb Safety...glad you got it?

[eod354]

I recently bought two M&Ps, a full size .357 sig and a 9mm full size, both with thumb safeties.

The safety's pretty easy to engage, and if I had it to do over again I'm not quite sure I'd have gotten the safeties.

Anyone find themselves unintentionally engaging the safety during shooting? I use the both thumbs forward grip when shooting, and it hasn't happen yet... but it puts my strong hand thumb right under and touching the safety.

 

[shawn mccarver]

I recently bought two M&Ps, a full size .357 sig and a 9mm full size, both with thumb safeties.

The safety's pretty easy to engage, and if I had it to do over again I'm not quite sure I'd have gotten the safeties.

Anyone find themselves unintentionally engaging the safety during shooting? I use the both thumbs forward grip when shooting, and it hasn't happen yet... but it puts my strong hand thumb right under and touching the safety.

This is a well known problem with the 1911, which is why Cooper taught that the shooting hand thumb rides on top of the safety.

"And for God's sake, man, get that support thumb down where it belongs!"

Seriously, lots of shooters seem to like this two thumbs forward grip, but it is a relatively recent innovation, and in my opinion, of dubious value. But, then again, I am old. I see quite a bit of risk for problems with the two thumbs forward grip, and not too much upside. But, confidence is important. Thus, if it makes you feel better, by all means.

 

[GaryM&P]

It's a matter of personal preference. I sold my 45 with safety and bought a 45 without safety.

 

[Krull]

I like it,lets me stuff my .45 down my pants when I don't want to grab a holster when I go out to the barn.

The whole "thumbs forward" thing is funny to me,when I shoot my thumb is down,like one would when grasping a hammer.

Now try the stuff it in your pants without a holster with a no safety M&P,Glock or other such pistol that is striker fired and has the safety mounted on the trigger? that could lead to some personal excitement I'd like to avoid!

 

[Catmonkey]

The .45 I purchased had the thumb safety. My other 3 M&Ps do not. I ended up getting the frame plugs and removing the safety. I always have the option to reinstall it, but I really don't see a need for it.

 

[TOF]

I didn't like it so took it off.

 

[xopher88x]

Safeties

For whatever reason, I prefer to have a manual safety option, and then end up ignoring it (leaving it off) the bulk of the time. 1911's excluded of course. I have a 908 and carry it safety off. I also have a brand spanking new M&P45c w/ safety and have been carrying that safety off. I guess I'd rather have the safety and not use it than not have it at all. I purposely bought my M&P45c with the safety and I'll likely never look back.

 

[mlk18]

FWIW When I was shopping for a M&P45 I looked at both models. I went with the model that did not have a safety. The safety did not seem very solid to me and seemed unnecessary on a DAO-style gun.

 

[knedrgr]

I guess it's for guys that generally carry 1911's and want to carry the M&P. This way, they can still have the training of turning off the safety on the draw.

 

[JRWnTN]

I bought a LNIB model with the safety. I think it's too easy to engage. Although I shoot the M&P and 1911 with my thumb on the safety, I inadvertently put the safety 'on' once during a reload at an IDPA match. I realized what had happened before the reload was complete and made sure I returned to the original grip before continuing.

I haven't shot the M&P much this year. If I were going to use it for competition or protection, I'd practice a lot.

I like the option of having the safety. For one thing, I can put the safety 'on' and get an extra measure of safety when checking to make sure reloads will chamber.

 

[magnum12pm]

This is a well known problem with the 1911, which is why Cooper taught that the shooting hand thumb rides on top of the safety.

"And for God's sake, man, get that support thumb down where it belongs!"

Seriously, lots of shooters seem to like this two thumbs forward grip, but it is a relatively recent innovation, and in my opinion, of dubious value. But, then again, I am old. I see quite a bit of risk for problems with the two thumbs forward grip, and not too much upside. But, confidence is important. Thus, if it makes you feel better, by all means.

I have two M&P without safety, just one more thing to deal with, but what ever the shooter prefers. The thumbs forward debate is also shooter preference. I will say this, I watch a lot of professional IDPA and such. I don't recall the last time I saw the PRO's not using the thumbs forward grip, just saying!

 

[Knightrider03m]

My compact doesn't have the safety on it but my full size does. I'm still happy that I have a safety on my full size.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Manual safety or not, pratice is what counts.

As far as thumbs forward, it's not for everyone. But it is easily done provided you make a commitment and practice it.

 

[silvercn]

Safety is my finger not being on the trigger.
and further more, when I pull my firearm, I want it to work....
not go through stages of working and not working.

An incident is going to be stressfull and not include thinking and feeling.
You are going to go with your training and draw and pull the trigger.
If you train with the safety. stay with the safety. (such as with the 1911).
but if your like me and have nerver trained with a saftey, dont change your game.

just my 2 cents.

"train like you fight, fight like you train"

 

[Ofc.JL]

Catmonkey: Frame plugs for the M&P 45?? Who, what, where, if you would. I have a compact and, after using it, I think I want the thumb safety out. That's easy. Now I need to plug the holes. Further info would be greatly apprieciated. Or anyone, for that matter.
Thanx, Guys.
Officer JL

 

[J. Galt]

"And for God's sake, man, get that support thumb down where it belongs!"

I feel honored to have been yelled at by the Col. about the position of my thumbs.

I can't speak about the M&P, but I have two of another brand of tactical tupperware (SA ), both with thumb safeties. It's probably because of my early training with 1911s that I feel more comfortable with them. They are low profile and I've never applied them accidentally.

 

[TFred]

Catmonkey: Frame plugs for the M&P 45?? Who, what, where, if you would. I have a compact and, after using it, I think I want the thumb safety out. That's easy. Now I need to plug the holes. Further info would be greatly apprieciated. Or anyone, for that matter.
Thanx, Guys.
Officer JL

I don't know if we can post direct links here, if not, please delete and accept my apologies... I ran across this page just the other day:

S&W M&P TS Frame Plug at G&R Tactical

Seems like what you want.

TFred

 

[ab4ka]

I have it on my M&P40 full size as that's the only model they had when I bought mine. When I later got my compact I got the model with the safety just so I'd have the same manual of arms. I haven't had any problem with it engaging or disengaging when it shouldn't. Really I could take it or leave it, but if I get another M&P (I'd really like an M&P9c) I'd prefer to have the safety just so they'd all be the same.

 

[mattyd]

Coming from the 1911 world to tupperware I was tempted to get a thumb safety on my 40c. After looking at them a while and reading up I decided to go w/o. Had they been more of a positive engagement like on a 1911 I would have quickly opted to have it. It just seemed a littly iffy and I didn't want iffy.
For those of you that pocket carry....please get a holster that covers the trigger. Just lookin' out for the "boys"!

 

[John300k]

My M&P 45 no safety....its an auto...I don't cock it unless I'm going to fire it..JMO