I think it's great that S&W gives people the option. Like someone said he used it at his bedside and then wanted to carry it and now put it back at his bedside.
Info below is based on that this will probably be my only M&P for a few years for sure (only handgun really except for Buckmark).
I'm torn which way I want to go. I'm 50% leaning towards yes (two weeks ago it probably was 90% no).
However if I got it with it I would take it out immediately. The next gun I get, which will be the M&P9, I want to keep for many many years, which I recently decided (I usually don't keep my guns long at all). I'd like to have the option 5 years or 10 years down the road where I could put it back if I wanted too. For instance to use it to train someone very new to firearms who I thought it'd be better to have a safety for the first few times out.
I am planning on going the G&RTactical route and getting that new custom fit barrel that's producing 1" or under groups to 25 yards. Or the Apex Locking Block if I ever find out the estimated price on it. This one will be my main go to gun at the range and hopefully one or two IDPA or USPSA matches a year doing just a couple stages if they'll allow me to do it starting next year. Physically couldn't do a whole match of USPSA at least since I watched part of one a few weeks ago.
However I have to do research on the Apex Tactical M&P 22 Conversion that will be coming out. I really want to get that and if it won't work with the safety then there's no way I'd get a thumb safety model though as I also am going to go the FSS & Trigger or AEK trigger (plastic if possible) route.
Eventually I think I'll get the M&P9C or Shield since someones got to come out with aftermarket springs for it. Just got reloading stuff with my uncle and going to make sub minor 9 rounds so need 11# or 13# springs for sure. So I'm stuck with the full size M&P for now.
Most likely I'll get the Shield though, I don't know yet if I like the safety or not because last 4 times I've been at the range since it came out they didn't have it in stock. However maybe that Cane & Derby place will make a bigger thumb safety for the Shield since they make a slimmer one for the regular M&P?
Of course saying all that, if I had the money I'd just get like 4-5 M&P's without the safety (with above all goodies of course). However I would purchase one with it in case I take someone to the range who is new to shooting and like I said before it might be safer for a little bit to have the safety. Or someone just visiting and just take that one out for them if they haven't shot a handgun before or..... Granted with proper training even if their new it shouldn't matter, like I've done in the past with my Glock, XDM and M&P without it, but with brand new people you can just have the odds in your favor just a little bit more.