M&P - Why so many variations?

[robertwhite]

First off, let me explain my backround and thoughts for a second. I am "old school" and have many S&W revolvers, carry a Kimber for many years, and the only S&W semi-auto I ever carried was my duty weapon (5946). I carry my 1911 strong side hip and have given some thought to trying appendix carry, but will not carry a 1911 in that fashion.

Will be looking for a 9mm most likely.

I will be looking strictly at the full size version as a comparison to the Glock 19. I already have a Kahr PM9, so I don't need a Shield 9 that only gives me 1 more round, and the compact version of the original M&P only adds 1 more to that.

Can someone enlighten me as to why the M&P comes in so many models that are almost identical? Look at he S&W website and I see 23 different versions of the M&P 9mm. 23 versions? What possible need could there be for that many versions? Fullsize, compact, with thumb safety, without TS, etc.

Example would be a 209001 & 209301. Appear to have the same specs according to their comparison sheet. Other examples would be versions showing a barrel length difference of only 1/4" between two different model numbers.

I don't get it.

 

[southjk]

Different people like different things. So they have something for everyone. Why not?

 

[blujax01]

S&W has always had the habit of putting out a bunch of model numbers for their pistols - like your 3rd Gen, for instance.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/155346-s-w-3rd-gen-model-list.html

As to the capacities, the 9C is a 12+1 double stack.

 

[Mumbleypeg1]

Some of the "versions" you see on the website are just modifications for various nanny state restrictions.

 

[2tango2]

Some of the "versions" you see on the website are just modifications for various nanny state restrictions.

Exactly


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[N4KVE]

It's called merchandising. Take Coke. They have 8 oz glass bottles, 12 oz, 16 oz, & 20 oz plastic bottles. PLus the 1, & 2 liter bottle. Cereals also come in 4, or 5 different size boxes, varying sometimes by only 4 oz. Look at Glock. There's a 30, 30SF, & now a 30S, & that's just compact 45's. The idea is to get more shelf space on the seller's racks. And of course, while the gun store owner does his best to stock the most popular variants, someone will always ask for the oddball model. At my place, 3 people in the last week have asked for the Glock 30s, which is a 30SF lower mated to a 36 upper, but I haven't seen one yet. Unless the LGS is a huge Publix sized store with deep pockets, it's quite impossible to have all the variants in stock. If you think SW is bad, Sig is much worse with all the possibilities that exist. GARY

 

[Lost Lake]

Can someone enlighten me as to why the M&P comes in so many models that are almost identical?

If you think that's bad....

Have you seen how many different mustards are on the shelf at a grocery store???

Shampoos?

Bar soap?

I mean my goodness. They all do the same thing!

Like the guys said, some have a heavier trigger for restricted states, some have a smaller mag capacity. Some have a thumb safety, some a mag safety, some both and some neither.

Then you have compact and full size, there's even a midsize M&P. Add all those variables up, divide by pi and multiply by the number of senators voting FOR mag restrictions and you could have as many as 2.37 BILLION different combinations of M&P's.

I'm kind of impressed they kept the choices narrowed down to just 23!

.

 

[WBlacklidge]

This is the primary reason:

The M&P was designed for... military and police. It was also designed as a potential replacement to the Beretta M9.

Military, police and civilians all have different requirements. So they designed a pistol that would have various safeties and ergonomics while meeting all of the requirements that would be necessary as an M9 replacement.

Then take into account various state laws, federal law etc and you get the plethora of models.

 

[timn8er]

Variety is the spice of life!

 

[Mcwsky09]

very low cost from a manufacturing perspective to have variations such as with or without thumb safety which then allows you to appeal to the broadest market. As already stated based on personal preference or state law you may or may not want/need a thumb safety - if manufacturer A ONLY offers firearms WITH thumb safety then you might think "I will never buy a brand A, because I don't want a thumb safety and don't want to modify a brand new firearm" - once that mindset takes hold even if they do change what is offered you might never notice and put them back on your list of sources.

 

[robertwhite]

I'm kind of impressed they kept the choices narrowed down to just 23!

.

Thanks for all the info folks.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

They covered as many bases as they could so nobody could say they wish for this and that or that an agency couldn't consider the M&P because the lack of or the addition of a manual thumb safety or magazine safety. The only thing they need to do now is make a Shield without the thumb safety since it's talked about negatively in so many ways and is the one claim why a a person won't buy it.

As for the Shield and Compact, the Shield is a 7/8rd and the Compact is mainly a 12rd or 10rd in restricted states. I'm glad to see them offer so many choices since it attracts more people to the design.

 

[countryfirst]

Because in this case you can never have too much of a great thing.

 

[vipermd]

QUOTE:::: I carry my 1911 strong side hip and have given some thought to trying appendix carry, but will not carry a 1911 in that fashion.->->->WHY NOT??????

 

[HikerDan]

In some cases, the difference is small, like different sights. I was comparing two different models of FS, they seemed identical until I realized they had different sights. I agree that it's probably mostly driven by different agencies, but state regs (MA, CA, etc.) drive different models as well.

 

[DocSunShine]

Different strokes for different folks. Some of the models are to be compliant with the com-bloc states, others are for those who feel the need to have an external thumb safety on a striker fired weapon (could never figure that one out), taking up a good part of the market that Glock neglects.

 

[CA Escapee]

Some of the "versions" you see on the website are just modifications for various nanny state restrictions.

Low capacity magazines vs. standard capacity, magazine disconnect vs. "Caution-Capable Of Firing With Magazine Removed".

In one respect it stinks that Smith & Wesson would even have to consider doing it, but in the other almost everyone can buy an M&P. Then, there are those flavors of the week.

Is anyone old enough here to remember S&W bringing out the "gun of the week" back in the '80's & '90's, the Fourth Generation pistols.

Bill

 

[shawn mccarver]

They all have differing combinations of features. Apart from the sizes, there are guns with and without magazine safety, with and without on board key lock, with and without thumb safety. Then there are are some with standard trigger, and some with "compliant" trigger (heavier by quite a bit for states with restrictive laws). Then there are some with night sights. Don't forget that there are models with standard capacity magazines for free states and models with low capacity magazines for those living in "other" states. There is a chart explaining the difference in the M&P section, pages 12 and 13, of the print catalog, on line at S&W's web site here:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/Smith_Wesson_Catalog_v0113a_SM1.pdf