New M&P 9mm...Wow!

[9x19MP]

Hi guys,

New member here...I'm Josh. I'm from Central Indiana. Retired Military Police (INARG) and currently a Pharmacy Tech (Legal Drug Dealer) while I'm going back to school.

I have always loved shooting, and was at my local range about a week ago and rented a fullsize M&P in 9mm. WOW! I knew I had to have one! I browsed local listings for a deal, and took one I couldn't pass up! It isn't brand new, but couldn't have more than a couple hundred rounds through it. Came with a Blackhawk Serpa holster, 2 mags, case, and the grips modules. I can't wait to take MY M&P 9 to the range soon!

I have a couple of questions right off the bat...

1) Are any of the aftermarket magazines any good? I've seen Promag makes some, and ACT-MAG? Are they good, or should I stick to OEM mags?

2) I understand APEX makes a trigger kit for it...personally I like the trigger so far, but if I wanted to go the APEX route, is it that big of an improvement?

3) About this plastic safety....I don't think I would mind it as much if it were machined metal...but the plastic just feels cheap, like it'll snap right off! Are there metal replacements? Can it be taken off and run without the thumb safety?

Thanks for any help!

Mandatory pic:

 

[OKFC05]

1. No. Stick to OEM
2. Depends. More than 1 kit. My background is revolvers, so I'm not interested in the FSS to make it like a 1911. 1911 guys like it.
3. The safety is purely an optional add-on; neither of mine have it.

And welcome to the forum!

 

[Mushki]

1) Stick with S&W magazines, I have two Mec-Gars (I think that's who made them at least) and they are clearly substandard quality.
2) apex triggers are worth the cost. I have the competition kit in my pro series and love it. I move my pro trigger to my compact gun and it's ok. I have a body who loves his forward set sear trigger by apex and another body who just did some apex spring and the ram. Everyone I know is happy with their apex parts.
3) I know you can remove the safety but I do not know of any metal replacements.

Enjoy the new gun. Shoot it a few times and get the feel for what you want to upgrade before throwing money at it, you may just like it the way it is. Personally I would upgrade the sights first but I'm accustomed to a specific sight, if this is your first gun you should be fine

 

[mkbruce]

1) Are any of the aftermarket magazines any good? I've seen Promag makes some, and ACT-MAG? Are they good, or should I stick to OEM mags?

2) I understand APEX makes a trigger kit for it...personally I like the trigger so far, but if I wanted to go the APEX route, is it that big of an improvement?

3) About this plastic safety....I don't think I would mind it as much if it were machined metal...but the plastic just feels cheap, like it'll snap right off! Are there metal replacements? Can it be taken off and run without the thumb safety?

1. Definitely stick to OEM. They have finally become more readily available at reasonable prices. Expect to pay around $30-35 new.

2. APEX is 100% goodness. Depending on what your end goal is, APEX has a kit for it. Duty/carry, competition, 1911 feel, etc. The beauty of their kits is that you can fine-tune the trigger weight using different springs. The base components (sear, striker block, trigger) smooth out the feel and give a cleaner break with no creep.

3. The safety is actually a metal arm underneath the plastic, so it's sturdier than it looks. The whole mechanism can be easily removed and the holes in the frame plugged with a factory part. Lots of threads on this board with info in this area.

 

[rwsmith]

Wow

Wow. That's what I like to hear.

Welcome to the club.

 

[fdw]

Congrats and

I stay with Smith mags..

I put the Apex kit in and love it...

Don't have a safety and...

Congrats again!

 

[shouldazagged]

Welcome from Louisville. I can't answer your questions, but stick around. You'll like it here.

 

[AGoyette]

I have heard only bad things about aftermarket mags. I have never had an issue with my factory mags. They have run flawlessly.

Apex parts.. I love them. Their parts really improve the gun. That being said, put a few hundred rounds threw it first before you decide to modify it. You might decide it is perfect just the way it is. Just because Apex parts work for me, doesn't mean that they are the best thing for you. Lots of people have their guns stock and are very pleased with them.

As to the safety. That's something you have to decide if you want it or not. It can be removed and lots of people have done just that. Personally I have guns with it and guns without. The bar that connects both sides is metal. Just the actual tabs are polymer.

 

[Llando88]

Warm Welcome from Tampa, Josh.

+1 to all the good advice in this thread.

Love the Apex DCAEK and polymer trigger in my FS9.

 

[dajogejr]

There are a few sites that sell mags for sub $30.
Quantico Tactical sells 3 for 78.
Shoot it first before you worry about apex....welcome to the addiction...eh...club. lol

 

[Vartarg]

Check out Greg Cotes 24.95 & good service


SMITH&WESSON M&P9 FULL SIZED 17 ROUND 9MM 194400000 [194400000] - $24.95 : Greg Cote, LLC

 

[konertjm]

Lots of good advice here.
My experience.
I have a FS .40 with the Apex Comp kit, great for range shooting. Not so great for Personal Protection or home protection. Trigger is too light.
I also have a Shield with the DCAEK and love it compared to stock.
I recently purchased a used FS 9. 2007 mfg, trigger is not bad, but it's not an Apex. Haven't decided whether to change out or not.

You cant go wrong with any of the Apex parts.

Magazines, I purchased to ProMags when S&W mags were made of unobtanium. Here is my story. They function flawlessly in my40 with a 40-9 conversion barrel. BUT, they would not easily eject from the magwell, had to pull them out.
The same ProMags in the used 9mm functioned flawlessly, AND ejected without problems. Go figure. BTW the lowers on the 9mm and the .40 are supposedly identical, and the slides are actually interchangeable.
Thats my story and I'm sticking too it.

Advice;
1. Put a couple of hundred rounds through your ne pistol, see how it feels before deciding on APEX parts.
2. Carefully choose your Apex parts or kit based on your needs, range gun only, self protection and range etc.
3. If they are available always choose the factory mags, you can't go wrong.

My personal rule for all my pistols is don't do any modification that cannot be backed up to factory.
I can always remove Apex upgrades, and replace with original factory.
I've had some stippling done, but only on parts that can be replaced, I can always bring the pistol back to factory stock.

 

[shupe13]

Congrats from just outside Indy! My pistol is bone stock and I love it. I plan on adding a few more. Possibly a C and a Bodyguard.

 

[mustangman]

Only thing left for me to say, is Welcome, and congrats on the new M&P.

 

[rjc71]

Lots of good advice here.
My experience.
I have a FS .40 with the Apex Comp kit, great for range shooting. Not so great for Personal Protection or home protection. Trigger is too light.
I also have a Shield with the DCAEK and love it compared to stock.
I recently purchased a used FS 9. 2007 mfg, trigger is not bad, but it's not an Apex. Haven't decided whether to change out or not.

You cant go wrong with any of the Apex parts.

Magazines, I purchased to ProMags when S&W mags were made of unobtanium. Here is my story. They function flawlessly in my40 with a 40-9 conversion barrel. BUT, they would not easily eject from the magwell, had to pull them out.
The same ProMags in the used 9mm functioned flawlessly, AND ejected without problems. Go figure. BTW the lowers on the 9mm and the .40 are supposedly identical, and the slides are actually interchangeable.
Thats my story and I'm sticking too it.

Advice;
1. Put a couple of hundred rounds through your ne pistol, see how it feels before deciding on APEX parts.
2. Carefully choose your Apex parts or kit based on your needs, range gun only, self protection and range etc.
3. If they are available always choose the factory mags, you can't go wrong.

My personal rule for all my pistols is don't do any modification that cannot be backed up to factory.
I can always remove Apex upgrades, and replace with original factory.
I've had some stippling done, but only on parts that can be replaced, I can always bring the pistol back to factory stock.

Thanks for the advice. I have had my M&P 40c for about 2 months and love it. I have been going back and forth thinking about the apex trigger and your comments helped a lot. I plan on it being my primary home protection gun and occasional carry. I like the trigger as is from the factory think I will keep it that way. My only problem has been having enough 40 to shoot.

 

[Bkreutz]

I have various trigger combinations in mine. In the 9c, I still have the stock trigger/sear and springs. I use that one for carry and the occasional IDPA BUG match. I have a 4.25" full size with a stock trigger and an Apex sear that I use in IDPA SSP and USPSA production classes. Then I have a 5" Core with a the Apex trigger and FSS (and a bunch of other modifications ) that I shoot USPSA and Steel open class. I sometimes put the 4.25" slide onto my Core lower and shoot IDPA ESP or USPSA Limited class. The fun never stops. Hardest part is deciding which one I'll shoot today (I love retirement)

 

[phantom9]

Welcome Josh. I bought mine used as well and it has the DCAEK and I love every bit of it....on that thought, does anyone know how to distinguish the apex kit? I am new to guns and realize I never really checked nor would i know what to look for...

 

[Bkreutz]

Welcome Josh. I bought mine used as well and it has the DCAEK and I love every bit of it....on that thought, does anyone know how to distinguish the apex kit? I am new to guns and realize I never really checked nor would i know what to look for...

If you have the DCAEK spring kit, then I don't know how you would tell the difference if you didn't install it, you'd have to take someones word for it. If you have the kit with the trigger, then it's pretty easy, the S&W trigger has a hinge in the middle of the trigger shoe, the Apex has a retractable blade in the middle. The left picture below is of an Apex trigger, the other is a stock trigger.

 

[phantom9]

If you have the DCAEK spring kit, then I don't know how you would tell the difference if you didn't install it, you'd have to take someones word for it. If you have the kit with the trigger, then it's pretty easy, the S&W trigger has a hinge in the middle of the trigger shoe, the Apex has a retractable blade in the middle. The left picture below is of an Apex trigger, the other is a stock trigger.

Thank you, I know I don't have the trigger, guess I am taking his word