New M&P Owner - Lots of questions

[EthanG-M&P]

Jabbit,

I am not a fan of forcing things I paid too much money for. I was told by some gun dealers (who own the M&P 9mm), that it is strictly a 10 round pistol, and I am not going to force it to be otherwise. Just saying... You may do as you please. If it works for you, it works.

I brought my barrel to a local gunsmith, who had a brass rod and slammed away at the lead with the rod and a hammer. I have been told to go online and find a brass rod, similar in diameter to my barrel, but I have yet to do so.

I broke down all those bullets in question with a bullet puller hammer. very good buy. I have since reloaded to higher tolerances, and haven't had a problem out of the last 150 rounds.

I will let you know about the new trigger, one it is in place and I shoot it a bit. If this trigger is to be a lot lighter than the stock trigger, I will be in need of a better holster, to prevent accidental discharge - either plastic or leather..

 

[Ethang]

I am curious about your user name....

 

[Ethang]

Thank you all for your input.

I especially enjoyed this, "A semi-auto without a round in the chamber is basically a hammer."

I agree, but I also hear a lot of cops shooting themselves in the foot with their Glocks. I have been carrying mine without one in the camber, just to get more comfortable with having it on my hip. We'll see how it goes. It is a little large and cumbersome, and I have thought about finding more of a "pocket" gun to carry for every day, and use the M&P when I feel I'm going to a more sketchy part of the state; I'm not sure yet.

Time will tell.

A couple of things. Cops as a rule are not gun people. Some are, most are not. If they shoot themselves in the foot it is due to poor weapon handling, not having a round in the chamber. Keep your finger off the trigger and the weapon will not go off.

A smaller weapon you carry all the time beats a bigger weapon you leave at home. Find something your comfortable carrying all the time and practice with it. When I first started carrying a concealed weapon it was a full size 4506 and I dressed to conceal it. Now I carry a Glock 27 and a snubby 38 because of department mandates, but I do it all the time.

You likely change weapons and will change holsters and methods until you find what works for you. Whatever you carry practice with it till your comfortable and carry it all the time.

I tell people if I knew when I was going to get a flat tire I would only put the spare in the car that day, but since I don't I carry one everyday.

 

[Iram]

I am not a fan of forcing things I paid too much money for. I was told by some gun dealers (who own the M&P 9mm), that it is strictly a 10 round pistol, and I am not going to force it to be otherwise. Just saying... You may do as you please. If it works for you, it works.

In case you haven't discovered this yet, most gun salesmen are gun SALESMEN, not GUN salesmen. Half of them couldn't find their own ******* with both hands, a flashlight, and a ****ing map. Listen to them, smile, nod, and then do your own research.

Your gun is designed to hold 10+1. Everyone I see shooting an M&P is running them 10+1. I've put several thousand rounds through my M&Ps with 10+1. If you want to get it straight from the horse's mouth, you can call S&W at 1-800-331-0852 and they'll confirm that you can run 10+1 (even with the castrated MA mags) without damaging the gun.

I know of several competition shooters that have filed down the BOTTOM of the follower in their M&P mags to make tac reloads easier. Personally I haven't bothered.

It sounds like most of your original questions have been answered, though I want to point out that in order for a civilian to legally have a magazine in MA that holds 11 or more rounds, the magazine needs to have been made before September 13 1994, not 1999 (in addition to you having a LTC-B for rifle mags or a LTC-A for pistol mags).

 

[Jabbit]

Jabbit,

I am not a fan of forcing things I paid too much money for. I was told by some gun dealers (who own the M&P 9mm), that it is strictly a 10 round pistol, and I am not going to force it to be otherwise. Just saying... You may do as you please. If it works for you, it works.

Yeah I am right there with you...I guess my post wasn't too clear. I CAN do it, I just don't do it (for the exact reason you mentioned). I don't want to break one of my expensive toys. I don't carry this gun anyways.

 

[EthanG-M&P]

Ethang,

A) Sorry, I meant no disrespect to law enforcement. I have since become comfortable with my weapon and carry it with one in the chamber. I just did a trigger job on it, and I am looking for a more stable holster; the one I have now is nylon type material, and things can push against it and what not. It is still highly unlikely that something will dig into me hard enough to go through the holster and engage the trigger, but I will be satisfied when I have a proper holster.

B) My name is Ethan, and my last name starts with G.

Iram, the person that told me it is strictly a 10 rounds weapon was working a shop, and I was talking to him after I had bought my M&P, and he had said he has the same one, which is, "Strictly a 10 round gun." I will still hit up S&W when I have the spare time.

Also, I'm aware of the MA 10+ mag law, thank you. But, that is just for the magazine, no? One in the chamber doesn't constitute an infringement on that because the magazine still only holds 10 rounds, right?

Jabbit, I did 70% of the Apex kit install last night and it went very smoothly. I took my time and didn't get frustrated, and checked the video instructions frequently as I went along. It is rather hard to get the retainer pins back into place; I was afraid they weren't aligned well and I didn't want to smash away at them. After a lot of gental tapping, and nothing happening, I gave them a few good blows with the hammer/punch, and the inched into place.

Here is the video tutorial:
YouTube - apextactical's Channel

The only reason I didn't finish the instal, was because I didn't have the right hex driver to loosen the rear sights and get at the USB. Also, keep in mind that the kit comes with two springs for the Sear plunger. The larger one is MA compliant, and the smaller is for other M&P models.

I plan on finishing it up tonight, and going to the range. Even without completeing it, the trigger pull has been greatly reduced (about half), and things are nice and smooth.

I'll keep you posted.

 

[Ethang]

Ethang,

A) Sorry, I meant no disrespect to law enforcement.

B) My name is Ethan, and my last name starts with G

I'll keep you posted.

Non taken. I know many officers I wouldn't trust with a sharp eating utensil let alone a loaded weapon.

And I kinda gathered that about your user name. That is how I came up with mine...

Regards,

Ethan

 

[EthanG-M&P]

I know many officers I wouldn't trust with a sharp eating utensil let alone a loaded weapon.

Ha! Yeah. I bring friends shooting once in a while, and there are some I don't bring a second time, for sure.

As for your name, are you French? Does your last name end in "ette"? I'm just a little curious.


Jabbit, an update on that USB installation. I found the right wrench for my M&P sight, it turned out to be a 1.5 millimeter hex wrench!!! NOT a 1/6th! Anyway, I didn't have to hit the rear sight with a hammer or anything; once the screw was loose, it just slid around nice and easy.

I shot last night without having the USB installed, but all other mods of the Apex kit seemed to still help. My grouping was more centered and starting to come along quite nice. We'll see how it is when I shoot next time, with the full kit installed, and enough ammo to start sighting everything in solid.

I did however shoot my father's brand new Ruger SRC9mm, and it was solid right out of the box! Very nice sights, and very nice grouping. I almost kicked myself in the *** for buying the M&P, but I'm not going to give up on it so quick.

 

[Ethang]

As for your name, are you French? Does your last name end in "ette"? I'm just a little curious.

Normally my last name seems to end in "...hole", at least thats the way my wife pronounces it....

 

[EthanG-M&P]

Hahahahaha. I am free of that problem, no ball and chain yet.

 

[jerry1952]

I would check with s&w service dept about the mag not fitting in your gun when fully loaded my wifes 40c works just fine , maybe you have the wrong mags.
As for carrying a gun with one in the pipe. It is a must for ccw.and you know that.
You have spent the $ for a great gun but it dose not stop there, you must invest time to handle this weapon with confidence.
THIS IS NOT A GAME, IT IS SELF PROTECTION, POSSIBLE LIFE OR DEATH.
Find a good holster that protects the trigger and train, train , train
Hitting a target is at the range is 20% of ccw, figure out the other 80% it does not come overnight
Good luck and be careful

 

[EthanG-M&P]

Thank you, Jerry.

Yes, I take it seriously. Which is why I have invested so much time here at the forums, and at the range (going again tonight). I ordered a nice IWB holster, but it won't be here for a few weeks, which gives me time to slim down to have it fight right, haha. I am also running low on ammo, but have more coming in the mail =)

As for the 10+1, I e-mailed S&W about it yesterday and am awaiting their reply.

 

[OKFC05]

To me, it seems as if they made the 10rd mags a hair too short. If they had given you a little more room, then 10+1 wouldn't be an issue.

As for the 10+1, I e-mailed S&W about it yesterday and am awaiting their reply.

The legal requiremnt for a 10-round magazine when the natural capacity is larger causes an engineering nightmare.
If you think the S&W mags are hard, try the Brn HP 10 rounders!

The manufacturers have to ensure that no matter how hard you try you can't get 11 in and violate the arbitrary law. So they can't give you extra room.

Combine this with the fact that you must compress the ammo another 1/2 cartridge to seat a mag with a closed slide, and you have to push really hard! You can tell if the magazine was not fully seated, because the mag falls out at the first shot, which is highly amusing at the range to everyone but the shooter.

So save your breath about complaining to the manufacturere that the dictated 10 rounders are hard to load full; they know that all too well. And they also know that if they make them longer, your government will be on their neck. Write your lawmakers and tell them they need to stay out of firearms design and get the streets fixed!

Happiness is a full-capacity magazine......

 

[EthanG-M&P]

Write your lawmakers and tell them they need to stay out of firearms design and get the streets fixed!

Happiness is a full-capacity magazine......

Hahah, AMEN!

 

[Roymond]

I don't believe that anyone has touched the part of your questions regarding Massachusetts Law. Specifically regarding High Capacity Magazines.

In order to possess a high capacity magazine, which is a magazine that holds more than 10 pistol rounds, 10 rifle rounds, or 5 shotgun rounds, it must have been manufactured before 9/13/1994. Your class-A LTC gives you the ability to possess these magazines and conceal carry legally.

The date you are referring to (1999) corresponds to the Pistol Compliance List which is basically as follows. In order to purchase a Glock, or a firearm that does not fall onto the Massachusett's Compliance list (or the AG's "list" which is rumored to exist) is must have been IN the state of Massachusetts and manufactured before 10/21/98. This only applies to Dealer transactions and does not apply to people who are moving to Massachusetts or private sales.

Also, in Massachusetts it is possible to own a firearm capable of firing without the magazine inserted into it. The M&P series is an example of one such firearm. If you look, yours should have a warning right on the slide that states it is capable of firing without a magazine inserted.

Here's a link to a forum in which I originally learned the laws of our cruel state. Massachusetts Laws

 

[EthanG-M&P]

I don't believe that anyone has touched the part of your questions regarding Massachusetts Law. Specifically regarding High Capacity Magazines.

In order to possess a high capacity magazine, which is a magazine that holds more than 10 pistol rounds, 10 rifle rounds, or 5 shotgun rounds, it must have been manufactured before 9/13/1994. Your class-A LTC gives you the ability to possess these magazines and conceal carry legally.

The date you are referring to (1999) corresponds to the Pistol Compliance List which is basically as follows. In order to purchase a Glock, or a firearm that does not fall onto the Massachusett's Compliance list (or the AG's "list" which is rumored to exist) is must have been IN the state of Massachusetts and manufactured before 10/21/98. This only applies to Dealer transactions and does not apply to people who are moving to Massachusetts or private sales.

Also, in Massachusetts it is possible to own a firearm capable of firing without the magazine inserted into it. The M&P series is an example of one such firearm. If you look, yours should have a warning right on the slide that states it is capable of firing without a magazine inserted.

Here's a link to a forum in which I originally learned the laws of our cruel state. Massachusetts Laws

Thanks for the info. Honestly, the mag law is the one I'm most familiar with... As for the mag safety, my M&P does have a mag safety, but I'm not worried about having it in. I don't see myself ever needing to fire one without a mag in.

I thank you for the link to the forum on the MA laws. I will review this.

 

[JoeSoop]

Legally extending ma compliant 10 rd M&P fs mags

Hey all,

I am new to the forum and had a question I cannot find the answer to in other forums. I am a new pistol owner (been shooting rifles and shotguns for years). I own an M&P 9 Full Size and recently started shooting USPSA. I am looking to turn my M&P into a Limited 10 gun and need advice on how best to extend the Ma compliant mags so I can make them long enough to add a magwell to the butt of the gun. I am not trying to break the rules and add round capacity, just to extend the length of these annoying 10 round mags so I can have a competitive advantage with the magwell when reloading. Thanks in advance!

 

[Imshootin]

Thanks for the info. Honestly, the mag law is the one I'm most familiar with... As for the mag safety, my M&P does have a mag safety, but I'm not worried about having it in. I don't see myself ever needing to fire one without a mag in.

I thank you for the link to the forum on the MA laws. I will review this.

Benefits of a mag safety include keeping the mag separate from the firearm so children/angry or depressed adults, etc. can't fire the weapon. Another is (think LEO) the ability to drop your mag if someone was trying to wrestle your gun away from you preventing you from getting shot with your own gun.
That being said, the only firearm I own with a mag safety is my Hi-Power. I've kept it stock other than putting a set of Spegel grips on it.

 

[HeresMyMind]

I have the Curved Aluminum Apex kit with the 5lb trigger spring installed on my 9c. It makes the gun and trigger pull feel perfect, way smoother pull, less travel, more solid feeling reset, and it looks fantastic.

I have about 250 rounds through mine with the 5lb spring and I use it as my EDC gun, I am not worried at all about the lighter pull weight.

If you end up with the flat faced trigger, it brings the trigger pull weight down 1lb. Because the trigger is flat, and slight farther from your hand, it creates more leverage making it easier to pull. (I spoke with Apex on the phone before ordering).

So stick with the curved aluminum or polymer trigger enhancement kit.

It is worth its weight in gold.

-B

Here is the link to the kit I have

Details

Here is My EDC with the "blue line series" aluminum trigger kit.

 

[*vette]

Smith & Wesson model 15-3

does anyone know about double stamped 15-3 and model 67 on the same pistol?