Questions on M&P 9mm

[GLC1]

I've got several Glocks and a couple Browning High Powers but am looking to try an M&P and see what they are all about. I shoot a lot of 9mm so that's what caliber I would get.

I'm thinking the 5" ProSeries since the gun will be primarily a range/target gun.

Will the standard sights fit this pistol? I'm not a fan of fiber optics and just like plain black sights. I like the idea of the better trigger on the ProSeries but would have to swap out the sights.

What is the point of the thumb safety? Does anyone really prefer them? What benefit, if any, would you get from it? Is the action somehow different/lighter/whatever to require the thumb safety?

Thanks.

 

[Chris A.]

The only part I can commet on is the thumb safety. There is no difference to the trigger pull with or without the safety. Some people want a secondard safety feature (other than a trigger safety. FYI the Springfield XD has a grip safety, and it meets some people's wants that way).

An external safety is purely a point of personal preference. I am sure that several people here will comment that they are pointless, but it comes down to what YOU want in this particular handgun. My MP9 has an external safety, and I am okay with that.

FWIW, at my local gun shop, most (but not all) of the M&P 9's did not have external safeties, while the M&P 40 and 45's did, which may make them more conducive to a police role where negligent discharge is a more prominent legal issue.

Just my 2-cents. Good luck.

 

[OKFC05]

I have the 5" 9Pro.
If you don't want get FO sights, just get the 9L instead.
If you don't like the trigger on the 9L, you can add the Apex kit, cheaper than buying the Pro and trashing the sights. The OK guy that sets up M&P for the range does this routinely.

The thumb safety is purely an add-on for those that require/want it and merely blocks the trigger.
The internal safeties are the real protection against drop-fire. You cannot get a thumb safety on a 9Pro.

 

[GLC1]

Thanks for the responses.

I thought that the thumb saftey was just a redundant add-on. I don't need it. Thanks for the confirmation.

Good point about the 9L versus the ProSeries. I'd get the sights I want and maybe only have to tune up the trigger.

Thanks again.

 

[crispy]

The Pro is really a "made for gaming" (IDPA/USPSA) gun out of the box.

 

[Jeff Lynch]

The "Pro" series is more than just the stock M&P with a better trigger and sights. Shooting USA put together a nice video on how the Pro series differs from the stock models and the Championship series.

YouTube - Smith and Wesson Pro Series

The M&P Pro Series are production gun bodies using some Championship series internal parts and assembled by S&W master gunsmiths in their "Performance Center" for enhanced performance without the cost of a Championship series gun.

 

[GaryM&P]

I've seen front sights installed backwards on Pro Series guns. So I'm kind of reluctant to think the Pro guns are assembled by other than ordinary factory workers.

I've personally replaced the sear and striker block on three Pro Series guns with the Apex parts. Big improvement IMO.