The head vs. the heart

[45times6]

No, this is not about shot placement -- it's about knowing full well in your head when you have a good thing, but can't shake the feeling (in your heart) that you want something else.

I have an M&P 45 full size. It's a fantastic pistol, made even better by frame stippling and trigger work by Boresight Solutions and the addition of XS sights. Shoots like a dream, accurate, reliable, concealable, and supported by lots of new parts and accessories if I want or need them.

There... that should be the end of the discussion, right? Then why is it that I really want a 4566tsw instead? My head tells me that while they're both great pistols, the older 3rd-gen pistol has lower capacity, more expensive magazines, and possibly fewer spare parts, etc. available and so I shouldn't even be thinking of making the switch. My heart/gut/whatever, though, is telling me that I have to have a steel-framed pistol, whatever the disadvantages. It just FEELS more like a real pistol, and that's the feeling I can't shake.

I'm trying to be rational, objective, etc. about this, but I'm not sure I'll be able to resist switching. Maybe I'm being dumb and should just go with what seems to be the obvious choice & stick with the M&P, but I might just need to swap.

That being said -- what do y'all think? Would a straight-up trade of an M&P as described above for a 4566tsw in good shape and a comparable number of magazines strike you as a good deal, money-wise? I have an acquaintance who says he's looking to "modernize", and who might make the trade... if it's not even, should I look for some additional $$? Should he?

Thanks in advance for your comments!

 

[ken158]

People fight progress in different ways. You currently have the best the factory can produce in the M&P series. Having said that, buy what you want but if you trade off your M&P you may be looking for another sooner than you think.

 

[TNDave]

I sold my proven Blackhawk 44 mag I had carried for years to buy a new Bisley 44 Special. My old Blackhawk shot like a rifle. I killed a hog at 125 yards with it one morning. My new dream gun shoots like ****. If it ain't broke..............

 

[zoom6zoom]

No, this is not about shot placement

Dang, I can't answer your question, then. Saw the thread title, figured with decent hollowpoints its a pretty close thing.

 

[smitret]

Trade?

Take your buddy to the range and shoot both guns.

After a range session hopefully you'll have an answer.

I'm betting on the M-P.

Work out a payment plan and keep both?

Good Luck

 

[45times6]

If it ain't broke, I guess you're right...

Well, nothing stopping me from saving up to buy the 4566 -- then I'll have both!

 

[talionstallion21]

I understand your dilemma. I too like the older alloy/steel pistols, mostly Beretta's but I recently have grown fond of 3rd gen S&W's. I bought a slightly used 3913NL recently and like it.
If you are simply using the pistol as a tool (concealed carry or house gun, etc) then the M&P fits the bill. If you like the history, composition, looks, feel, rarity, etc. of some of the older S&W pistols then I say consider the trade. It still serves its purpose as a self defense weapon, its a bit of S&W history, and it's a beautiful gun.

 

[novalty]

I'm a little soured on the 4566TSW. I wanted one very badly after shooting my 5906, thinking it would be the same. The grip shape & angle are different. I could not group with the gun to save my life. Even called S&W, and they graciously changed the front-sight for free. Still couldn't bring my groups up with it. I believe the issue was me and not the gun. I ended up selling it and replacing it with a S&W 1911, and completely different results straight out of the box. Could group and hit POA. A friend of mine has a fullsize M&P 45, and having shot that I was on the fence between the M&P and the 1911, but love stainless steel too much. Despite the lack of appeal of polymer to me, the M&P 45 convinced me that they aren't so bad.

 

[18DAI]

Easy answer. You want the 4566TSW because it is a superior pistol with a great trigger and no need to purchase after market parts from
Apex.

I've shot both the M&P - in various calibers/configurations - and the 4566TSW. You couldn't GIVE me an M&P. I carry a 4566 on duty and shoot IDPA with it. Great pistol.

Give in and get it, shoot it, love it! Regards 18DAI

 

[BigRich315]

A little off track, but I think of it as the reverse: the heart knows it's a good thing but the head works overtime thinking differently.

Besides, you need both.
We've all been here, thats usually the way it goes. The pros and cons of each balance out when you have both.

 

[Sprefix]

Can't help you, I just thought maybe the wife cheated but she's loaded and you wanted advice. Well, I'll try anyway. Here goes....,Why not keep the M&P and get the other one also. If it is that important to you you can make it happen. Glad the wife didn't cheat.......

 

[coorslight]

We have all made trades that we regret, maybe it's just your turn. Try to keep the M&P and save up for the other. Good luck,

 

[Martya]

Well I have an M&P45 FS and (the smaller) 4513TSW. My groups are basically identical in defensive shooting practice. I won't sell either one. Come fall the M&P goes on the hip. And then I'll swap for the Gen III, then back again. Can't do that if I only have one of them!

You know you want it...

 

[abs-1]

Don't feel too bad. I have a Ph.D in polymer science. I know polymers are superior or just as good as metal in certain situations - but something about all metal just feels good and right.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I used to sell the guns I had to buy new ones. I found myself regretting letting go of too many really nice pieces. I don't do that any more, and I sometimes scour the gun shows looking for duplicates of the nice ones I let go. My advice is to save your coin, buy the gun you want, and you won't have to regret selling the one you have now later.

John

Still looking for Super Blackhawk #20030 and that gorgeous Model 1950 Target! And that really nice Model 67! And that Broomhandle with the WWI inscription! And that Spencer carbine! And...etc., etc.

 

[roughneck6]

I have had the exact same issue. I have had them both side by side (4566) and a M&P 45 Compact. The M&P grip, line of sight and accuracy is better in my hand than my 4566. After several hundred rounds the trigger smoothed out on my M&P. I have a M&P 40 compact and a 4014. Again, I have a slightly tighter group with the M&P, but carry my 4014 off duty. I just like metal guns! That said, own them both, carry what you are most accurate and comfortable with.

 

[EB71]

Practice trumps everything else. If you'll shoot the 4566 more, then it's the better gun regardless of features.

I just got my first 3d gen S&Ws this year, after years of polymer pistols, and I love them. Not only do they feel better in the hand, but I genuinely like the safety features on them; call me a sissy...

(Yes, I know that you can get M&Ps with the same options, but I needed a "head" reason to do what my heart wanted, which was get an honest-to-God hammer-fired, metal-framed, 3d gen!)

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I sold my proven Blackhawk 44 mag I had carried for years to buy a new Bisley 44 Special. My old Blackhawk shot like a rifle. I killed a hog at 125 yards with it one morning. My new dream gun shoots like ****. If it ain't broke..............

If it ain't broke, fix it 'till it is.
We're men, remember???????