Thoughts on converting M&P40FS to an Open gun?

[msg73]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of converting my M&P 40FS to an Open gun and wanted to get some feedback on whether it makes sense or not. I plan to use the following parts and swap the factory parts back in if I shoot Limited.

Storm Lake 40 to 9mm threaded conversion barrel
Carver 3-port compensator
Lighter recoil spring (12lb or 14lb?)
J-Point red dot with dovetail slide mount.
Speed Shooters Mag Well.


I figure that this will be enough to get my feet wet in the Open division without spending too much money. Since the mods are not permanent, I can swap back to the factory configuration fairly easily.

What do you think?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[OKFC05]

All that just to shoot minor in Open? Am I missing something?

 

[msg73]

I was thinking of reloading to 9mm Major PF or shoot minor for steei

 

[msg73]

I was thinking of reloading to 9mm Major PF or shoot minor for steei

 

[OKFC05]

I was thinking of reloading to 9mm Major PF

Then buy a fully suported custom barrel made for that, NOT an M&P barrel!!
If you can find a used STI, SVI or some such, you will be much safer, and can shoot .40 Major. One of the shooters at our range tried doing 9mm Major for cheap, and blew the gun all over the range--fortunately the pieces went mostly forward and he escaped injury.
9mm major loads are dangerous even in the best of guns, and are WAY off the SAAMI charts.

If you just want to see what shooting with an optic is like, put one on your M&P (that alone throws you into Open) and leave it otherwise as is. You'll see quick enough if you like the red dot shooting, and if you do, you can save for a competitive Open gun. If you're like me, you'll suck so bad trying to find the red dot at first you won't be competitive anyway.

 

[msg73]

Are you saying that the Storm Lake barrel can't handle 9 major?

 

[kilroy2721]

I would have to say that this is probably not a good idea. The scope should be frame mounted instead of on the slide. Try a KKM barrel if you need to try open, otherwise stick with limited.

 

[handgunner356]

If you want to try the open route just stick with forty, Dawson or Taylor pads will give you 18+ rounds in your mags. Much safer making the power factor and with light bullets it will make the comp work better. Apex trigger parts installed and you would be about as close as you can get with a M&P. I wouldn't count on the 40 slide to work that well with 9mm to use it in competition, and you would only gain maybe 4 more rounds with mag extensions. There's not many courses that require that number of rounds to be fired from one position.