Thoughts regarding a 45

[nocents]

nocents:

If you read it closely, many of the comments were made by a friend who trains professionals.

I guess you missed this crucial line.

"Here is some comments from a trainer of "operators" re XD-45."

That is why I used quotation marks, but maybe you don't understand what the " " marks mean.

I, the poster never claimed to be an "expert", oppps, there's those dang quotation marks again.

Thought this was a friendly forum devoid of personal attacks.

I guess I should have been more clear on which "expert" I was referring too.......it's the one you were quoting.....the trainer that can't remember if he owns a Glock or not....or did you miss those crucial lines?.....and if you took this as a personal attack on you.....I do """"""apologize"""""

 

[mrrick]

I, the poster has a Glock 17, my friend has given up his Glocks.

No worries, mate!

 

[Justified]

I love my M&P45 [full size]. It eats everything and has never had an issue.

For its baby brother I chose the XDs45 and like it as well, but the grip tries to bite my hand...it is NOT a range gun.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

How would you compare the mp45 vs the xd40 tactical?

I don't know about the .40 since I only owned the Tactical 45s, but the M&P is by far the most ergonomic poly gun I've felt to date. The FS45s have been nothing but super accurate and reliable with any 230gr. FMJ or HP ammo I've tried in it. It shoots great, feels great, looks great and are set-up just how I like them.

The XD/M/S series is a great gun. My biggest gripe is the pointless roll pin that holds in the striker. If that goes, the gun is worthless. They should redesign the XD/M series to be like the XDS which does not have a roll pin since it's a different design. I have a XDS45 as my CCW, but my go to service size poly 45 will always be the M&P from now on.

I remember going to a local show years ago with reps from different companies. S&W was there with different M&Ps and I remember picking up both a 9 and 45 and couldn't tell the difference in feel or weight. I asked the rep "Is this really a 45?" I never really looked into one though since I already had the XD(s), but I immediately bought the first used one I saw. I liked it so much I bought another one at the same LGS when it showed up in the used case. I don't buy the exact same gun or set them up exactly the same unless it really appeals to me.

 

[BillR1]

I own two M&P 45s. My current EDC is a 45c with the Apex DCEK, and my CDP competition gun is a FS 45 with the Apex FSS trigger. Both are awesome to shoot and are VERY accurate! I've had XDs before and I kept the M&Ps. I've never been a fan if the grip safety and the higher bore axis of the XD. If they work for you, great.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Well I am curious enough to now find out what the rage is about in the M&P .45. Anyone getting accuracy to write home about at conversational distances 50 to 100m/yds?

 

[Rastoff]

I have shifted to mainly shooting 90mm...

Did you join the Navy?

 

[Rastoff]

Well I am curious enough to now find out what the rage is about in the M&P .45. Anyone getting accuracy to write home about at conversational distances 50 to 100m/yds?

Seriously? A handgun at 50 yards to 100 meters? Well, it certainly can be done and lots of guys do it. However, the M&P was not designed for it.

As you get out past 25 yards the .45 drops off considerably. It becomes more of an artillery shot.

 

[forrestinmathews]

Since I've been offered a great opportunity to pick-up a "slightly used" M&P45 at a relative bargain price, your post jumped out at me.

Don't wish to hijack your thread, but could you please add a few words further explaining this old vs. new M&P45 trigger issue? Thanks!

Use the money you saved buying used to get the Apex competition spring kit or FSS. I thought the .45 had the best trigger of all the older M&P's. I waited a while to jump on that bandwagon. In doing so I let a lot of kinks get washed away.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Well, the various items that people like and don't like about this gun or that could fill a book and actually does, I suppose. So I'll add my 2 cents based on my adventure last Sunday.

Six of us went to the range together. Four of us brought our own guns and two guys rented range guns. The rented guns were a full sized Glock 9mm and a full sized Springfield .45 ACP which, I presume, is the gun under discussion here. XDwhatever.....

We weren't shooting long distances, 7 yards being mostly what we shot. I won't discuss the several Glocks that I shot because I shoot all Glocks well and wouldn't own one if they were free. Long story for another thread but we all have our prejudices in such matters and it's not relevant here.

The guy with the Springfield .45 was tossing his rounds all over the typical B-27 target used for various testing purposes, most specifically the Texas CHL test that I am intimately familiar with. I am a certified CHL instructor and a Texas Level III combined instructor, just for the record. Also for the record, I have never fired a Springfield XD45. So I watched him scatter his shots and I asked him if he would allow me to try the gun and, of course, he said yes.

Target - green B-27
Distance - 7 yards
Gun - Springfield XD45
Result - 3 rounds touching in a perfect group right where I aimed - head shots - I gave the target a nose.

THAT is a great gun as far as I am concerned.

***GRJ***

 

[mrrick]

ISCS Yoda

"THAT is a great gun as far as I am concerned."

Excellent!

 

[forrestinmathews]

Seriously? A handgun at 50 yards to 100 meters? Well, it certainly can be done and lots of guys do it. However, the M&P was not designed for it.

As you get out past 25 yards the .45 drops off considerably. It becomes more of an artillery shot.

I'm aware. The Major loads I was shooting dropped about six feet at 194m out of a four inch 625. It would still ring the gong, but was mostly for laughs.

I shoot my M&P 9 and G19 at 60+ yds/m on occasion and find the glock slightly better suited. I figured I'd ask on the longer side and somebody might come back with something better than 7-15 possibly 25+. I've heard great things about the M&P .45 and was curious if it had been compared against Sig or a decent 1911 at more than a short range.

 

[Rastoff]

I've heard great things about the M&P .45 and was curious if it had been compared against Sig or a decent 1911 at more than a short range.

I honestly don't believe it's a fair comparison. A decent 1911 will cost at least twice as much as an M&P.

Even so, I have both an M&P 45 and a couple of really nice 1911s. I can tell you that the 1911, all 1911s, have far better triggers. As such, they are easier to shoot well. Thus, I shoot the 1911s better than the M&P. Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to use the M&P in the capacity for which it was designed; self protection.

With the M&P 45, at 7 yards, from concealment, I can put two shots in the thoracic cavity, within a hand span of each other, in under 2.4 seconds. I don't expect anything better from any gun. At the price range, the M&P is a great gun.

 

[BillR1]

I honestly don't believe it's a fair comparison. A decent 1911 will cost at least twice as much as an M&P.

Even so, I have both an M&P 45 and a couple of really nice 1911s. I can tell you that the 1911, all 1911s, have far better triggers. As such, they are easier to shoot well. Thus, I shoot the 1911s better than the M&P. Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to use the M&P in the capacity for which it was designed; self protection.

With the M&P 45, at 7 yards, from concealment, I can put two shots in the thoracic cavity, within a hand span of each other, in under 2.4 seconds. I don't expect anything better from any gun. At the price range, the M&P is a great gun.

In IDPA competitions, M&P 45s regularly come out on top against the "famed" 1911. The Apex FSS trigger on my FS is as good or better than many 1911s. (I've been told that by 1911 owners!) My M&P is lighter which makes target transitions easier/faster. I also don't have those silly grip or thumb safeties to fumble with. The M&P soaks up recoil really well, so a heavier gun is not needed. The accuracy is certainly comparable at normal IDPA competition distances. (<30yards)
What's not to like?

 

[Rastoff]

In IDPA competitions, M&P 45s regularly come out on top against the "famed" 1911.

This is shooter related not gun related. Guns don't win competitions, shooters do. I've seen plenty of guys shoot plenty of guns really well. That doesn't mean one gun is better than another.

The Apex FSS trigger on my FS is as good or better than many 1911s. (I've been told that by 1911 owners!)

While I have no doubt that some guys have said this, I still think the 1911 trigger is better. I own an M&P 45 with the Apex FSS in it. While it is a great upgrade, it's still not as nice as a 1911.

Please understand, I'm neither a brand nor model loyalist. I believe the best gun is the one that helps the individual shooter put rounds on target, with the accuracy and speed they require for their intended purpose.

I've listened to guys argue this back and forth for years. No one wins. When I out shoot someone with my 1911, the common response is, "If I had an expensive gun like that, I'd have shot better." When they out shoot me (which happens a lot), the comment usually goes, "See, all that money is wasted. You should have just bought the el cheepo like I did."

It's the shooter, not the gun. Yes, having a gun you're comfortable with makes a huge difference in how well you shoot. The only really debatable issue is functional reliability. Once a gun is proven that it's reliable, the rest is dependent on individual taste.

The M&P 45 is a well made, reliable gun. It's accurate enough for the purpose it was designed for; defensive shooting. I would gladly use it in USPSA, IDPA or IPSC competition. I would also gladly carry it for self-defense. I personally shoot the 1911 better, but that doesn't mean I don't shoot the M&P well enough.

 

[BillR1]

My point was/is that the 1911 doesn't always have a better trigger or shoot better. I've owned several 1911s (Colt, SA, and STIs) and just never shot them as well as I do the M&P line. For me, the M&P is faster, simpler, far more reliable, and easily as accurate. The lower cost is just a bonus. I'd buy the M&P over a 1911 even if it cost more.

 

[fdw]

Well, the various items that people like and don't like about this gun or that could fill a book and actually does, I suppose. So I'll add my 2 cents based on my adventure last Sunday.

Six of us went to the range together. Four of us brought our own guns and two guys rented range guns. The rented guns were a full sized Glock 9mm and a full sized Springfield .45 ACP which, I presume, is the gun under discussion here. XDwhatever.....

We weren't shooting long distances, 7 yards being mostly what we shot. I won't discuss the several Glocks that I shot because I shoot all Glocks well and wouldn't own one if they were free. Long story for another thread but we all have our prejudices in such matters and it's not relevant here.

The guy with the Springfield .45 was tossing his rounds all over the typical B-27 target used for various testing purposes, most specifically the Texas CHL test that I am intimately familiar with. I am a certified CHL instructor and a Texas Level III combined instructor, just for the record. Also for the record, I have never fired a Springfield XD45. So I watched him scatter his shots and I asked him if he would allow me to try the gun and, of course, he said yes.

Target - green B-27
Distance - 7 yards
Gun - Springfield XD45
Result - 3 rounds touching in a perfect group right where I aimed - head shots - I gave the target a nose.

THAT is a great gun as far as I am concerned.

***GRJ***

Guy shooting beside me one day at the range had the XD and asked if I wanted to shoot it. I'd never shot one and put the best grouping of my day at 7 yards, pretty much all touching. I out shot him.

I was impressed.

 

[bunkshaner]

I have a full size MP45 I bought brand new. Never fired straight out of its blue box I loaded it with Winchester target ammo for my CCW class. Here's the results.....varying from 25 yards on down.