What are the differences between Civilian and Law Enforcement M&P models?

[Echo40]

I'm aware that LE M&Ps come with 3 magazines instead of two, tend to have Night Sights, and come in a black plastic clamshell case rather than a royal blue case or cardboard box, along with a few optional features like Magazine Disconnect and Ambidextrous Safety levers, but is that all or is their more?

Does overall fit/finish/QC tend to be higher as well?

 

[hardluk1]

No difference in "quality " so buy the model with the options you want as you can by LE models that are Optic ready or with low night sights BUT no thumb safety if wanted and no cartridge choices other than 9mm unless special ordered in . You might be able to get a better price break on LE only if you have the right creds!

I'm a 40sw guy and have an early 4.25 40sw and a 2.0 5" that I really liking and carry both some . LWS commander is my first to grasp .

 

[Echo40]

Thanks, I was just curious because I recently ordered a LE M&P40c online, but wasn't sure if their were any further differences than what I was already aware of.

 

[hardluk1]

You would have had a few options . What SKU: did you order ?

 

[Echo40]

It was a used police trade-in model I found for sale on a website, I didn't special order it from S&W.

 

[Saudade]

Other than the differences you've already noted, the only other one I can think of it pricing. If eligible, you could purchase the same gun at a discount.

S&W's program is the American Guardian. Glock is Blue Label, Sig is Armed Professional, etc.

If it was issued to a department, it may have other markings on it.

 

[pasound]

Police issue and trade-ins are usually good buys. First two S&W revolvers I owned were police trade-ins. One was a city issue, one a county issue. No marks on either, other than holster wear and obviously fired. I have a 6906 which the history says was a police detective's gun. Lots of holster wear, and fired a lot. Still very accurate, even with the use.

 

[hardluk1]

I would start with new flat wire recoil spring and it will use the same spring in a 20lb rating but depending on your laods maybe the 18lb will,be ok . The new 2.0 models run an 18lb spring over the earlier 1.0 40sw that ran a 16lb spring ! MY wifes M&P Core 4.25 1.0 runs an 18lb recoil spring .

I've run a 20lber in m&p 4.25 40sw for 11 years and never failed to function well with out a nose down reaction for me when going back into battery when chambering the next round . It also works well with 155gr lite fun loads or underwood ammo . Currently carrying with 180hr ranger t series .

Good small company to cover your needs linked below -

Flat Wound Recoil Spring for Smith and Wesson M&P Full Size Pistols

 

[Echo40]

Wait, are you telling me that the stock recoil spring is insufficient and that I should upgrade to a heavier spring to essentially correct a design flaw or are you merely saying that if I want to dabble with overpressure .40 S&W handloads, then I should upgrade to an 18-20lb recoil spring?

For the record, I only intend to shoot factory loaded standard pressure ammunition through my M&P40c. If I wanted a higher pressure, higher performance .40cal pistol, then I'd just buy a full-size M&P10mm.

 

[hardluk1]

You can run a 20lb spring with standard pressure 40sw . The 2.0 40sw run a 18lb spring now . M&P pistols were know to be under sprung with the 1.0 models and one reason the 357sig cartridge had so many issues for LE that it was removed from the line up years ago , to many issues .

How about you assume what your new to you 40sw is just fine like it is and shot away . Or dabble away .

 

[Echo40]

Seeing as it is a police trade-in with an unknown amount of rounds put through it, it would seem prudent to purchase replacement springs for it regardless, so I would happily take your word for it and purchase a factory 18lb or 20lb RSA.

Thanks for the information. I looked into the matter further on my own and what I found is that originally there were two types of RSAs for the M&P Compact 1.0 models, a 15lb spring for both 9mm and .40 pistols marked with blue paint as well as a 17lb spring for .357 SIG marked with a yellow/green paint. However, later in production Smith & Wesson found that the 15lb spring was insufficient for .40cal models and began shipping them with 17lb springs.

It will be interesting to see which my M&P40c arrives with.

That being said, it doesn't appear that Smith & Wesson makes anything heavier than the 17lb RSA, so if I were going to go for an 18lb or 20lb RSA, who would you recommend?

 

[hardluk1]

Try a glock parts as the glock 19 - 17 or 22-23 are the same springs just rated differently in some cases. or the address I linked several post earlier -
Flat Wound Recoil Spring for Smith and Wesson M&P Full Size Pistols

 

[jschmidt]

Seeing as it is a police trade-in with an unknown amount of rounds put through it, it would seem prudent to purchase replacement springs for it regardless, so I would happily take your word for it and purchase a factory 18lb or 20lb RSA.

Thanks for the information. I looked into the matter further on my own and what I found is that originally there were two types of RSAs for the M&P Compact 1.0 models, a 15lb spring for both 9mm and .40 pistols marked with blue paint as well as a 17lb spring for .357 SIG marked with a yellow/green paint. However, later in production Smith & Wesson found that the 15lb spring was insufficient for .40cal models and began shipping them with 17lb springs.

It will be interesting to see which my M&P40c arrives with.

That being said, it doesn't appear that Smith & Wesson makes anything heavier than the 17lb RSA, so if I were going to go for an 18lb or 20lb RSA, who would you recommend?

Police guns don't get a huge amount of rounds. It's highly unlikely it was ever used to shoot someone so just range qualifying and some additional practice. That's why they are great buys.

 

[NewLiberty]

I see/inspect a lot of police trade in pistols, across a variety of brands.

Speaking generally, the exterior finish wear is often worse than the internal wear from shooting. A lot of them are carried a lot, and not shot very much. For an M&P, the wear on the finish of the barrel be an indicator for how much the pistol has been fired.

 

[first-model]

To my knowledge, the law enforcement SKUs for the M&P come off of the exact same assembly line as the commercial guns. Most of the differences are just going to be the doo-dads ... magazines, sights, etc.

Mike

 

[Adam Baker]

Police Issue M&P 1.0 45acp

Here’s a couple pictures of an agency issued now retired M&P.

 

[triaxle]

They have all the latest updates , different sku , 3 mags , night sights , most of the time , I have a MP 9 L/E came with 3 mags , night sights , also this had a fact PVD flat blk over the Melonite finish , who it was for I don`t know ????

 

[Echo40]

I'll never understand why some PDs choose to put property marks on their issued weapons while others do not.

I personally prefer it when they're property marked because it helps to shed some light on the history of the weapon without having to contact the manufacturer seeking background information which they might not even have or otherwise be willing to provide you with.

Granted, it's probably better that some are left unmarked for those who wish to use them as carry guns.

 

[Adam Baker]

I guess they are like pin stripes on a car. Some like em some don’t.
I like agency marked sidearms.

 

[NewLiberty]

I'll never understand why some PDs choose to put property marks on their issued weapons while others do not.

I personally prefer it when they're property marked because it helps to shed some light on the history of the weapon without having to contact the manufacturer seeking background information which they might not even have or otherwise be willing to provide you with.

Granted, it's probably better that some are left unmarked for those who wish to use them as carry guns.

Engraving adds cost. Granted, fiber laser engravers that can do firearms work are becoming more accessible, but there is still a cost to have the engraving work done, and the "support" work like the graphic design to create the files to engrave from.

I would guess a lot of departments don't see a benefit commensurate with the cost.