S&W M&P Metal opinions!

Barnfixer

Barnfixer

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Joined
Jan 25, 2021
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468
I went to the range the other day and they had a variety of guns out to try. Some I hated, some were ok but the one that stuck out for me was the M&P Metal. Never was a M&P fan, nothing wrong with them but they never did it for me. Anyone have or experience the metal version? I think I’ll be going back to confirm my liking of it.
 
I have the M&P 9 2.0 with poly frame. I like it just fine, but I'd take metal over poly every time given the choice.
I just bought a new Beretta M9 because of my preference for a metal frame.
I will always love the 1911, and the 3rd Gen S&W autos.
 
I got a used M&P 2.0 metal a while back for a great price, and is a nice shooter. Really like that it doesn’t have those stupid tall irons on it compared to the other optic ready M&Ps.
 
I had, key word had, the 5 in competitor. It was a major disappointment that does nothing the poly framed gun can't do.
Trigger was gritty and staged, the plastic front strap moved around and due to S&W stupidity for sticking with the poly framed backstraps guaranteeing zero aftermarket support.

If S&W was smart, they would have done what Sig did with the AXG frames.

Smith is charging around 950 for the competitor, at that price point better pistols exist.
 
For those who doubt, here is a S&W 469 with a poly M&P Shield sitting on top. The top of the slides and rear of the backstraps are aligned.

Shield-469-800.jpg


Note all the other points of alignment; trigger location and curve, trigger guards, even length of grip and overall width of slide and frame.

Materials may have changed over the decades since the first of the Wonder-Nines as well as firing system but all of the ergonomics and functionality have remained the same.
 
jar said:
For those who doubt, here is a S&W 469 with a poly M&P Shield sitting on top. The top of the slides and rear of the backstraps are aligned.

View attachment 1191773


Note all the other points of alignment; trigger location and curve, trigger guards, even length of grip and overall width of slide and frame.

Materials may have changed over the decades since the first of the Wonder-Nines as well as firing system but all of the ergonomics and functionality have remained the same.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the change in system of firing is the problem.
 
I wouldn't be interested. It's aluminum, not steel.

The purpose of the original aluminum frame guns was to reduce weight and cost. And while few of us would shoot an aluminum frame gun enough to wear it out, over the years all of them have proven that they don't last nearly as long as steel framed pistols. Expected life of all the aluminum guns I've seen is 30,000-50,000 rounds vs 100,000+ for steel.

Newer plastic framed pistols are even lighter, and less expensive to manufacture, but plastic has proven to be at least as durable as steel and maybe more so. There are a couple of Glocks approaching 300,000 rounds. Most manufacturers stopped making their aluminum guns in favor of plastic already. Most of the classic designs made of steel are still being made.

The metal gun is ONE ounce heavier than the plastic version, 29 oz vs 30 oz. Seems like you're paying a lot more, for less performance. I MIGHT be interested in one made of steel weighing closer to 40 oz.
 
Of all the plastic fantastics made the M&P is the only one I have ever really liked. I gave mine away as it was a 40 caliber and my arthritic wrist finally couldn't take the snap. I should have just converted it to 9mm but the kid won't give it back. My SIL has the long barrel model in 40 S&W which I won't shoot although he always offers when we go shoot together as I don't want to deal with my aching wrist afterward. Even wearing a wrist brace doesn't work. I certainly wouldn't mind owning one in 9mm though.

I'm old, contrary, and set in my ways so prefer all steel semi-autos with hammers and safties. It's my boat to float. I wouldn't pay the extra bucks for an aluminum frame. Steel, yes.
 
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My M&P is a polymer 45acp. It's a good pistol. I like it. I wouldn't really pay extra for an aluminum frame, though. It's just a service pistol.
 
sevt_chevelle said:
I had, key word had, the 5 in competitor. It was a major disappointment that does nothing the poly framed gun can't do.
Trigger was gritty and staged, the plastic front strap moved around and due to S&W stupidity for sticking with the poly framed backstraps guaranteeing zero aftermarket support.

If S&W was smart, they would have done what Sig did with the AXG frames.

Smith is charging around 950 for the competitor, at that price point better pistols exist.
Click to expand...

If I hadn't gotten my 4" for $500 I wouldn't have purchased it. The front strap is quite secure on mine, but it is a dumb design. $900 for a new one is crazy IMO, especially with a duracoat finish.
 
The magic of Glocks has always been "steel rubs steel" and "poly rubs poly".
Poly guns have either metal inserts (Glock) or chassis (SIG, S&W, Beretta).
I can understand the appeal of extra weight.
We trade out weight for durability; pays you money, and takes you choice.
Moon
 
Barnfixer: Do you mean the older 1st-3rd Gen S&W models in centerfire?

The Numbering System is at the Bottom.:scrutiny: It can really help to have access to this next time we are in a gun shop and see the classic 59 etc.
I can't tell - with No third digit- whether the 59 is DA/SA. I must be misreading the info at the bottom.


SW-semi-model-chart-1.jpg
 
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Ignition Override said:
Barnfixer: Do you mean the older 1st-3rd Gen S&W models in centerfire?

The Numbering System is at the Bottom.:scrutiny: It can really help to have access to this next time we are in a gun shop and see the classic 59 etc.
I can't tell whether the 59 is DA/SA. I must be misreading the info at the bottom.


SW-semi-model-chart-1.jpg
Click to expand...
Not the older ones, the newest model like pictured. Although some of these posts about the older ones are sparking my interest!
 

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Barnfixer: I know nothing about really new guns. Metal is highly-preferred.
My handguns were three of the 3rd Gen S&W plus a superb CZ PCR, Walther P99, Czech CZ-82, Makarovs, Polish P-83 etc.
A mix of Sig P6/ + the civilian (100% German) P225, 228... as seen here, fashion isn't a factor.
 
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jmr40 said:
I wouldn't be interested. It's aluminum, not steel.

The purpose of the original aluminum frame guns was to reduce weight and cost. And while few of us would shoot an aluminum frame gun enough to wear it out, over the years all of them have proven that they don't last nearly as long as steel framed pistols. Expected life of all the aluminum guns I've seen is 30,000-50,000 rounds vs 100,000+ for steel.

Newer plastic framed pistols are even lighter, and less expensive to manufacture, but plastic has proven to be at least as durable as steel and maybe more so. There are a couple of Glocks approaching 300,000 rounds. Most manufacturers stopped making their aluminum guns in favor of plastic already. Most of the classic designs made of steel are still being made.

The metal gun is ONE ounce heavier than the plastic version, 29 oz vs 30 oz. Seems like you're paying a lot more, for less performance. I MIGHT be interested in one made of steel weighing closer to 40 oz.
Click to expand...

Are there "plastic" guns with 100% plastic rails? I was under the impression that "plastic" guns had steel rails of some sort.

That is certainly true of the Sig P320 line where both the chassis and slide are steal and the "plastic" part is simply a replaceable grip frame.
 
Ignition Override said:
Barnfixer: Do you mean the older 1st-3rd Gen S&W models in centerfire?

The Numbering System is at the Bottom.:scrutiny: It can really help to have access to this next time we are in a gun shop and see the classic 59 etc.
I can't tell - with No third digit- whether the 59 is DA/SA. I must be misreading the info at the bottom.


SW-semi-model-chart-1.jpg
Click to expand...
neat resource
 
A close friend bought one S&W M&P 2.0 Metal July 2023 and had to send it back to factory to inspect and fix. The slide, barrel, and frame were slightly shifting off-center by about a millimeter. They shipped it back to him saying it was within spec. He told them it was faulty, they said it was normal.
 
ddc said:
Are there "plastic" guns with 100% plastic rails? I was under the impression that "plastic" guns had steel rails of some sort.

That is certainly true of the Sig P320 line where both the chassis and slide are steal and the "plastic" part is simply a replaceable grip frame.
Click to expand...
Ruger's P95, P97, and P345 all had polymer frame rails. They were molded as part of the frame.
 
I like my M&P Metal very much, and I also like my polymer M&P. Of I could only keep one, it would probably be the Metal. If you decide to look at earlier S&W pistols with metal or steel frames, I'd look at the 3rd generations that usually have 4 digit names (6904, etc.). Of the second generation with three digit names, the 745 was good. The first generation with two digit names were definitely hit or miss. I personally knew three people who bought model 59's when they first came out, and all three guns made one or more trips back to the factory. There were also some early adopter police departments that were unhappy with them.
 
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