oldreloader
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I'm getting ready to buy another pistol, probably a S&W M&P. I'm trying to decige between the 40 and the 45. Any pros and cons would help me decide.Thanks
40 or 45
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RockyMtnTactical
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I prefer the 45 but the M&P triggers are even worse on the 45's... bad combo IMO.
Remo223
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40 is cheaper ammo, if that matters to you.
Tomcat47
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45 thats my 2c 
Fishman777
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I'm debating the same thing...
I've shot both and I shoot the .45 a little better. Recoil on the .40 s&w has a little more muzzle flip and is a little harder to control, in my opinion.
I like the recoil better on the M&P 45, but I don't like the capacity or ammo costs. If I start reloading the ammo cost is a wash. The lanyard loop on the take down tool would make the M&P 45 look different enough that my wife wouldn't confuse it with my M&P 9. The .45 magazines also have different color finish than all other M&P magazines, so I'd never have to worry about her mixing the magazines up, either. My wife is a pretty smart cookie, but she isn't a big gun person.
The recoil is a little more pronounced on the M&P 40, but you do get five extra shots over the M&P 45. The ammo is also cheaper. You can also get the 40 to 9 or a 40 to .357 conversion.
I'd give a slight edge on ballistic performance and "shootability" to the M&P 45. I think that everything else favors the M&p 40.
I've shot both and I shoot the .45 a little better. Recoil on the .40 s&w has a little more muzzle flip and is a little harder to control, in my opinion.
I like the recoil better on the M&P 45, but I don't like the capacity or ammo costs. If I start reloading the ammo cost is a wash. The lanyard loop on the take down tool would make the M&P 45 look different enough that my wife wouldn't confuse it with my M&P 9. The .45 magazines also have different color finish than all other M&P magazines, so I'd never have to worry about her mixing the magazines up, either. My wife is a pretty smart cookie, but she isn't a big gun person.
The recoil is a little more pronounced on the M&P 40, but you do get five extra shots over the M&P 45. The ammo is also cheaper. You can also get the 40 to 9 or a 40 to .357 conversion.
I'd give a slight edge on ballistic performance and "shootability" to the M&P 45. I think that everything else favors the M&p 40.
I have never been a fan of the 40. Would go 45 (Even 45GAP before the 40)
Not a fan of the M&P triggers either, I would look at some other choice, but that's me.
Pros of the 40 is cheaper ammo and more rounds usually.
Pros of the 45 bigger holes and IMO easier on the "recoil" or "less snappy" or whatever term you like.
Not a fan of the M&P triggers either, I would look at some other choice, but that's me.
Pros of the 40 is cheaper ammo and more rounds usually.
Pros of the 45 bigger holes and IMO easier on the "recoil" or "less snappy" or whatever term you like.
mokin
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I'd go with the .45. It seems easier to reload for.
Usmc-1
Member.
45 ACP , please you'd go with a gap round before 40sw?why not go sig then too?
MachIVshooter
Member
.45
And the triggers can be smoothed out pretty easy (they're really not that bad to begin with)
14 round magazines for the .45 have been available for some time now.
And the triggers can be smoothed out pretty easy (they're really not that bad to begin with)
14 round magazines for the .45 have been available for some time now.
I have the S&W M&Ps in both 9mm and 45ACP. Both have been totally reliable with a wide variety of bullet shapes and weights. The 45ACP will even handle 185 gr. LSWC reloads without a hitch and provides nice tight 1 1/4 to 2 inch ten shot groups at 50 ft. with aqll my reloads.
My son shoots the M&P in 40 S&W and it has proven to be equally reliiable. A lot dpends on your use of the gun. I prefer the recoil sensation of the 45ACP (more of a shove) to that of the sharper 40 S&W.
My son shoots the M&P in 40 S&W and it has proven to be equally reliiable. A lot dpends on your use of the gun. I prefer the recoil sensation of the 45ACP (more of a shove) to that of the sharper 40 S&W.
Yes! I would go with the 45GAP all day over the 40. (particually in comparing the Glock 27 to the Glock 39) I am not a fan of the 40 (and yet I was a big fan of the 10mm back in the day) I tried the 40 early on and just couldn't get excited about it as I was still an avid 10mm guy.
As far as the 357 Sig I have seen no reason for it in my gun safe but I would likely try it before the 40 too.
Br
Member
Caliber discussions rarely go well, but for me I'd go .45. I prefer the recoil characteristics of the .45 (solid hard push vs. snappy hard push if you will). However, that's a very personal thing and others obviously prefer .40. See if a range near you can rent both and see for yourself.
RockyMtnTactical
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Are you kidding? They ARE TERRIBLE to begin with!
They aren't even really fixed with the APEX sear either. Better, for sure, but not fixed.
Then again, we might have to agree to disagree on this, but the M&P triggers will always be second rate even with the upgrade.
Whiskey11
Member
Hey RMT (abbreviating as I am on my phone), can you expand on the reasons why you feel that way? I had a similar feel for one at cabelas and was disappointed by the trigger, but you say the apex kit doesnt fix it either???? I was seriously considering an m&p as the next handgun, but I am really unimpressed with the stock trigger unit.
Well I can't speak for all but the trigger lacks a decent (or really any reset at all IMO) reset, not an issue if you don't shoot that way. I have carried a Glock both for business and personal use for so long (22 years ) that not using the reset is no longer an option for me. Thus, for example, while I like the Beretta PX4 a lot, the lack of a trigger reset makes me unhappy.
S&W polymer triggers have always struggled for me, they are neither crisp or clean or reset well.
YMMV
) that not using the reset is no longer an option for me. Thus, for example, while I like the Beretta PX4 a lot, the lack of a trigger reset makes me unhappy.S&W polymer triggers have always struggled for me, they are neither crisp or clean or reset well.
YMMV
RockyMtnTactical
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The APEX sear smooths it out a little bit but it just doesnt make it go away.
The M&P's, for all that they got right with this gun, just have terrible triggers and the reset sucks. They make my Glock triggers feel like match grade competition triggers.
I cannot shoot the Smith's for nothing either it seems and I blame the trigger.
I spoke with one of my brother's yesterday who owns 2 M&P's and he told me that although he likes his M&P's, he also happens to shoot them worse than any guns he owns. He has done a lot to improve the triggers on his as well, including the APEX kit.
The M&P's, for all that they got right with this gun, just have terrible triggers and the reset sucks. They make my Glock triggers feel like match grade competition triggers.
I cannot shoot the Smith's for nothing either it seems and I blame the trigger.
I spoke with one of my brother's yesterday who owns 2 M&P's and he told me that although he likes his M&P's, he also happens to shoot them worse than any guns he owns. He has done a lot to improve the triggers on his as well, including the APEX kit.
There is nothing second rate about my M&P .45 trigger or the pistol. Not a darn thing!
First day at the range.
Best over all combat pistol I've ever owned. Yep even better than my past 1911's. The trigger is a striker fire control system. So it is what it is. I smoothed mine out, polished and decked out the sear. Cleaned up the striker tang and the striker safety. Took the retarded beaver tail off of it and a few other mods. Think I will go shoot it today and enjoy the thud of a good 230gn XTP +P reload.
First day at the range.
Best over all combat pistol I've ever owned. Yep even better than my past 1911's. The trigger is a striker fire control system. So it is what it is. I smoothed mine out, polished and decked out the sear. Cleaned up the striker tang and the striker safety. Took the retarded beaver tail off of it and a few other mods. Think I will go shoot it today and enjoy the thud of a good 230gn XTP +P reload.
Scipio Africanus
Member
.45= more mass and a bigger hole.
Arkansas Paul
Member
There's no right or wrong here. Get whichever you like best.
I like the .40 personally. More power than 9mm. More capacity than .45 acp.
Just my 0.02.
I like the .40 personally. More power than 9mm. More capacity than .45 acp.
Just my 0.02.
OP
OP
oldreloader
Member
Another delima has reared it's ugly head. The more I look at the Taurus 24/7 the better it looks.
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I have the G21 and G27. Even at the range, where size doesn't matter, I tend to shoot the G27 a lot more. Partly, it's due to the cost of ammo. But it's also due to proficiency. The G21 was easy to shoot well, from the get go. The G27 takes some practice. I like being well practiced.
If I can hit it with the G27, I know my G21 will do w/e I need it to when the time comes.
If I can hit it with the G27, I know my G21 will do w/e I need it to when the time comes.
giggitygiggity
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.45ACP. It does not snap as much, is plenty accurate, heavier/bigger bullet.
I have the 24/7 Compact in .45ACP. I like it a lot. The trigger is decently smooth, maybe a little mushy on takeup. Mine's been 100% reliable so far. I don't shoot it as well as my FNP-45 Tactical but I tend to shoot hammer-fired pistols better than striker-fired and the Tactical has a much longer barrel and nicer sights so I would expect it to be more accurate.
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