M&P 45 Advice - Any Good?

[tprice]

Well, I'm really thinking I want to get a plastic 45. Been agonizing over all the choices out there, especially the models from the old Joint Combat Pistol competition.
So far, the M&P 45 is in the front running. However, I own an M&P 40c and am not the hugest fan of the trigger (haven't ordered an Apex kit yet).

Any advice on the M&P45? Should I look elsewhere? Taurus OSS? FNP45?

 

[rkammer]

Well, I'm really thinking I want to get a plastic 45. Been agonizing over all the choices out there, especially the models from the old Joint Combat Pistol competition.
So far, the M&P 45 is in the front running. However, I own an M&P 40c and am not the hugest fan of the trigger (haven't ordered an Apex kit yet).

Any advice on the M&P45? Should I look elsewhere? Taurus OSS? FNP45?

I bought the M&P mid size 45 several months ago and love it. The trigger was a little gritty when I first got it but, after about 500 rounds at the range and perhaps 1000s of dry fires in front of the TV, it smoothed out considerably Try this before you invest in the Apex stuff. My trigger pull has settled into the 6.5 lb range which is fine for my SD needs.

 

[LiveLife]

I was actually in the market to buy a CA legal Dan Wesson PM7 when I found out the 200 units/year limit - Wife bought me the M&P45 as an early Christmas consolation - I am still trying for the PM7 with S&W 1911 as Plan B.

I bought my M&P45 4.5" with the anticipation that I would be doing a trigger job myself based on this PDF. Stock trigger pull was 7+ pounds with some "gritty" feel and longer pull/reset than my Glock factory triggers at 4.5 lbs.

I ended up with about 65% of the cut on the sear compared to the PDF with full polish of all the contact surfaces. Trigger pull is now about 4 lbs that is smooth with shorter pull/reset and clean release (just about the cleanest release on all the striker fired pistols I have shot - yes, M&P trigger can be improved this good and easily).

Shot groups decreased from 4"+ before the trigger job to 2.5" average at 25 yards off hand. I am getting increasing shot groups of 1.5" when shooting with support.

 

[jaysouth]

I have a 45c that I love. I cannot believe how much less the felt recoil is than on a 1911.

All you need to smooth the trigger out is lots of ammo and range time.

 

[Just One Shot]

I have owned the M&P 9mm C and currently own the M&P .40 C. IMO the trigger is the worst part of the M&P line. I ordered the Apex hardened sear and the striker block kit for the .40 ($75.00 shipped) and now the trigger is greatly improved. I didn't change the factory springs but the trigger is smooth as silk and breaks somewhere in the 4-4 1/2 lb. range. I installed the parts myself (which is very easy) and now it's one of the best triggers in my safe.

 

[Smaug]

Looks very ergonomic, but a bad trigger is a deal-breaker to me.

I'd consider the FNP45 instead, and maybe a 1911. Para used to make a polymer framed 1911...

S&W made a SW99 that was based on the Walther P99 that might be better.

CZ97 is a sweet gun, but steel frame.

There's no lack of choices for good 45s these days.

 

[lordhamster]

Great gun. As a Glock guy, I wasn't too keen on the trigger pull though. It isn't the grittyness that bothered me rather that it was different than what I'm used to. When target shooting a glock, I know how to stage the trigger and where the reset point is. On the M&P I just wasn't used to it, and the reset point is less defined so you have to just get a feel for where it is. All that being said, it wasn't that bad... by round 200 I was getting some nice groupings.

Felt recoil is minimal and the slim handle is excellent. Also, IMO they have the best safety setup of any polymer pistol. The thumb safety is easy to use and natural to disengage, just like on a 1911. Even a crusty old Glock fan like me loved the thumb safety on the M&P. Never had a failure of any kind with the gun.

downside: Not a huge amount of off-the shelf holster options, and the gun is still wide. Not glock 21 or 30 wide, but if you carry IWB you definitely know its there.

 

[Buckeye]

For the price of about 5 or 6 boxes of ammo you can get an apex kit and put it in yourself. It really does help the trigger.

 

[lordhamster]

Forgot to add, this is one of my favorite .45s on the market. I even prefer this over the HK45c.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I'm told that the M&P .45 triggers are worse than the 9mm and .40 triggers. I am also told that they break in very nicely for polymer guns.

YMMV.

 

[NG VI]

Never handled an M&P, but the FNP is definitely a great pistol. If it were I looking for a poly .45, I would probably be going with the FNP.

It would take a lot for me to pick something else over it.

 

[Jeb21]

I have the M&P 45. A very nice gun. Easy to shoot and very reliable. I highly recommend them. BTW the trigger does not bother me but it is easy to modify should you choose to do so. Mine has the manual safety, which I like.

 

[milefile]

I used to have an M&P 40. No complaints. Definitely a good gun and were I in the market for a plastic pistol it'd be on my list with HK.

 

[skoro]

I had a full size M&P45 and the trigger smoothed out very nicely after a few boxes of ammo. Very good ergonomics. But I traded it a couple of years back for a Series 70 Colt Government. The M&P is a fine weapon, but it's not a 1911.

 

[pistolpacker]

I have an M&Pc in 9mm and love it, but it sounds like your looking into other options as well.
I would suggest you check out the XDM's, have one in .40 and absolutly love it... I've put over 10,000rds through my full-sized and almost 2,000rds through my XDMc and have NOT had a single problem or malfunction of any kind... I have put my full-sized through hell and it has proven to be not only 100% reliable but also very rugged.
I also like the stock trigger on my XDM's more than my M&P, but you cant go wrong with either.

SIDE NOTE: IMHO It is always a plus to have a compact version of your full-sized model, especially if you will be carrying concealed. I find its quicker and easier to transition between the two, mainly because theres really no learning curve to it.

 

[seed]

Recently got an M&P 40c. The trigger was gritty, but after only 100 rounds (106, actually) and cleaning it afterwards, the trigger is already markedly improved. I won't be going the APEX route, personally.

 

[Viper]

The worst part of my M&P c 45 is that it was stolen last month along with three 3rd gen S&W 45's, two SIG 45's, an HK c 45, an XD c 45, and a Kahr PM45. It was one of my favorite shooters and was very accurate. I replaced it last week with a compact 40 for easier carry, but haven't shot it yet.

 

[bcp280z]

I'm sure everyone on here will try to steer you from Taurus. When you check out the FN check the mag well / back strap, a few I looked at seemed kinda flimsy. For a plastic gun, the M&P has the least felt recoil and best grip. Trigger aint that bad on my 40

 

[Fishman777]

M&P45

The stock trigger might not be the best out of the box, but you could easily install an APEX trigger mod.

They are extremely ergonomic, have low recoil/muzzle flip, they are accurate and reliable.

I've shot the M&P45 and loved it. I like it more than my M&P 9. I plan to buy one soon...

 

[JoelSteinbach]

I own one and shoot it occasionally, its my favorite plastic gun

 

[Ben86]

I own one and love it, picked it over the Glock 21 (and I'm a huge glock fan). I wish I could afford to shoot it more. The trigger is a bit heavier than the 9mm and .40 models for whatever reason (.5 lbs to be exact) but it does not stop me from being really accurate with it. The trigger was a little clicky and gritty when I first got it. After I took some very fine sand paper and rem oil to the trigger bar (specifically the hump that deactivates the striker safety) it is nice and smooth now. That crunch is that little hump scraping across the striker safety. The little hump on mine had a surprisingly rough, almost jagged surface. Now its fine.

The only gun that fits my hand better is my CZ-75. I even CC the M&P45 sometimes. It wears surprisingly well.

Not a lot of holster options, but a lot of Glock 21 holsters fit it.

 

[Hammerdown77]

I have the full size and love it. The trigger was pretty crunchy on mine out of the box, and measured 7.25 lbs on the scale (which was in spec, according to S&W's website), but lots of dry fire and range time over the course of a week smoothed it up considerably and dropped the pull weight to 6.5 lbs. That was still a little heavier than I like, so I bought an Apex hard sear for $40, took me 10 minutes to install it, and the trigger pull is a nice crisp 4.25 lbs. It's scary how easy it is to place shots where you want them now. Almost telepathic...

 

[psyshack]

I have a M&P .45 FS. I really like the pistol! Out of the box with a inspection and cleaning this is how it shot with retail fodder first time out.



I kept pushing it low left OTB.

My trigger got worse with time. So after a issue with the rotten beaver tale and the trigger getting worse with time I set out to make it mine. Did my own trigger job, polished the feed ramp and chamber. Polished the outside of the chamber so it has a black chrome look. Some stipple and paint work, made ie mine.....

It is the best combat pistol I have ever owned! 1911 What????

 

[tprice]

Thanks everyone. Went ahead and got a nicely used M&P45 with a broken in trigger. I shoot much better with it than I thought. Thanks!

 

[Ben86]

Congrads on owning one of the best polymer .45s around, I bet it will serve you well.