Picked up my FS M&P 9mm today

[Nakanokalronin]

Picked up my FS M&P 9mm today!

Although I have larger type hands, the medium backstrap seems to work the best. The date it was made is 5/01/2012 so it looks to be from fairly recent run. I have to say, the trigger pull is pretty short as is the reset. I can actually hear a click when it resets and feel it in my finger. I doubt it's one of the new trigger systems (or is it?) being put into production but it's not like what is being described as a typical M&P trigger. It's not like the Shield I handled (and have on order) but you can tell were it resets quite easily.

I like the thumb safeties as they are pretty close to the type on my 1911s which are the main guns I shoot and carry. Flicking it off is like second nature so no worries there. The grip angle is perfect unlike the many Glocks I owned and sold and the texture is much better than the XDs I also used to own.

I have 4 mags coming in from 44mag.com that should be here tomorrow and will be taking it to the range this weekend. I'm really looking forward to putting many rounds down range including a variety of HP ammo. Range report will come soon enough so stay tuned!

ETA...
Okay, I just talked to a S&W tech and he told me he has no idea of any changes with the M&P trigger group being made at all. I told him I've heard about the possibility of new trigger groups in the M&Ps to have a more positive reset and he once again, said that if anyone knew about it, they would since they are the techs/gunsmiths that are answering the phones.

He also told me they knew about the Shield a year before it was introduced so if anything about a new trigger group was in the works, they haven't heard about it so as of right now, no plans are in the works for any changes to the regular M&P line.

It's probably true but the reset and pull on my M&P can easily be detected, but not as much as the Shield. Either way, it feels pretty good IMHO but I'll let range time determine that for sure.

Also wanted to add that he told me that they had 25,000 Shield ready to go when it was introduced and are now filling back orders. Magazines are also a little over $37 each which are on back order as well.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I guess these are old news now since the Shield came out. Little guns are the rage and all.

 

[19-3Ben]

They might be old news, but I still love my full sized M&P9. I got one back in the winter of '06-'07 i think. They had come out not long before, and were still "untested." Well, 5 years later, I still love that gun, and they have earned a reputation as being right up there with Glock, and XD. You've done well.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I've owned multiple Glocks and XDs and just the feel of the M&P alone makes me put it above the others.

 

[possum]

grip angle is perfect unlike the many Glocks

The grip force adapter will fix that and give you a grip angle that is very close to an M&P/XD/ 1911 etc.

 

[Skylerbone]

1911s are old news too but it doesn't stop me from smiling when someone adds a good firearm to their arsenal. Hope the M&P works as well for you as it has for me.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I shot it yesterday and am very pleased with it's performance. First off, although the 9mm round has little recoil to begin with, it has a much softer recoil signature than the Glocks & XDs I used to own and even the Beretta 92s I currently own.

I could barely tell the difference between the standard ball and +P ammo I shot through it. Ammo shot consisted of PDX-1 124gr.+P, HST 124gr.+P, Gold Dot 147gr., Generic Winchester 115gr. HP ammo and 100rds each of Winchester & Federal 115gr. ball. Total rounds shot: 300 trouble free rounds.

Accuracy was pretty good as was the trigger. Shooting high thumbs with my right hand thumb on top of the safety was a nice change from the other poly guns I owned and felt more like I was shooting a 1911. The grip has plenty of texture with no slippage in the hand. Inserting and ejecting mags was smooth and easy.

Now after I got home from the range, I noticed the Apex hard sear I ordered in my mail box. I cleaned it all up and decided to put in the sear to see what the big deal was. Well.....lighter pull but not to light, smoother pull, breaking point is closer to the frame and trigger reset is even more noticeable by feel and sound. I gotta say, that sear alone does wonders. Now I need to take it out again to see what it can do.

 

[Skylerbone]

Who could think there are any similarities between them?

If you polish up the striker block removing the chamfer it will further smooth out the trigger.

When the grip gets wet it will get slippery. You can achieve some great textures on the inserts with a Dremel. The frame itself can also be modified though that is permanent.

Enjoy it and I hope it works well for you.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks for the reply. I read about the striker block polish job amongst other things in a PDF file by some M&P guru online. Considering the bottom of the grip is slightly curved by the pinky, it would take quite a bit to have it slip in the hand. I know a lot of people stipple grip on poly guns but I've found it's only necessary on poorly textured guns. The poly guns I've owned with good texture/checkering is the P345, PX4 and now the M&P. Glocks and XDs have that slippery grip which is one of the reasons I don't own them anymore. Sleeves and grip tape are also not options for me. Just my opinion.

 

[Skylerbone]

I bought a few extra grip inserts of assorted sizes to play around with, about $4.00 ea. IIRC. It was a 90+ degree day when I noticed my 40 Full Size shifting a bit in my hand and figured why not. I know it's ugly but it works and can be back to factory for $4.

The "Burwell" instructions work well but aren't as simple as the APEX parts. Still saved me from buying two more kits as my M&Ps multiplied.