S&W M&P9L Question(s)

[benEzra]

I am eyeing the S&W Pro Series M&P9L (longslide 9mm), and have a couple of questions for the M&P gurus.

I'd like to know if it's possible to order a 9mm M&P with the 5" barrel and competition slide, Pro Series trigger, the manual safety, and no magazine disconnect; whether you can get it in the "Carry and Range Kit" with the extra magazines, holster, and mag carrier; and whether you can order Novak Trijicons from the factory or if those are aftermarket only. The S&W website has a lot of info, but isn't really clear on the details.

I already own one S&W 9mm (S&W 3913LS), which has been my CCW since the late 1990's, and I love it, but for years I've also wanted a full-sized 9mm for USPSA/plinking/traveling/HD/just-because. It's never been a financial priority, but if the McCarthy idiocy somehow manages to clear committee, it might become so.

 

[Skylerbone]

As far as I know none of the longslide versions is available with a manual safety, a magazine disconnect or NS as options nor are they available in kit form.

The standard M&P really is quite accurate, not match grade by any stretch but very serviceable. If you're willing to spend the money the best bet might be to purchase a 9Fullsize (shorter barrel of course) with manual safety and have the sights changed. VTAC has a FO/NS option available only for the M&P line-up but it runs $215 and uses six dots rather than the more fragile HiViz set up. S&W is offering an M&P in both 9mm and 40 S&W with the VTACs installed but again in a "Fullsize" (4 1/4") configuration. Great for SD but again no manual and no Pro series.

The guy to talk to about the M&P would be David Bowie of BowieTacticalConcepts at this link: http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/mandpprices.html. He is an active LEO and competitive shooter with the M&P and good enough at smithing to have customized Larry Vickers' H&K carry pistol.

You may find the expense and trade-offs of having a single M&P for mixed use adds up to the cost (after alterations) of simply buying 2. The other more likely scenario is that somewhere out there a better platform exists for your stated purpose. Mr. Bowie is also familiar with the Glock line-up, H&K and others and hopefully will be able to help.

FWIW if I were a moderator on a rather large, prominent forum such as THR, I might well contact S&W directly and speak to someone who could authorize something of a one-off PC version of exactly what you're looking for, with the idea of testing it (within ethical bounds of course) and an option of purchasing the sample pistol. It might be that THR contingent that attended SHOT may have scraped up a name or number of someone at Smith to contact who could acommodate you. Just a thought...

 

[benEzra]

Thanks for the info! I'll contact Mr. Bowie and see what I can find out.