smith and wesson M&P 45compact

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tonytuna

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after a long process of what caliber, manufacters, etc....
ive decided on a M&P 45compact.
yes only 8 rounds but its the same compacity as a 1911 and is ambidextrious(not sure if spelled right)
but im a lefty and it has all the features i wanted.
has anyone owned or handled one?
 
Yes, lots of people have owned or handled one... did you have a question about it?
 
tonytuna,

I bought a new M&P 45c in August and put about 1,000 rounds through it. Here are my impressions...

The good:
  • Flawless operation on any kind of ammo
  • Accurate (once the trigger breaks in and you get used to it -- about 300 rounds for mine)
  • Relatively light and compact -- good for concealed carry. Grip is very comfortable.

The bad:
  • I don't like the balance. The grip/frame weighs nothing and the slide feels like it weighs a ton. If you're used to comparably sized all-steel guns (like a Combat Commander), it feels weird.
  • Thumb safety is a bit floppy, it doesn't have the positive CLICK of my 1975 Combat Commander.
  • Pinkie-pinching mags

In the end I decided that I really wasn't comfortable with a striker-fired pistol for carry and went to a totally different platform -- a Beretta Px4 Storm. I got the full size model in 9mm and couldn't be happier.

Don't get me wrong. The M&P 45c is a great gun. It's just not my cup of tea. I should have thoroughly researched the M&P's firing mechanism and rented one at a range before making my decision to buy.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Mr. Doughnut
 
For anyone's information, you can firm up the M&P external safety. Instructions are over at M&P boards.
 
Mine has no manual safety, so I don't have THAT issue. I agree that you can get a seriously smashed pinky if doing reloads rapidly or under stress (remember to stick that finger out before you slam the mag home).

I find that it's well balanced, the way it sits in your hand is very comfortable, and it's very accurate (I've done 10rnds into just a hair over 2in at 25yrds). Mine shoots a little to the left (need to drift my rear sight a little). I did have one issue with a mag spring (in the thumbrest mag), it has a weak spot that bends the spring at a funny angle...it's now a range mag (it still functions properly, but I will not carry it with me). It is easy to conceal and is almost the same size as my wife's XD40 subcompact (my slide is just under 1in longer, however it appears narrower, and the grips are the same height).
 
The pinkie pinch I wrote of occurs in routine firing, not reloading. Seems the mags have a little slop between the grip frame and the floorplate, and the anticipation of the pinch was a distraction at the range. One of my mags also had similar spring issues, no big deal. I really like the M&P's attributes, but striker guns just aren't for me. I enjoy the peace of mind that the Px4's operating system provides. I stipulate that my fear of an AD/ND with the M&P is irrational, but I've always felt that a prudent carry mindset includes the right mix of competence and confidence -- and that's determined at the individual level. The M&P is a great carry gun for a lot of folks, but not me.
 
thanks guys.... i just really wanted actual things people had problems with not the reviews i see online.
seems good.. i was thinking the sprinfield subcompact but it felt wierd in my hand but the s&w's feel good.
anyone's gun jam?
 
Some early m&p45's had a tendency to stove pipe. I experienced that pretty regularly, but that's been fixed for several years now as far as I know. If you're buying used you'd want to look into the serial #'s and see when the guns were fixed. I myself don't know the hard date.
 
btg3: Nope, the M&P 45c is in its original case with all the paperwork etc. in my vault. I know I'd take a beatin' in a trade, and I have no experience with GunBroker type sites or gun shows, so there it sits. My 45c has factory night sights, BTW.

tony: My gun was test fired at the factory on 7/11/11 and has been flawless in its operation, save for one flaky mag spring. Of the 1000 or so rounds I fired, some were circa-1980 CCI "flying ashtrays," Glaser blue nose, vintage lead reloads (only a handful) and a host of partial boxes of various and sundry JHP and ball .45ACP ammo that I've accumulated since the '70s. No jams whatsoever. If you're comfortable with a striker-fired gun and find the heft of the the 45c to your liking I think you'll be very happy with it.
 
I have a 4" Compact... Love it... However, my only real complaint is that I cannot find extra Mags anywhere.
 
I've never had any failure or malfunction with mine.
It is reliable and accurate.
I've never had the finger pinch either.


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thanks again.... i really appreciate it....
i bought one yesterday and paid $525 with tax, but no safety( which i wanted but settled)
took it to the range today and it was great.
the mag did not pinch my finger.
i love the recoil. felt better than a .40 to me and the gun was managable for quick follow up shots for me
 
Tony

I bought am M&P 45c to go along with my Sig 226 9mm. I can shoot my M&P more accurately than my Sig and I paid a lot more for the Sig. Sometimes, I wish I had gotten the fullsize M&P 45 instead of the 45c as I have large hands but overall the compact version is more versatile, I am happy with it.

I think you will be more than happy with the M&P 45c.
 
I have a mid sized .45 and love it. Did the grip and frame stippling myself, got 2 extra hi-cap mags for it with an IWB. Thing rocks. No probs..
 
I like mine, shoots a bit left as well

You have 3 choices on the trigger

1) wear it in yourself

2) get a APEX mod

3) do a DIY "burwell" job

I chose number 3

Very easy, great results
 
i dont really have an issue with the trigger. im used to shooting a revolver and its alot better than a long hard pull.
i want night sights but jus one for the front, but not the back (why i honestly dont know)
any suggestions???
a set of sights is fine too. im pretty sure ill want them when i start shooting with the new sights
 
Tony

Sometimes, I wish I had gotten the fullsize M&P 45 instead of the 45c as I have large hands but overall the compact version is more versatile, I am happy with it.

I think you will be more than happy with the M&P 45c.

I own the compact and the 4.5" full size. I get four pistols for the price of two. Compact frame with 4.5" slide, vise-versa and the way they came. They work flawlessly in any combination. Really like my 45 M&P's more than my compact and full size 40's. They are not interchangable either. I'm usually a 40 guy but love my 45 compact the best!
 
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i dont really have an issue with the trigger. im used to shooting a revolver and its alot better than a long hard pull.
i want night sights but jus one for the front, but not the back (why i honestly dont know)
any suggestions???
a set of sights is fine too. im pretty sure ill want them when i start shooting with the new sights
I also am going to get new sights for my M&P 45c. I have been considering Meprolite, Trijicon, Tru Glo (fiber optics). I think I have decided on Ameriglo. I like the orange ring around the Tritium front sight
 
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