Monday, September 16, 2013

Dear Smith & Wesson,

I recently partook of the opportunity to become acquainted with your successful line of M&P semi automatic pistols. I chose the M&P40 over the Teutonic Brick and the many other polymer pistol offerings because the M&P fit me the best. I bought this for two reasons only: 1) I don't have so much invested in it that I won't mind it being held for evidence if the need arises, and 2) a simple barrel swap lets you shoot 9MM, .40 S&W and .357 Sig (the M&P uses the exact same recoil spring for all three, the barrel dimensions are the same and 9MM will feed from the .40/.357 mags as long as you don't count on the last round feeding due to the slight difference in case dimensions...up yours ammo shortage...I will shoot what I can find). While I can't say that I know the M&P40 well enough yet to provide you with a detailed litany of my thoughts regarding your product, I can say that I've spent enough time with it to have some initial impressions. Please allow me to share.

Aesthetics

It's purtier than the Glock in my opinion, but that's like saying a brick is prettier than a cinder block. I have lost any infatuation I ever had with the tacticool look of black on black with a light rail.  Once I decide what design I like the most, it's getting a custom coating. Satin black "ghost" flames over the matte black Melonite finish might be cool. Maybe some color with the Texas and US flags. I don't know yet. However, I do like the fish scale slide serrations. They look unique compared to straight or slanted lines, and they function quite nicely.

The Sights

The sights seem to be perfectly adequate for social work out to 25 yards; however, I will have to confirm that before giving an enthusiastic endorsement. Because I have reached middle age and my eye doc says I don't have 20/20 anymore, a Hiviz fiber optic front sight may make an appearance in the not so distant future.

The Trigger

First, it's not a 1911 trigger. So, let's get that illusion out of the way up front. There is a longer than I would like take up before getting to the advertised 6.6 pound trigger pull to trip the sear. Along the way to the break, it seems like the trigger is crawling through broken glass (it is crunchy and gritty). Reports suggest that this will improve with use as supposedly repeated trigger pulls file off some stamp/tool marks that are left unpolished from the factory. I will endeavor to confirm this if I can. If we get to the 500 round mark with no discernible improvement, more drastic measures will be employed.

Many pixels have been burned into monitors regarding the alleged lack of a tactile trigger reset. Either the wailing and gnashing of teeth has been heard and mercy has been bestowed upon the market, or I lucked into a particularly good example as the trigger reset was fairly short with both tactile and audible sensations confirming for me that the trigger was good to go again. Either way, I see no need for me to drop money at Apex Tactical's feet to enhance the reset on mine. Your mileage may vary.

Full review to follow after I get the recently ordered 9MM barrel and extra magazines in and have some time and money to get rounds downrange.

Sincerely,

Daddy Hawk

P.S. Thank your for trusting your customers enough to offer a range of pistols equipped with a variety safety options including the "Is gun...is not safe...keep booger hook off bang switch" safety option.

7 comments:

GunDiva said...

With Jay's M&P, there is, as you put it, an audible and tactile trigger reset - I've never had any problem with it.

I can't wait for the rest of the review. Though it's not my favorite gun in the world, I do have to give it credit for being the gun I used to finish out my match back when the Para's mainspring took a shit.

Daddy Hawk said...

GunDiva, it came down to a choice between the Gen 4 Glock 23, The M&P and the Ruger SR40. Each have their pluses and minuses. I have owned an early gen Glock 23. So, there was no mystery there nor any burning desire to revisit covered ground. The SR40 was my second choice, but the external thumb safety makes it pretty useless for competition and the other nanny state garbage just turned me off. I like simple elegance. You can't get much simpler than a witness hole for a loaded chamber indicator. In the end, the M&P was the best overall deal (I paid less for new than most people are asking for their used guns).

agirlandhergun said...

I am always intrigued by people who dislike the "Taticool" guns. I have never seen them as such.

I started out in guns very nievely, so for me I never knew what was cool in the first place.

I see Glocks and M&P's as stream lined, sleek and frankly beautiful. 1911 does have a sweet trigger and history that adds to the allure, but for me, most are like Liberace's living room...over done:)

However, truth be told, I have met very few guns I don't enjoy shooting.

Still, good review.

Daddy Hawk said...

A Girl, don't get me wrong, I do find the M&P to be a good looking gun. Even the Glock has its own appeal (I really like the slides on the sub compacts and the scalloped serrations in the RTF2 guns). I just have a soft spot for 1911s and revolvers. Like you, there are few guns I don't enjoy shooting.

agirlandhergun said...

I can see the appeal of a 1911:)

Home on the Range said...

A very excellent write up. I've had one and you've well brought up the good and the bad. Nicely done.

Daddy Hawk said...

Brigid, thanks. Everything has its good and bad points. It's the nature of engineering.