S&W M&P 45 full size....to get with or without safety????

adh · #1 11-11-09, 17:47

OK, so I sold my last 1911 and will be getting a full size M&P 45
IIRC, I want to say that I read here that it would be better (from an ergonomics standpoint) to get one without the thumb safety, as the placement of the safety is not really in an ideal location and can be problematic for some. Your input please.

Thanks

decodeddiesel · #2 11-11-09, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by adh

OK, so I sold my last 1911 and will be getting a full size M&P 45
IIRC, I want to say that I read here that it would be better (from an ergonomics standpoint) to get one without the thumb safety, as the placement of the safety is not really in an ideal location and can be problematic for some. Your input please.

Thanks

I find the placement of the safety to be virtually identical to the 1911, so for me it was an easy transition to an M&P45 with the safety.

kwelz · #3 11-11-09, 18:07

I have had both. I prefer mine without the safety. But that is just a personal preference.

canucksvt · #4 11-11-09, 18:31

I bought mine with the safety. I have had no issues with it. I am a long time Glock shooter and had limited exposure to 1911's, but the M&P45 safety was not a problem for me to adapt to.

adh · #5 11-11-09, 19:00

For those with the safety, do you ride your shooting hand thumb on the safety? I always did with my 1911s.

decodeddiesel · #6 11-11-09, 19:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by adh

For those with the safety, do you ride your shooting hand thumb on the safety? I always did with my 1911s.

Yep. Works very well.

Irish · #7 11-11-09, 19:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by adh

For those with the safety, do you ride your shooting hand thumb on the safety? I always did with my 1911s.

Absolutely. I have the full size 9mm with thumb safety and find it a natural transition from the 1911 platform.

threeheadeddog · #8 11-11-09, 20:49

Shoot one for an extended range session first.
I had a M&P 45 with thumb safty and found that if I shot more than a hundred or so rounds at once my thumb would start to hurt at the knuckle(though for the life of me I cant remember which knuckle

). The "beavertail" area on an MP is substantially wider than on a 1911. Your thumb has to reach around the beavertail to ride it.
I have seen other reports of this problem as well so it would seem I was not alone.

RogerinTPA · #9 11-11-09, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by adh

For those with the safety, do you ride your shooting hand thumb on the safety? I always did with my 1911s.

Yes. I find it natural to go from the 1911 to the FS M&P45. But it is the only one I own with the safety, just for that reason.

Pappabear · #10 11-12-09, 12:39

Not to hijack, but to hijack. Is the trigger the same? I have a friend with one for sell and someone asked him, I did not know.

decodeddiesel · #11 11-12-09, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pappabear

Not to hijack, but to hijack. Is the trigger the same? I have a friend with one for sell and someone asked him, I did not know.

Are you asking is the trigger the same from an M&P to a 1911? The answer would be a resounding no with the qualifier that an M&P trigger can get close with a professional trigger job.

C4IGrant · #12 11-12-09, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by adh

OK, so I sold my last 1911 and will be getting a full size M&P 45
IIRC, I want to say that I read here that it would be better (from an ergonomics standpoint) to get one without the thumb safety, as the placement of the safety is not really in an ideal location and can be problematic for some. Your input please.

Thanks

Don't get the thumb safety (bad idea).

C4

Irish · #13 11-12-09, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by C4IGrant

Don't get the thumb safety (bad idea).

C4

Grant - Please go into a little more detail, I'd like to hear your thoughts pertaining to why a thumb safety is a bad idea on the M&P.

C4IGrant · #14 11-12-09, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishluck73

Grant - Please go into a little more detail, I'd like to hear your thoughts pertaining to why a thumb safety is a bad idea on the M&P.

The Safety on the M&P is in a difficult position. With external safeties, you need to be putting your thumb on top of it. This is NOT a very comfortable shooting position and is why I do not recommend them.

C4

Irish · #15 11-12-09, 14:44

Gotcha. I've only shot mine once as I tend to practice with the G19 the most. I bought it to see how I'd like it compared to the 1911 and I agree it's not in as natural a position for me. I'm taking it out this weekend to see if it's a keeper or indeed needs to be sold for one without the safety or possibly another Glock.

C4IGrant · #16 11-12-09, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishluck73

Gotcha. I've only shot mine once as I tend to practice with the G19 the most. I bought it to see how I'd like it compared to the 1911 and I agree it's not in as natural a position for me. I'm taking it out this weekend to see if it's a keeper or indeed needs to be sold for one without the safety or possibly another Glock.

IMHO, the mid-framed M&P 45 (with 4" slide) might be the best 45 CCW gun made.

I have just ordered one of these for myself.

C4

BigDog · #17 11-12-09, 15:23

Definitely try the triggers on both models, if you can. I found the trigger on the one with the thumb safety to be gritty, while the model without (which I bought) was a heck of a lot smoother!

DMR · #18 11-12-09, 15:36

I just recieved a M&P 45 full size. My 1911 fits very well, and I'm still getting used to the M&P. Even with the small grip insert it's much larger in my hand then the 1911 with a flat back strap, manageble, but larger. I ride the safety on my 1911, but couldn't imagine doing it on a M&P 45.

IF the Kahr TP-45 I recieved at about the same time smoothes out by 400 rounds, it will get the edge over the full size M&P for CCW

Of course much more qualified opinions are availible, such as Grants.

decodeddiesel · #19 11-12-09, 15:53

I must have abnormal hands or something because I can "ride the safety" on my M&P9C and M&P45 full size no problem. I don't have large hands by any means.

My suggestion would be to try out both with and without the thumb safety and see which one you like better.

C4IGrant · #20 11-12-09, 16:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by decodeddiesel

I must have abnormal hands or something because I can "ride the safety" on my M&P9C and M&P45 full size no problem. I don't have large hands by any means.

My suggestion would be to try out both with and without the thumb safety and see which one you like better.

I can ride it too (and have normal hand size). It just is not comfortable.

Ken Hackathorn (who has VERY large hands) finds the TS on the M&P to be uncomfortable as well. So it really isn't have about hand size. Its just not placed well on the gun.

C4