M&P .45 Compact

[skipper49]

I've taken a sudden liking to the M&P,.45 compact, with manual safety. Really a good feel in my hands. I know that there are a lot of M&P fans among the Pros on this site. In fact that's what got me to look at them in the first place, respect for your opinion of them. Are there any issues with the COMPACT version in .45?
Also, I know many of you have started to use the Apex parts, and I understand that trigger pull and quality is improved. My question is, does the stock set up have any durability or reliability issues, or is just the improved quality of pull and reset the main advantages of the Apex system? In other words, is the pistol with stock trigger "GTG", out of the box?

Skip

[redfernsoljah]

No issues with the trigger as far as reliability aftermarket is an improvement in feel.

[GJM]

I find the .45 mid-size (four inch barrel with full size grip) much easier to shoot than the compact model with the same length barrel but shorter grip. A number of others have reported the same thing.

[Dienekes]

Why would you want the manual safety? I cut my teeth on a 1911, but that is a different breed of animal entirely.

For a while I lusted after a compact M&P .45 but minus that feature. Not questioning your right to "have it your way" but the logic evades me.

[DocGKR]

Because the M&P safety is unobtrusive, ergonomic, and can be of substantial benefit; a better question is why would you NOT want a safety?

I strongly prefer having a manual safety on a pistol that is used for uniformed LE use; I have twice seen officers' lives potentially saved when another person gained control of an officer's pistol, but the engaged manual safety prevented the weapon from firing--I don't like to think about the outcome if the pistols involved had been a Glock, Sig, XD, revolver, etc... Likewise, if you plan on carrying AIWB, a manual safety may prove to be a prudent item to use. If you are coming from a 1911 background, you may find the M&P safety to feel very familiar--in 25 years of 1911 use, I have NEVER had an issue with the thumb safety preventing me from firing when I wanted to. I firmly believe that the manual safety is one of the major advantages the M&P has over Glock. In general, when push comes to shove, given my experiences in the military and LE since 1985, I prefer a manual safety. Is it a deal breaker? No, as I am currently qual'd on and carry both 9 mm Glocks (obviously w/o a manual safety) and M&P45's w/ambi safety, but a manual safety is definitely my preference...

Imagine being mugged, hit over the head, and stunned; bad guy pulls out your pistol, but does not remove safety and so pistol fails to go off as he sits there squeezing the trigger...I personally saw this happen to someone.

You are at home and set your pistol down for a brief moment as you begin to change and your child who was hiding reaches up and grabs it....I personally have seen this occur once as well.

You are carrying IWB and your jacket zipper catches on the trigger as your attention wonders a brief second while re-holstering after a stressful encounter--boom...I have seen this happen to someone as well. This can be particularly tragic with AIWB...

[fixit69]

Because the M&P safety is unobtrusive, ergonomic, and can be of substantial benefit; a better question is why would you NOT want a safety?

I strongly prefer having a manual safety on a pistol that is used for uniformed LE use; I have twice seen officers' lives potentially saved when another person gained control of an officer's pistol, but the engaged manual safety prevented the weapon from firing--I don't like to think about the outcome if the pistols involved had been a Glock, Sig, XD, revolver, etc... Likewise, if you plan on carrying AIWB, a manual safety may prove to be a prudent item to use. If you are coming from a 1911 background, you may find the M&P safety to feel very familiar--in 25 years of 1911 use, I have NEVER had an issue with the thumb safety preventing me from firing when I wanted to. I firmly believe that the manual safety is one of the major advantages the M&P has over Glock. In general, when push comes to shove, given my experiences in the military and LE since 1985, I prefer a manual safety. Is it a deal breaker? No, as I am currently qual'd on and carry both 9 mm Glocks (obviously w/o a manual safety) and M&P45's w/ambi safety, but a manual safety is definitely my preference...

Imagine being mugged, hit over the head, and stunned; bad guy pulls out your pistol, but does not remove safety and so pistol fails to go off as he sits there squeezing the trigger...I personally saw this happen to someone.

You are at home and set your pistol down for a brief moment as you begin to change and your child who was hiding reaches up and grabs it....I personally have seen this occur once as well.

You are carrying IWB and your jacket zipper catches on the trigger as your attention wonders a brief second while re-holstering after a stressful encounter--boom...I have seen this happen to someone as well. This can be particularly tragic with AIWB...

I have to agree with doc here. Simply put the pluses outweigh the potential downside(and I see none) that are there. For carry., you can't be too safe, and clumsy as I can be, I'll end up needing all the help I can get.

[Bolt_Overide]

I have 3 M&P's a 45, a 45c, and a 9c. None of them have a manual safety, but as I understand it, you can add a manual safety if you want.

I too have shot 1911's for years, and am seriously considering adding a safety to all three of them.


With that said, I will also add that the M&P is a fine pistol, and in my opinion a great improvement over glocks. I was a glock whore for years and have owned well over a dozen of them, I now own none.

[Maverick9110e]

Exactly, its how you train. That being said you can buy one with it and remove it later if you change your mind but the reverse is a bit harder from what I understand.

[nobody knows]

I bought an m&p 45c used that originally had the safety, but was removed by the previous owner. I thought no big deal I'll just buy a replacement right? Wrong I have been looking and looking and can not find one anywhere. My point is if you want the safety, buy one that has it. Or it will be a pain to find one later.

Edit to add. I love the 45c its one of my favorite pistols. It's exactly the same size as my main carry gun a g19. I don't find it hard to control at all but I could see how someone with large hands might.

[Maverick9110e]

nobody knows, this may be a dumb question but have you tried calling S&W customer service and getting one?