Smith and Wesson has encountered a great deal of success with their M&P line of pistols. These polymer pistols have taken the shooting world by storm, and 2008 looks like another good year for M&P sales.
Polymer duty pistols were once the exclusive domain of Glock, but no more. “To date, 276 domestic law enforcement agencies have purchased, approved for purchase, or approved for on-duty carry” the Smith and Wesson M&P line of pistols said Leland Nichols, president of Smith and Wesson Corporation.
The latest agency to place an order for M&P40 pistols is the Colorado Springs Police Department. The CSPD order of 500 M&P40 pistols is separate from the order of 850 M&P pistols made by the Colorado State Police earlier in the week.
Other departments ordering the M&P are Atlanta PD (1900 M&P40 pistols), Charlotte PD (1650 M&P40 pistols), and Syracuse PD (500 M&P45). The Iowa State Patrol issue the M&P40, while the New Hampshire State Police issue the M&P45, and the New Mexico State Police issue the M&P357 pistols.
Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols Continue to Win Law Enforcement Agencies
Colorado Springs Newest to Equip Officers with M&P40 Polymer Pistols
Atlanta, Charlotte and Syracuse Police Departments Convert to M&P Pistols
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Jan. 31 — Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 156-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that it has recently received several orders for its Military & Police (M&P) polymer pistols. Most recently, Smith & Wesson received an order from the Colorado Springs Police Department to equip the city’s officers with 500 M&P40 polymer pistols. Other sizeable agencies that have recently converted to the M&P pistol series include the Atlanta Police Department, Charlotte Police Department, and Syracuse Police Department. A total of 1,900 M&P40 pistols have been shipped to the Atlanta Police Department; 1,650 M&P40 pistols have been shipped to the Charlotte Police Department; and 500 .45 ACP M&P pistols have been shipped to the Syracuse Police Department.
Officials at each of the four agencies indicated that the M&P pistol was selected after an extensive testing and evaluation process. During the testing, which in some cases exceeded eight months in duration, the M&P pistol was noted for its enhanced ergonomics, ambidextrous controls and proven safety features. Officials added that the polymer pistol’s interchangeable grip sizes, accuracy, and ability to be disassembled without pressing the trigger are features that were all highly valued by their officers. The M&P pistol will replace early model Smith & Wesson and non-Smith & Wesson firearms currently used by the four agencies.
On January 28, the Company announced that it had secured an order from the Colorado State Police, citing that orders from state agencies have the potential to help drive future orders from smaller, municipal agencies within the same state. Today’s announcement references the Colorado Springs Police Department, a municipal agency which is distinct from and in addition to the Colorado State Police order announced earlier.
Leland Nichols, President of Smith & Wesson Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, “The M&P line of polymer pistols has been widely accepted in numerous police agencies across the globe. To date, 276 domestic law enforcement agencies have purchased, approved for purchase, or approved for on-duty carry, our M&P polymer pistols. We are honored to continue delivering high quality products that support men and women in law enforcement throughout United States.”
The M&P pistol features a Zytel(R) polymer frame reinforced with a rigid stainless steel chassis and a through-hardened black melonite finished stainless steel barrel and slide for durability; a passive trigger safety to prevent the pistol from firing if dropped; and a sear release lever that eliminates the need to press the trigger in order to disassemble the firearm. A loaded chamber indicator is located on top of the slide. The firearm also features an ambidextrous slide stop and a reversible magazine release, as well as an enlarged trigger guard designed to accommodate gloves. The M&P40 has a 15 + 1 capacity while the M&P45 is standard with a 10+1 capacity. The Smith & Wesson lifetime service policy is standard with each pistol. The M&P pistol series is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP calibers. Compact versions of the M&P pistol are also available for concealed carry and back-up use.
13 responses so far ↓
1 Jeff West // Feb 22, 2008 at 8:53 pm
I’d like to see this gun make it’s way into the military, especially since it’s an American company.
2 D.J. Grantland // Apr 7, 2008 at 6:17 pm
I recentley purchaced the M&P 9mm full frame pistol. After taking it to the range I was routinley hitting or coming very close to the 1 1/2 ince bullseye on my targets at 15 yards. ON THE FIRST CLIP! This pistol in incredibley accurate and a much better pistol then the S&W Sigma Series.
I think it would be great if they finally replaced the Beretta M9 with this firearm like Jeff W. sez.
It’s lightweight, though, and accurate, and has a standard Utility Rail for laser sights/flashlights/ect.
Way to go Smith and Wesson!
3 TONY SINGH // Apr 10, 2008 at 6:00 pm
VERY NICE GUN APD
4 TONY SINGH // Apr 10, 2008 at 6:01 pm
LOVE THIS MP SERIES ALWAYS A S& W FAN APD
5 Jeff in Ohio // May 2, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Nothing but praise for my M & P 40! Feels better in the hand than many other auto pistols. Is it true that the M & P is being phased out next year? Please tell me it isn’t true! I hear from dealers that it’s in their product catalogs for next year. I love my Smith & Wesson and my country. God bless the USA!
6 admin // May 3, 2008 at 10:35 am
No, the M&P is not being phased out next year. The M&P line has really brought back a lot of interest in the Smith and Wesson line. More and more law enforcement agencies are swapping to the M&P 40. I suspect the M&P 40 will be around for a long time.
7 Scott Gaffin // May 22, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I purchased a M&P 40 last fall, what a great decision that was. I was debating the merrits of several similar pistols and I do believe I made the best choice. I have been a fan of S&W for quite some time now, I have 4 so far; 340pd, Sigma 40ve, Mod 29 6″, and origional Mod 10. The new M&P fits so nicely into my little collection. I couldn’t have asked for a better gun, every little thing has been considered when developing this weapon, it is truely mind blowing!
8 Justin Adams // Jun 4, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I bought a M&P 45 about 1 month ago. Since then I have put 2000 rounds through this firearm. It hasn’t jammed yet. Nice job S&W. I love how this pistol has a grip like a Colt .45. Very confortable, it fits almost every hand style.No one can do it like S&W. I would recommend this weapon to anyone seeking personal protection. It’s also easy to keep your sight radius as well.
9 Andrew Downunder // Jul 23, 2008 at 12:53 am
To Justin Adams, re ” It’s also easy to keep your sight radius as well.”.
What the …… ? What do you mean by that ?
Sight radius does not change, or go away anywhere. It’s the physical distance from the foresight to the rear sight (or vice versa, if you like).
For accuracy, the longer the sight radius the better, and you increase it by increasing barrel length.
So, did you mean ’sight alignment’, i.e. the sights are easy to reacquire after firing, due to the pistol having mild recoil ? If not, please explain.
10 Andrew Downunder // Jul 23, 2008 at 1:03 am
P.S : My department is extremely likely to adopt this pistol as our new standard sidearm, hence my interest in it.
As soon as the ‘longslide’ version is readily available here I will seriously consider adding one to my private collection, too.
Can anyone say what they think of the trigger pull? I am fussy when it comes to that.
I think the best trigger I’ve ever used is on my Browning Hi Power Mk III Practical.
It’s single action and slightly ‘worked’, and is the standard by which I judge all other pistols, for crispness, weight, overall trigger travel, trigger reset , and ‘feel’.
I’m especially interested in the S and W Performance Centre modified M and P 9mm Pro. It’s supposed to be 4.5 to 5 pound in pressure, which is pretty good, but is it crisp, or plasticky?
I hate spongey, plasticky triggers, so can anyone comment on whether the M and P has a good / bad / average trigger ?
Thanks,
See y’all Downunder one day, eh?!
11 admin // Jul 26, 2008 at 11:33 pm
The trigger on my M&P9 is very good compared to other striker fired pistols. Most people I have talked to say their M&P started out between average and good and improved to very good once they put a few hundred rounds through it.
Will it be as good as your Hi Power? Probably not. A single action, mildly worked Browning is pretty hard to beat, especially by a service grade polymer pistol.
However, as a Glock guy, I can say that the M&P has a much better trigger pull than any Glock I have ever shot. I prefer the M&P pull to my Sigs also.
If your department goes to one of the M&P’s, I think you will be happy.
Good luck and stay safe!
12 Thomas // Aug 16, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I’d been considering a glock but thought I should give the competition a try first. I borrowed my brother’s Glock 26 then rented both a subcompact springfield xd 9 and a 9 mm M&P subcompact from the range so I could try them all side by side. All I can say, regarding the M&P, is Wow! It was head and shoulders above the Glock and the Springfield as far as ergonomics, trigger pull and accuracy. I’ll be adding one to my collection soon.
13 Ironvic // Aug 22, 2008 at 7:55 pm
My compact 9mm M&P shoots very well and I’ve run about 300 rounds in one session down in eastern Oregon. Not a single misfire and it feels very good in the hand.
When I bought it, I tried Glocks and a whole stack of other 9mm compacts. As soon as the S&W compact came to hand, it was the only one that felt right, bringing a grin immediately.
There are flaws, though. The mag release sticks on mine and has to be forced back to lock the mag after releasing the spent one. The tool in the grip is next to worthless as it gets chewed up easily, being made of plastic. We need some metal here!
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