Jan
19
Smith and Wesson M&P Pistols with Thumb Safety
ByIn December, I first told you that all of the Smith and Wesson M&P pistols could now be had with 1911-style thumb safeties. S&W had every model of M&P pistol displayed with a thumb safety at the 2009 SHOT Show.
I worked with several different M&P pistols and found the safeties worked very well. I wasn’t sure I would like them, but they were easy to manipulate, clicked smartly into place, and did not interfere with my grip. I don’t know that I would order a M&P with a thumb safety, but I certainly would consider it.
20 Comments
January 19th, 2009 at 11:04 am
I compared the .45 ACP to the 9mm. I really liked the safety operation. With my chubby hands it was almost natural. I grabbed the pistol and as I took my grip I quickly flipped the safety up.
Then I realized I had just made the pistol “safe”. Argh…
So what I have is a superb comfortable accurate pistol with a safety that is smooth and easy for me to operate. It just works in the opposite direction I need it too.
In it’s current state, I’d be accidentally turning my gun on “safe” just gripping it. If they reversed this mechanism I would have bought a S&W M&P in 9mm.
I doubt they’ll do such for me…. *sigh*
January 21st, 2009 at 2:06 pm
BTW, I meant to thank you.
I just started reading your blog. However, I’ve been listening to your informative bits on Eric Shelton’s “The Handgun Podcast”. And just discovered you are one and the same.
Thank you for all your time and effort…
January 21st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Thanks for the thanks. I wind up doing a lot of different things, but I am really enjoying running this blog. Eric has been kind enough to let me participate at the Handgun Podcast, and I am hoping to do more in the future.
–Richard
January 26th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I have a M&P .40 compact,I don’t think that model series needs a safety mechanism. Maybe the sigma series does,but not the M&P.
February 22nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I bought the M&P 40 semi-auto when it first came out. The only thing I DON’T like is that mine won’t fire with the magazine out (magazine safety). I would much rather have a model (now available) that DOES fire with the magazine removed. Also, I would prever to have a thumb (1911 style) safety than a magazine safety. Putting the gun on save (flipping up a thumb safety) is easy. Also, when drawing the pistol to fire, it is a natural (for me and millions of others) to simply sweep the thumb down as I pull the trigger, one fluid motion (practiced and trained), so that it becomes automatic.
April 12th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Safeties are for sissies.
A well TRAINED shooter does not need safeties.
In a combat or tactical situation your fine motor skills
are very taxed. Keep it simple stupid. Did I mention good
training is paramount for ANYBODY who operates a weapon.
The magazine disconnect in a lawyer feature because untrained shooters forget the first rule of safe gun ownership. Never point a gun, loaded or unloaded at anything you do not intend to perforate!!! I train my officers to rack the slide FIVE times before pulling the trigger on an unloaded weapon, why, because I do not want them to rely or assume that there is a safety to protect them.
May 1st, 2009 at 5:44 pm
I have the S&W MP40 and prefer the gun without a safety. I treat every gun as if it is loaded and ready to fire. A safety is another step in a strenuous situation that I do not need. Nothing is worse than drawing down on a “Bad Guy” and pulling the trigger only to realize the safty is on. It could be the difference between your life or his. I agree with Nick in regards of training. Train, train, train and then train some more. Shoot your guns as much as possible and in as many positions as possible. I shoot from prone, standing, sitting, lying, supported and on my side. I also shoot with my left hand just in case my right hand is not usuable. You never know what kind of situation you are going to be in when you need your weapon so ere on the side of being prepared.
May 5th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I bought my M&P .40 as my first handgun. I thought that the thumb safety would be good for my first handgun. Now I wish I got the model without it. As far as safeties go its easy to use but during my conceal class I quickly found it to be a pain, it is to easy to flip on and not know it. Also I can’t get the crimson trace lasergrip for it because its amadextrious and the safety on the right sides is in the way. It’s a little to big for my conceal anyway, so I went and (FOUND!) and purchased a Kahr PM9 for my conceal, no safety. But the M&P is such a joy to shoot safety or no safety.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:21 pm
I purchased a M&P 40 cal, compact a year ago. Great gun, I’m glad to hear S&W has come out with the same model with thumb safety. I need to sell mine and purchase new model with safety. I do practice frequently and I’d be more confident with this model since it’s my carry gun. Let me know if someone is looking for one, less thumb safety.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I CCW a XD9 service and I love it. However I would like to get a M&P 40c. I keep debating on the thumb safety, I don’t want it but at the same time it would make holstering in a IWB holster safer I think. Holstering my XD is great I just keep off the grip safety so if something like a piece of clothing sangs the trigger it won’t go bang. So I was thinking of using the thumb safety to holster then flick it off. Like I said I rather not have it but I keep thinking what if something sangs the trigger when holstering?
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:23 pm
BTW I meant snags.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Will be taking first CCW class and am new to firearms. Have two questions: What constitutes good training and how frequently should one get retrained?
I have yet to shoot either M&P 40 or XD 40. How often is there an accidental discharge while holstering? I ask because I’m trying to decide whether a safety is needed.
These are my concerns as I take on the resposibility of protecting myself and my family. Thanks.
January 11th, 2010 at 2:32 am
I just bought a S&W MP 40 w/ the thumb safety.. 4″ I Love it! Since I’m a girl w/ small hands, a lot of ppl suggested a Glcok 23 40 cal. but the SW MP came with a choice of small, medium & large grips. I loved the way it felt in my hands. My question is this…Does anyone know of a good duty holster that will work for this gun. I recently graduated from the police academy- so I’m kinda new to this duty gear stuff. I heard it might be tricky to find a holster that will work for the sw mp… any suggestions?
January 11th, 2010 at 2:44 am
Brittany,
I’ve really come to like the M&P series of pistols. I’ve got a M&P 9 and my zone partner recently picked up a M&P 40. They are great guns.
As far as the duty holsters, check out Safariland’s stuff. I’ve carried all of my duty guns in the SSIII 070 holster, which they make for the M&P line of pistols. Many women like the low-ride version of the holster (the 0705), which is also made for the M&P: http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=0705
If you have a mounted light for the M&P, take a look at the Safariland ALS series of holsters: http://www.safariland.com/DutyGear/product.aspx?pid=6365
Good luck on the new career and stay safe!
–Richard
January 11th, 2010 at 3:02 am
Hi Mike,
I’m actually working on an article about finding a good trainer. I suggest taking at least two classes initially. First a CCW class and secondly a shooting class. The CCW class should give you the legal guidelines on use of force and your state’s laws on when deadly force is permissible. The second class should be on shooting in a defensive situation. Look for someone that has a good reputation in your area. Ask around at the local gun shops, gun clubs, etc. Google can also help out. A good instructor will have a wide base of knowledge and will be willing to work with you until you are comfortable with what you are learning. Someone who gets upset if you ask questions is probably not a good person to train under.
If you have the money and time, no one beats Massad Ayoob for learning what you need to know about when you can and can’t use force. Even if you can’t afford one of his classes, please read In the Gravest Extreme and watch the video Judicious Use of Deadly Force. They should open your eyes a little.
Again if you have the time and money, try to get to Gunsite, the Firearms Academy of Seattle, Rangemaster or a few of the other highly regarded schools. Folks like Dave Spaulding, Tom Givens, Clint Smith, and Rob Pincus are all excellent instructors who each bring something different to the table.
Good luck,
Richard
January 11th, 2010 at 3:06 am
Mike and Jon,
If you keep your finger outside the trigger guard when holstering, the gun should not discharge. I’ve carried all sorts of guns, including a great many Glocks, without any external safety. With literally thousands of draws and re-holsters, I’ve never had one go ‘bang’ without me putting my finger on the trigger and pressing rearward. External safeties have uses, but for the purposes of holstering the firearm, they are not needed if you follow the fundamental rules of gun safety. I hope this helps.
–Richard
January 16th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Richard,
Thanks for the tips & pointers. Your blog is great and I find it very helpful.
Mike
January 28th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
To those who don’t like manual safeties. I will say this I have been a law enforcement officer for over 25 years and when you carry a weapon everyday it is different than just going “shooten” the majority of accidental discharges occurs when you are reholstering your weapon (after your well practiced draw and fire drills) or when unloading it at home. Glock type safe triggers are not like carrying a double action revolver because of the light trigger pull. I don’t know of any law enforcement officer who carried his revolver with the hammer pulled back so it would fire singe action which is the more accurate comparison. Having the added security of a manual safety is a small price to pay because I have personally witnessed many career ending accidental discharges (the majority being Glocks) but never seen or even heard of an incident where a manual safety caused harm to an officer. Like people say if you practice, practice practice using a manual safety will become instinct and give that extra level of safety needed when you are dealing with human beings. As they say one ahh Crap wipes out a life time of at boys…
April 9th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Just purchased the M&P with magazine safety. Like it a lot. As for a holster, the Blackhawk convertible is really nice. Can be belt or pancake. Mine is 9mm and shoots excellent groups even with my limited practice schedule. Less money than a Glock and better performance and feel, IMHO. Like several have stated the interchangable backstraps closed the deal, I have small hands it made a larger gun feel much more comfortable and easier to handle. By the way it came with 2 magazines, the backstraps, lock and real nice plastic case.
PLH in VA
June 19th, 2010 at 10:02 am
Cary
Good advise—I have been debating which firearm to go with regarding having a thumb safety or not. A friend of mine with over 30+ years as an officer has basically told me how “accidents” can happen no matter how much experience one has….and unfortunately it only takes one accident to happen to ruin ones day.