[JohnMcD348]

I've gotten a few M&P pistols over the past couple of years, in my endeavor to learn about them and work with them. I'm wanting to buy a couple of the M&P .22LR versions for simple training use. The problem is, that all of the ones I see on the market, currently, all have the thumb safety on them and all of my full M&P's don't. For the sake of keeping everything functionally the same, I'd like to remove and plug the hole, where they thumb safety was.

Is that possible?

My wife just bought an M&P9 Compact and she's wanting a .22 for range play and training to help cut down the cost of training and help her with fundamentals training.

Thanks
John

 

[Smith Shooter]

I don't think you can remove it safely. The M&P22 is a single action hammer fired gun and removing the manual safety would be like removing the thumb safety from a 1911. Unless the chamber is empty you basically have it "cocked and locked". Unlike the center fire M&Ps, which are striker fired and have a striker block as an internal safety, the M&P22 does not.

 

[mp9werks]

The thumb safety could be removed and the firearm safely used (Rule #1: muzzle direction is the primary safety on ANY firearm!) IF its shaft was not also the axle for the sear!

There are two other safeties present: the magazine disconnect and the blocking plunger to the hammer that is activated by the trigger pull, which is like the M&P striker fired models in function, not form.

The original 1911's did not have a thumb safety. I911 's can be used with the thumb safety removed as its axle is not used for any other moving part.

 

[Dodge City]

If you do remove the safety, don't carry it for self defense. A prosecutor would have a field-day in that case.

 

[mp9werks]

^^^ You can't remove the safety and still have a functional firearm, as the sear would absent!
That might befuddle a zealous DA.

 

[ShooterGranny]

I simply keep the safety of my M&P .22 compacts (both of them) on the OFF position when on the range. Saves a lot of time and frustration and the possibility of messing up a very nice shooter!

 

[JohnMcD348]

If you do remove the safety, don't carry it for self defense. A prosecutor would have a field-day in that case.

Why on Earth would I ever want to carry a .22 for self defense when I have multiple 9mm, .45ACP, and .357/.38's to carry instead? The only reason I want to be able to remove the Thumb safety on the .22 is to make it functionally compatible with the same pistol in a lager caliber. The larger caliber pistols come from the factory without them, which would show that they are no less reliable, from a legal definition, than their counterparts.

But, no. I do not modify any of my firearms I ever consider carrying, except for possibilities of sights or other external improvements that help me to operate it better. Never anything internal that deals with the functionality and operation of the firearm. I don't want, or need a smooth, 1.5lb or 3lb trigger on a SD firearm. When firing under stress, you aren't going to tell the difference between them and a 7lb factory trigger.

 

[Rick M]

The thumb safety could be removed and the firearm safely used (Rule #1: muzzle direction is the primary safety on ANY firearm!) IF its shaft was not also the axle for the sear!

There are two other safeties present: the magazine disconnect and the blocking plunger to the hammer that is activated by the trigger pull, which is like the M&P striker fired models in function, not form.

The original 1911's did not have a thumb safety. I911 's can be used with the thumb safety removed as its axle is not used for any other moving part. View attachment 19024 View attachment 19025 View attachment 19026

The 1911‘s thumb safety pin is what holds the grip safety (GS) in place; and it also serves as the GS axis point.

 

[ShooterGranny]

The 1911‘s thumb safety pin is what holds the grip safety (GS) in place; and it also serves as the GS axis point.

What does a 1911 have to do with an M&P .22 compact? They aren't even closely related.

 

[Rick M]

What does a 1911 have to do with an M&P .22 compact? They aren't even closely related.

MP9’s post #3 in part stated “The original 1911's did not have a thumb safety. 1911s can be used with the thumb safety removed as its axle is not used for any other moving part.”

To which I replied “The 1911‘s thumb safety pin is what holds the grip safety (GS) in place; and it also serves as the GS axis point.”

Whether the information provided is about striker fired poly pistols, 1911s, or whatever; when incorrect information is presented to the internet “world;” it should be factually corrected.

 

[ShooterGranny]

Whether the information provided is about striker fired poly pistols, 1911s, or whatever; when incorrect information is presented to the internet “world;” it should be factually corrected.

You are correct and I didn't realize that you had replied to an earlier off topic post. Sorry.