[Spartan117]

UPDATE 9/30/2006: Ok I got it!



Smith & Wesson M&P .40

Serial # MPE18xx



Ok I picked up my M&P .40 today. It got it used from a LEO who bought it, fired 82 rounds of WWB thru it, then decided to go back to his 1911. He said He cant get use to Glock, XD, the M&P, etc. So he put it up for sale for $400. He also had a M&P 9mm but sold it. So I took the .40. I don’t hate .40 cal by any means but prefer 9mm but for the price I can live with it. No lock but has the mag disconnect. Came in the box with everything.



My initial impression are overall very positive. The gun balances well loaded & unloaded in my hand. I like the feel of the trigger but the 2 piece design will take some getting used to. Oh it is very comfortable and forms to my finger….I just hope it is durable being hinged the way it is. I would also like the mag release to be more stiff. Seems very easy to release and I don’t know if that is by design. I thought about removing the mag catch and bending the spring a bit to see if that helps but didn’t know if I should attempt that or not. I have a phobia of accidentally hitting a mag catch and dropping a full mag on the ground while shopping at the mall, etc. I think I am just worrying about nothing,



Not sure if I want to leave the magazine disconnect or not. For now it is staying in until I feel like trying to remove it myself. The instruction on Burwells Gunsmithing page seem simple enough, and I have several 1911 Wolff mag catch springs I could play with but will hold of just for now.



The trigger for the most part is impressive. It feels a little gritty but is smoother than my Glock and doesn’t have that ‘spongey’ feel like my Glock trigger. I own two XD’s and the trigger on those is pretty good. I’d have to put the M&P right up there if not a bit above the XD trigger. Maybe I will send it off and have some trigger work done. I don’t know yet.



I guess I have the extended slide stop as you can see from the pictures below. I think it is really great to have the ambi-slide stop. My buddy was with me when I got it and he is a lefty and fell in love with gun on the spot.



I really like the the fact the slide is stainless under the melonite. That’s pretty sweet. Slide seem well machined. I notice some people have a slight discoloration (finish marks) in the melonite finish around the extractor or top of the slide, etc. and other don’t. Mine does have a little discoloration or marks (whatever) but it is really hard to see and it doesn’t concern me at all.



The grip is just fantastic. Having the extra backstraps is a very nice touch. The medium suits me well. The large is just a tiny bit too……well large. For now medium is the way for me. I wonder if over time the grip tool will become loose after removing it often. When I strip the gun I have a tool in my cleaning supplies I use…or my finger works too. The M&P grip blows Glock away (IMHO) and feels a bit better than my XDs. Just melds to my hand.



I was never a fan of S&W autos. The Sigma did not impress me at all. I swore I would never own a S&W automatic pistol ever. I know they make great guns but somehow I just couldn’t get into there autos. Love the revolvers. The M&P impressed me enough to give it try and even at full retail I think the M&P’s are very well worth it.



I also bought a new Comp-Tac holster for it off the seller. Never a big fan of Kydex (I am big fat guy) because no holster ever hung on my belt right. Tried the CT with my old G17 IWB but hated it. Tried a Blackhawk Serpa OWB…nope. However this holster fits great! I am amazed how well I can draw from it. Plan to get a leather holster in the very near future too.



The true test will be when I can get to the range and see how it works and functions. But so far I am really REALLY like the M&P. Besides 15+1 rounds of .40 is nothing to scoff at. If all goes well at the range I see an M&P9 in my future. Also have my eyes on the .45 possibley and curious to see the compacts.



Thanks for reading!

Spartan 117





here are some pics. Still fresh with some oil from wiping down so please excuse:

 

[targetsup]

I know you will enjoy your new M&P. Good luck and may you have plenty of range time!

 

[Ricky T]

Welcom Spartan. You'll like the M&P and will love the 9mm even more

I love mine.



Did you get my PM reply?

 

[Spartan117]

Ricky T send you a reply.



I just picked it up. Will be posting pics and impressions later tonight!

 

[Sigkim]

You can get NEW for $369 so $400 for used is not that great of a deal in my book.



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

 

[Ricky T]

How do you like the M&P? Get someone to remove the magazine safety and do a level 1 trigger job on that gun, you'll be amazed.

 

[Buckshot]

Cool, I know you're gonna love it! Don't forget the full range report.

 

[Spartan117]

I thought about about trying to remove the mag disconnect my self following the intructions on here. I hapen to have several 1911 mag springs. But think I will wait for a bit and shoot it. I will make a new post shortly with pics and initial impressions of it.

 

[Spartan117]

ok I updated my original post at the top!

 

[Jester]

Glad you happy with it so far, every time I shoot my M&P I gain more respect for it.



Converting over from my XD, I realize that I couldn't get a nice high grip on it, and shooting the steel in my parents back yard I could only get a 5 second run as my lowest.



I finally got enough practice with the high grip that I have gotten my speed down to 3.67, with full power 40 loads. I'm very happy with the M&P's performance, and every time I shoot we(the pistol and I) seem to get better as a team.

 

[Ricky T]

Nice Comp-Tac holster.

 

[Spartan117]

You can get NEW for $369 so $400 for used is not that great of a deal in my book.



http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php

Yea I know they can be had lower but not locally around here that I am lucky enough to find. There were some good deals a few gun shows so I missed that. And frankly I dont want to have to ship a gun unless I have to. So I am ok with what I paid.

 

[akr]

Spartan, you got a good deal. That $369 gun probably doesn't have any extras.I paid more, too, but we both got good buys. Bud's will run them like that for a very short while, and before you know it, they'll be up to $450. Besides, 82 rounds doesn't even break it in. 8)

 

[BSTOCK]

What extras??????? It's not a bad deal but lets be honest, it's the same gun as Bud's is selling for $369 + shipping. No lock with mag disconnect. It cost me $410 in my hand. Are there extras I don't know about besides night sights? S&W warrantees these pistols for life but only if you are the original purchaser. That's big to me. The original purchaser also gets a free range bag. I would send the form in Spartan117 and you might get the range bag if the person you bought it from hasn't registered for it and if S&W honors the bill of sale. The form says one per SN. Give it a try.



I am not trying to rain on your parade Spartan117 just stating the facts. I am quite sure you will get many years of good use out of the pistol + you didn't have to wait for it.



Michael

 

[akr]

:roll:

 

[ToolMaker]

Congrats on you new gun. I wouldn’t be concerned about what you paid; some of us that bought the first guns out paid over $600.

Are you wanting to remove the magazine disconnect because you are going to shoot it in competition?

 

[Spartan117]

What extras??????? It's not a bad deal but lets be honest, it's the same gun as Bud's is selling for $369 + shipping. No lock with mag disconnect. It cost me $410 in my hand. Are there extras I don't know about besides night sights? S&W warrantees these pistols for life but only if you are the original purchaser. That's big to me. The original purchaser also gets a free range bag. I would send the form in Spartan117 and you might get the range bag if the person you bought it from hasn't registered for it and if S&W honors the bill of sale. The form says one per SN. Give it a try.



I am not trying to rain on your parade Spartan117 just stating the facts. I am quite sure you will get many years of good use out of the pistol + you didn't have to wait for it.



Michael

Dang man you are making feel bad for buying mine used. Well I have my warranty card and S&W said all I gotta do is send it in and I am ok. The free bag is neat but I have several high quality range bags so I can live without the free one.



I understand your point about about ordering new from Bud's but after messing with shipping, getting from my FFL who will charge for the transfer fee as well....I am ok with paying $400 and getting my 'used' M&P the same day. I like instant gratification! Heehee! If I like the M&P enough to get a M&P9 then I might consider buying a new one. But I have so many guns (mostly all bought new) I can live with my decision on getting this one used. I do appreciate the advice but I dont feel bad for the deal that I got.

 

[Ricky T]

Hey bro, don't worry about it, you got an ok deal, you didn't get ripped off. Shoot the gun and enjoy it.

 

[BSTOCK]

[quote name='BSTOCK']What extras??????? It's not a bad deal but lets be honest, it's the same gun as Bud's is selling for $369 + shipping. No lock with mag disconnect. It cost me $410 in my hand. Are there extras I don't know about besides night sights? S&W warrantees these pistols for life but only if you are the original purchaser. That's big to me. The original purchaser also gets a free range bag. I would send the form in Spartan117 and you might get the range bag if the person you bought it from hasn't registered for it and if S&W honors the bill of sale. The form says one per SN. Give it a try.



I am not trying to rain on your parade Spartan117 just stating the facts. I am quite sure you will get many years of good use out of the pistol + you didn't have to wait for it.



Michael

Dang man you are making feel bad for buying mine used. Well I have my warranty card and S&W said all I gotta do is send it in and I am ok. The free bag is neat but I have several high quality range bags so I can live without the free one.



I understand your point about about ordering new from Bud's but after messing with shipping, getting from my FFL who will charge for the transfer fee as well....I am ok with paying $400 and getting my 'used' M&P the same day. I like instant gratification! Heehee! If I like the M&P enough to get a M&P9 then I might consider buying a new one. But I have so many guns (mostly all bought new) I can live with my decision on getting this one used. I do appreciate the advice but I dont feel bad for the deal that I got.[/quote]



I stopped looking back years ago. It will drive you crazy. Nothing wrong with the price you paid. The post about not getting extras from Bud's got under my skin a little. Like I bought stripped down weapons.

If you check the past threads I paid $499.99 + 7% tax for my first M&P. I don't regret it because I wanted it NOW. The now factor cost me $535. You beat me by $135 on that deal. That the way it goes. I am not going to lose any sleep over it. Enjoy your pistol. You did fine.

Michael

 

[akr]

I didn't even know you bought the gun at $369 when I made my post. I was just commenting on the differences in prices on the guns and why. The gun I bought is just like yours, but I paid more. No offense intended at all, Mike. I was just trying to be nice to Spartan, so I hope you won't dislike me from now on.