[Payne]

Just got this in this evening for a little test fire. Possibly looking at it for Department issue.



First notes: M&P 45acp., 10rd mag., Ambi. safeties, no stippling on the front strap, lanyard ring on butt. Felt very nice in the hand and pointed well. Safety worked great. I am a big fan of 1911's and this weapon felt great with the safety. You can use the weapon with the safety on or leave it off. I found it very comfortable to have my thumb on it at all times. It is truely the best of both worlds.



Took it shooting. It was dark, 11 degrees, and windy. Did not do a lot of target shooting, just some weapon handling drills. Worked great with gloves or without. Magazines loaded easily and the weapon functioned perfectly. I shot a five round group from 15yrds., two hands, unsupported. The gun shot much better than I did.



I will attempt to attach some photo's of the weapon and the group I shot. Overall I have no complaints. I think Smith & Wesson hit the nail on the head with this one. It may not be perfect, but I feel it is the closest to "perfection" that I have shot.

 

[nickdrak]

Payne,



Any chance that the M&P45 will fit in the same holsters as the M&P40/9???

 

[Payne]

The slide is about a 1/4" longer. Everything else seems the same. I "think" it will fit, but I don't have a holster on hand to check for sure. The grip even felt the same.



Some of the other testers have never shot a 1911 style weapon before. They all liked the safety on the frame. They liked where it was located and how the thumb just naturally rests there. Shot it against a Glock 45 gap, and XD Tactical 45acp. The best recoil control was with the M&P. Actually felt like it shot softer than the .40.

 

[MP4ME]

It looks sweet!

 

[matt7184]

Wow, that looks pretty damn close to a production version to me. Just needs front strap stippling and the M&P imprint on the grip pretty much.



How did the safety feel in comparison to a 1911 safety? It looks kinda small there.

 

[Bowie Tactical]

I NEEEEEEEED ONE.. SOON. I have gun cutting tools that need a .45 S&W to tweek. Plus I have two fresh cases of .45 that are buldging my ammo can.

CHECK 360 David Bowie

 

[Payne]

The safety on the weapon was great. The size is just right in my opinion. Any larger, and it would be in the way. It is about the same size as the one on my STI 2011.



I was told that this gun is a 95% complete prototype. There may be some minor changes. Front strap sitppling, this one did not have extra grip straps. I think the trigger may be a little lighter than the production ones coming in the future. I did not have a trigger pull guage. The trigger was REALLY nice. Still waiting for the final price estimate.



Nothing on the market to match this bad boy.

 

[LockNLoad]

SW is really making some strides with the M&P series! I think I need to get the full range of their M&P pistols.



For a person who has never shot a .45, can one graduate from a 9mm straight to M&P 45?

 

[vzontini]

So sweet. Can't wait to get my hands on one.

 

[ArnisAndyz]

For a person who has never shot a .45, can one graduate from a 9mm straight to M&P 45?

I would (I actually did 10 years ago go from a G17 to a 1911). I LOVE the feel of 45ACP...much lower pressure than the 40 which results in a smoother shooting gun with less "snap". The 45 M&P is on my must have wishlist.

 

[matt7184]

I need to buy some stock in S&W so at least some of the money is coming back to me

They keep putting things out there I want and I don't have the funds to support my wants

 

[snscott]

Nothing on the market to match this bad boy

But also keep in mind that several companies have been working on new models to compete for that same government .45 pistol contract, which means we should start seeing more .45's coming to market all meeting the same specs (thumb safety, etc). Over on the HKPRO forum the members are experiencing similar jubilation/speculation/anticipation over the leaked information and photos of the new (next generation USP), the HK45, for example.



Competition like this is good for all of us because it means more quality handguns coming to market soon. No, make that: More quality .45 handguns.

 

[matt7184]

The HK45 Full "Spiderman" and HK45C both retain the basic USP fire control components it seems. This limits the bore axis and it will probably shoot very very similar to a USP 45C with a longer barrel. I personally do not see much of a change between the HK45 and the current gen USPs/P2000s.



There will be many more options for .45s coming out though and competition is always good.



I wish I could find the quote from the 10-8 forums, but it went something along the lines of (when the .45 M&P was first used): The HK45 just lost the competition.



Edit: Here it is:

Folks,



I was told to expect either a production prototype or full out production model by the first part of the calendar year--Jan/Feb time frame...



I shot both SLA guns--as did some industry power houses. As for being strictly protoype guns, I can say that they are truly amazing. The guns feature an external ambidextrous striker safety--to meet the JCP requirement--that does not effect the trigger/sear. They were the softest shooting .45 ACP pistols I've ever fired...S&W assured us that the actual production models will shoot even softer...all I can do is repeat what one well known trainer/expert said...the .45 ACP M&P just derailed the H&K 45!!!!! Other than the above mentioned features, the guns will be dimensionally/asthetically similar to the present 40 M&P models--grip circumference/dimensions, barrel length, general appearence features. Further, I know that S&W will offer a compact version as well as one w/o the external safety's...



Additionally, we fired the production 9mm M&P--another home run.

http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showf...rt=all&vc=1

 

[Stupidman]

Man, it looks like the M&P .45 is going to beat the everlovingstuffing out of the HK45. This is almost really sad for me because I've always loved HK and I was looking forward to seeing the HK45 being released. Now I can't wait for the M&P45 to come out.

 

[Jhp147]

Payne, is the action essentially the same as the smaller version, fired with the same or similar distance and weight/type of pull? The idea of a trigger cocking striker fired gun with a safety is odd, like a revolver with a safety to me, though I understand the military requirement.

 

[Payne]

Just shot it again today. Seems pretty amazing. The trigger feels much the same as the M&P .40. The safety was a nice touch I thought, then I shot it and found the safety to really come in handy when gripping the weapon (I shoot with the high thumbs grip). It truely feels just like a 1911. The recoil of this gun feels less than the .40. I really do not know why. Could it be that the extra pressure pushing down from the thumb on the safety is helping with the recoil? I don't think I am putting any extra pressure on the safety, but who knows.



Six other officers shot it today also. None of them had ever shot a 1911. Each had already shot the .40 and the 9mm. All of them said the same thing. "I don't really know why, but I like the .45 the best of them all". They like the recoil, the accuracy, and all liked the safety even they saw no real need for it. It really seems to be a weapon that covers all the bases. Points and handles like the 1911, frame safey like the 1911, recoil absorbing qualities of the polymer frame, backed by one of the best companies in the business. I don't think there is a company that backs their line of weapons better than Smith & Wesson. The company also listens to its customers it seems.



Final note: I did speak with the Rep. today and commented on how a magazine capacity of at least 12 rounds would be nice, even if the magazine was a little longer than the grip. Rep. said he thought the 12 and possible 14 round magazines were in the works and able to be purchased later. Weapon comes with three 10 round magazines. This is strictly speculation at this time but it sure looked to me like the prototype magazine should be able to fit a couple extra rounds without having to add much length to it. Also, seems like Christmas is the hopeful start date for release of the .45. We will have to see I guess.



Payne

 

[snscott]

The recoil of this gun feels less than the .40. I really do not know why.

The .40 round is notorious for having more "snap" than the 9mm OR the .45. I shot my HK USP 45 today along with the MP40 and the MP muzzle was kicking up like a wild mule compared to the HK. I'm sure we'll experience the same difference between the MP40 and MP45.



Funny thing is, go read just about any review of a .40 pistol and they will almost all invariably comment on how the gun being reviewed is great at "taming the .40 snap". They can't ALL be the "softest recoiling .40 ever tested".

 

[Jhp147]

Could it be that the extra pressure pushing down from the thumb on the safety is helping with the recoil? I don't think I am putting any extra pressure on the safety, but who knows.

A friend of mine who is a dyed-in-the-wool 1911 guy started shooting an XD, and wound up putting some kind of plastic accessory on the back that wraps around the upper backstrap and mimics the shape/feel of the 1911 safety. He said it helps him hold the gun down. You are probably spot on with your theory. I know that when I shoot a gun that ISN'T a 1911 now, I find my thumb looking for more purchase, it is an important part of the grip for me. I have come to appreciate the thick shelf on the top of the Hogues on my 4566 for this reason.

 

[itr674]

anyone having trouble seeing the pics?? I'm on dialup and can't get the pics???

 

[coati858]

Final note: I did speak with the Rep. today and commented on how a magazine capacity of at least 12 rounds would be nice, even if the magazine was a little longer than the grip. Rep. said he thought the 12 and possible 14 round magazines were in the works and able to be purchased later. Weapon comes with three 10 round magazines. This is strictly speculation at this time but it sure looked to me like the prototype magazine should be able to fit a couple extra rounds without having to add much length to it. Also, seems like Christmas is the hopeful start date for release of the .45. We will have to see I guess.



Payne

On the plus side, the inital 10 rd mags mean that it's okay for CA, so they have one model that can pretty much ship anywhere right off the bat.