[choochboost]

The fullsize is a nice pistol. I fell in love with it the very first mag I ran through a rental .40. I bought a fullsize 9mm for my wife and for my backup carry just in case I ever sent my primary for service or for custom work. But I didn't like the length of the fullsize grip. I normally only wear a T-shirt as a cover garment and carry in a CTAC. I can conceal the fullsize, but the grip length makes me have to be that much more careful.



The M&P compact on the other hand has a grip length that is just too short for me. I just can't get used to it. Even with the pinky extension, I don't like how short the backstrap is. I preferred the days when I carried my P2000 which had, what I considered to be, the perfect grip length for concealed carry.



I love the M&P as a carry gun so I set out to find a solution. I considered cutting down the grip of the fullsize but then I would have a pistol that I might have difficulty selling should I ever feel the need, so I focused on the compact and what I cold do to lengthen the grip.



My initial efforts involved taking the flat baseplate of the compact and gluing an extension to it made of liquid plastic that hardens to a solid. I made a mold and I came up with an end product that was pretty neat, but the process was a little cumbersome.



Then luvmy40 came out with his mag sleeves so I thought I could get him to make me some shorter versions of his sleeves while taking full advantage of California's neutered fullsize mags to come up with something that would work.



Here is what the 10-round fullsize baseplate looks like:

So I cut off the bottom lip of the baseplate and, using a belt sander, reduced the amount of plastic between the actual mag body and the bottom of the baseplate.

Then, I reattached the end to the bottom of the mag. I basically just shortened the fullsize mag. Here is a pic of the fullsize mag, my shortened mag, and the compact mag for comparison:

Here is the final result:

But I will probably carry it with the hogue grip, at least initially:

I now have the grip length that I want without altering the pistol's frame or giving up rounds. It took a couple tries to find the length I wanted but luvmy40 was great to work with and helped me out by sending me sleeves to try at no cost. Thanks luvmy40! I've only finished one mag for now, I'll see how I like it and may still make adjustments for future mags.

 

[Ruprex]

Very cool. Good job and well thought out. I may have to do something like that as I too have large hands, a compact M&P , full and compact mags and feel like you do about the size of both....one a little long, one a little short. I do use 15 round mags coupled with Luvmy40's extenders as well and they do work great. So your idea is pretty sweet and I thank you for being the guina pig ;-)



Job well done, I hope you like it.

 

[Srigs]

Interesting change and meets your needs so good job.

 

[G56]

That worked out nicely!

 

[choochboost]

I may have to do something like that as I too have large hands, a compact M&P , full and compact mags and feel like you do about the size of both....one a little long, one a little short.

Certainly this is a mod fit for a state with 10-round mags, but if you're already comfortable carrying 10+1 in your compact .40 you have nothing to lose. And since it is only a mag mod, and does not alter the pistol, you still have the option of using full capacity mags whenever you want.

That worked out nicely!

I think I'll actually shorten the mag a little more in version 2.0

 

[quercus]

It would be nice if S&W would take a cue from this thread, and design a higher capacity mag for the compacts, with a similar grip length to this. It might compete better with the Glock 19 and 23, and be a better fit for many of us.

 

[mike cyrwus]

I think that there's enough plastic left on the spacer you trimmed that you could either bond luvmy40's spacer to it and work on it to give it a more finished look,

or build it up with bedding compound and then finish it to blend more to the rest of the grip.



Regardless, good solution, and very well done.

 

[choochboost]

I haven't even considered permanently attaching the mag sleeve but I think that if I did, then I wouldn't be able to disassemble the mag any longer.



Speaking of having a more finished look, it's all covered with Agrip these days.

Version 2.0 is a little different than the original post in this thread. I now make the mag a little shorter and use standard capacity fullsize baseplates instead of re-attaching the "lip" end of the 10-rounder. It makes a lot more sense. Despite the fact that 2.0 is a better set-up, I have carried the original modified mag since August and use it exclusively when at the range. Its working out well.

 

[Walker]

I think you need to speak with Dan Burwell, he has been working on such a project but in a fullsize for carry. I have seen his carry gun which is his prototype and it is awesome, give a buzz...

 

[mike cyrwus]

Sorry chooch, didnt know this was a thread pulled up from the dead.

rev 2 looks very functional.

 

[choochboost]

I think you need to speak with Dan Burwell, he has been working on such a project but in a fullsize for carry.

Bowie is as well. I spoke with both Bowie and Burwell about it after handling a compact for the first time in an armorer's course last February and not liking the shortness of the grip. Neither were ready to customize the fullsize at that time as that was apparently before they started working on their designs.



Ultimately I'm glad I went this route as I don't have to permanently alter the pistol to get what I want which could make it impossible to sell, should I feel the need to.



With the compact I don't feel I'm giving anything up since I shoot the compact as well as my fullsize, the ballistics of a .40 round in a 3.5" barrel are still acceptable to me, and the shorter barrel makes it slightly more desirable for concealment.

Sorry chooch, didnt know this was a thread pulled up from the dead.

rev 2 looks very functional.

Oh hush...who are you apologizing to? :wink:

 

[Bowie Tactical]

I have built and carry a cut down full size which matches the Glock 19 size and capacity. I have talked to S&W about this and will be chatting more.

It is a great handling gun but it is a real pain to do. The entire bottom of the gun needs to redone including rebuilding the grip tool and, magazines. I carry mine with a CTC unit on it.



CHECK 360 David Bowie

 

[G56]

I have built and carry a cut down full size which matches the Glock 19 size and capacity. I have talked to S&W about this and will be chatting more.

It is a great handling gun but it is a real pain to do. The entire bottom of the gun needs to redone including rebuilding the grip tool and, magazines. I carry mine with a CTC unit on it.



CHECK 360 David Bowie

ANY PICTURES?

 

[Fallin]

This is a perfect solution to my problem. I also have hands that make the compact a little too small, and the full size a little too long.



So glad I found your thread. Thanks for posting the details! I'm from Massachusetts, so I wouldn't be giving up any capacity since we can't have anything over ten rounds. Anyone know if the S&W will provide full sized 10 round mags if I buy the compact during this rebate period?

 

[choochboost]

This is a perfect solution to my problem. I also have hands that make the compact a little too small, and the full size a little too long.



So glad I found your thread. Thanks for posting the details! I'm from Massachusetts, so I wouldn't be giving up any capacity since we can't have anything over ten rounds. Anyone know if the S&W will provide full sized 10 round mags if I buy the compact during this rebate period?

They'll send you what you asked for...eventually. For the same reason as you, I asked for fullsize mags but they sent me compact mags, I returned them stating that I had asked for fullsize mags. They once again sent me compact mags. I returned them again and did finally get my fullsize mags.



Feel free to pm me with questions or post in this thread.

 

[fireroad]

Has anyone tried this with non-Cali fullsize mags yet i.e cutting a metal mag?

 

[choochboost]

Burwell and Bowie have, and at least one other member who's screen name I cannot recall at the moment.

 

[Madfat]

Nice work, Chooch!



I haven't messed with any of them, but it seems like the Dillon magazine extensions would allow for the compact mags to be extended to full sized capacity, and then maybe have a sleeve modified to fit over them to finish fleshing out the grip? Has anyone toyed with this, or are there obvious reasons why it wouldn't work?

 

[ScorpioStunna713]

freaking awsome is i had know this kinda thing could be done i would have gotten a compact.