[snscott]

Well, I broke down and bought an MP40 tonight. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, though. I did not have, nor have I ever had, a .40 S&W pistol so I thought it was about time to finally get one. That leaves .357 sig as the remaining "mainstream" caliber I am missing.



First impressions: Trigger was VERY gritty straight out of the box and just generally all around crappy feeling until I stripped it down to clean and lube it. Now it is noticeably better but still a bit less than perfect. I hope it will smooth out even more with shooting.



I have very large hands but oddly enough, I find that the smallest grip insert "feels" the best right now (shooting may change my mind, of course). With the smallest palm grip, the MP closely approximates the slim, comfortable feel of my XD-9.



Another interesting tidbit: The MP40 fits the C-TAC holster for my HK USPf 45 snugly enough to be useable.



By the way, why is the trigger hinged? What purpose does that serve?

 

[Jester]

trigger is hinged in the same way your XD has the usa trigger.

 

[snscott]

Just got back from the first range trip with the new MP40 where we ran 100 rounds of WWB through it without a single mechanical problem. However, there was a different kind of problem. I've read on here that the MP is supposed to be THE "softest shooting .40 pistol on the market", and while my wife has shot several magazines through my HK 45 USPf and several through my XD-9 without any issues, she only managed to fire NINE ROUNDS out of the MP40 before she gave up and quit because it was "hurting her hand". She said it was hurting the area between her thumb and index finger on her trigger hand. We tried four rounds using the smallest palm insert and five more rounds with the medium insert and that was all she could stand. It was hurting her so much that she started wobbling badly in her stance as she anticipated the recoil and the pain.



I found the muzzle jump to be about the same as my HK 45, though, and could not really tell much difference between any of the grip inserts so I will stick with the smallest for CCW. The pistol did shoot consistently an inch or two low and to the left for me at 7 yards. Mostly nice tight groups, just all low and to the left of POA.

 

[Jester]

I actually have the same problem with my dads 990L. Its just the way our hands are built. My dad has a S&W K frame in 22 with target grips, and it cuts into my hand also.

 

[JohnN]

I think you will find the .40 has significantly snappier recoil than either the 9 or 45. I have never enjoyed shooting a .40 in any platform.



John

 

[Landric]

The M&P is light shooting for a .40, but I would not call any .40 light compared to a 9mm or a .45ACP. Of the three, the .40 is my least favorite to shoot, but it has its uses, and I like the M&P in .40 more than I have ever liked any other .40.