First, I have to stress that I have been desperately trying very very hard to like the MP40. I really, honestly have been trying.
My dad came in to town this week for Thanksgiving and since he had not been out shooting in more than a decade I offered to take him with me to continue my reliability testing. Before I report on that though, I will mention that his first comment about the MP40 was: "I don't like this trigger". (And that was the slicked up with Slide Glide version that isn't even gritty). His second comment was: "Feels like it is trying to twist or rotate in my hand when it recoils".
So, for MY MP's reliability record:
:arrow: MY MP40 began to self-eject magazines after a little more than 200 rounds. This required a trip back to S&W for a completely new frame.
:arrow: A trigger that no one who has fired it likes at all.
:arrow: Both mags have a really obnoxious rattle.
:arrow: Today I started testing it's reliability with Winchester Ranger ammo for SD use. From a thoroughly cleaned and lubed start, it did not make it through one magazine before I had a failure to feed. Round's bullet made it fully into the chamber, but the case stopped short. Like it hung up on the rim of the case. I cleared the jam, placed the same round back in the mag and it worked correctly on the second try. No more issues for the rest of the afternoon.
At this point, I have to say I do not get a "warm fuzzy" about the MP for self-defense. It has just fallen short on the "reliability scale" compared to my HK USP .45 that has not had a single hiccup after hundreds of rounds of several flavors of ammo. (My dad does not particularly like the HK trigger either, if that is any consolation). My only problem with the HK is that it is just a little too big for really comfortable concealed carry.
I love the FEEL of the MP in my hand and I love it way it LOOKS, and I know people on this forum will tell me how they have not had any problems, but if you had experienced the above, would you trust your life to THIS MP?
Based on MY personal experiences with the weapon, if someone asked me for advise on a self-defense pistol in this price range, in good conscience I would have to tell them to go with the Springfield XD and to pass on the MP. This honestly, truly saddens me.

My dad came in to town this week for Thanksgiving and since he had not been out shooting in more than a decade I offered to take him with me to continue my reliability testing. Before I report on that though, I will mention that his first comment about the MP40 was: "I don't like this trigger". (And that was the slicked up with Slide Glide version that isn't even gritty). His second comment was: "Feels like it is trying to twist or rotate in my hand when it recoils".
So, for MY MP's reliability record:
:arrow: MY MP40 began to self-eject magazines after a little more than 200 rounds. This required a trip back to S&W for a completely new frame.
:arrow: A trigger that no one who has fired it likes at all.
:arrow: Both mags have a really obnoxious rattle.
:arrow: Today I started testing it's reliability with Winchester Ranger ammo for SD use. From a thoroughly cleaned and lubed start, it did not make it through one magazine before I had a failure to feed. Round's bullet made it fully into the chamber, but the case stopped short. Like it hung up on the rim of the case. I cleared the jam, placed the same round back in the mag and it worked correctly on the second try. No more issues for the rest of the afternoon.
At this point, I have to say I do not get a "warm fuzzy" about the MP for self-defense. It has just fallen short on the "reliability scale" compared to my HK USP .45 that has not had a single hiccup after hundreds of rounds of several flavors of ammo. (My dad does not particularly like the HK trigger either, if that is any consolation). My only problem with the HK is that it is just a little too big for really comfortable concealed carry.
I love the FEEL of the MP in my hand and I love it way it LOOKS, and I know people on this forum will tell me how they have not had any problems, but if you had experienced the above, would you trust your life to THIS MP?
Based on MY personal experiences with the weapon, if someone asked me for advise on a self-defense pistol in this price range, in good conscience I would have to tell them to go with the Springfield XD and to pass on the MP. This honestly, truly saddens me.
