[toocool]

Has anyone looked into removing the beavertail on the grip of the M&P? I'd like to get my M&P40 to have more a profile like the pictures of the compact I've seen here. I don't see any advantage to the extension...especially if it's not going to be on the compact version anyway. Is the frame solid in that area, where it can be ground off with a dremel? Or would there be more involved in shortening it?



Thanks for any responses.

 

[Jester]

Thats a good question, I'd like to hear an answer to that also. I'd be worried that there would be some sort of support there(metal).

 

[Dan Burwell]

Looks to be solid plastic back there, You should be good to go. Would opt for a belt or disc sander over the dremel but I see no reasont to fear cutting it off. The "sub-chassis" runs between the frame inserts.

 

[Jester]

I'm pretty sure canyon creek does this mod to the XD, or maybe its the springfield custom shop.

 

[Dan Burwell]

I'd certainly be willing to hack the back off someone's pistol :twisted:

Usually My personal gun gets the first treatment, but I like mine the way it is with the beavertail.

So who's first??? I'll do the first one for free, customer pays the shipping!!! 8)

 

[Buckshot]

No hacking on mine please!!

 

[DANO]

Take a look at this site:

http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/

Bowie Tactical Concepts specializes in polymer pistols and just added a new section for the M&P. A beavertail reduction is one of his services.

 

[toocool]

Thanks for the responses...I'm tempted to try it, but I don't know if I'd be able to match the texture of the rest of the gun if I ground it...that's why I was looking for someone who might do this...

If shipping wasn't so expensive, I'd take you up on it, Dan...



Well, more thinking before I decide...Thanks again everyone.

 

[raz-0]

Take a look at this site:

http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/

Bowie Tactical Concepts specializes in polymer pistols and just added a new section for the M&P. A beavertail reduction is one of his services.

The oxide blasted slide is pretty spiff looking.

 

[mcone]

This is the M&P specific page:



http://www.bowietacticalconcepts.com/mandpprices.html



The trimmed beaver tail looks very nice. Hmm- Wonder if it can be removed without any drawbacks in performance? S&W took the time to put it there, and probably more than just for looks. For reduction in recoil? Still, I like the looks of that trimmed beaver tail.



-Mike

 

[chadc]

Damn that does look good.

 

[Ricky T]

Forget beavertail reduction or grip texturing, Bowie's rear sight modification looked really nice.

 

[targetsup]

That oxide blast on the slide looks really cool. If I can find a M&P40 for around $400, I will send it in for the oxide blasting. Dont know about the beavertail reduction though, but it looks cool. By the way got my current M&P40 for $500.

 

[Bowie Tactical]

Beaver tail and recoil reduction.

I read the posting on the recoil reduction possibility of the beavertail on the M&P. This is highly over rated. The main purpose for a tail on guns like this or the glock is to keep the hand from being slide cut. If you look at the beavertail in most peoples hands you will find that the back third is just hanging in the air and not touching anything. I cut the one off on my website for a feature article being done on it and another one that will be out in Handguns magazine in a couple months. The writer has average size hands and the tail did him no good. David Bowie



www.bowietacticalconcepts.com

 

[mike benedict]

your grip texturing is the best I have ever seen.

Hackathorn was right you do have a lot of talent.



Mike

 

[mcone]

Re: Beaver tail and recoil reduction.

I read the posting on the recoil reduction possibility of the beavertail on the M&P. This is highly over rated.

I asked the question about the reason for the extra beavertail on the M&P because I couldn't figure its function.



My guesses were:

• - for recoil? (unlikely as it never touches my hand)
  
• - prevent slide cut? (how could I cut my hand even with a reduced beavertail?)
  
• - esthetics? (I have to figure that they do consider appearance in design.)
  
  • 
    
    
    
    Before reducing my M&P beavertail, I wanted to understand the engineering intent of this feature - thus the question. If it is intended for shooters with super large hands that may get cut - then it is safe to reduce mine.
    
    
    
    -Mike

 

[Jimbo]

I have big hands with a high grip. I like the beavertail.

The sight job does look nice.

 

[Dan Burwell]

Re: Beaver tail and recoil reduction.

I completely agree with Mr. Bowie. The beavertail is not for recoil reduction.



I believe the beavertail is a result of S&W looking at what people were modifying on glocks. The first modifications people were commonly doing on Glocks, after sight installs, were grip reduction and putting on a beavertail.



So I see the beavertail as S&W trying to give the people what they want from the start. Does it serve a purpose: I guess that depends on how big your hands are. If you have big meaty hands and use a high grip the beavertail probably serves you well. If your hands are a more average meatyness (new word?) I would say the beavertail does nothing for you. It certainly seems to do nothing to control recoil.



I think the recoil reduction on the M&P comes from the very stiff frame with a softer back strap, not the beavertail. The backstrap is soft enough and hollowed out just enough in the back to allow it to flex under recoil. Kind of like a built in decelerator pad.



I personally Like the way S&W is doing this the beavertail on the full size and none on the compact. Makes sense to me to remove it on a gun meant to be highly concealed.



I am still excited that S&W seems to be listening to people that know guns and how to use them for their design features.



Dan

 

[Jester]

Re: Beaver tail and recoil reduction.

I am still excited that S&W seems to be listening to people that know guns and how to use them for their design features.



Dan

As am I, and I'm really excited the way the aftermarket/gunsmiths are taking the next step.

 

[dragoon]

The beavertails contribute to the vague 1911 look of M&Ps.

I will be sending mine to Burwell Gunsmithing to have it bobtailed and trigger jobbed.