[TxPhantom]

It always amazes me when I am browzing the other non-denominational forums, that I will see someone ask which would be the best auto pistol to buy. That's like waving a red flag in front of the Glock & XD (among a few others) fans. An onslaught of recomendations come flying in on those pistol types. I don't mind that so much because they have been good weapons and have earned their fan base.

What I don't see too much, is people weighing in on the M & P. Probably because it hasn't been out very long or is it because S & W is not doing a very good job of promoting?

I'm hoping to own the M & P 40 soon and the M & P compact when it comes out.

 

[Buckshot]

As time passes and the more M&P's that get out there and prove themselves you know the fan base will be there. Some bad experiences leave a bad taste in peoples mouths that it takes a company a lot to win the people over. I'm not an expert or anything but I believe that the M&P design is good enough to do that.

 

[TxPhantom]

Nice Guns.....

As time passes and the more M&P's that get out there and prove themselves you know the fan base will be there. Some bad experiences leave a bad taste in peoples mouths that it takes a company a lot to win the people over. I'm not an expert or anything but I believe that the M&P design is good enough to do that.

You may not be a expert but you've certainly got good taste in guns as the guns in your profile show. The P99 or the SW99OL would be my second choice. 8)

 

[FiringDragon]

Oh I agree 100% -- S&W is not doing enough to promote their image and the image of their customers.



Clearly, they have been around for a long time. It is also evident that their products are very good (see their press releases of deals closed...). And, their name is recognized world-wide.



As an owner of a S&W product, I also know they have done nothing to make me "feel good" about my purchase. Even though I registered my product and even though I "enrolled" in the 1852 Club (whatever that means), I received no aknowlegement or indication they received any of that...



Being the marketeer that I am, I called their marketing department and asked if my informaiton was received. They were very nice and polite, and they did receive my informaiton. But they also informed me that they have nothing planned for owners/members...



My point is, S&W should do more to promote their image and "stroke" their customers' egos just like other handgun manufacturers.



FD

 

[Jester]

well, the free range bag... and with the smith club, my dad is in it, and got a keyring, and keeps recieving news letters, I never sent anything in..





Springfield as spent ALOT on marketing, and even more on warrenty work, and secured their spot with money.



Gaston Glock got lucky, aka right time right place, and now when everyone sees an auto they think glock.



Smith owners are smith owners... The reputation is what will carry this pistol... Us peddling how well they work and accurate they are.



IDPA M&P users will get it attn, and hopefully it will come.



The HS2000 wasn't popular at all untill SA started importing it and promoting it. Prices went up, and people still bought it...

 

[murphdog]

Glock certainly was in the right place at the right time. They also became popular because the company literally gave them away to get them into the hands of law enforcement. Also, 3rd gen S&W's took more training time what with that complicated TDA system and the confusing de-cocker. Glocks take very little training time and for some of the simple folk, that's a good thing. I've carried S&W on duty for over 13 years and I will not switch unless ordered too. I currently carry a 4003TSW which is a great gun. I would like to carry my M&P40 just because it's a newer more improved design and I really like the way it shoots. I may catch some flack for my opinions on Glock but sometimes the truth hurts.

 

[Jester]

I respect where glock came from, but I just cant stand the pistol itself. Myself and others I know call it the "block".

 

[Buckshot]

I respect where glock came from, but I just cant stand the pistol itself. Myself and others I know call it the "block".

You said it right there "block," but you do have to give them credit for their awesome marketing dept.

 

[remat457]

I am a huge S&W revolver fan. Not so much a semi-auto fan of theirs. The Sigma series was very disappointing (especially the 380).



I am recently encouraged by their 1911's, TSW's, and now the M&P's.

I am very anxiously awaiting the arrival of the 45 M&P for a possible new ccw piece -- I hope they ship ontime!

regards

 

[TxPhantom]

1 vote for the M & P.....

Just went to www.thefiringline.com where someone was asking what was the best 40 cal? Out of 23 replys, mine was the only one for the M & P 40. I guess it's going to take some time to get the word out.

 

[Buckshot]

What were some of the other posts?

 

[The real M&P]

My sentiments are those of Remat 457.



I felt really burned by the S&W Sigma 40 VE and it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. S&W has had several owners in the past generation, and to me, has not had the shooters best interests in mind, and has been pretty flaky in how they have flip-flopped around in the production and marketing of semi-automatic pistols. Some really nice 3rd generation pistols were left to wither away, in particular the 3913. I have been a fan of the S&W revolvers for most of my 54 years and even there, they've made some marketing slips which they are getting around to rectifying with the new models 21 and 22. Discontinuing the K frame is foolish.



The "new M&P" is interesting as S&W has drawn on its heritage of the model 10 and earlier military and police wheelguns in an attempt to jumpstart sales of this new polymer pistol. I'm awaiting a 45 ACP version and think it's indicative of the company and its schizophrenic policies that it didn't have a 45ACP ready to market and came out with a 9mm and .40 to sell.

 

[raz-0]

The "new M&P" is interesting as S&W has drawn on its heritage of the model 10 and earlier military and police wheelguns in an attempt to jumpstart sales of this new polymer pistol. I'm awaiting a 45 ACP version and think it's indicative of the company and its schizophrenic policies that it didn't have a 45ACP ready to market and came out with a 9mm and .40 to sell.

It's no schizophrenic, it's good business. While the average shooter might buy some .45s, there's no magical reason why they'd buy .45 more than 9mm or .40.



Police departments however, are much more likely to buy 9mm and .40 pistols in large quantities.



On top of that, by delaying the .45 version they got a chance to see what most of the other companies are thinking with regards to their submissions US military pistol contract test process.



I like .45acp as a cartridge, but I doubt I'll ever buy another .45 pistol due to the price of shooting .45. It's just too expensive. I'm not the only one who feels that way on .45 price.

 

[Mortech]

Sorry TxPhantom , I don't know how I missed that thread on TFL , but I fell that instead of getting upset over the 'What is best question ' wouldn't it be better just to own them all ????

 

[Rose's Boy]

carry an M&P .40 and like it alot, but we're an authorized Smith dealer and we haven't seen a M&P 9MM and haven't heard the slightest rumbling about the .357 SIG. same with AR rifles.



I've got Rock River Ar's and they sell well-would love to have some Smith's too.

 

[remat457]

carry an M&P .40 and like it alot, but we're an authorized Smith dealer and we haven't seen a M&P 9MM and haven't heard the slightest rumbling about the .357 SIG. same with AR rifles.



I've got Rock River Ar's and they sell well-would love to have some Smith's too.

???? My local dealer has had quiter a few of the S&W AR's in various configs ranging from about a $1000 - $1300

 

[akr]

PEOPLE TEND TO GO THE WAY THE WIND BLOWS OR THE WAY THE CURRENT FLOWS. It's really a promotional thing.

 

[ledge]

I'd like to have a M&P AR, but I'm totally unwilling to pay a premium for having M&P engraved on the side of my magwell.

 

[Jester]

I'd like to have a M&P AR, but I'm totally unwilling to pay a premium for having M&P engraved on the side of my magwell.

I agree

 

[Buckshot]

[quote name='ledge']I'd like to have a M&P AR, but I'm totally unwilling to pay a premium for having M&P engraved on the side of my magwell.

I agree[/quote]

I would agree also, but I would kinda like that lifetime warranty that comes with it. That in itself is worth the extra $$$.