Spotlight On …
Smith & Wesson M&P
The Smith & Wesson M&P
is a fairly recent attempt by S&W to re-enter the Law Enforcement and
consumer markets with a reasonably priced, polymer framed, semi-automatic, high
capacity pistol. A wide variety of models covers the size, caliber, and color
spectrum giving most shooters a chance to own one tailored to their personal preference.
The lineup also includes variations including sight options, controls, and
barrel refinements catering to the needs of competition shooters. Sights can
easily be changed to accommodate a shooter’s personal preference in this area
as well.
The M&P is a “striker
fired” semi-auto similar in internal design to many others but has a trigger
pull of less weight than most, and is reasonably smooth. After take-up the
trigger causes the sear to break cleanly, giving the trigger a much nicer feel
for target shooting than most others in this category. A relatively inexpensive
aftermarket trigger kit can be installed which eliminates most of the take-up
in the trigger and makes the pull weight much lighter – resulting in a pistol
more than competent for marksmanship and competition.
Our test of the M&P was
conducted on a “standard” model which was slightly used but in otherwise “pristine”
condition. We concluded that the pistol
gives the consumer plenty of value for the price and is an equal or higher
quality piece than most of its competition.
Polymer-framed “duty pistols” like the M&P are frequently chosen by
consumers as self-defense guns, and it provides more-than-adequate accuracy
while including ergonomic features and a customizable design which will allow
it to perform proficiently at tasks other than personal defense.
Ergonomics – which aids the
typical shooter in operating the gun proficiently – is excellent on the
M&P, and extra grip panels are included with the purchase to easily allow
the shooter with a “non-standard” hand shape/size to make it fit well. The
manual safety lever (on models which have it) is ambidextrous and the magazine
eject button is reversible to accommodate lefties. The M&P can be purchased with or without
a manual safety lever and with or without a magazine disconnect feature.
Our overall impression of
the M&P was very favorable. On the
crowded field of polymer-framed, striker-fired duty pistols, the M&P is a
stand-out in the area of ergonomics and build quality while giving up nothing
in the area of dependability and durability. You’d have to spend significantly
more money to get something a reasonable shooter would call “better.”
Respectfully Submitted,
The Bunker Bunch
August, 2014
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