So among the other additions to my collection over the past few weeks this is the most exciting for me. In 2006 when Smith and Wesson introduced the M&P series of handgun the industry braced itself for the inevitable introduction of this awesome service pistol in the all-american caliber .45ACP. Well in 2007 at SHOT Show S&W did just that. It was at that moment I knew I wanted a piece of the big bore action.
I am a huge fan of the .45ACP especially in the legendary 1911 platform. Not only does the caliber offer the range of flexibility no other cartridge has at this point but it also comes with a time tested history of being a true man-stopper. I know many of you reading this are starting to tune out right now, so let me just say YES the 9mm and .40 S&W are excellent calibers as well. Those of you who have watched my videos know I love my 40S&W M&P immensely. But this is a proven tool on a excellent platform. So at the bottom is my hands on review of my new M&P but let me just point out some of my favorite features on this gun.
1) Size – This is the first polymer handgun I have ever handled in .45ACP that is not overly large in frame. Compared to the Glock 21, it’s closest rival, the slide is thinner. To be honest the measurements from S&W put at the same thickness as all the other M&Ps in the family. On top of a reasonable slide the frame is a familiar feel. More specifically it’s the same diameter as it’s smaller caliber brethren. With the large backstrap inserted it fills my hand better than any .45 I’ve ever picked up. When I pick this gun up after handling my H&K USP45 I can really feel how that smaller diameter frame comes into it’s own. My ability to reach the trigger and magazine release are very natural on the M&P unlike my hand on a Glock where it’s a task to operate the magazine release without changing my grip on the gun.
2)Compatibility – This category is actually a very short one. Every holster I keep for my M&Ps fit this gun. So no extra money needed to outfit this gun for daily carry.
3) Capacity – Out of the box the M&P fits 10 rounds of .45ACP in the 2 provided magazines. Compared to the Glock 21 (13 rounds) and the FNP45 (15 rounds) this may seem fairly low, and with that I would agree. This is the weakness in the package for me. However, 14 round factory magazines are available and I plan to acquire a few myself. This is kind of a give and take situation. You can have high capacity or slim frame and with the M&P Smith and Wesson seems to have gone with more of the frame than the capacity. So I won’t fault them on this too much. 10 rounds of a big caliber is still a pretty potent solution to a violent encounter. Not to mention the simple fact that carrying extra ammo in your EDC is probably important no matter what gun you carry or how many rounds it holds. So GLOCKERS here you go, you win this one.
4)Familiarity – Everything on this gun is in the same place across platform. From my full size 40 caliber M&P to my subcompact M&P9c now to my .45 all of the operations that I need to perform are the same on each gun. Making training even easier from one to the other.
So in short will you find me carrying this gun daily, probably not. But considering how light this gun feels even fully loaded I may be carrying it for the majority of the remaining cold months before switching back to the compact 9.
