Range Report M&P40 Fullsize.

[S&WM&P40]

I got time to go to the range today and they had a lane open that I could use for the first time in months so I got to shoot my M&P40 for the first time. I put a hundred rounds of my carry ammo ( Winchester Ranger SXT ) and had no failure's to feed with the carry ammo. I then put five hundred rounds of Remington UMC 180 grain 40 cal down range and the gun worked great I had only one failure to feed at about four hundred and fifty rounds the slide locked back with ammo still in the clip I just racked the slide and it was good to go. I did ok for my first time at any range in years and the first time shooting a 40 cal ever as well as first time shooting a hand gun since 2004. Grouping can be better but hey only the first trip of many and I can only get better from here. I will post a photo or two of a few targets.

 

[S&WM&P40]

FIVE YARDS.

TEN YARDS.

All and all not bad for the first time back now i just need to work on pulling the grouping closer together. But the most important thing is I had fun. This is just two of my targets I shot more but the rest focused on drawing from the holster and working on reloading times.I should say this now before I get comments on it the ten yard target with shots in and around the head I meant to do it was not missed shots. I was trying to see how good of a group i could get lol and I sucked bad.

 

[micpl]

Hey M&P 40, I will take a shot" here and say that I came very close to buying your gun. BuT after two range sessions I declined. Why? I couldnt pull groups tighter naturally or deliberately and had to succumb to the fact that I couldnt be reliable to defend myself with it. It is still a mystery to me but I think it may have to do with the striker trigger itself. Maybe ergonomics, wrong back strap, I dont know. But my groups looked as bad or worse than yours. So I moved on to a Sig and found what I needed. I have never shot so bad in my life as with a SW M&P 40. 7 yards. Hope you can do better.

 

[S&WM&P40]

Hey M&P 40, I will take a shot" here and say that I came very close to buying your gun. BuT after two range sessions I declined. Why? I couldnt pull groups tighter naturally or deliberately and had to succumb to the fact that I couldnt be reliable to defend myself it. It is still a mystery to me but I think it may have to do with the striker trigger itself. Maybe ergonomics, wrong back strap, I dont know. But my groups looked as bad or worse than yours. So I moved on to a Sig and found what I needed. I have never shot so bad in my life as with a SW M&P 40. 7 yards. Hope you can do better.

Has something to do with the stock trigger or so i have read and been told. My shooting was just that I have not shot in years and I need more range time. But with all things you only get better the more times you do it. The pistol it's self is fine other forum members who have been shooting longer then I with handguns do just fine. Our state police carry the M&P 45 and they love it. I have been told that the stock trigger pull of a M&P( 5 pounds) is more then the loaded weight of the gun ( 2 pounds) and that has something to do with it not really sure. As I have said many times before I'm a long gun man my self and handguns are new to me you don't just jump on a bike and know how to ride it takes time. As for sigs they are great guns (over priced but great guns) they are made in our state and i could pick one up at a discounted price but don't want one. I could also drive down to the sigarms academy (also in our state) but don't feel like it. I feel more then ok about defending my self with it at 5 to 10 yards most of the shots are inside the nine ring. If you feel the need to bash me because my grouping is not as good as yours go for it what ever helps you sleep at night.

 

[micpl]

M&P, slow down, Im not "bashing" you at all. But I will be honest and tell you that the groups you displayed are not to be praised for self defense shooting especially at 10 yards. I said I did worse grouping than yours with the same gun. I know the Smith is a fine weapon. But it has some quirks as to accuracy IMO. In no way did I mean to imply my gun or groups were better than yours. Seeing that no one else is replying to your thread, I thought that maybe a bump might get some M&P shooters in here to enlighten us all on this SW platform M&P. Now I would apoligize if I had done as you intended I have, but really!? All I said was that I and you for the moment cant group well enough for safe and reliable self defense. It was a teachable moment, an observation. If you miss your target bad things can happen. BG may not miss while you are and freindlies down range may get direct or ricochet bullet holes in them. Self defense with a hangun is not an easy business. Shot placement is everything. Only hits count. I was disapointed in myself for not being able to group better with the M&P but as I said the first time. I accepted it and moved to another platform. Not all guns are the same for all people. Again I wish you luck with your gun.

 

[S&WM&P40]

M&P, slow down, Im not "bashing" you at all. But I will be honest and tell you that the groups you displayed are not to be praised for self defense shooting especially at 10 yards. I said I did worse grouping than yours with the same gun. I know the Smith is a fine weapon. But it has some quirks as to accuracy IMO. In no way did I mean to imply my gun or groups were better than yours. Seeing that no one else is replying to your thread, I thought that maybe a bump might get some M&P shooters in here to enlighten us all on this SW platform M&P. Now I would apoligize if I had done as you intended I have, but really!? All I said was that I and you for the moment cant group well enough for safe and reliable self defense. It was a teachable moment, an observation. If you miss your target bad things can happen. BG may not miss while you are and freindlies down range may get direct or ricochet bullet holes in them. Self defense with a hangun is not an easy business. Shot placement is everything. Only hits count. I was disapointed in myself for not being able to group better with the M&P but as I said the first time. I accepted it and moved to another platform. Not all guns are the same for all people. Again I wish you luck with your gun.

I was in no part aiming the whole post at your replay. It was just a broad statement " if you fell you need to bash my grouping then go for it" It was not solely aimed at you or any one person. But this forum does have arm chair commandos on it who like to talk about how they can do better. I have no doubt a lot of people can shoot better then me I'll be the first to come right out and call my self a handgun noobie. But keep in mind the targets shown are about three mags of shooting. I found I could get the first mag ( 15 rounds ) on target and then my arm would start to hurt and the following mags ( as shown) would not be as good. But I found that by the end of the two and half hours it took to shoot 600 rounds my arm no longer hurt from being extended and supporting the gun. As for my groups being praised I'll be the first to tell you no they are not.

 

[theicemanmpls]

I was in no part aiming the whole post at your replay. It was just a broad statement " if you fell you need to bash my grouping then go for it" It was not solely aimed at you or any one person. But this forum does have arm chair commandos on it who like to talk about how they can do better. I have no doubt a lot of people can shoot better then me I'll be the first to come right out and call my self a handgun noobie. But keep in mind the targets shown are about three mags of shooting. I found I could get the first mag ( 15 rounds ) on target and then my arm would start to hurt and the following mags ( as shown) would not be as good. But I found that by the end of the two and half hours it took to shoot 600 rounds my arm no longer hurt from being extended and supporting the gun. As for my groups being praised I'll be the first to tell you no they are not.

S&WM&P40, nobody was bashing you, or your groups. Calm down.leasantry:

 

[Chief_Engineer]

Going out tomorrow for a Defensive Handgun 1 course. Haven't decided to use the Sig 239 (normal CC weapon) or the S&W M&P full size. Both are .40 S&W. Will let everyone know Thursday. (Expect to shoot 300 - 400 rounds)

 

[CapGun]

I shot one at S&W and had trouble hitting target as planned. Might have been me but didn't come away wanting one.
My daughter shot her Bf's M&P .40 this past weekend and said she loved it. She thinks it is on par with my Glock 17. (She is a novice to be fair.)
Chief Engineer >>> This weekend Sig rep was at my range and I got to shoot the "Blackwater" in 9mm. (they are discontinuing the Blackwater, saving fees I guess)
I believe it is a 229 frame (correct me). The rep told me that gun is being replaced by the "Tac Op" and will come in .40 and not just 9mm. I will check it out again. Pricey but sweet.
Infidel >> Don't be soo touchy. "Can't we all just get along?"

 

[S&WM&P40]

I shot one at S&W and had trouble hitting target as planned. Might have been me but didn't come away wanting one.
My daughter shot her Bf's M&P .40 this past weekend and said she loved it. She thinks it is on par with my Glock 17. (She is a novice to be fair.)
Chief Engineer >>> This weekend Sig rep was at my range and I got to shoot the "Blackwater" in 9mm. (they are discontinuing the Blackwater, saving fees I guess)
I believe it is a 229 frame (correct me). The rep told me that gun is being replaced by the "Tac Op" and will come in .40 and not just 9mm. I will check it out again. Pricey but sweet.
Infidel >> Don't be soo touchy. "Can't we all just get along?"

LOL why do you think I'm touchy? I'm the one saying my own shooting sucked.

 

[surfcc]

As for the groupings and targets you have displayed in the photos...I see plenty of center of mass hits and even that low shot down in lower abdominal / ball bag region would be a killer....if nothing else the BG would no longer have the reproductive capability to produce any more BG offspring...thereby saving society from having to support said offspring and perhaps saving future, innocent lives. BRAVO!!!!

 

[Gunhand]

Is accuracy only an issue with the M&P 40? I have carried the M&P9 for two years now and I drive tacks with it. I'm a range master with my agency and one of my worst shooters made marked improvement shooting my M&P9 over our duty weapon (Beretta 92D).

 

[S&WM&P40]

Is accuracy only an issue with the M&P 40? I have carried the M&P9 for two years now and I drive tacks with it. I'm a range master with my agency and one of my worst shooters made marked improvement shooting my M&P9 over our duty weapon (Beretta 92D).

Cant speak for anyone else but for me it was a few things. One being I'M new to handguns and till the day I was at the range I had never shot a 40 cal handgun before. Getting use to the trigger pull I found I would sometimes pulll the gun to the right when I fired. As well as a few other things.

 

[6shootercarry]

OK... I looked at the targets and I see some good hits. Some a little off. As long as you can see room for improvement that's what counts. You will get better the more you use it. I have an M&P45 full frame and I do OK with it, but it takes some practice. I'm gonna make a suggestion here that I would like you to try. Next time you go to the range use smaller targets and work at making groups in the small targets. One other thing to try at the range. Take a few 8.5'x11' sheets of paper with no marks on them. Just aim for the center of the paper with no target to focus on and then try and group your shots around your first shot. Try this at a short distance like 5yds and then move it out to 8 and then 10. You will be surprised. Post those targets and see what reaction you get.

Peace...

 

[Chief_Engineer]

I shot one at S&W and had trouble hitting target as planned. Might have been me but didn't come away wanting one.
My daughter shot her Bf's M&P .40 this past weekend and said she loved it. She thinks it is on par with my Glock 17. (She is a novice to be fair.)
Chief Engineer >>> This weekend Sig rep was at my range and I got to shoot the "Blackwater" in 9mm. (they are discontinuing the Blackwater, saving fees I guess)
I believe it is a 229 frame (correct me). The rep told me that gun is being replaced by the "Tac Op" and will come in .40 and not just 9mm. I will check it out again. Pricey but sweet.
Infidel >> Don't be soo touchy. "Can't we all just get along?"

I believe the blackwater was orginally a 226 frame. (20 shot 9mm mag) leasantry: Definately would like to see their new Tac Op in .40 :biggrin:

Back from my DH1 course. Final round was the Police Academy qualification fire. Very pleased with the results, good paterns to type of shooting being conducted. My support side single hand shooting needs work, but other than that I was very pleased.

For people that have questions about a weapons accuracy, keep in mind that these are defensive weapons, not target weapons. IMO, the key to a good defensive handgun are two items: 1) Will always hit center of mass when properly drawn and presented and 2) No FTF's that are not operator caused. I believe that S&W M&P as well as Sig and Glock (to name some) meet that criteria.

You will normally find that the same handgun shot by two different people will obtain different results (unless bench mounted). Each individual needs to find the right handgun that works for them.leasantry:

BE SAFE

 

[CapGun]

You are correct Chief. The Blackwater was a 20 shot mag so it must be (is) a 226.
Looking forward to the Tac Op in .40. Should be 15 or 16 shot mag.
Thanks

 

[aj's 40 cal]

i have a m&p in .40 and love it. i will add that i have shot better with other guns, but the mp does just fine for me. hoping my new xd sub in 40 will be just as good. only thing i dont like about the mp is the trigger, but it dont bother me enough to have it replaced. im thinking its just my shooting and trigger pull not the gun its self.

 

[snidley237]

FIVE YARDS.

TEN YARDS.

All and all not bad for the first time back now i just need to work on pulling the grouping closer together. But the most important thing is I had fun. This is just two of my targets I shot more but the rest focused on drawing from the holster and working on reloading times.I should say this now before I get comments on it the ten yard target with shots in and around the head I meant to do it was not missed shots. I was trying to see how good of a group i could get lol and I sucked bad.

For what it is worth from another M&P40 owner... LOOKS GOOD.... FUN TO PRACTICE AND GET TIGHTER... When the BG hears BANG,,, it gets his attention,,,, shot or not.....

 

[kn1080]

any reports on the M&P 40 Compact?

 

[S&WM&P40]

any reports on the M&P 40 Compact?

Yes there are a few kicking around here on the forums. If i remember right one of the KIMBERS posted his tragets after he went to the range. I'm up in the air I may buy a compact have not made up my mind if it's going to be a handgun a shotgun or a Ar-15.