Was looking at the S&W M&P line the other day and saw a pistol that I had forgotten about. It is their mid-framed 45 (109307).
It has all the features I like in a CCW weapon:
Could this gun be the G19 of the 45 world?
This might be one of S&W’s best kept secrets.
Thoughts?
C4
The way I carry, grip length matters waay more than slide length (assuming the slide is under 4.5" or so), so the M&P45 Compact is more to my tastes. Besides, the M&P45 compact to me feels more G19 like with a “just enough” grip. This is more like a G17 w/ a G19 slide…
I could hang up the 4516 for that I may have to check one out
Yeah Grant, I think that about nails it. If you check 10-8 forums, Hilton Yam and a number over there seem to think that the mid-size .45 M&P is pretty much the ‘sweet spot’ of the series, for those who like to carry a .45.
To me, the pistol balances nicely, is extremely accurate, fits my existing M&P 9 full-size holsters, and soaks up recoil to the extent that it actually shoot softer than a full-sized govt model 1911! The only thing that is a LITTLE disappointing on mine is that gritty, crunchy trigger that is so common on newer M&P’s. But I assume mine will break in after I get 1K rounds or more through it, plus dry firing.
Grant - don’t know if you have read this before or not, but Hilton Yam thinks the 4" is the best of the M&P .45s:
http://www.10-8forums.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=72516&an=0&page=1#72516
You could build your own version like this. Long slide, 4.5 barrel, on the compact frame. No CTC laser grips avaliable yet.
Grant I have one that I carry when I’m not carrying one of my G19’s. If you have been carrying a G19 it will take a little getting used too because of the little extra weight. Also there is a little extra length involving the beaver tail and grip to get used to as well.
I have the ambi-safety version. As a former 1911 and HK .45 fanatic, the M&P is the least pleasant .45 I’ve shot. For my puny hands, the beavertail is simply too wide and flat. Strangers that have shot my gun haven’t liked it.
Perhaps the regular version is better. I thought it would be a good carry gun (Colt Commander/HK V9 substitute), but quickly lost interest.
I carry one when I’m not carrying a G19, and yes, I think it is the best kept secret (and the best model) of the whole line. Put it in a Raven Concealment holster and it’s light, has plenty of firepower on tap, and is accurate as hell. I’ve almost completely hung up my 1911s in favor of it.
I’ve been thinking about buying a 4" slide assembly and barrel myself. Cheaper than buying a 45c but I don’t really get size reduction where it matters 
Off topic question: What sights are those? Rear looks Novak-esque in profile but the “boot cut” is new to me. I like the Novak sight picture so this intrigues me.
I also have one…It has the ambi saftey levers, (I’m considering removing them) However, it has been nothing but accurate and reliable. I’ve got 2100rnds on mine, and I’ve yet to have a failure, roughly 1900 were my own loads, mostly 200gr LSWC’s and a couple hundred JHP’s I loaded up and tried at various times. Recoil is quite managable, Frankly, I agree with Mr. Yam’s assessment. Grant, since I live local to you, If you want to try one let me know, and I’ll drop it off and let you give it a whirl…
That gun is awesome, I pretty much recommend it to anyone who wants to carry a .45 these days. With the sights, lasers, and holsters now commonplace for the M&P it’s a super attractive option. I am a die hard Glock guy but this this stomps a 30 or 36 out of the atmosphere…I can’t stand those two.
The Glock 19 of .45 handguns is exactly how I describe it. I hope S&W sells a million of them (just not to central African nations for a kickback.:D)
can this be done with a M&P9 fullsize slide, and compact frame?
HK45c
Like that, only everything associated with it costs half as much and doesn’t have a slide the size of a washer and dryer combo.
Like that, only everything associated with it costs half as much and doesn’t have a slide the size of a washer and dryer combo.
Not to say that the HK45 isn’t a good gun (it is), but if they were both free I’d still rather have this M&P.
I have been toying with the idea of one of these for some time now…
Yes… it just looks really weird because the 9c’s dustcover doesn’t cover the fullsize’s recoil spring.
If/when I get a .45, it’ll be an M&P45c. I can get a full grip on the gun without the pinkie extension.
How do you carry?
C4
Agree. For whatever reason, I think the 45 M&P’s are WAY more accurate than any other caliber in the M&P line.
The trigger on the 45 M&P’s does tend to suck. The APEX sear will fix that though.
C4