options on a m&p pistol

L2R · December 19, 2011, 09:08 PM

Probably going to buy an M&P soon. May decide to get involved in match events later in the year.

I see 9mm with 4 1/4 barrel and 45 ACP with 4 1/2.
I can reload either just wondering if there is a heavy bias one way or another.

Also, thumb safety is an option.

Makes no sense not to spend an extra 20 bucks for a thumb safety but since they are making this an option, makes me wonder if there is a reason you would not want a safety in a match event? Inquiring minds want to know.

Any advise is appreciated.

MLeake · December 19, 2011, 09:12 PM

Different organizations have different rules about what guns and modifications are allowed. Some have "major caliber" rules.

You might want to identify the organizations and matches that interest you, and check for links to their rules on their websites, before you choose gun and mods (if any).

Edit: as to the safety, I got rid of mine on the M&P that came with a thumb safety. I shoot IDPA, and the idea there is to shoot what you carry. If I liked thumb safeties on carry M&P pistols, then I would use one in IDPA; but I don't, so I don't.

L2R · December 19, 2011, 09:26 PM

IPSC or IDPA are the only matches around here that I have access to.

TheGoldenState · December 19, 2011, 09:56 PM

I have the M&P .40

You won't go wrong with either.

I have one with and one without the mag release safety. I would recommend NOT getting one with a mag release safety. I do not have thumb safety as it wasn't initially available. That being said, I WOULD get one now. Can't hurt.

Never had a single feed issue with any type of ammo used, dead on with Trijicon nights, and Hogue grips on Medium sized backstrap.

Therealkoop · December 20, 2011, 10:24 PM

If you buy an M&P .40, you can buy M&P 9mm mags (20-25$) and an M&P 9 barrel (50-75$) and they will drop right in and work in the .40 frame/slide.

You can use the .40 to meet major power factor in USPSA, and switch to 9 for IDPA for SSP.

Or you could just buy the 9, and shoot SSP in IDPA and production in USPSA

Or you could buy the .45 and shoot limited 10 (i think) in USPSA and cdp/ssp in IDPA.

Personally, I would get the 9. The .45 is sub-optimal for any class in IDPA.

I might be rusty on some of the rules, I think my post is correct though!

Jim Watson · December 20, 2011, 10:34 PM

There are a lot of things you CAN do but not all of them make sense.
I would (DID!) buy the M&P9. No thumb safety, no magazine disconnector.
Burwell trigger job and fibre optic front sight.
It suits me well in IDPA SSP and would be fine in USPSA Production.

A .40 would let you shoot USPSA Limited-10.
A .45 would let you shoot IDPA CDP.
But those are kind of a stretch for the model unless you are so good that the gun makes little difference.

Look at the M&P Pro 9 or 9L. A little extra sight radius usually helps.

MLeake · December 20, 2011, 11:13 PM

One thing none of us asked: do you want to compete with an emphasis on the competition aspect? If so, for IDPA I would go with an M&P Pro9L with a fibre optic front sight and slightly wide rear sight notch.

Or, do you want to see how good you can get with your intended carry gun, without concern for winning competitions? in which case you should go for whatever configuration you prefer, although I would recommend night sights - I have Heinie Straight-8 sights and Apex sears in my M&P45s in full and compact.

As Therealkoop noted, .45 is not optimal for IDPA if winning a match is the goal. 9mm dominates in autos. I tend to run .45 anyway, as my own emphasis is on working with preferred carry guns, to see how they do.

December 19, 2011, 09:08 PM	#1
L2R Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 358	options on a m&p pistol Probably going to buy an M&P soon. May decide to get involved in match events later in the year. I see 9mm with 4 1/4 barrel and 45 ACP with 4 1/2. I can reload either just wondering if there is a heavy bias one way or another. Also, thumb safety is an option. Makes no sense not to spend an extra 20 bucks for a thumb safety but since they are making this an option, makes me wonder if there is a reason you would not want a safety in a match event? Inquiring minds want to know. Any advise is appreciated. __________________ L2R

December 19, 2011, 09:26 PM	#3
L2R Senior Member Join Date: November 5, 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 358	only games in town IPSC or IDPA are the only matches around here that I have access to. __________________ L2R

December 19, 2011, 09:56 PM	#4
TheGoldenState Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2010 Posts: 1,191	I have the M&P .40 You won't go wrong with either. I have one with and one without the mag release safety. I would recommend NOT getting one with a mag release safety. I do not have thumb safety as it wasn't initially available. That being said, I WOULD get one now. Can't hurt. Never had a single feed issue with any type of ammo used, dead on with Trijicon nights, and Hogue grips on Medium sized backstrap. __________________ The Day You Get Comfortable Is The Day You Get Careless...

December 19, 2011, 09:12 PM	#2
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	Different organizations have different rules about what guns and modifications are allowed. Some have "major caliber" rules. You might want to identify the organizations and matches that interest you, and check for links to their rules on their websites, before you choose gun and mods (if any). Edit: as to the safety, I got rid of mine on the M&P that came with a thumb safety. I shoot IDPA, and the idea there is to shoot what you carry. If I liked thumb safeties on carry M&P pistols, then I would use one in IDPA; but I don't, so I don't.

December 20, 2011, 10:24 PM	#5
Therealkoop Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2010 Posts: 285	If you buy an M&P .40, you can buy M&P 9mm mags (20-25$) and an M&P 9 barrel (50-75$) and they will drop right in and work in the .40 frame/slide. You can use the .40 to meet major power factor in USPSA, and switch to 9 for IDPA for SSP. Or you could just buy the 9, and shoot SSP in IDPA and production in USPSA Or you could buy the .45 and shoot limited 10 (i think) in USPSA and cdp/ssp in IDPA. Personally, I would get the 9. The .45 is sub-optimal for any class in IDPA. I might be rusty on some of the rules, I think my post is correct though!

December 20, 2011, 10:34 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	There are a lot of things you CAN do but not all of them make sense. I would (DID!) buy the M&P9. No thumb safety, no magazine disconnector. Burwell trigger job and fibre optic front sight. It suits me well in IDPA SSP and would be fine in USPSA Production. A .40 would let you shoot USPSA Limited-10. A .45 would let you shoot IDPA CDP. But those are kind of a stretch for the model unless you are so good that the gun makes little difference. Look at the M&P Pro 9 or 9L. A little extra sight radius usually helps.

December 20, 2011, 11:13 PM	#7
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	One thing none of us asked: do you want to compete with an emphasis on the competition aspect? If so, for IDPA I would go with an M&P Pro9L with a fibre optic front sight and slightly wide rear sight notch. Or, do you want to see how good you can get with your intended carry gun, without concern for winning competitions? in which case you should go for whatever configuration you prefer, although I would recommend night sights - I have Heinie Straight-8 sights and Apex sears in my M&P45s in full and compact. As Therealkoop noted, .45 is not optimal for IDPA if winning a match is the goal. 9mm dominates in autos. I tend to run .45 anyway, as my own emphasis is on working with preferred carry guns, to see how they do.