M&P .40 or .45?

fivepaknh · February 7, 2012, 11:45 PM

I'm going to have some extra cash in a few weeks and my handgun collection is almost complete with my "must haves". An M&P is next. I'm completely confident in the capabilities of both calibers, but can't decide withthe M&P which to get. I will add it to my carry rotation and it will be a compact. Does anyone have experience with both of the calibers in an M&P, and if so which do you prefer and why? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Lurky BoDean · February 8, 2012, 12:03 AM

I've never shot either in a M&P, but I've had my eye on one for about 2 years. Personally (and this is me speaking), I would go with the .40 since that is the round Smith and Wesson designed, and plus, .40 rounds are cheaper unless you reload; however, I know you can't go wrong with either, and good luck deciding.

TxFlyFish · February 8, 2012, 12:10 AM

I have not tried the 40. But the 45 is one of the best 45 Ive handled out of hk, sig, glock and various 1911. Certain platforms (regardless to whatever caliber they were initially designed with) match perfectly with a caliber. The MP45 is veeery fast handling gun

dean1818 · February 8, 2012, 06:23 AM

I have the M&P 45 Compact.....

It is a great pistol, very concealable

fivepaknh · February 8, 2012, 06:47 AM

My XD40 is a sub compact. My only compact .45 is an HK USP. Is the M&P compact .45 smaller than the USP?

weldonjr2001 · February 8, 2012, 06:51 AM

I had them both, and they are both excellent handguns. I still have and carry the .40. The .45 is a large pistol, and the magazines are also large. Carrying the .45 and two magazines was doable, but just a little too bulky for me.

Great handgun though.

bigghoss · February 8, 2012, 06:58 AM

I have shot an M&P .40 but not an M&P .45. for me the .40 cartridge doesn't offer enough advantage over the 9mm to justify it in my mind which is why I only have 9's and .45's. So I say .45. I have thought about getting the M&P .45 a few times but I think I'll end up going glock instead since I already have 2 and it's a platform I'm familiar with and shoot well and from a practical standpoint I prefer to not have a lot of different guns. Although having a wide variety is more fun

MikeRussell · February 8, 2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivepaknh

My XD40 is a sub compact. My only compact .45 is an HK USP. Is the M&P compact .45 smaller than the USP?

The M&P 45C is barely larger than the XD40SC. I compared them side-by-side, the wife's XD to my M&P. Width is about the same, the M&P's slide looked a little thinner, height is the same, and the M&P's slide/barrel was a little longer (due to longer barrel).

Chilli9880 · February 8, 2012, 09:57 AM

I can only speak on behalf of the M&P 40c and the Fullsize M&P 9mm (I know we aren't talking 9mm). This is completely my biased opinion (sound familar TFL??) but the M&P line of pistols is very fast becoming the best line of pistols out there... And they are AMERICAN! Just yesterday, I spoke to a gentlemen and his mid 20's son and both had purchased M&P's (1 full-size 40 and 1 compact 40). I know a couple guys that bought M&P's and compared them to their Glocks. Those guys are now CC their new M&P's over their previous Glocks. I say buy and buy with confidence. I carry .40 but that's my personal preference.

erikivy · February 8, 2012, 11:08 AM

My first experience with handguns was a coworker's M&P 45. Based on that, I soon purchased an M&P 40. Having shot both, I can say that they are both fine weapons. I chose 40 only to save a bit on ammo cost. Now that I'm reloading, I probably could be shooting either one for virtually the same cost. I know that doesn't help you pick, but really, you can't go wrong with either one.

DBLAction454 · February 8, 2012, 12:36 PM

Personally,
I'm not a big fan of the .40 caliber altogether. Snap's and pushes a bit like a 9mm and a .45... Not saying that if I fired a .40 for a few months I wouldn't get used to it... There's just something about a .45 that I absolutely love. Plus the .40 is a much higher pressure cartridge which can be dangerous if you're using it to carry and re-chambering rounds (set-backs resulting is case failures can destroy a handgun)... this is true for any round but a .45 is loaded to a much lower pressure.. Also the .40 is not that much cheaper than a .45... around me a box of 50 of .40 is about $16.50 and box a 50 for 45 is about $18

now for the gun..

I've fired and M&P .45 and I was very accurate with it and it felt great in the hands. The trigger felt nice and the slide cycles smoothly. I didn't buy one because I didn't like the 10 rd capacity when many other companies offer more... But if you want an M&P then the .45 is definitely my suggestion

fivepaknh · February 8, 2012, 12:49 PM

Actually I may consider an M&P in 9mm. What's tha mag capacity for the compact 9's?

carguychris · February 8, 2012, 01:36 PM

The M&P9c holds 12+1rds in states where reduced-capacity mags aren't required. Also, full-size M&P mags will fit in the compact pistols, although the mag body will protrude below the grip unless you buy an aftermarket grip adapter.

Also, since this hasn't been mentioned yet, be aware that the entire M&P45 grip frame is slightly larger than the frames of the M&P9, M&P40, and M&P357; the latter three are all the same. This fact is not mentioned prominently in S&W sales literature or most reviews of the pistols. That said, you generally have to be handling the pistols side-by-side to notice the difference.

Therealkoop · February 8, 2012, 09:19 PM

The .40.

If you buy a 9mm barrel, you can shoot 9mm out of it even using the .40 mags (9mm mags are more reliable of course). You can do the same with .357 sig.

You cant convert the 9mm or 45 to anything. (maybe .22 not sure).

jmstr · February 9, 2012, 06:50 PM

Therealkoop has some good points.

I have the M&P 9c. I like it. I wish I had gotten the .40c instead for his reasons: it could be a 3 caliber frame.

I have the M&P .45. I like it. I wish the .45c were for sale in California, but that isnt going to happen, so I can't get it.

IF I could, I might not have gotten the FS M&P .45.

The .40c is the same frame as the .9c, so I know it is VERY concealable. It feels great in my hand. But I haven't shot the .40c, so I can't compare how it feels under fire.

I am not a huge .40 fan, as I like the 9 and .45 recoil characteristics better. But, if this is REALLY for carry and I wanted a .40 or greater caliber, I'd get the .40c, it just carries better and you get at least one more round [.45c = 8, I believe .40c = 10]. Oh, and the .45c seems to be almost exactly the same size as a Glock 19, whereas the .40c is definetly smaller.

For defensive purposes, a well designed 9mm shot into the right location beats a well-designed .40S&W round that I miss the target with, so I picked the 9c.

I just wish I'd thought of the conversion potential first!

mcostley · February 10, 2012, 12:35 AM

thanks

meanmachine1961 · February 10, 2012, 12:46 AM

For a post about a 10/22 go to forum homepage. Drop down to section titled art of the rifle and click on it. Toward the top of the page, right above the existing threads you will see a button titled new threads, Click it and your in business.

52 Monster Stack · February 11, 2012, 08:36 AM

I'm a little lost here are you folks saying they have conversion kit for the m&p or the mags hold different caliber rounds or both.I'm actually considering this firearm.

m&p45acp10+1 · February 11, 2012, 08:43 AM

Either way it is hard to go wrong. I admit I would take the .45 over the .40 based solely on personal preferance. Nothing wrong wtih either caliber.

Though if you are one that likes convertability the .40 can be changed to .357 Sig with a barrell change.

The .45 is on a slightly wider frame than the rest of the M&P family.

carguychris · February 11, 2012, 11:12 AM

The M&P357 and M&P40 take the same mags because the diameter and overall length of the two rounds are almost exactly the same. The 9mm mags are different.

FWIW the M&P357 is often less expensive because of generally low market demand. CDNN is currently selling them for $399.

jmstr · February 11, 2012, 11:57 AM

As was said, you can switch between 357 & 40 by swapping barrels. However, there is another reason: the .357sig is basically a necked-down .40s&w, so they use the same sized breech face, unlike the smaller breach face for 9mm. So a 9mm slide can not use a .40 or .357 barrell. BUT , a .40 can drop in a factory .357sig barrel and a 9mm 'conversion' barrel.

The 9mm conversion barrel requires a different magazine to feed right. The 9mm conversion may not extract reliably, due to the rim being the wrong size for the breech-face and extractor, but those who have used this conversion usually say they seldom have problems. But enough problems that I would use the 9mm conversion barrel for the range only: not self-defence.

I don't know of anyone making a .22 conversion for the top end, yet. I know APEX is mulling it over, but it would be for the full sized, probably. A .22 conversion is great for developing better trigger control on you carry weapon as it uses the same frame and trigger. Most existing good quality conversion kits cost the same as good quality .22 semi-autos though. So a conversion is more about perfecting skills on THAT platform for less money per found fired.

pingpingping · February 11, 2012, 12:19 PM

FWIW the M&P357 is often less expensive because of generally low market demand. CDNN is currently selling them for $399.

I was looking for a 40c, but found a 357c for dirt cheap. I was able to buy the gun and a 40 barrel for cheaper than I could find a 40c. Turns out I kinda fell in love with the 357 Sig...recoils like a 9. But I use the 40 barrel to shoot cheaper.

February 7, 2012, 11:45 PM	#1
fivepaknh Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: Nashua, New Hampshire Posts: 611	M&P .40 or .45? I'm going to have some extra cash in a few weeks and my handgun collection is almost complete with my "must haves". An M&P is next. I'm completely confident in the capabilities of both calibers, but can't decide withthe M&P which to get. I will add it to my carry rotation and it will be a compact. Does anyone have experience with both of the calibers in an M&P, and if so which do you prefer and why? Thanks in advance for any feedback.

February 8, 2012, 06:23 AM	#4
dean1818 Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2009 Location: Frisco Texas Posts: 844	I have the M&P 45 Compact..... It is a great pistol, very concealable __________________ An imperfect servant of my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Buying American made, wherever I still can

February 8, 2012, 06:58 AM	#7
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,664	I have shot an M&P .40 but not an M&P .45. for me the .40 cartridge doesn't offer enough advantage over the 9mm to justify it in my mind which is why I only have 9's and .45's. So I say .45. I have thought about getting the M&P .45 a few times but I think I'll end up going glock instead since I already have 2 and it's a platform I'm familiar with and shoot well and from a practical standpoint I prefer to not have a lot of different guns. Although having a wide variety is more fun __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

February 8, 2012, 09:57 AM	#9
Chilli9880 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2011 Location: Northwest PA Posts: 124	I can only speak on behalf of the M&P 40c and the Fullsize M&P 9mm (I know we aren't talking 9mm). This is completely my biased opinion (sound familar TFL??) but the M&P line of pistols is very fast becoming the best line of pistols out there... And they are AMERICAN! Just yesterday, I spoke to a gentlemen and his mid 20's son and both had purchased M&P's (1 full-size 40 and 1 compact 40). I know a couple guys that bought M&P's and compared them to their Glocks. Those guys are now CC their new M&P's over their previous Glocks. I say buy and buy with confidence. I carry .40 but that's my personal preference. __________________ S&W M&P 40 (full-size), S&W M&P 40c, Mossberg 500 Persuader, Russian SKS Last edited by Chilli9880; February 8, 2012 at 10:04 AM.

February 8, 2012, 12:36 PM	#11
DBLAction454 Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 394	Personally, I'm not a big fan of the .40 caliber altogether. Snap's and pushes a bit like a 9mm and a .45... Not saying that if I fired a .40 for a few months I wouldn't get used to it... There's just something about a .45 that I absolutely love. Plus the .40 is a much higher pressure cartridge which can be dangerous if you're using it to carry and re-chambering rounds (set-backs resulting is case failures can destroy a handgun)... this is true for any round but a .45 is loaded to a much lower pressure.. Also the .40 is not that much cheaper than a .45... around me a box of 50 of .40 is about $16.50 and box a 50 for 45 is about $18 now for the gun.. I've fired and M&P .45 and I was very accurate with it and it felt great in the hands. The trigger felt nice and the slide cycles smoothly. I didn't buy one because I didn't like the 10 rd capacity when many other companies offer more... But if you want an M&P then the .45 is definitely my suggestion __________________ "If you show up to a fair fight, you're not prepared" -Unidentified Marine Sniper Instructor "The philosophy of gun control: Teenagers are roaring through town at 90MPH, where the speed limit is 25. Your solution is to lower the speed limit to 20." - Sam Cohen

February 8, 2012, 12:03 AM	#2
Lurky BoDean Member Join Date: January 23, 2012 Location: Alabama Posts: 75	I've never shot either in a M&P, but I've had my eye on one for about 2 years. Personally (and this is me speaking), I would go with the .40 since that is the round Smith and Wesson designed, and plus, .40 rounds are cheaper unless you reload; however, I know you can't go wrong with either, and good luck deciding.

February 8, 2012, 12:10 AM	#3
TxFlyFish Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2011 Posts: 1,246	I have not tried the 40. But the 45 is one of the best 45 Ive handled out of hk, sig, glock and various 1911. Certain platforms (regardless to whatever caliber they were initially designed with) match perfectly with a caliber. The MP45 is veeery fast handling gun

February 8, 2012, 06:47 AM	#5
fivepaknh Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: Nashua, New Hampshire Posts: 611	My XD40 is a sub compact. My only compact .45 is an HK USP. Is the M&P compact .45 smaller than the USP?

February 8, 2012, 06:51 AM	#6
weldonjr2001 Senior Member Join Date: January 14, 2001 Location: San Antonio, Tx. Posts: 462	I had them both, and they are both excellent handguns. I still have and carry the .40. The .45 is a large pistol, and the magazines are also large. Carrying the .45 and two magazines was doable, but just a little too bulky for me. Great handgun though.

February 8, 2012, 11:08 AM	#10
erikivy Member Join Date: August 29, 2011 Location: Central VA - 22903 Posts: 84	My first experience with handguns was a coworker's M&P 45. Based on that, I soon purchased an M&P 40. Having shot both, I can say that they are both fine weapons. I chose 40 only to save a bit on ammo cost. Now that I'm reloading, I probably could be shooting either one for virtually the same cost. I know that doesn't help you pick, but really, you can't go wrong with either one.

February 8, 2012, 12:49 PM	#12
fivepaknh Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2001 Location: Nashua, New Hampshire Posts: 611	Actually I may consider an M&P in 9mm. What's tha mag capacity for the compact 9's?

February 8, 2012, 01:36 PM	#13
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	The M&P9c holds 12+1rds in states where reduced-capacity mags aren't required. Also, full-size M&P mags will fit in the compact pistols, although the mag body will protrude below the grip unless you buy an aftermarket grip adapter. Also, since this hasn't been mentioned yet, be aware that the entire M&P45 grip frame is slightly larger than the frames of the M&P9, M&P40, and M&P357; the latter three are all the same. This fact is not mentioned prominently in S&W sales literature or most reviews of the pistols. That said, you generally have to be handling the pistols side-by-side to notice the difference. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

February 8, 2012, 09:19 PM	#14
Therealkoop Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2010 Posts: 285	The .40. If you buy a 9mm barrel, you can shoot 9mm out of it even using the .40 mags (9mm mags are more reliable of course). You can do the same with .357 sig. You cant convert the 9mm or 45 to anything. (maybe .22 not sure).

February 9, 2012, 06:50 PM	#15
jmstr Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA Posts: 1,281	Therealkoop has some good points. I have the M&P 9c. I like it. I wish I had gotten the .40c instead for his reasons: it could be a 3 caliber frame. I have the M&P .45. I like it. I wish the .45c were for sale in California, but that isnt going to happen, so I can't get it. IF I could, I might not have gotten the FS M&P .45. The .40c is the same frame as the .9c, so I know it is VERY concealable. It feels great in my hand. But I haven't shot the .40c, so I can't compare how it feels under fire. I am not a huge .40 fan, as I like the 9 and .45 recoil characteristics better. But, if this is REALLY for carry and I wanted a .40 or greater caliber, I'd get the .40c, it just carries better and you get at least one more round [.45c = 8, I believe .40c = 10]. Oh, and the .45c seems to be almost exactly the same size as a Glock 19, whereas the .40c is definetly smaller. For defensive purposes, a well designed 9mm shot into the right location beats a well-designed .40S&W round that I miss the target with, so I picked the 9c. I just wish I'd thought of the conversion potential first!

February 10, 2012, 12:35 AM	#16
mcostley Junior Member Join Date: February 9, 2012 Location: st louis Posts: 6	thanks Last edited by mcostley; February 12, 2012 at 02:24 AM.

February 10, 2012, 12:46 AM	#17
meanmachine1961 Senior Member Join Date: May 26, 2009 Location: Muscle Shoals, Alabama Posts: 276	For a post about a 10/22 go to forum homepage. Drop down to section titled art of the rifle and click on it. Toward the top of the page, right above the existing threads you will see a button titled new threads, Click it and your in business. __________________ "Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws." Plato

February 11, 2012, 08:36 AM	#18
52 Monster Stack Member Join Date: November 13, 2011 Posts: 27	I'm a little lost here are you folks saying they have conversion kit for the m&p or the mags hold different caliber rounds or both.I'm actually considering this firearm.

February 11, 2012, 08:43 AM	#19
m&p45acp10+1 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 3,930	Either way it is hard to go wrong. I admit I would take the .45 over the .40 based solely on personal preferance. Nothing wrong wtih either caliber. Though if you are one that likes convertability the .40 can be changed to .357 Sig with a barrell change. The .45 is on a slightly wider frame than the rest of the M&P family. __________________ No matter how many times you do it and nothing happens it only takes something going wrong one time to kill you.

February 11, 2012, 11:12 AM	#20
carguychris Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2007 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 7,523	The M&P357 and M&P40 take the same mags because the diameter and overall length of the two rounds are almost exactly the same. The 9mm mags are different. FWIW the M&P357 is often less expensive because of generally low market demand. CDNN is currently selling them for $399. __________________ "Smokey, this is not 'Nam. This is bowling. There are rules... MARK IT ZERO!!" - Walter Sobchak

February 11, 2012, 11:57 AM	#21
jmstr Senior Member Join Date: February 24, 2001 Location: San Joaquin Valley, CA Posts: 1,281	As was said, you can switch between 357 & 40 by swapping barrels. However, there is another reason: the .357sig is basically a necked-down .40s&w, so they use the same sized breech face, unlike the smaller breach face for 9mm. So a 9mm slide can not use a .40 or .357 barrell. BUT , a .40 can drop in a factory .357sig barrel and a 9mm 'conversion' barrel. The 9mm conversion barrel requires a different magazine to feed right. The 9mm conversion may not extract reliably, due to the rim being the wrong size for the breech-face and extractor, but those who have used this conversion usually say they seldom have problems. But enough problems that I would use the 9mm conversion barrel for the range only: not self-defence. I don't know of anyone making a .22 conversion for the top end, yet. I know APEX is mulling it over, but it would be for the full sized, probably. A .22 conversion is great for developing better trigger control on you carry weapon as it uses the same frame and trigger. Most existing good quality conversion kits cost the same as good quality .22 semi-autos though. So a conversion is more about perfecting skills on THAT platform for less money per found fired.

February 11, 2012, 12:19 PM	#22
pingpingping Junior Member Join Date: October 19, 2008 Posts: 7	FWIW the M&P357 is often less expensive because of generally low market demand. CDNN is currently selling them for $399. I was looking for a 40c, but found a 357c for dirt cheap. I was able to buy the gun and a 40 barrel for cheaper than I could find a 40c. Turns out I kinda fell in love with the 357 Sig...recoils like a 9. But I use the 40 barrel to shoot cheaper. __________________ The truth is for a world that lives by it.