SW M&P .40c ... Thoughts?

SacEsq

Getting my first pistol soon. Been looking at a number of models and leaning toward this one. Eventually going to get my conceal carry. Also I live in CA and read some articles that this is no loner on the approved list. Is that so? Can it still be obtained.

What are your thoughts on this model and what are some good comparable pistols I should look at?

Thanks

LMLarsen

Welcome. I'm a huge fan of the M&P series; Wife and I have a half-dozen between us in every size and in every caliber except .357SIG. I've had no trouble at all with any of them.

Gene L

They're good pistols. Myself, I prefer 9mm since the ammo is easier to get. I think the 40 S&W is, if not quite in its twilight years, is no longer the magic bullet it once was.

SacEsq

How about the CA issues? Anyone have any experience there?

NN

Welcome aboard

JasonMPD

SacEsq wrote: »

Getting my first pistol soon. Been looking at a number of models and leaning toward this one. Eventually going to get my conceal carry. Also I live in CA and read some articles that this is no loner on the approved list. Is that so? Can it still be obtained.

What are your thoughts on this model and what are some good comparable pistols I should look at?

Thanks

My subjective opinion is I like them a lot. I've shot about 50 rounds through a friend's. It shoots 180gr HPs like a pussycat. Very good recoil mitigation.

SacEsq

Thanks for the help and warm welcome. I will watch this thread to see if any CA residents chime in.

And yes ... CA is far from a free state. I am jealous of you all.

JasonMPD

Wambli Ska wrote: »

From the feedback here from folks I trust they are excellent guns. Other comparable good options would be Glock, Kahr and XD.

Of these three, I would least suggest the Kahr. I've owned a CW9 in the past, but I am not a fan of Kahr 40cal pistols. The CW40 (or is it P40?) has very sharp recoil. The one I shot I do not own and thankfully so. I'd never shoot it if I did.

They are very concealable though if you aren't worried about the recoil.

Bigslug

S&W and Ruger (possibly others) are in the process of letting many of their guns expire off the California "safe gun" roster. My info is some months out of date (I don't do much shopping for new), but bascially, they're sick of allowing Sacramento to dictate what can and cannot go on their firearms. If our gun of choice isn't on the list, you pretty much have to find someone selling a used one.

The M&P series specifically? Decent guns. Not my thing, but decent guns. The .40 S&W cartridge? Wouldn't own any if my ammo wasn't free. Much fonder of the 9mm in general and for compacts specifically.

Fisheadgib

I own a S&W shield in .40 and in having put quit a few rounds through it I've noticed that the 180gr rounds don't recoil anywhere near as sharply as the 165gr round of the same manufacture. I've tried three different brands of ammo and have asked several friends to shoot it and they all had the same results. Consequently, I carry the Hornady 180gr XTP rounds in it as the research I've done led me to believe that these rounds expand more reliably at the lower velocities of the shorter barrel. All the people that complain about the sharp recoil of the .40 may have only shot the 165gr rounds.

NN

Fisheadgib wrote: »

.. . All the people that complain about the sharp recoil of the .40 may have only shot the 165gr rounds.

Probably, it is the partially unsupported chamber issue. I've seen warnings on gun sites about that.

Buford

It's on the list but you better hurry. Word has it that S&W and Ruger are not going to comply with our stupid requirements anymore.

http://certguns.doj.ca.gov/safeguns_resp.asp

jbohio

I love my M&P 9c. Shoots great, accurate, reliable. It does what I need it to do.

Honestly, I'd recommend a 9mm for your first handgun. Several reasons, not the least of which is ammo cost. You can shoot more/learn/practice for the same money. 40 cal guns have a much sharper recoil than 9mm, which can be offputting to new shooters.

I'm no 9mm aficionado, I much prefer .45. That being said, I don't feel underarmed with a 9mm.

Diver43

My EDC gun has been a M&P Shield in 9mm since they were released.
I find it accurate, comfortable to shoot and totaly reliable.

My house gun is a Sig P229 in .40sw. I do not find it too snappy or uncomfortable to shoot in the larger framed gun. But I also do not find fault with the double/single action firing system either.

Have fun with your first purchase, try different guns and pick what suits your needs and feels comfortable in your hand. But, dont wait too long, who knows what changes may happen in California when it comes to guns.

BAMAAK

Go to a range that rents guns and try a couple out. You just may find you like another more, no way to know until you try one.