Smith and Wesson M&P question....

[G.A. Heath]

If the .40 holds 9 rounds, haow many does the .45 hold, maybe 8?

He's actually talking about the capacity of a 9mm. The .40 (Fullsize) holds 15 in the magazine while the .45 (Fullsize) holds 10 in the mag.

[Rockrz]

Great, thanks.

[LAYGO]

I love my M&P 45c (Compact). 8+1 double stack. My v1 4513TSW is 6+1 single stack, but they are near identical in size.

[Rockrz]

OK, now what's the difference between a "Single Stack", and a "Double Stack"?

You guys are gonna mess around and make me knowledgeable...L0L

[A-R]

OK, now what's the difference between a "Single Stack", and a "Double Stack"?

You guys are gonna mess around and make me knowledgeable...L0L

Single stack is all rounds in the magazine directly in line top to bottom, one on top of the next. This configuration holds fewer rounds but achieves a thinner magazine and thus thinner pistol grip. Examples are the classic M1911 .45, all Kahr pistols, Walther PP, PPK & much newer PPS.

Double stack is rounds in the magazine are staggered left-right to fit more into a mag of the same length. But this makes the mags, and thus the pistols' grips, thicker. Examples are most modern semi-auto pistols the Glock, M&P, XD, Beretta M9/92, and even older designs like the Browning Hi-Power

the "other designer" of the Browning Hi-Power (other than the legend himself John Moses Browning), a Belgian named Dieudonné Saive, designed the first staggered column or "double stack" magazine for the Hi Power in the late 1920s.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dieudonn%C3%A9_Saive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browning_Hi_Power" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Rockrz]

OK, thanks. I never thought about that, but it makes perfect sense.

It's also nice to know the M&Pc has a grip similar in size to the 4513TSW

[A-R]

OK, thanks. I never thought about that, but it makes perfect sense.

It's also nice to know the M&Pc has a grip similar in size to the 4513TSW

Yes, M&Ps have some of the thinnest grips of any double-stack gun. Ruger SR9/SR40 are also comparatively thin. XDs are OK. Glocks can be quite rotund in the grip, though the Gen 4 design is a bit thinner front to back.

[Rockrz]

Yeah, I'm really wanting to get a nice M&P .45 and I think I'm probably going to go with the compact version.

Just gotta find a the right deal (FTF only)

[Rockrz]

Does the M&P 45c come with ambidextrous controls on all models?

And, I was reading and it seems it has no manual safety. Is that right?

I thought M&Ps had safetys

[LAYGO]

OK, thanks. I never thought about that, but it makes perfect sense.

It's also nice to know the M&Pc has a grip similar in size to the 4513TSW

Similar in size, but not identical. See my pics here. They feel different for sure.

[LAYGO]

Does the M&P 45c come with ambidextrous controls on all models?

And, I was reading and it seems it has no manual safety. Is that right?

I thought M&Ps had safetys

All M&Ps have ambidextrous controls by switching the mag release around. The slide lock is already ambi.

Some M&Ps have safeties, some don't. Mine doesn't have any. Some have thumb, mag, or both. There is also a lock option (a small key will lock the trigger assembly from operation).

[Hoi Polloi]

I S&W's M&P .45.

It's TAM's fault, too.

[Middle Age Russ]

I am trying hard not to be an M&P fanboy, but it is really difficult. That said, there are perfectly fine pistols from a number of manufacturers. The key to finding the "right" handgun is to see how they feel in your hand and, if possible, how they feel when being fired. Some polymer frame (therefore fairly light) options other than the M&P to possibly consider and try to feel/shoot before purchasing:

Striker Fired (no external hammer)
Glock (several models depending on caliber and frame size from subcompact to full size)
Springfield XD or XDM (both full size and compact)
Ruger SR series (both full size and compact versions, not available in .45)

External Hammer
Beretta PX4 (comes in full size and compact, not sure about .45)
FN FNP or FNX (No compact versions available, external hammer rather than striker fired)
SIG 2022 ( I don't think this is available in .45 or compact versions, other Sigs fill the compact void)
CZ RAMI ( 9mm and .40 only, I think)

When Divided Attention and I were looking for carry guns, I was more interested in the feature set of the M&P, whereas she was only interested in how it felt in her hand. We both have M&P 9Cs in the carry rotation, and now full-size as well for extra fun. Still thrilled with the feature set, as well as the feel in the hand, but your mileage may vary.

Happy hunting.

[Rockrz]

Which ones are made in the United States of America?

I'd kinda like to get something made by some of our countrymen...

[A-R]

Which ones are made in the United States of America?

I'd kinda like to get something made by some of our countrymen...

I believe S&W M&Ps and Ruger SR are both 100% Made in USA (but not positive of this).

I know Glocks are made in Austria then final assembly is in Smyrna, GA.

XD is partially (or wholly?) manufactured in Serbia.

Beretta = Italy and USA
Sig Sauer = Germany, Switzerland, and USA


This is all off top of my head. Whatever I got wrong someone will be by to correct soon.