Smith and Wesson M&P question....

[Middle Age Russ]

This is not definitive by any means, but what I believe to be true. Further research is needed to confirm some items.

US Made include S&W and Ruger for sure. I thinks FN makes the FNP and FNX in the US, but the company is Belgian. Not certain about Sig, based in Germany, but some of their models are made in the US. I am reasonably sure that CZ and Springfield XDs are made in eastern Europe. Glock is Austrian, I believe, and Beretta is Italian.

For some of these companies, the manufacturing -- or pieces of it -- takes place in different locales based on the model. Kinda like the global automobile manufacturers.

[mgood]

. . . Beretta is Italian.

But the Berettas made for the U.S. military are made here in America. That was part of the deal to get that contract. Some commercially available Berettas are also made here. I've seen both made in USA and made in Italy versions of the 92FS in stores in the U.S. (If I remember correctly, the store where I worked once had one of each on the shelf at the same time. There was no difference we could find between the two other than the color of the box they came in. One box was blue with white writing and the other was silver with blue writing.)

[40khammer]

I'm a big fan of the .357 sig. The only downfall is the high cost of ammunition. Texas Department of Criminal Justice Transportation officers carry the S&W M&P .357 sig if that means anything to you. The M&P is a great gun and the .357 sig is a great caliber.

[A-R]

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Transportation officers carry the S&W M&P .357 sig if that means anything to you.

And Texas DPS Troopers & Rangers carry Sig P226 in .357 Sig, as does the US Secret Service.

Great caliber. But cost prohibitive for most folks who aren't being given practice ammo by their departments. Also I understand it is hard to reload because of the bottle-neck cartridge. For citizen CC, not sure I see a huge upside to .357 Sig over .40 S&W. Just my $0.02 and worth less than that

[mgood]

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Transportation officers carry the S&W M&P .357 sig if that means anything to you.

And Texas DPS Troopers & Rangers carry Sig P226 in .357 Sig, as does the US Secret Service.

Great caliber. But cost prohibitive for most folks who aren't being given practice ammo by their departments. Also I understand it is hard to reload because of the bottle-neck cartridge. For citizen CC, not sure I see a huge upside to .357 Sig over .40 S&W. Just my $0.02 and worth less than that

I remember reading an excellent magazine article about the testing and selection process when the Texas DPS went to the Sig P226 in .357 Sig. I was impressed with the cartridge then and I remain impressed with it. But I felt at the time that they did not give enough consideration to the (already popular with law enforcement at the time) .40 S&W. I remain unconvinced that the .357 offers significant advantages over the .40. Again, not a knock on the .357, I think it's a great round, I'm just not sure it's noticeably better than another cartridge that is cheaper, more readily available, and easier to reload.

[srothstein]

And Texas DPS Troopers & Rangers carry Sig P226 in .357 Sig, as does the US Secret Service.

Just as a minor technical correction, but the Rangers are issued Sigs. Many of them (if not all) carry 1911's that they purchase on their own.

And if anyone is interested, TABC issues Glock 22s but allows agents to carry almost anything they desire. It has to be in a caliber that can use Speer Gold Dot ammo is almost the only rule (or was in 2009 when I left there).

[Running Arrow Bill]

I have a S&W M&P 9mm that I alternate carry with my Baretta 96FS. The S&W compact is a touch sensitive to "hand control" and if you slightly limp wrist it will jamb. It is also less forgiving if you fail to clean it regularly. My Baretta is almost fool proof and will digest anything and always goes bang. My wife has a Baretta Bobcat (.22) along with her .38/.357 and her Taurus Judge. I'll take my SA's anytime over a wheel gun...lol.

Both S&W and Baretta make fine pieces. However, my favorite is my Baretta.

[40khammer]

And Texas DPS Troopers & Rangers carry Sig P226 in .357 Sig, as does the US Secret Service.

Just as a minor technical correction, but the Rangers are issued Sigs. Many of them (if not all) carry 1911's that they purchase on their own.

And if anyone is interested, TABC issues Glock 22s but allows agents to carry almost anything they desire. It has to be in a caliber that can use Speer Gold Dot ammo is almost the only rule (or was in 2009 when I left there).

I can attest to the Texas Ranger thing. I ran into one at my local range and he was shooting his 1911. I asked if it was his duty weapon and he said, "No, this is." and pulled out another 1911. I couldn't help but laugh.

[Middle Age Russ]

The S&W compact is a touch sensitive to "hand control" and if you slightly limp wrist it will jamb. It is also less forgiving if you fail to clean it regularly.

This is an interesting observation to me. My personal experience with the Compact has not indicated much, if any, sensitivity to limp wristing or being fairly dirty (I typically don't allow my guns to get too dirty, though). That said, it is my understanding that compact or subcompact recoil operated handguns are usually a bit more sensitive to limp-wristing than their full-sized brethren, due to less mass in the slide and compensatory higher recoil spring rates.

[Rockrz]

I remain unconvinced that the .357 offers significant advantages over the .40. Again, not a knock on the .357, I think it's a great round, I'm just not sure it's noticeably better than another cartridge that is cheaper, more readily available, and easier to reload.

So, basically...the .40 caliber is about the same as the .357?

[HD76]

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.

They are actually made in Croatia. Regardless, they are not American made as the OP was requesting.

[Rockrz]

Yep, I wouldn't be interested in buying anything from Croatia....

I should also check out the .40 caliber since I guess it's between a 9mm and a .45

[Fedaykin]

Yep, I wouldn't be interested in buying anything from Croatia....

I should also check out the .40 caliber since I guess it's between a 9mm and a .45

Wiki is your friend: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.40_S%26W Developed specifically for the FBI the .40 displays almost the same ballistic characteristics as the .45.

I'm really happy with my S&W M&P 40 compact. When I purchased it I was nervous about the recoil, but whatever Smith & Wesson has done with the spring/slide it works. This thing is naturally on target again after each shot and it feels great to shoot. I fire 150 rounds each time I'm at the range and I don't feel any soreness in my hands or wrists afterwards.

I traded in a little .380 Mauser that used to really beat me up at the range. It was just a solid hunk of metal, and you got every bit of recoil from it. I'd have to ice my hand after 100 rounds. This M&P 40 was really nice after that experience.

The trigger is SWEET. I'm mean super sweet... Perfect balance of 'fun to shoot at the range' and still be safe to carry concealed.

My advice is to still get it with a thumb safety. The words 'trigger' and 'safety' do not belong in the same sentence. A trigger safety will not save you from a worn out holster or garment getting stuck in the trigger well.

The biggest plus about an M&P is the way it feels in your hand, go pick one up and see what I mean. Every review you read will rant about how nice and natural it is to hold. You know how the Glock as that thumb indention on the handle? On the Glock it was a nice thought, but S&W took the time to make a very natural thumb indention that follows the entire curve/grip of your thumb. It's very subtle, but your hand just just sinks into place when you hold it. The 3 interchangle backstraps are fantastic for customizing your palm swell. I find that there really isn't a need for the 1911 'thumbs forward' grip style on the M&P where you're trying to get a much of your support palm on the handle as possible. I think that really is an akward grip develped for a flat handled gun. You can just use your support hand for 'support' when firing the M&P. I think the grip helps as much as the spring for recoil.

[HD76]

Looking at it on paper, .40 S&W looks good to me. I just DON"T like shooting it. Now this may be more personal preference than anything. I have a 9mm XDm that I love. And after shooting other people's 1911s I have a desire to get one. So I'm all for 9mm and .45 ACP. The thing for me with .40 S&W is the "snapiness" of the round. Maybe a better way to put it is the impule from from firing a .40 is shortened. It comes on very quickly. My experience was from a SIG 229, which is all metal, so it should have helped absorb more of the recoil as opposed to a polymer griped gun. (Heavier gun = more recoil absorption)

Looking at link fedaykin posted, you can see that .40 is a very new round, and as such, it is designed to run at higher pressures than 9mm or .45. I think this is the reason for the difference in the feel to me. On the few occasions that I have shot +p ammo in my 9mm, it has a much different feel, because it is running at a higher pressure than standard 9mm. Still less than the .40 but noticeable.

Also please take what I have to say with a grain of salt. I've only been active in shooting for about 2 years. Alot of what I know from reading on forums like this, and researching things I would come across and not recognize. 8 months ago I didn't even know there was such a thing as +p or +p+ ammo.

As you said earlier, you really need to try them out. I know guys that LOVE their .40s, but you will not know until you've sent several rounds down range.

[punkndisorderly]

I'm very close to breaking down and buying an M&P. Made the transition from being a 1911 guy to being more of a glock guy after finding that I shot a Glock 26 the first time I ever shot a Glock than I did with my own 1911 that I'd had for years. I love my Glocks, but have been thinking of picking up an M&P to use in instructing new shooters.

I was pawing over an M&P at the gun shop today. They've really got the grip and controls "right". It feels great in the hand. The one I looked at had the fiber optic front sight. Liked them a lot. I also liked the lines of it. As much as I love my Glocks, it's not hard to improve on the appearance of them (unless square is you're idea of cool). The only thing I didn't like about it is the "vague" trigger reset. I'm used to the really pronounced reset on my glocks and 1911. It felt a good bit further forward as well. I'm sure I could get used to it, but was still disappointing.

As far as caliber, I think 9mm is the best way to go for a beginner shooter. It's less expensive to shoot, and has really light recoil in all but the smallest and lightest pistols. That lets a beginner focus on the fundamentals and makes it less likely that they'll develop flinching and other bad habits. I can't count how many people I see at the range each time who are shooting larger calibers horribly, rather than learning to run a 9mm (or 22lr) well. With good, quality hollowpoints, it's also a more than respectable defensive caliber. That said, 90% of people can learn to shoot all the common defensive calibers well, it's just a little more difficult.

I'd highly recommend finding a range that rents, and trying two or three calibers out at a minimum. If you can swing it, try out a few different models as well. You just may find, as I have more than once, what feels best in the gun store doesn't shoot the best on the range.