| Smith & Wesson M&P | |
|---|---|
Smith & Wesson M&P |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Produced | 2005–present |
| Variants |
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| Specifications | |
| Barrel length | 108 mm |
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| Cartridge | |
| Action | Short recoil, locked breech |
| Muzzle velocity | 370 m/s (1,214 ft/s) |
| Effective range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Feed system | detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Steel ramp dovetail (front), steel Novak LoMount Carry (rear) |
The Smith & Wesson M&P (Military and Police) is a polymer-framed, short recoil operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistol introduced in the summer of 2005 by the American company Smith & Wesson. It uses a Browning-type locking system. While targeted at law enforcement agencies,[1] the M&P is also available on the commercial market.
Contents |
The M&P is a new design with no parts interchangeable with any other pistol, including the polymer framed Smith & Wesson Sigma and Walther/Smith & Wesson SW99 models. The M&P design not only looks completely different than the Sigma but also feels completely different. Many of the ergonomic study elements that had been incorporated into the Sigma and the SW99 were brought over to the M&P. The improved trigger weight and feel, and unique takedown method (not requiring a dry pull of the trigger) were meant to set the M&P apart from both the Sigma and the popular Glock pistols.
The M&P is a striker fired semi-automatic pistol. This trigger system prevents the firearm from discharging unless the trigger is fully depressed, even if the pistol is dropped. An internal lock and/or magazine disconnect are available as options and an optional external thumb safety became available in 2009.[2]
The pistol frame is made out of Zytel polymer reinforced with a stainless steel chassis. The slide and barrel are made out of stainless steel that after through hardening is treated with a proprietary nitriding process called Melonite. The Melonite process produces a matte gray non-glare surface with a 68 Rockwell C surface hardness rating. The pistol has a very low slide profile which holds the barrel axis close to the shooter's hand and makes the M&P more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle rise and allowing for faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence. The slide has four contact points with the frame. This was done to make the rail system self cleaning, by leaving room for any dirt or small foreign objects to fall out of the weapon.[3]
As the slide of the pistol enters battery, the striker engages the sear. At this point, the sear is held back in a partially cocked condition. When the trigger of the M&P is pulled, the trigger bar first engages the firing pin safety plunger, lifting it upward, and releasing firing pin safety. At the rearward extreme of the trigger bar's travel, it engages the sear. The sear is rotated downward by the trigger bar, fully cocking, then releasing the striker. The striker makes contact with the primer of the chambered round, which in turn ignites the gunpowder and propels the bullet forward. According to renowned M&P gunsmith Dan Burwell, the angle on the rear face of the sear creates a camming action against the striker. This camming action moves the striker to the rear very slightly during the trigger pull, thus finishing the "cocking".[4] This system is similar to the partially tensioned striker found in the Glock series of pistols. When the pistol cycles for the next shot, the striker will be automatically pre-set in a 98% cocked position. Because the striker is only 98% cocked prior to the trigger being pulled, Smith and Wesson classifies the M&P's action as "striker fired (double action only)".[5][6]
The M&P factory trigger is of the jointed type and has a trigger travel of 7.6 mm (0.3 in) and is rated at 29 N (6.5 lbf). The M&P45c models have a slightly higher rated trigger pull of 31 N (7.0 lbf). The competition oriented M&P40 Pro Series 5" have a reduced trigger pull of 20 N (4.5 lbf) due to the installation of a Smith and Wesson performance center sear. MA approved models have a trigger pull of 45 N (10 lbf).
Several safety features are prominent on the M&P. A sear deactivation lever permits the shooter to disassemble the pistol without having to pull the trigger to accomplish disassembly. The pistol also has a loaded chamber indicator viewing opening on top of the slide.
Ergonomics were a key focus in the design of the firearm, and as a result, three interchangeable palm swell grips are included (small, medium and large). The trigger guard is designed to accommodate gloves. The frame of the M&P has a slide release lever on each side. The magazine drops free when the magazine release is pressed. The firearm features an ambidextrous slide stop and reversible magazine release for either right or left hand operation.
The pistols are delivered with 2 magazines.[3]
The standard iron sights are of the three dot type and made of steel. Both the front and rear sights are dove-tailed into the slide, and can be horizontally drifted to adjust for windage correction.[3]
An integrated Picatinny rail can be found underneath the slide on the front of the frame for attaching tactical lights, lasers and other accessories.
Additionally, there are 10-round magazine versions available of each pistol for the California, Massachusetts, New York, Australian, and Canadian markets. Novak tritium night sights are also an available option for the full-sized versions.[7]
The M&P is available in 9x19mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W calibers in either a full-size version (with a 108 mm (4.25 in) barrel) or a compact version (with a 89 mm (3.5 in) barrel.
The M&P9 JG is a standard size Julie Goloski-Golob Champion series variant that is fitted with a Warren Tactical rear sight and a fibre optic front sight. Besides the 3 standard black grip inserts it comes with 2 small and medium sized pink grip inserts. A portion of the proceeds will go to a breast cancer awareness charity.
In 2007, a full-size .45 ACP version of the M&P was introduced sporting a 114 mm (4.5 in) barrel. This model also won Handgun of the Year in 2007.[8]
In 2008, Smith and Wesson introduced new versions of the M&P: the M&P45 Mid-size, the M&P45 Compact, the M&P9L, and the M&P Pro Series. The M&P45 Mid-size sports a 102 mm (4 in) barrel and a full-sized grip, and the M&P45 Compact targets the concealed carry market with its 4" barrel and shorter grip (with 8 or 10-round capacity).
Aimed at the competition market, the M&P9L and the M&P9 Pro and M&P40 Pro Series 5" pistols feature a 127 mm (5 in) barrel.[9]
| Model | Barrel length (in inches) | Caliber | Capacity (in rounds per magazine) | Dimensions (Width x Height x Length, in inches) | Weight (Without magazine, in ounces) | Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compact | 3.5 | 9x19mm Parabellum .40 S&W .357 SIG |
10 or 12 10 10 |
1.2 x 4.3 x 6.7 | 21.7 21.9 22.2 |
All available in standard black |
| Full Size | 4.25 | 9x19mm Parabellum .40 S&W .357 SIG |
10 or 17 10 or 15 10 or 15 |
1.2 x 5.5 x 7.5 | 24 24.25 25.5 |
All available in standard black (.40 S&W also available in Dark Earth) |
| M&P9L | 5.0 | 9x19mm Parabellum | 17 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 8.25 | 25.2 | Available in standard black |
| M&P9 Pro Series | 5.0 | 9x19mm Parabellum | 17 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 7.5 | 24.0 | Available in standard black |
| M&P40 Pro Series | 4.25 | .40 S&W | 15 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 7.5 | 24.0 | Available in standard black |
| M&P40 Pro Series 5" | 5.0 | .40 S&W | 15 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 8.5 | 26.0 | Available in standard black |
| M&P45c – Compact Size | 4.0 | .45 ACP | 8 | 1.2 x 4.8 x 7.125 | 26.2 | Available in standard black |
| M&P45 – Mid-Size | 4.0 | .45 ACP | 10 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 7.5 | 27.7 | Available in standard black or 'Dark Earth' |
| M&P45 – Full Size | 4.5 | .45 ACP | 10 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 7.75 | 29.6 | Available in standard black or 'Dark Earth' |