SMITH & WESSON M&P40
Posted Jun 15, 2023
Smith & Wesson M&P40
The Smith & Wesson M&P (Military & Police) is an iconic line of handguns that have been around for over a century. The Smith & Wesson M&P40, released in the early 2000s, has become one of their most popular firearms. This reliable and durable handgun is widely respected and used by military, law enforcement, and civilian shooters alike, this is why it has earned a place on the list of the top 10 handguns of the past decade.
First off, the Smith & Wesson M&P40 is a mid-sized handgun chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson round. This firearm has a 4-inch barrel and an overall length of 7.3 inches, making it great for concealed carry. The polymer frame and steel slide make it light yet solid and durable enough for tough use. The textured grip, aggressive serrations, and adjustable backstraps make for a comfortable grip, which is important since recoil could be an issue. The M&P40 also has a widely praised trigger, which is both crisp and easy to operate.
When it comes to performance, the Smith & Wesson M&P40 is a joy to use. It has been known to be accurate and reliable, meaning you can trust it with self defense and range use. Its decent capacity of 15+1 rounds is great for when you need to fire more than a couple of rounds. People have praised its accuracy and reported it does better than expected for its price range.
And speaking of price, the Smith & Wesson M&P40 is very affordable in comparison to other handguns. It can usually be found for around 400-500 dollars, making it an accessible option for many people. This includes some good features such as three dot sights, high capacity magazines, and an ambidextrous slide release.
When it comes to maintenance and cleaning, the Smith & Wesson M&P40 is pretty straightforward. This handgun comes with a field stripping guide, but even without it, you can easily decommission the gun and clean it without much difficulty. It also has a robust design, meaning you won't need to constantly clean it in order to keep it functioning properly.
Overall, the Smith & Wesson M&P40 is one of the best handguns on the market. It offers a great balance between performance and price, making it accessible while still being reliable and accurate. This durable and light handgun is good for concealed carry and range use, and does better than most other firearms in its price range. Whether you're a novice or an experienced shooter, you can trust the Smith & Wesson M&P40 to be a reliable and efficient partner.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- High-quality construction: Smith and Wesson M&P40 handguns are constructed with a high-quality polymer frame and steel slide. This makes them both durable and reliable under heavy use and also keeps them lightweight for better portability.
- Accessible safety features: With both a manual thumb safety and an integrated trigger safety, the M&P40 is designed with easy access to two safety mechanisms. This provides an extra layer of protection when handling the weapon.
- Low felt recoil: Smith and Wesson rifles are designed to have an ergonomic frame and a short barrel for low felt recoil. This reduces the fatigue felt by the shooter during sustained firing sessions and also helps to increase accuracy by lessening the amount of muzzle climb.
- Versatility: The M&P40 is easily adaptable to a variety of shooting styles and uses, making it suitable for both target shooting and defensive purposes.
Cons:
- Mag capacity: The M&P40 is only marketed with a 15-round magazine and there are no options for larger round capacities. This may not be ideal for customers who want a handgun with higher capacity.
- Price: The high-quality materials used to construct the M&P40 handguns are often reflected in its price. This makes the pistol more expensive when compared to some other handguns on the market.
- Trigger change: To change the trigger condition of the firearm you are required to physically remove the trigger guard and disengage both the trigger and sear. This may not be desirable for customers who prefer easier access.
Who Should Buy
Smith & Wesson M&P40 handguns should only be purchased by people with the appropriate training, knowledge, and skill set to properly handle and operate the weapon. Individuals who are not comfortable, or do not have the appropriate training and skill, should not attempt to purchase a Smith & Wesson M&P40 handgun. In most cases, purchasers of handguns will be required to provide proof of a valid firearms license or permit prior to making a purchase.
Comparisons
| SMITH & WESSON M&P40 | SMITH & WESSON PERFORMANCE CENTER PC1911 | WILSON COMBAT CQB TACTICAL LE | HECKLER & KOCH HK 416 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caliber | .40 S&W | .45 ACP | .223 Rem/5.56 NATO |
| Magazine Capacity | 10/15 Rounds | 8 Rounds | 30 Rounds |
| Weight (Empty) | 1.93 lbs | 2.7 lbs | 6.7 lbs |
| Barrel Length | 4.25" | 5" | 16" |
Features / Specs
- Caliber: .40 S&W
- Capacity: 15 Rounds
- Action: Striker Fire
- Barrel Length: 4.25"
- Frame: Polymer
- Slide: Carbon Steel
- Sights: White Dot Front, Two Dot Rear
- Weight: 24.25 oz
- Length: 7.63”
- Height: 5.5”
- Width: 1.2”
Popular Accessories
- Gun Belt
- Holster
- Magazine Pouches
- Recoil Springs
- Sights/Optics
- Cleaning Kit
- Gun Lube
- Grip Tape and Panels
- Laser Sight
- Flashlight or Laser Combos
Accuracy
The Smith & Wesson M&P40 is an accurate and reliable pistol. It is renowned for its exceptional accuracy, due to its ergonomic design and balanced recoil impulse. With standard weight ammunition, you can expect muzzle energy of close to 500 ft-lbs., with a comfortable, controllable muzzle flip. The pistol also benefits from a smooth trigger pull and reliable reset, further improving its accuracy. Smith & Wesson also guarantee accuracy of 1.5-inch groups at 25 yards with the M&P40, though users in competition shooting situations report much tighter groups than that. Ultimately, the M&P40 is an excellent option for fast target acquisition, and for this reason is popular for home defense and self-defense.
