By Dan Kidder
Managing Editor

Smith and Wesson has hit a home run with their  Military and Police (M&P) pistols. Since they were first released, they have made significant improvements on what has already been proven to be a great design.
In testing the M&P full size in .40 caliber, I found the ergonomics to be superb, the recoil to be negligible and the accuracy to be outstanding.

Interchangeable grip inserts allow the M&P to be modified to fit the hands of a variety of shooters.

Smith and Wesson designed the M&P with the needs of the tactical shooter in mind and the most obvious manifestation of that is the grip and ergonomics. With interchangeable backstraps, the grip size is easily modified to accommodate a wide range of shooters with varying hand sizes.

Additionally, the natural point of aim on the M&P makes for comfortable shooting and quick sight alignment. The way the M&P handles recoil is nothing less than amazing. Because of its design, the M&P drives straight back toward the shooter with almost negligible muzzle flip. This allows the shooter to rapidly reacquire the target and make follow up shots quickly.  In rapid aimed fire, target reacquisition was very fast and accuracy was excellent.

Weighing in at a paltry 24.25 ounces and with a full length of just 7.5 inches, the full size M&P offers great concealability while maintaining good balance in the hand. The compact model ups the ante on concealability. Additionally, the M&P .40’s 15-round magazine (where legal) insures plenty of firepower when needed.

A great feature found on the new models is the addition of an external lock built into the frame of the gun. The lock features a specialized key that prevents unauthorized users from operating the gun. Another optional safety feature is the addition of a magazine disconnect which will prevent a chambered round from firing if the magazine is removed. Other features include a thru-hardened stainless steel barrel and slide, magazine safety option, new-age trigger system, ambidextrous slide stop and reversible magazine catch.

Smith and Wesson offers the M&P in .40, 9MM, .357 Sig. and now in .45 ACP.

Unlike many polymer pistols, the M&P does not require the user to press the trigger to field strip the firearm. The new trigger mechanism features a sear release that can only be operated with the slide locked open. A lever, which is easily reached through the ejection port, when pressed releases the tension on the sear while directing the user’s attention to the chamber to help insure that the firearm is unloaded and safe. Then, the user can turn the external takedown latch and the slide can be removed.

The M&P breaks down easily for cleaning, with the take down tool included in the butt of the pistol grip. Its integrated Picatinny front rail accommodates a variety of accessories such as lights and lasers.  Low profile, dovetail rear sights provide that much adored high speed, low drag engineering and the front sight is easy to see for even us old guys with failing eyesight.

The M&P has found a home on my hip and would be a great addition to any arsenal. And it is proudly made in the USA.