Transitioning to a new departmental issue firearm...

[WNY_Whitetailer]

The powers that be at my Department have decided that we will make a transition from Glock 22 40 caliber handguns to the newer Smith and Wesson M&P 40 caliber handgun...

It isn't that the Glock is not doing the job, we are just having some issues with the handgun failing to go in to battery.  See, we have started mounting Surefire X300 weapon mounted lights on the rails of our Glock handguns.  Several officers were having issues with misfires while testing out their guns on the range.  Initially it was thought that the problem was the magazines.  Several months of testing and all new magazines seemed to improve the problem but not eliminate it.  We were still having issues.

Our range officer acquired a S&W M&P 40 for testing and evaluation.  Weapon lights were mounted to this gun and various officers shot the weapon.  There were no failures or misfires.  Every time the weapon was fired, it returned to battery without issue.

Another bonus is the interchangeable backstraps on the Smith.  Now the officer with stubby fingers to guys like me with big hands will have no issue fitting the gun to their grip and not their grip to the gun...This is a good thing.

So, we are going to be changing within the next month or so...I will tell you that the Smith trigger is an improvement over the Glock trigger...I am excited.  I don't think that the dept will allow us to purchase our current duty issue guns...I would like to because it was my first duty issue gun when I was new on the job...It is kind of special to me.

[Waldo Pepper]

I had an M&P 45 before they hit the streets, and really liked the gun, but I could never get group smaller then about 8" at 21 ft and at 25 yards could not even hit the target. Friends tried it and could drive tack's, it was just me. So I am still carrying the G29 and on occasion my Para PXT 14-45 when needed. At 25 yards I can put 11 rounds in a 6" circle and fast enough to make 1911 guys jealous. The Glock and the Para are the only large caliber auto's that do not leave my hand sore for shooting.

[rawhidekid]

I think that as long as the M&P corrects a problem then more power to it.  I think one shouldbe alowed to carry watever you can qualify with and handle the best.   Best of luck to you and your department.

[Tonk]

I have shot the MP-40 but it just did not agree with my grip, spoiled I suppose and have gotten real fond of my Glocks in the last 6 months. I hope all works out for you and your fellow Leo's using those S&W MP-40's. I have never had a Jam or fail to feed problem on any of my Glocks and we have 8 of them at this time.

I will say we have never mounted anything to the barrels, seems kind of a dangerous thing to do in my book. I was always taught to keep that light out away from your body, criminals aim for the light I was told 40 some years ago.

Now just for kicks, what kind of accuracy do these new Smith & Wesson produce compared to the Glocks at 15 yards down range? My Glocks do 2.5 inches at 45 ft slow fire, standing position and my Kimber will do 1.25 inches at 50 ft. Yours truely doing the operating of the pistol on the range.

[bluecow]

we went from the 4006 to the m&p40.  love the m&p!  dont even miss the m65 all that much anymore.  the s&w m&p is one of the best new duty guns to be had.