| Smith & Wesson M&P | |
|---|---|
 Smith & Wesson M&P |
|
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2005- |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Smith & Wesson |
| Produced | 2005- |
| Variants | See table |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum .40 S&W .357 SIG .45 ACP |
| Action | Recoil operated, locked breech |
| Feed system | 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 civilian market.
Contents |
Design details
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 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].
Additionally, ergonomics were a key focus in the design of the firearm, and as a result, three interchangeable palmswell grips are included (small, medium and large), as well as the firearm featuring an ambidextrous slide stop and reversible magazine release.
An integrated Picatinny rail can be found underneath the slide on the front of the frame for attaching flashlights, lasers and other accessories.
The M&P is available in 9x19mm Parabellum, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W calibers in either a full size version (with a 4.25 inch barrel) or a compact version (with a 3.5 inch barrel). In 2007, a full size .45 ACP version of the M&P was introduced sporting a 4.5 inch barrel. Additionally, there are 10-round magazine versions available of each pistol for the California, Massachusetts, New York, Australian, and Canadian markets. Tritium sights are also an available option for the full sized versions.
Variants
In 2008, Smith and Wesson introduced four new versions of the M&P: the M&P45 Mid-size, the M&P45 Compact, the M&P9L, and the M&P9 Pro Series. The M&P45 Mid-size sports a 4" 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, both the M&P9L and the M&P9 Pro pistols feature a 5" barrel and are chambered in 9mm.[3]
Users
Australia: M&P40 currently being distributed to South Australia Police officers replacing their Smith & Wesson .357 revolvers.[4]
Canada: M&P40 being introduced as the official sidearm of the Halton Regional Police Service, Peel Regional Police, St. Thomas Police Service and the Gatineau Police Department.[5][6]
Colombia: M&P9 used by DAS agents.[5]
France: M&P9 used by the Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute.[5]
Iraq: Used by the Iraqi Police and by the Iraqi Military.[7]
Malaysia: M&P9s as Malaysian Prison Department sidearm.[5][6]
Pakistan: Used by the Sindh Police Agency.[8]
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka Police Service
South Korea: M&P9 as issued sidearm by National Police Agency.[5][6]
Trinidad and Tobago: Used by the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.[8]- United States: Drug Enforcement Administration[9]Detroit Police Department, Atlanta Police Dept., Miami Police Department, Milwaukee Police Dept., Cincinnati Police Dept., Colorado State Patrol, New Mexico State Police, New Hampshire State Police, Iowa State Patrol, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Park System, and the Raleigh Police Dept. Currently the M&P Pistol has been adopted by 505 Police Departments across the country.[10], (North Carolina) The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police adopted the M&P40 in the Spring of 2008 with full size pistols going to uniformed officers and supervisors while detectives and command staff have the option of either the full size or compact M&P40C.
Puerto Rico: M&P40 has been adopted by Puerto Rico Police Department since 2009 police academies.[11]
M&P Pistols
| 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 |
| Standard | 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 |
| M&P45 | 4.5 | .45 ACP | 10 | 1.2 x 5.5 x 7.75 | 29.6 | Available in standard black or 'Dark Earth' |
References
- ^ "Smith and Wesson M&P Pistols Adopted by 276 Police Departments in the USA". Guns, Holsters and Gear. 2008-02-01. http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2008/02/01/smith-and-wesson-mp-pistols-adopted-by-276-police-departments-thousands-of-mp9-mp357-mp40-and-mp45-ordered-by-atlanta-police-colorado-state-police-and-other-departments/. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ "S&W M&P pistols now with thumb saftey (sic)". The Firearms Blog. http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2009/01/20/sw-mp-pistols-now-with-thumb-saftey/. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ "Smith and Wesson M&P9 Pro Series and M&P9L: Long Slide 9mm Pistols". Guns, Holster and Gear. 2008-06-10. http://www.gunsholstersandgear.com/2008/06/10/smith-and-wesson-mp9-pro-series-and-mp9l-long-slide-9mm-pistols/. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ "Smith & Wesson to Equip South Australia Police Force". 2009-01-07. http://www.policeone.com/police/products/press-releases/1772668-Smith-Wesson-to-Equip-South-Australia-Police-Force/. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ a b c d e "Smith & Wesson Receives M&P Pistol Order From Canada’s Halton Regional Police Service". 2008-04-23. http://www.tactical-life.com/online/news/smith-wesson-receives-mp-pistol-order-from-canada%E2%80%99s-halton-regional-police-service/. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ a b c "Smith & Wesson Receives M&P Pistol Order From Canada’s Halton Regional Police Service". 2008-04-29. http://www.policeone.com/police-products/duty-gear/restraints/press-releases/1690395/. Retrieved 2009-05-23.
- ^ "Smith & Wesson Fills M&P9 Pistol Order for Iraqi Military and Security Forces". Earth Times. 2008-10-30. http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/smith--wesson-fills-mp9,602720.shtml. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ a b "Smith & Wesson Ships Orders for M&P Pistols To International Law Enforcement Agencies". PoliceOne.com. 2008-08-28. http://www.policeone.com/police-products/training/services/press-releases/1730267/. Retrieved 2009-02-02.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Detroit Police Department Converts to Smith & Wesson M&P40 Pistols & M&P15 Tactical Rifles
- ^ http://www.noticiasonline.com/puertorico/Det.asp?id=27862
External links
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