S&W M&P

[TMan]

I stopped by my primary dealer's today and picked up a Wilson magazine.

She had a couple of Colt 1911's that she wanted me to look at. On one of them the slide where the guide rod goes through was drilled off-center. She got it brought back to her from an unhappy customer. She had another one and wanted me to look at it and make sure it was okay before telling the customer to come in get it.

Then she said: "Want to see a new S&W M&P?" I said sure. She came back with a big box. What the heck is that? Oh, the S&W version of the AR-15. Nice rifle. I almost bought it, but I wasn't sure I really wanted it or not. An AR-15 is an AR-15. I told her what I really wanted to see was the M&P pistol. She said okay, and handed me a box with one it it.

The first thing I noticed was how well the fit of the replaceable back-strap was. It was hard to believe that it really was removable. The fit and finish was also very good. The trigger has a rather cute interlock to ensure a fall on the floor could never cause the gun to fire. Overall, it fit well in my hand, and I would have had no need for the two other back-straps, which of course as a consumer, I would have paid for in the purchase of the gun. Nothing in life is free - except germs of course.

I didn't have a gauge with me, but I'll tell you what: it had a great feel to it. I'm guessing it to be around 5 to 6 lbs. I would think this to be serious competition to the Springfield XD. However, it was a bit pricey. It was over $500, and the AR was over $900. Between the two, if I was to walk out with one, I'd have walked out with the AR.

I've also been thinking about getting the Ruger Alaskan in 454 Casull. She didn't have one of those, but she did have one in 480 Ruger. I dry-fired it, or shall we say attempted to dry-fire it. She said: "You face is turning red." Forgot I was holding my breath. It must have been up around 10 lbs before it broke. No creep, but man was it heavy. She asked me if I wanted her to order it in 454 Casull, I told her to never mind. Sure is nice to be able to try, at least to some extent, before you buy.

[5ontarget]

just to get the AR juices flowing a little bit.

www.lesbaer.com/ar223.html

They guarantee 1/2 MOA or better out of all their rifles. I'd bet you could probably find 1/2MOA AR's for less, but then you won't have a Les.

Also available in the ruger .204. It boasts a 32grain bullet (about the same or a little lighter than the traditional .22lr) traveling at 4000+fps (roughly 3000fps faster than a standard .22lr). Downrange engery comparison is comparable to .223 and 22-50's. Actually the 22-50 edges both the .223 and the .204 in downrange energy for many loads, but the .204 is the velocity winner of the three.
I seen and handled a couple of Les Baer 1911s, unfortunately never got to fire one though. If it shot half as good as it felt and looked, it would be an incredible gun.


I think the M&P will do well. It has a lot going for it. It combines many features from the most popular guns on the market, much like many of the successful pistols before it. Everyone builds on the success of the ones that came before it. I think S&W got it right this time, unlike their previous attempt, what was that one again, the sigma, or something like that. I can't remember, I just remember it didn't do so well.

[Ricochet]

I have not handled the new Smith M&P pistola -- only seen a picture. I am curious about significant differences to the SW99 -- it's about the same size and weight. The new M&P would seem to have the same market -- making it competition to the SW99.

[MLB]

We had a thread about these two a while back. Looks to me like the SW99 will be entering retirement mode soon. No sense in S&W having 2 handguns competing in their own lineup.

Come to think of it, Since S&W is the exclusive importer of Walther handguns, why would they import a competitor? The P99 is slightly higher in price, but essentially the same as the SW99. The M&P looks to be an updated SW99.