Smith & Wesson 40 Caliber M&P Pro Semi-Automatic Pistol

by Jeff Quinn

photography by Jeff Quinn & Boge Quinn

October 31st, 2012

 

Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

S&W M&P Pro 40 Caliber pistol with Buffalo Bore's Lead-Free Hollowpoint ammo.

 

 

Accessory rail.

 

 

 

 

Disassembly latch.

 

 

Ambidextrous slide lock levers.

 

 

Magazine release.

 

 

Excellent steel Novak rear sight & fiber-optic front sight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It has been over six years now since Smith & Wesson introduced their M&P semi-automatic pistol. The first one that I reviewed, and the first version that they produced, was chambered for the 40 S&W cartridge. That pistol finally put S&W at the top of the heap, and ever since, the M&P has been finding its way into more and more law enforcement duty holsters, and into the hands of people who want a world-class fighting handgun. S&W has filled out the line with many variations of the M&P, chambered for various cartridges from the 22 Long Rifle to the 9mm up to the 45 ACP, and in compact 9mm and compact 45 ACP, and even a new sub-compact version in 9mm and 40 S&W. The 40 S&W M&P Pro shown here is probably the best version yet for a duty pistol, and is also an excellent choice for competition. The M&P pistols are striker-fired, polymer/steel pistols, and I have covered the details of these weapons in my previous reviews of the M&P, so I will not plow the same ground again here, but will highlight the features of this Pro version of the M&P.

From its inception, the M&P has included features that make it more user-friendly than its competition, from its interchangeable grip inserts to its easy disassembly, steel magazines, and excellent trigger, the M&P just feels better in most shooters’ hands than does a Glock. There is certainly nothing wrong with a Glock. I own a few, and they are great pistols, but the M&P fits my hand better.

The Pro model shown here has some features that make it a better fighting pistol than the others in the M&P line. The barrel is longer, the sight radius longer, the trigger pull better, and the sights are improved. Like all full-size center fire M&P pistols, the weapon is supplied with three sizes of grip inserts, to comfortably and easily adapt the grip to fit the shooter’s hand. On the M&P Pro, there is no manual safety, but a striker safety prevents the pistol from firing until the trigger is pulled. The trigger pull on the M&P Pro is smooth and relatively light. The steel magazines drop free easily with a push of the magazine release. The frame of the M&P Pro has a pronounced beavertail, and is very comfortable to my hand. There is an accessory for the attachment of a light or laser, if desired.

The rear sight on the M&P Pro is a Novak steel unit, with the rear surface slightly angled to prevent glare. The front sight is a steel post with a green fiber-optic insert. This sight combination works extremely well, providing a good sight picture on the target range, and also works well in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, enhanced by the fiber-optic insert on the front. Barrel-to-slide and slide-to-frame fit are excellent on this pistol, and the five-inch barrel and longer slide give it better balance than the standard M&P duty pistols.

Critical specifications are listed in the chart below. Weights are listed in ounces. Linear dimensions are listed in inches. Maximum width is measured across the ambidextrous slide lock levers. The grip width and trigger reach vary, depending upon the grip insert that is installed. Trigger pull is listed in pounds of resistance, as measured with my Lyman digital trigger pull scale. Height includes sights and magazine base. Weight includes an empty magazine.

Chambering 40 S&W
Weight 28.8 oz.
Trigger Pull 5 lbs. 7 oz.
Barrel Length 5.000"
Barrel Diameter 0.555"
Overall Height 5.560"
Overall Length 8.370"
Grip Thickness 1.280", adjustable
Frame Width 1.110"
Slide Width 1.090"
Maximum Width 1.28"
Trigger Reach 2.540", adjustable
Magazine Capacity 15
Magazines Supplied 2
Accessory Rail Yes

Velocity testing was done at an elevation of 541 feet above sea level. Range temperatures hovered in the seventy-two degree Fahrenheit range, with forty-seven percent humidity. Wind conditions were light, with a slight gusty breeze. Velocities are listed in feet-per-second. Bullet weights are listed in grains. JHP is a jacketed hollowpoint bullet. LFHP is a Barnes lead-free homogenous copper hollowpoint. DPX is a homogenous copper hollow cavity bullet. PB is Cor-Bon Pow’R Ball, a specialty hollowpoint bullet with a nylon ball inserted into the hollow nose. FMJ is a full metal jacket bullet. Velocities were recorded at a distance of ten feet from the muzzle.

Ammunition Bullet Weight Velocity
Cor-Bon DPX 140 1223
Cor-Bon JHP 135 1280
Cor-Bon PB 135 1289
Buffalo Bore JHP 155 1251
Buffalo Bore JHP 180 1060
Buffalo Barnes LFHP 140 1229
Buffalo Barnes LFHP 125 1395
Buffalo Bore FMJ 180 1032
Black Hills JHP 180 928
Stryker JHP 180 920
Double Tap JHP 150 1316
Atomic JHP 180 1047

As expected, the M&P Pro ran flawlessly with every type of ammunition tested. The pistol fed, fired, and ejected every cartridge without fail. Accuracy was also very good, and the smooth trigger pull contributed greatly to the practical accuracy and easy shooting of the pistol. The accessory rail makes the mounting of a weapon light easy, and a Crimson Trace Lasergrip insert is available, if desired. I have both the Crimson Trace Lasergrip and the Crimson Trace Lightguard mounted on my standard M&P. The M&P Pro is an excellent choice for a competitive shooter in IDPA style competition, and is also one of the best pistols available to carry as a duty weapon, or to serve for home defense. The Pro, with its longer barrel and better trigger, is the best of the full-sized M&P pistols so far. The Shield has the compact end covered very well, and the Pro is, in my opinion, the best polymer striker-fired duty gun on the market. The M&P Pro is reliable, accurate, built right, and built in the USA.

Check out the extensive line of Smith & Wesson firearms and accessories online at www.smith-wesson.com.

For the location of a Smith & Wesson dealer near you, click on the DEALER LOCATOR at www.lipseys.com.

To order the M&P Pro online, go to www.galleryofguns.com.

To order quality fighting ammunition, go to www.buffalobore.com, www.doubletapammo.com, www.luckygunner.com, and www.theamericanmarksman.com.

Jeff Quinn

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Click pictures for a larger version.

 

 

Pistol comes with two magazines, instruction manual, three grip inserts, hard case, and cable lock.

 

 

S&W M&P Pro 40 (top) compared to author's bedside pistol, a S&W M&P 9mm with Crimson Trace Lightguard and Lasergrip.

 

 

Striker lock prevents the pistol from firing unless the trigger is pulled.

 

 

Interchangeable grip inserts.

 

 

Pistol comes with two fifteen-round steel magazines.

 

 

 

 

Accuracy was tested with the aid of a Ransom Master Series machine rest.