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.

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.