About two years ago I spoke to S&W and asked why they did not offer their Gen 2 M&P Compact here in Canada with a 4.2" barrel, similar to the offering by Glock and their G 19 pistol. Frankly, I got a bit of a cold shoulder. I assume their Marketing Dept. had other ideas. This spring in noticed the Compact offered with a 4.6" Suppressor Barrel on sale here. We all know what the chances of the current Gov't ever allowing us the chance to buy suppressors so the offering as it now enters Canada is a bit weird.
I bought the Suppressor version with the idea that M&P barrels are not all that expensive and swapping out the barrel to a 4.25" barrel meant for the FS M&P would give me what I wanted for CCP Division in IDPA without the need to cut the suppressor sized barrel. Here it is with the new barrel, the two Compact sized 10rd mags and two collars - one is attached to a standard M&P mag for demonstration purposes.
The two collars are included and fit over a standard M&P Magazine. The collars prevent inserting the mags beyond their intended position which might cause internal damage to the gun if the longer mags were inserted with force when the slide was open. I intend to purchase more Compact Mags when they come available. NOTE: the Gen 1 Compact mags are to short for the Gen2 so if you go down this rabbit hole be forewarned. Don't ask!
I prefer the M&P over the Glock 19 for the following reasons:
1. The Glock 19 is a Glock ie I dislike the grip angle on the Glock.
2. The M&P has an internal steel cage if you will embedded in the polymer that extends out to the end of the slide. The reduces frame flexing which does occur with polymer frames.
3. The M&P Slide is made of stainless steel. I live in a rain forest ie it rains a lot.
4. I have a lot of time on the M&P pistol and shoot the design better than most of my handguns. To be honest I am pretty average when it comes to accuracy. LOL
As for shooting, I chose the large grip insert. The trigger is an improvement over the Gen1 but still suffers from the striker fired design where the sear is not fully set. You get a slight squishy feel before the break. When doing double taps similar to when I am shooting IDPA I have no sense of this feel but in front of the TV.... The Walther's I have don't suffer from the squishy feel due to the fact on that design the sear is fully set. Reset on the M&P is slightly longer than the 1/10th" reset of the Walther PPQ. The pistol itself is as accurate as I can shoot. I intend to replace the suppressor sights with standard factory notch and post sights. They work and I like them.
Lastly the "checkering" on the grip is abrasive. You plant your hand on the grip and your hand is going nowhere. At this point I am not going to get the sandpaper out but those of you with sensitive skin might find a bit of sanding on the grip panel to be useful.
I have always liked the M&P. The Full Size version with the 4.25" barrel can be made to fit in the IDPA box for CCP. A bit of sanding on the mag bases will allow the gun to fit in the CCP box. (Thanks to the folks in Chilliwack for that tip). That said, I do like the Gen2 Compact. It will be my first choice for CCP Division moving forward. Just waiting for Tim at Soley Canadian to deliver my new holster and life will be good.
Take Care
Bob
ps. Mags for the Full size guns will fit in the Compact. Use the collars though. Your existing mag holders will work fine. You will need a new holster. I chose SOLEY CANADIAN.
pps The mag release is reversible. I prefer it on the right side of the gun and use my trigger finger to actuate the release.
I bought the Suppressor version with the idea that M&P barrels are not all that expensive and swapping out the barrel to a 4.25" barrel meant for the FS M&P would give me what I wanted for CCP Division in IDPA without the need to cut the suppressor sized barrel. Here it is with the new barrel, the two Compact sized 10rd mags and two collars - one is attached to a standard M&P mag for demonstration purposes.
The two collars are included and fit over a standard M&P Magazine. The collars prevent inserting the mags beyond their intended position which might cause internal damage to the gun if the longer mags were inserted with force when the slide was open. I intend to purchase more Compact Mags when they come available. NOTE: the Gen 1 Compact mags are to short for the Gen2 so if you go down this rabbit hole be forewarned. Don't ask!
I prefer the M&P over the Glock 19 for the following reasons:
1. The Glock 19 is a Glock ie I dislike the grip angle on the Glock.
2. The M&P has an internal steel cage if you will embedded in the polymer that extends out to the end of the slide. The reduces frame flexing which does occur with polymer frames.
3. The M&P Slide is made of stainless steel. I live in a rain forest ie it rains a lot.
4. I have a lot of time on the M&P pistol and shoot the design better than most of my handguns. To be honest I am pretty average when it comes to accuracy. LOL
As for shooting, I chose the large grip insert. The trigger is an improvement over the Gen1 but still suffers from the striker fired design where the sear is not fully set. You get a slight squishy feel before the break. When doing double taps similar to when I am shooting IDPA I have no sense of this feel but in front of the TV.... The Walther's I have don't suffer from the squishy feel due to the fact on that design the sear is fully set. Reset on the M&P is slightly longer than the 1/10th" reset of the Walther PPQ. The pistol itself is as accurate as I can shoot. I intend to replace the suppressor sights with standard factory notch and post sights. They work and I like them.
Lastly the "checkering" on the grip is abrasive. You plant your hand on the grip and your hand is going nowhere. At this point I am not going to get the sandpaper out but those of you with sensitive skin might find a bit of sanding on the grip panel to be useful.
I have always liked the M&P. The Full Size version with the 4.25" barrel can be made to fit in the IDPA box for CCP. A bit of sanding on the mag bases will allow the gun to fit in the CCP box. (Thanks to the folks in Chilliwack for that tip). That said, I do like the Gen2 Compact. It will be my first choice for CCP Division moving forward. Just waiting for Tim at Soley Canadian to deliver my new holster and life will be good.
Take Care
Bob
ps. Mags for the Full size guns will fit in the Compact. Use the collars though. Your existing mag holders will work fine. You will need a new holster. I chose SOLEY CANADIAN.
pps The mag release is reversible. I prefer it on the right side of the gun and use my trigger finger to actuate the release.
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