S&W M&P VTAC - Definitive answer needed

krausb

krausb

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First let me say that I am not an M&P or S&W basher. I consider myself a bit of an M&P aficionado and have owned a few different ones over the years including a JG Edition M&P9. I currently have a M&P9 Pro (my favorite gun that I have ever owned) and am trying to decide between the Carry & Range kit or the VTAC for my next purchase.

The problem is that S&W is notoriously bad at getting real info out about their different models and various SKUs for each model... That leaves the internet to take up the slack and most of the "facts" and "specs" that we see are really just hearsay, conjecture and speculation; often based on nothing more than it seems to make sense that it should be this way...

For example, when the JG Edition was released (long before the Pro models came out) people were pretty certain that the JG should have a better trigger/sear because, after all, it was Julie G's gun. The reality was the the only thing different about the JG was the sights and the pink backstraps. It was still an awesome gun, but not as good as the guys that never did shoot one think it was/should be...

That brings us to the VTAC. The only things, that I can see from what I have read, that separate the VTAC from a run of the mill M&P are the sights, the FDE frame,and the PVD coated slide.

Nothing that I have read form any remotely official source indicates that there is any difference internally between the VTAC and the rest of the non-Pro M&P line-up... Despite this, there seems to be much speculation (which again has turned into "fact|") about the internals of the VTAC being the same as the Pro, or being factory smoothed, or customized somehow...

Does anyone have a link to any 100% credible or official source that shows definitively that the internals of the VTAC are somehow upgraded from the standard line-up?

Now, I'd like to keep thread to the point and to the facts. If you read on another forum that a guy knows a guy who's cousin gave Kyle Lamb a handjob in the back seat of his Jeep and heard that the VTAC has superior internals, please do not post that garbage here.

I politely ask that you only post what you can back up with official or at the very least credible sources.

If you personally have shot (at the very minimum) at least one of each of the following: regular M&P, M&P Pro, VTAC; and all within a few days of each other; and can indisputably speak to how each trigger felt in direct comparison to the others, then I would consider that to be credible as well.

Also this is not the thread to rag on or brag up the VTAC. There are already a few threads going that have those angles covered. This thread is just the facts. :)

So... What do we actually know about the VTAC? Anyone?
 
krausb said:
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That brings us to the VTAC. The only things, that I can see from what I have read, that separate the VTAC from a run of the mill M&P are the sights, the FDE frame,and the PVD coated slide.
Click to expand...

I did a lot of research on it also and all I could find was what you mentioned above. To me it doesn't make any sense to pay a lot more for a gun that has different sights and color. I own the 5" Pro Series also and don't plan on buying the VTAC unless there was more to it. I've also read that the PVD coating doesn't last as long as the Melonite finish.
 
I think the VTAC looks cool but I already own a M&P Pro 9 so it's not worth the extra money to me. The tan colour seems to be the flavour of the moment, I guess because of the war in Afganistan and Iraq and the firearms you see for there. It will probably be like having a harvest gold fridge and stove someday, if you are old enough you will understand.
 
With the M&P so much depends on what you want to do with the gun. I have the 5" Pro and the FS M&P.

I wanted to just get the M&P Long but found a very slightly used PRO on the Exchange for the same money and went with the PRO. Why the Long version. My intentions were to use the gun in IDPA SSP Division and install the APEX Competition Kit. The PRO's internals along with the front sight were going to be replaced anyway so paying an extra $100 for the PRO didn't make sense to me. My PRO came with a 5#+ trigger and was smoother than my FS when it was new. With the APEX parts and a Hi Viz FO front sight I now have a super smooth 3# Trigger with a much shorter reset. In short a perfect competition gun for SSP Division. I then installed the PRO parts in my FS and now have a better gun for IPSC Production.

From reading on the M&P Forum the VTAC version differs from the regular M&P only because of the sights and finish. If both appeal to you then you are good to go. There really isn't any other reason to buy that model.

If you are going to play IPSC Production then either the FS or PRO versions should do you well. You have to watch your trigger pull weight though as IPSC Production has a minimum 5# trigger pull and with usage some have found the pull to drop below the 5# minimum on both models. For IPSC Production the DCAK Kit from APEX is not an option as the internal modifications would take you out of the Division. This kit will give you a very smooth 5#+ trigger.

It really boils down to what you want the gun for and what appeals to you personally. The M&P comes in a number of flavours and their are after market parts available to allow anyone to customize the gun to meet your needs.

My advice if you are going to replace the internals and sights anyway buy the basic gun either in 4.25" or 5" and fill your boots.

Take Care


Bob
 
I don't own but have shot the standard M&P and the VTAC and both have the same horrible trigger. I've also shot one with the Apex kit and it's very nice, I now plan on picking one up some time.
 
tacticalII said:
I don't own but have shot the standard M&P and the VTAC and both have the same horrible trigger. I've also shot one with the Apex kit and it's very nice, I now plan on picking one up some time.
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The standard trigger improves very quickly with usage. What you feel is the trigger bar hitting the striker block. The APEX and PRO striker blocks are more rounded smoothing out the feel. Polishing up the striker block in the standard gun speeds up the smoothing out process.

Take Care

Bob
 
Yes, the trigger of the M&P Pro will fail the test I can garantee you that lol. So what I did is to match the VTAC lower with my M&P Pro upper. I have now a unique and exclusive version of the M&P Pro. :D
 
Just a quick question regaurding the m&p triggers while we are on the topic.

I run an m&p 40 at work and shoot an m&p 9 for fun. With my work gun I notice the trigger is a little bit heavier but much smoother than my civilian gun and I definatly shoot a lot better with the work gun's trigger. Now I was thinking that perhaps its like the glocks where they put an equivilant to the "nypd" 8lb trigger in but searching the net I can't find anything to support or show that smith or anyone else make such a trigger.

Now to my 9mm I want to get a better trigger because to be quite frank I was not satisfied with it what so ever when I shot it at NSCC this year. So my second question had anyone used the apex 5-51/2 lb duty trigger? If so what are your thoughts or is everyone that is talking about the apex triggers refering to the 3lb competition trigger?

Thanks for any help!
 
Squirrley11 said:
Just a quick question regaurding the m&p triggers while we are on the topic.

I run an m&p 40 at work and shoot an m&p 9 for fun. With my work gun I notice the trigger is a little bit heavier but much smoother than my civilian gun and I definatly shoot a lot better with the work gun's trigger. Now I was thinking that perhaps its like the glocks where they put an equivilant to the "nypd" 8lb trigger in but searching the net I can't find anything to support or show that smith or anyone else make such a trigger.

Now to my 9mm I want to get a better trigger because to be quite frank I was not satisfied with it what so ever when I shot it at NSCC this year. So my second question had anyone used the apex 5-51/2 lb duty trigger? If so what are your thoughts or is everyone that is talking about the apex triggers refering to the 3lb competition trigger?

Thanks for any help!
Click to expand...

The APEX Duty kit gives you a +5# trigger pull that is smooth and with a faster reset. The Competition Kit gives you the same thing with a 3# trigger. If the rules allow it go for the APEX Trigger kit. One of the members here just wrote a thread about his M&P Long that he installed the trigger kit and he used it for the NSCC competitions I think. Do a search.

Take Care

Bob
 
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