There are only few handguns that have changed the world as much as Smith & Wesson’s M&P Series – which we will cover here in our Smith & Wesson M&P Series review. Smith and Wesson (now known as American Outdoor Brands Corporation) has been refining the reliability, precision, and overall quality of firearms since the mid-1800’s. The M&P (Military and Police) series is no exception; since its launch in 2005, it has seamlessly altered the semi-automatic handgun market. The M&P story begins in the early 1990’s when S&W attempted to construct a pistol (Sigma SW40F) with a polymer frame. Their goal was to compete with the “similar” Glock 17 (and 19) by employing synthetic materials without compromising power and durability. Then, in the late 90’s, Smith & Wesson teamed up with the German company Walther to create a variant of the already legendary Walther P99.

The result of their partnership spawned the SW99, which enjoyed a few years of popularity among law enforcement around the U.S. Then in the mid-2000’s, innovation struck the American-based company. S&W designed a hybrid of their SW99 and Sigma series with intention of arming police officers around the world. Their brainchild was the S&W Military and Police, and it took the world by storm. Nowadays, these guns are everywhere! Law enforcement agencies across the globe have been arming their officers with them and they are equally prevalent and admired among civilians. In true Smith & Wesson fashion, the innovation and ingenuity is apparent at first glance. The M&P series presents upgraded ergonomics, safety features, trigger handle, customization options, and ease of use.

A buddy of mine who’s a security guard swears by his M&P because of its minimal recoil, reduced muzzle rise, and self-cleaning system. These three factors alone could determine life or death in a tragic situation. He’s constantly telling me that although he hopes to never have to use it, he feels safer knowing that he has a gun he can rely on. The self- cleaning feature is a product of the slide having four contact points with the frame thereby making it less likely to malfunction. Additionally, due to their reduced recoil and muzzle rise, the M&P’s rapid fire and aim recovery are now even better. If you’re looking for a reliable semi-automatic pistol that is easy to use and has the historic S&W reputation, the M&P line has to be top of your list.

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm Review

The 9mm M&P has quickly become an American classic. Throughout my several years as an avid shooter and NRA member, I have yet to read anything legitimately negative about this gun. Smith & Wesson claims that they have “considered the needs of military and law enforcement from every conceivable angle” with this gun and they are spot-on. S&W designed these breech-locking pistols to be able to face any situation while simultaneously flaunting unrivaled safety features. Many of the models come with an integrated Picatinny rail. I highly recommend these for those of you who like to deck your gun with sights, lasers, lights, etc.

The full-size M&P 9mm’s are preferred by recreational, competition, and home defense shooters alike. It seems like everybody loves the 9 mm, and I don’t blame them. It’s relatively low-priced, easy to shoot and handle (it even has ambidextrous controls!), and is backed by the S&W lifetime service policy. I was flipping through their catalog and I was shocked to see that they offer nearly 50 variations of the M&P 9mm. I realized that it’s not so crazy after all, considering that they basically arm police/military around the globe and millions of civilians. Here are the specs for the standard full-size version:

• Capacity:17+1
• Safety:No Thumb Safety
• Barrel Length: 4.25”
• Overall Length:6”
• Front Sight:Steel Ramp Dovetail Mount – Tritium Sights Optional
• Rear Sight:Steel Novak® Lo-Mount Carry – Tritium Sights Optional
• Action:Striker Fire
• Grip:3 Interchangeable Palmswell Grip Sizes
• Weight:9 oz / 791.0g
• Barrel Material:Stainless Steel
• Slide Material:Stainless Steel
• Frame Material:Polymer
• Slide Finish:Armornite
• Frame Finish:Matte Black

Smith & Wesson M&P 9c Review

I love the M&P 9mm, but sometimes you need something more … concealed. Smith & Wesson engineered the 9c as a compact version of the classic M&P 9mm without forgoing any power, durability, or comfort. Unlike the full-size which is multi-purpose, the 9c is geared for concealed carrying and personal protection. Nonetheless, fans of the full-size will be happy to hear that the 9c’s are also built with the same high-quality polymers and stainless steel components.

This model also features a Picatinny rail, but I don’t recommend adding any attachments to your 9c – it’s supposed be compact, so adding more parts doesn’t really make much sense to me. Some of the added features to this model make this gun even more user-friendly than the full-size such as scalloped slide serrations, an ambidextrous slide stop, and a manual thumb safety. If you’re looking to carry, Smith & Wesson gave this gun such an incredible MSRP (<$600) that makes this gun really hard to pass up on – It’s a great deal for a great gun.

• Capacity:12+1
• Safety:Manual Thumb Safety
• Barrel Length:5″ / 8.9 cm
• Overall Length:7″
• Front Sight:White Dot Dovetail
• Rear Sight:Steel Low Profile Carry
• Action:Striker Fire
• Grip:3 Interchangeable Palmswell Grip Sizes
• Weight:7 oz / 700.2g
• Barrel Material:Stainless Steel
• Slide Material:Stainless Steel
• Frame Material:Polymer
• Slide Finish:Armornite®
• Frame Finish:Black

Smith & Wesson M&P 45 2.0 Review

The M&P 45 2.0 seems to be Smith & Wesson’s attempt at revamping their already impressive M&P line. It comes as no surprise that it’s won awards and is a newfound favorite among M&P fans. S&W upgraded nearly every facet and capability of this semi-auto, ultimately giving it a complete makeover. My first impression of the 45 was astonishment at how much they focused on ergonomics. Even minute details like the trigger pull and grip texture were fine-tuned, culminating to create one of the best guns I’ve ever shot.

Smith & Wesson added four interchangeable Palmswell inserts with the M&P45 for easier and more comfortable shooting. To make it even more user-friendly, S&W managed to lower recoil and muzzle rise, essentially making it one of the most efficient and effective pistols out there. The specs are good, but to see the full range of new features, check out the Smith and Wesson catalog online.

• Caliber:.45 AUTO
• Capacity:10+1
• Barrel Length:6″ / 11.7 cm
• Overall Length:9″
• Front Sight:Steel – White Dot
• Rear Sight:Steel – White Two Dot
• Action:Striker Fire
• Grip:Polymer
• Weight:0 oz / 765.4g
• Barrel Material:Stainless Steel – Armornite® Finish
• Slide Material:Stainless Steel – Armornite® Finish
• Frame Material:Polymer
• Price: $600.00 MSRP
• Purpose:Personal/Home Protection

Here's the new Smith&Wesson M&P M2.0 Pistol. Had a blast! @SmithWessonCorp @TeamHornady @SafarilandGroup @BassProShops @LeupoldOptics pic.twitter.com/Zm1ME9y4eF

— doug koenig (@doug_koenig) January 9, 2017

Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Review

The M&P 22 series by Smith and Wesson is arguably one of their finest creations. S&W released their imitation of Walther P22 in 2011, and it has been a bestseller ever since. This isn’t the first time they’ve replicated a pistol from the German company, however this time proved to be much more successful (See intro: the SW99 was also modeled after a Walther). There are a few things that stand out to me about this gun, namely the reconfigured sight system and internal construction.

The M&P 22’s exceptional accuracy and ergonomics attest to the fact that it’s designed primarily for recreational and competitive shooting. After seeing their product flourish so quickly, S&W began manufacturing a compact version of the M&P 22 in 2013. Like most other M&P’s, the 22 models are built with durability and reliability as the highest priorities. Beginners and experts alike will love bringing this gun to the range – just make sure to pack plenty of ammo!

• Model: M&P®22 12 Round Threaded Barrel
• Caliber:.22 LR
• Capacity:12+1 (10+1 compact)
• Safety:Manual Thumb Safety
• Barrel Length:4″ / 10.2 cm (3.5”/8.9 cm compact)
• Overall Length:6″ (6.7 compact)
• Front Sight:Drift Adjustable (White dot compact)
• Rear Sight:Click Adjustable (White 2-dot-screw adjustable compact)
• Action:Single Action
• Grip:Polymer, Fixed Backstrap
• Weight:2 oz / 771.1g (15.3 oz./433.7g compact)
• Barrel Material:Carbon Steel
• Slide Material:Aluminum Alloy
• Frame Material:Polymer
• Slide Finish:Armornite®
• Frame Finish:Black
• MSRP: $419.00 ($389.00 compact)
• Purpose:Recreational Shooting

Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Shield Review

If you’re considering a concealed pistol, the M&P 40 Shield has to be at the top of your list. Smith & Wesson’s 9c is eerily similar to the M&P40 and I’ve been struggling to find my preference. Both are such great guns, so I think you’ll be satisfied with whichever one you pick. The 9c is a little bit beefier and longer, but its added size offers better ergonomics than the sleeker .40 Shield. S&W’s expert engineering team managed to somehow shrink their standard size M&P’s without compromising any stopping power and functionality.

The 40 Shield was manufactured to never weigh you down or leave you defenseless; its lightweight design, durable components, and reliable performance ensure just that. If there’s any doubt about this product’s quality, let me put that to rest right now. Besides for being excellent on paper, over one million satisfied M&P 40 Shield owners are the proof in the pudding. There are several variations in the S&W catalog, but here are the specs for the standard model:

• Caliber:.40 S&W
• Capacity:6+1, 7+1
• Safety:Thumb Safety
• Barrel Length:3.1” (7.9 cm)
• Overall Length:6.1″
• Front Sight:White Dot
• Rear Sight:White 2-Dot
• Action:Striker Fire
• Grip:Synthetic
• Weight:6 oz / 584.0g
• Barrel Material:Stainless Steel
• Slide Material:Stainless Steel
• Frame Material:Polymer
• Slide Finish:Armornite®
• Frame Finish:Matte Black
• MSRP: $450.00
• Purpose:Concealed Carry, Personal Protection

Smith & Wesson M&P 10 Review

I used to think that a one trick pony company like S&W, with its impressive history of producing top of the line handguns, could not compete in the rifle market – but I was wrong. Smith & Wesson unveiled their adaptation of the AR-10 in 2013 and it has been a huge success ever since. These semi-auto rifles are not only stunning, but also unfathomably accurate and customizable.

It’s by no means a small gun, and understandably so, considering its six-position collapsible stock, steel and aluminum components, long barrel, and integrated rail. Like many other S&W weapons, it’s outfitted for ambidextrous use (Mag catch, bolt catch, and safety selector). Although it is on the heavier side, the patented S&W enhanced flash suppressor and reduced recoil make shooting less difficult.

This is the gun to customize. Although the M&P 10 rifles function beautifully right out of the box, they still look naked. S&W outfitted their AR-10 variants with a Picatinny rail and QD sling swivel attachment point. Do yourself a favor and go buy some accessories. There are sights, scopes, lights, and lasers for all types of preferences and purposes; you might need to stock up! Get yourself a sling, maybe a fore grip, and if you’re looking for a scope check out the Nikon M308 4-16×42 with BDC 800 Reticle. The M&P10’s are designed with 5R rifling and a 1/10 twist, which means they’re exceptionally accurate and powerful at long ranges straight from the factory. S&W crafted these rifles with hunters in mind, but they are also ideal for home protection and law enforcement.

• Caliber:.308 WIN/7.62 x 51
• Capacity:20
• Safety:Manual Safety on Lower
• Barrel Length:18″
• Front Sight:None
• Rear Sight:None
• Action:Gas Operated Semi-Auto
• Stock:6-Position CAR
• Grip:Synthetic
• Weight:2 oz / 3,492.7g
• Barrel Material:4140 Steel
• Frame Material:Aluminum Alloy
• Frame Finish:Matte Black
• Barrel Twist:1 in 10” 5R Rifling
• MSRP: $1,619.00

Smith & Wesson M&P 15 Sport II Review

If Smith & Wesson’s answer to the AR-10 (see M&P 10 above) is what solidified them as a legitimate rifle producer, then it was their AR-15 variant that first put them on the map. The M&P 15 is the epitome of what an MSR should look and perform like. I am not exaggerating when I say that the M&P 15 is everything a rifle should be. It offers supreme versatility, great ergonomics, and the S&W durability that shooters have relied on for nearly two centuries. And to top it all off, it’s so fun to shoot. They are perfect for hunting, law enforcement, competitive shooting, target practice, and home protection.

I used to think that if a gun could offer so much that it must be so generic that it just fits all molds. This is definitely not the case for the M&P 15 Sport II. It comes pre-equipped with a 6-position stock, adjustable Magpul folding MBUS rear & A2 post front sights, and is compatible with most standard AR 15 accessories. Smith and Wesson even upgraded the user-friendliness of the rifle by adding a dust cover and forward assist while also lowering the overall weight. There are around two dozen M&P 15 models, but the Sport II has cemented itself as the benchmark – check out its specs and you’ll see why:

• Caliber:56mm NATO/.223
• Capacity:30
• Safety:Manual Safety on Lower
• Barrel Length:16”
• Overall Length:36.63”
• Front Sight: A2 Post
• Rear Sight:Folding Magpul (MBUS)
• Action:Gas Operated Semi-Auto
• Stock:6-Position CAR
• Grip:Polymer
• Weight: 6.5 lbs. / 2,925.7g
• Barrel Material:4140 Steel
• Frame Material:Aluminum Alloy
• Frame Finish:Matte Black
• Barrel Twist:1 in 9, 6 groove
• Price: Approx. $700.00

Smith & Wesson M&P Accessories

It’s hard to imagine why someone would want to accessorize their M&P pistol, but nevertheless, there are a few options available. The most popular accessories for M&P’s are extended mags. If you’re looking for something more, there are plenty of holsters, lasers, sights, flashlights, and custom grips out there to choose from. Most of the M&P guns are already highly accurate, lightweight, and comfortable, so beefing them up just seems like overkill.

Conclusion

From Japan to Pakistan, and everywhere in between, it’s hard to find firearms that have revolutionized law enforcement and personal protection as much as the Smith and Wesson Military and Police pistols. The American based company has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that all types of shooters can find the right M&P for them. In today’s world of fast-paced development, too many companies have chosen to embrace constant innovation and have thereby sacrificed their quality; Smith & Wesson has managed find the perfect balance. Since the M&P’s debuted, they have been systematically updated while maintaining the excellence that shooters have trusted for over 150 years. Even though these guns were designed for police and military use, they have found their way into the hearts of civilian shooters around the world.

Thanks for reading our M&P feature! Stay tuned for more on Smith & Wesson, but in the mean time check out our Bushmaster Minimalist-SD and XM features, as well as our Remington 870 and 1100 features right here at Gunivore!

The post Smith & Wesson M&P Review: It’s Gonna Be M&P! appeared first on Gunivore.

Table of Contents

• History of Smith & Wesson
• Cartridges Review
• Semi-Auto Pistols Review
• Rifles/Carbines Review
• Submachine Guns Review
• Shotguns Review
• Knives & Accessories Review
• The Future of Smith & Wesson?
• Conclusion

Smith and Wesson (S&W) has been delivering quality products to the world since the 1850’s and has remained arguably the most popular and successful gun manufacturer in the world. When I think of S&W I think of history, innovation, and reliability, but there is truly much more to talk about – particularly in regards to recent developments. Worry not, as we’ll get to it all here in our Smith & Wesson Company and Firearms Overview. Smith & Wesson has a rich and interesting history and yet has managed to stay relevant with their impressive state-of-the-art engineering. Their guns are sought after by hunters, competition shooters, antique collectors, militaries & law enforcement around the world, and those looking to fortify their homes and families.

I suggest looking up their catalog just to see the huge list of products they manufacture – it’s endless. They say that in order to find the best place to eat, find the longest lines, and the same applies to guns. It’s no coincidence that Smith & Wesson’s weapons are among the most popular around the globe. In an average year, Smith and Wesson will manufacture well over 1 million guns for U.S markets alone, and earn around a half a billion dollars in global revenue. These numbers are almost unfathomable. S&W’s are beautifully crafted, fun to shoot, and an overall pleasure to own. My first gun was a S&W, and I recommend any prospective buyer consider them.

History of Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson’s history is as extensive as it is fascinating. The story begins well over 150 years ago in New England. Two men, Horace Smith and Daniel Wesson, both with experience in the firearms trade, joined forces with hopes of developing a lever action repeating pistol (with a self-contained cartridge). After initially failing and ultimately having to sell their company to what would later become the famous Winchester Repeating Arms Co., Smith and Wesson finally emerged with a revolutionary firearm. They came up with a revolver to shoot their previously patented Rimfire Cartridge. This gun, known as the Model 1, was the first gun to combine the style of Colt’s revolver with a self-contained cartridge. Now this may not sound like much, but this invention changed the world. All revolvers since the Model 1, and all American cartridge ammo, stem from this partnership’s breakthrough.

Fearing that this was not going to be enough, they concocted the Model 3 American (which was the first large caliber cartridge revolver in the world). This gun was so ground-breaking, they immediately sold thousands of units to both the United States Government and the Russian Imperial Government. From the end of the 1800’s throughout the 1900’s, Smith & Wesson took the world by storm with their inventions. They unveiled new guns that transformed civilization nearly every decade. During this period, they developed hammer-less revolvers, the Model 10 (.38 Military & Police), Magnum revolvers (.367 Magnum), the Model 39 (the first American made double action auto-loading pistol), the famous Model 29 (.44 Magnum), and the Model 60 (the first stainless steel revolver).

Each of these weapons revolutionized the world of law enforcement, frontier life, and personal defense. What blows my mind is that most of these models are still popular today. The .38 M&P is the gun of choice for police officers around the world! Historians and antique collectors treasure S&W’s because they were used in virtually every war in American history. Over 150 years has passed and Smith & Wesson have been on top nearly every step of the way.

#TBT In 1880, Scientific American named Smith & Wesson “one of the oldest, most perfect, and widely known [revolver makers] in the country” pic.twitter.com/LZcsw19QDq

— Smith & Wesson Corp. (@SmithWessonCorp) January 20, 2017

Smith & Wesson Cartridges Review

Besides for their innovations of revolvers, Smith & Wesson may have actually been more influential with their cartridges. Over the course of their illustrious century and a half, they’ve introduced nearly twenty different cartridges. Some of these are among the world’s most common, such as the .38 Special (not to be confused with the rock band), .357 Magnum, and the .32 Short. These incredible developments can be traced back to the 1870’s, when S&W produced revolvers that used metal cartridges, eventually solidifying them as the standard cartridge in America.

I’m a huge fan of both the .38 Special and the .357 Magnum, and apparently I’m not the only one. In an article on Americanrifleman.org (one of the NRA’s websites), the author lists what he believes to be the top 5 American handgun cartridges. These two S&W’s made the cut as well as their .44 Special/.44 Magnum. Although it may take an expert shooter to realize the difference in quality of cartridges, I believe that their prevalence among law enforcement around the world, speaks for itself. If they trust in S&W’s ammo, why wouldn’t I? Of course, in terms of cartridges, Smith and Wesson is most primarily known for the .40 S&W – which we covered extensively here!

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Review

It was Smith & Wesson’s revolvers that put them on the map, but it has been their semi-auto pistols that have kept them relevant in today’s modern world. Production of their semi-auto pistols began in 1913 with the Model 35. As time went on, their innovations continued as they created the Model 39: the first U.S.-designed double action pistol (debuted in the 1950’s), and the Model 61: a mini pistol engineered to be easily concealed in pockets (debuted in the early 70’s).

In 2003, S&W came out with their version of the M1911 (we’ve reviewed Remington’s in the past), and it’s gorgeous. I fell in love with the SW1911SC E-Series (Round Butt Scandium Frame) at first sight. I shot a few rounds and knew I had to have it. However, with such a steep MSRP, it took some time to save up for it. This is just one of the countless models they offer. Within their line of semi-automatic pistols, there is the Sigma series, the SW99, M&P’s, SD VE, and the aforementioned SW1911.

The Sigmas are incredibly popular and powerfully built; they are recoil-operated and constructed with polymer and steel. For fans of the Sigma Series who also like the Walther P99, the SW99 is the perfect hybrid. The Walther P99 is a great gun and Smith & Wesson basically used it as a framework to create an enhanced variation. The most unique of their pistols is also their most common: the M&P Series.

Even though it was designed for (and still used by) law enforcement around the world, they are also available to civilians. It’s hard not to love this gun. S&W spent years mastering the ergonomics of these guns to perfect their abilities. At most ranges that I visit, I usually spot at least two or three Smith & Wesson firearms, more than any other brand. It’s like this year after year and I’m never surprised- the reliability, accuracy, and user-friendliness of their pistols are impeccable.

Get Glock! Read our Glock 17, 19, 26, 30, and 36 Reviews!

Smith & Wesson Rifles/Carbines Review

It wasn’t until World War II that Smith & Wesson produced their first rifles. Nowadays, their online catalog offers a few dozen rifles marketed under their M&P line. These are really beautiful guns and they come in tons of different options. I was surprised to find out that these are not your standard AR-variants. They are priced well, very accurate, comfortable and easy to shoot, and offer tons of accessory options.

They can easily compete with other top-shelf AR15’s. S&W’s MSR’s are engineered for a wide variety of different applications. A few of my friends are involved in the competitive rifle scene, and the majority of them prefer M&P15’s. For a company known for their revolvers and cartridges, Smith & Wesson offers an impressive array of rifles.

Smith & Wesson Submachine Guns Review

In the late 1960’s, Smith & Wesson decided to expand their collection and give a shot at the sub machine gun market. The currently discontinued Model 76 was designed for law enforcement but eventually made its way into civilian hands. I’ll give them credit for trying, but this was not one of their more successful ventures. Sometimes it’s better to just stick with what works.

Smith & Wesson Shotguns Review

As with their sub machine gun, S&W gave a valiant effort in the shotgun market, but at the end of the day it was a huge failure. For whatever reason, they decided to keep trying to manufacture shotguns but it never worked. They failed in the 80’s because of some serious quality issues, and failed again in the early 2000’s. Like I said before, good for them for trying, but c’mon, stop trying to do everything and focus on what you know! Shotguns are by far my favorite guns, so it’s hard for me not to at least appreciate the S&W assault shotgun, but to call a spade a spade, it never had a chance at competing with the others on the market.

Smith & Wesson Knives & Accessories Review

Thank goodness Smith and Wesson finally got a new product line right! As a huge fan of the company, I was just annoyed that every time they tried to branch out, they would fail miserably. That all changed when they decided to get into the knife and accessory business. They unveiled their first combat knives in the 70’s and they’ve managed to stay popular until today. One of the many reasons why I love S&W is for their commitment to enhancing law enforcement equipment. They are constantly devising ways to make police accessories better. Over the past few decades they have developed special shoes, bikes, and flashlights all geared towards police officers.

The Future of Smith & Wesson?

Smith & Wesson has a bright future ahead of them. Throughout their long history, they have always made huge strides in attempts to stick with the times. Even though some of their attempts failed, it’s nonetheless admirable. In the past year alone, S&W bought out a few companies that produce laser sights, knives, and assorted survival equipment.

After over 150 years, S&W voted to change their corporate name to American Outdoor Brands. As a gun enthusiast this bothers me, but at the same time, it’s a more accurate title. After all the moves and acquisitions they’ve made recently, American Outdoor Brands actually makes a lot of sense given that firearms are now only a fraction of their products, I’m looking forward to watch the company grow as a major supplier of all types of weapons and survival equipment. The times are changing and Smith & Wesson will surely always be changing too. I’m excited to see where they will go from here!

Conclusion

Over the past 150 years, few companies have impacted American history as Smith and Wesson. Nevertheless, they’ve evaded fading away into the past by constantly innovating and developing their products. In the 1850’s, S&W began as a partnership dedicated to invention and almost 200 years later it’s still an American staple. Whether in their lines of revolvers, cartridges, or semi-automatic pistols, S&W has always been relentless pushing the limits of what American firearm quality should be.

Thanks for checking out our Smith and Wesson feature. Learn more about other great brands like Glock, Benelli, Kel-Tec, FN, Ruger, Remington, Mossberg, and Bushmaster here at Gunivore!

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