That's an excellent functional rundown. Very nice.Narwhal: To paint with a really broad brush, the M&P is more reliable but 1911's are generally more accurate due their single action trigger. If you compare the .40 to the .45, the M&P will hold twice as many more rounds, 16 for the M&P 40 vs 8 for the typical 1911. The M&P 40 is also about 25% lighter, which means it will be easier to carry but also be more prone to recoil. This is offset a little bit by the weight of 15 rounds in an M&P magazine.
Also, the M&P usually has no safeties, although thumb safeties, magazine safeties, and internal locks are available should you desire them. The 1911 has the thumb safety and the grip safety.
Overall, the M&P is generally more abuse tolerant, reliable, easier to field strip/clean, offers more firepower, and easier to carry. A 1911 is more accurate, easier to shoot, a bit more versatile since they can be carried cocked or uncocked, and offers more firepower per shot but less firepower overall.
Thanks 4 the reply. Im doubting about the m&p40 reliability since I have a new one and put 200 rds already and had 2 FTF. May be the ammo? may be a lemon m&p? may be the break-in period? Dunno...
Skylerbone said:I might add that while the M&P does not have an exposed hammer and is listed as a double action pistol that unlike most poly guns the striker is fully cocked before the trigger is depressed so it's technically firing single action. Pistols like the Glock are partially cocked and the trigger finishes cocking the striker before releasing the sear.
"Mostly cocked
pulling the trigger rotates the sear downwards, the angle on the rear face of the sear causes a caming action against the striker moving the striker to the rear very slightly, thus finishing the "cocking".
Dan"
As the M&P slide goes forward, the tail of the striker remains in a partially cocked position. The M&P uses a double-action-only (DAO) trigger that provides a 6.5-pound trigger stroke of 0.30 inches, which completely retracts the striker before tripping the sear. The trigger pull is exactly the same for each shot, providing the legendary consistency and accuracy of the double-action revolver. Another nice touch is a trigger overtravel stop that eliminates overtravel after the trigger trips the sear, which reduces the likelihood of flinching and thus enhances accuracy.