M&P40 Questions

[Iggy]

I just DROS'd an M&P40 today and I have a few questions about the gun.

1. Is it legal and or possible to remove the mag safty feature? I don't like that once the mag is dropped it doesn't fire. Not a biggie, but can it be reversed?
2. Can a manual saftey be added? I wanted to keep the muscle memory and practice of my 1911 and I use the manual saftey when holster and draw.
3. Lastley if any of the two above can be done how can they be done and who can do it?

[DannyZRC]

the thumb safety models of the 9mm and .40S&W M&Ps are not on the CA DOJ roster, there is a notch in the frame where the safety passes through.

as far as I know, you would only have to cut a similar notch into the frame to retrofit a safety, but I haven't taken a close look at the internals and I do know that S&W will not cut this notch, whether they have mechanical reason to or not is not known to me. Apparently the entire striker block is different for thumb safety models, making this not an easy retrofit.

the mag safety can be defeated, and there are no laws on modifying a pistol you own unless the modified configuration violates some other statute, in this case there is no legal prohibition against owning a gun without a magazine disconnect, or modifying a gun with one to disable it.

I'm going to be DROSing an M&P40 with a thumb safety through single shot exemption later this week, maybe you want to trade me your mag disconnect sear block for my non-disconnect sear block, =D.

[Iggy]

I'd be down for a trade. New for new. PM me if you're serious.

[DannyZRC]

apparently the M&Ps can experience something called a dead trigger, and because of this and also cost streamlining smith & wesson are migrating all of the M&P production mostly over to the same sear block, which is the MA compliant larger and heavier sear spring/plunger, and also all with the thumb safety pattern sear block, no mag lock and no ILS.

I'm not an M&P expert, hopefully shenaniguns finds this thread and sets us all straight.

[NorCal Einstein]

1) It is legal to remove the magazine disconnect. The modification to remove the mag disconnect is fully reversible. Don't know of anyone who removes it as a service, and I'm willing to bet gunsmiths will not take on this work for liability reasons. The process looks fairly simple to do, here's the guide. http://www.burwellgunsmithing.com/M&P2.htm

2) Never read/seen the thumb safety get retrofitted before. Most times I've read people just say "You should have got the variant with thumb safety in the first place". I know this is difficult in CA, so you are probably going to have to live with a thumb safety-less M&P. The reviews also seem to be mixed on the thumb safety. Some don't like it compared to the 1911 thumb safety, and some love it.

3) Item 1 is a DIY. Item 2 is a no-go.

Warning with removing the magazine disconnect: While it shouldn't impact reliability or the functioning of the gun, if this is your HD gun...many people recommend you leave it untouched in the case you do have to use it. The idea being any modifications you do can be misconstrued into irresponsibility of some wacky sort.

[Iggy]

Thanks for the support!

I'm not really worried about the mag disconnect. I hate it in part because of the idea behind it, but I if I think about it, I have never fired my handgun with the mag out.

The thumb safety I would really like because I don't want to train with one gun one way and then something different with the other. I like clicking the safety on and off when I draw and holster.

I guess we will see when I get it... I owned an M&P45 in the past and loved how similar the function was to a 1911.

I will get the trigger worked and the slide slotted for an RMR in 3-4 months though.

[Tiberius]

Danny - where are you single-shotting the M&P? I recently acquired an M&Pc in .357 Sig; I'm thinking of adding it to my CCW but I'd prefer that it had the thumb safety, which it doesn't. Haven't shot it yet, and I've flirted with selling it and moving over to one with a thumb safety (in 9 or .40). Or maybe a Kimber Solo . . .

[DannyZRC]

PRK in Fresno, nice folks. They had a hard time finding them but eventually called me up in the affirmative. I also contact Tracy Rifle and Pistol, they responded that they could get them as well.

I know people tend to be reactionary against things that are mandated, but I kinda like the idea of a mag disconnect. too bad the thumb safety + mag safety is an LE order combo that's rarely produced.

[Tiberius]

Cool - thanks. Maybe you can post a review when you get yours - I'm curious how they are.

T

[DannyZRC]

my GF single shotted a PX4 subcompact there, they are professionals and pleasant to deal with. It's a nice shop.

[Iggy]

Man this really pisses me off. How is a gun with a manual safety less safe and therefore not roster approved?

The reason I got this gun instead of a single shot exemption is to support my local guy. Go figure that CA thinks a gun is less safe with a safety.

[Tiberius]

Yeah - the logical extension would be a new rule that trigger fingers must always be in triggers. For safety.

[Shenaniguns]

I just DROS'd an M&P40 today and I have a few questions about the gun.

1. Is it legal and or possible to remove the mag safty feature? I don't like that once the mag is dropped it doesn't fire. Not a biggie, but can it be reversed?
2. Can a manual saftey be added? I wanted to keep the muscle memory and practice of my 1911 and I use the manual saftey when holster and draw.
3. Lastley if any of the two above can be done how can they be done and who can do it?

1. Yes
2. No
3. There are various resources or call Apex Tactical

[rt66paul]

Modifying a firearm back to original or to comply with the law is a good idea, but is something bad happens and there is ANY way a DA can it look like that was the cause, you will have at the least a very expensive court fight and then a second civil fight. If there is any way that you can buy the firearm in the configuration you desire, that is the best way to do so.

The DA or civil attorney who is against you is sure to bring this up and will get so-called "experts" to say that it is YOUR fault. Nothing is ever an accident any more - even when you are protecting yourself or what is yours, they will try to make you the criminal. This is part of what is wrong with our legal system.

[perpetual otter]

I wouldn't recommend taking out the mag disconnect safety. I did for a short while but I kept getting the "dead trigger" issue (my trigger wouldn't reset especially during rapid fire). I restored the mag safety and its 100% again.