Smith & Wesson M&P
The Smith & Wesson M&P (Military and Police) is a polymer-framed, short recoil operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistol introduced in the summer of 2005 by the American company Smith & Wesson. Most variants use a Browning-type locking system, while the 5.7×28mm variant uses a rotating barrel with a muzzle booster. While targeted at law enforcement agencies, the M&P is also widely available on the commercial market.
Also recorded as S&W M&P · Smith & Wesson Military & Police
Smith & Wesson M&P

James Case from Philadelphia, Mississippi, U.S.A. · This image has been extracted from another file · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Smith & Wesson M&P
- Field
- semi-automatic pistol
- Region
- United States
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Smith & Wesson M&P • Origin — United States • Type — Semi-automatic pistol • Is Ranged — yes • Service — 2005–present • Used By — See Users • Manufacturer — Smith & Wesson • Production Date — 2005–present • Variants — See Variants • Cartridge — * FN 5.7×28mm • 9×19mm Parabellum • 10mm Auto •.22 LR •.22 WMR •.30 Super Carry •.357 SIG •.380 ACP •.40 S&W •.45 ACP • Action — Short recoil, locked breech • Feed — Detachable box magazine • Sights — Iron sights
History
History
The M&P is a hybrid evolution of the Smith & Wesson Sigma and Smith & Wesson SW99 design but does not share parts compatibility with the Sigma. The M&P design has an improved trigger and enhanced ergonomics that allow for end-user customization. An industry standard Picatinny rail and a higher grip has been afforded with an improved grip and beavertail. Many of the ergonomic study elements that had been incorporated into the Sigma and the Smith & Wesson SW99 were brought over to the M&P. The improved trigger weight and feel and the unique takedown method (not requiring a dry-fire pull of the trigger) were meant to set the M&P apart from the popular Glock pistols. The M&P is standard issue for many police services and some armored truck companies.
Design details
Design details
The M&P is a striker-fired semi-automatic pistol. The trigger system prevents the firearm from discharging unless the trigger is fully depressed, even if the pistol is dropped. An internal lock and/or magazine disconnect are available as options and an optional external thumb safety became available in 2009. The pistol frame is made out of Zytel polymer reinforced with a stainless steel chassis. The pistol comes with four removable and interchangeable grip inserts and features a 18° grip angle. The slide and barrel are made of stainless steel, that after hardening is treated with a proprietary nitriding process called Melonite. The Melonite process produces a matte gray non-glare surface with a 68 Rockwell C surface hardness rating. The pistol has a low slide profile which holds the barrel axis close to the shooter's hand and makes the M&P more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle rise and allowing faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence. The slide has four contact points with the frame. This was done to make the rail system self cleaning, by leaving room for any dirt or small foreign objects to fall out of the weapon. As the slide of the pistol enters battery, the striker engages the sear. At this point, the striker is held back in a partially cocked condition. When the trigger of the M&P is pulled, the trigger bar first engages the firing pin safety plunger, lifting it upward, and releasing the firing pin safety. At the rearward extreme of the trigger bar's travel, it engages the sear. The sear is rotated downward by the trigger bar, fully cocking, then releasing the striker. The striker makes contact with the primer of the chambered round, which in turn ignites the gunpowder and propels the bullet forward. According to M&P gunsmith Dan Burwell, the angle on the rear face of the sear creates a camming action against the striker. This camming action moves the striker to the rear very slightly during the trigger pull, thus finishing the "cocking". This system is similar to the partially tensioned striker found in the Glock series of pistols. When the pistol cycles for the next shot, the striker will be automatically pre-set in a 98% cocked position. Because the striker is only 98% cocked prior to the trigger being pulled, Smith & Wesson classifies the M&P's action as "striker fired (double action only)". The M&P factory trigger is of the jointed type and has a trigger travel of 7.6 mm (0.3 in) and is rated at 29 N. The M&P45c models have a slightly higher rated trigger pull of 31 N. The competition oriented M&P40 Pro Series have a reduced trigger pull of 20 N due to the installation of a Smith & Wesson performance center sear. Massachusetts approved models have a trigger pull of 45 N. The pistols are delivered with two magazines. The standard iron sights are of the three dot type and made of steel. Both the front and rear sights are dove-tailed into the slide, and can be horizontally drifted to adjust for windage correction. An integrated Picatinny rail can be found underneath the slide on the front of the frame for attaching tactical lights, lasers and other accessories. There are ten-round magazine versions of each pistol available for the California, Massachusetts, New York, Washington State, New Jersey, Australian, and Canadian markets. Novak tritium night sights are an available option for both the full-sized and compact versions. Another optional accessory is the stainless steel lanyard pin. The new pin replaces the original solid plastic pin with one that has a stainless steel ring embedded for use with a lanyard.
Variants
Variants
• Illustration — Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield with LaserMax centerfire lasers The M&P is available in 9×19mm Parabellum,.30 Super Carry,.380 ACP,.40 S&W, and.45 ACP, with barrel lengths of. The.357 SIG chambering has been discontinued. • Illustration — Smith & Wesson M&P45 Full Size The M&P9 JG was a standard size Champion series variant named for Julie Golob and fitted with a Warren Tactical rear sight and a fiber optic front sight. Besides the three standard black grip inserts it came with two small and medium-sized pink grip inserts. A portion of the proceeds from sale of these models was directed to a breast cancer awareness charity and an awareness ribbon was etched on the slide of the pistol. In 2007 the full-size.45 ACP version of the M&P was introduced sporting a barrel. This model also won Handgun of the Year in 2007. In 2008, Smith & Wesson introduced new versions of the M&P: the M&P45 Mid-size, the M&P45 Compact, the M&P9L, and the M&P Pro Series. The M&P45 Mid-size sports a barrel and a full-sized grip, and the M&P45 Compact targets the concealed carry market with its 4" barrel and shorter grip (with eight or ten-round capacity). • Illustration — A S&W M&P9 Shield. This is the Performance Center version. This version has a ported barrel. In 2011, Smith & Wesson released the M&P22, a cosmetically similar handgun chambered in.22 Long Rifle. The internal construction and blowback operation of this rimfire cartridge variant is the same as the Walther P22, which Smith & Wesson used to import into the United States, and completely differs from the centerfire M&P variants. Rather than the three-dot sights found on other models, the M&P22 has a single dot on the front sight and notch rear that is adjustable for elevation and windage. In 2013 the scaled-down M&P22 Compact was released. In 2017, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P M2.0 series. Changes include a full-length steel chassis, a rough textured grip, and the improved trigger system of the Pro series. In November 2021, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P M2.0 chambered in 10mm Auto to the M&P M2.0 family. Smith & Wesson offers a 4.0 in barrel compact model and a larger 4.6 in barrel model. Both models with have a 15-round magazine capacity and are built on the M&P45 M2.0 frame. The M&P M2.0 10mm Auto features a new M2.0 flat face trigger and comes with an optics ready slide from the factory. An unloaded 15-round 10 mm Auto magazine weighs. In January 2023, it was announced that a 5.7x28mm variant, the M&P 5.7, will be released with a new gas-operated, locked-breech, rotating threaded Tempo Barrel System and a 22-round magazine. In July 2023, it was announced that a.22 WMR variant, the M&P 22 Magnum, will be released with a new gas-operated, locked-breech, rotating threaded Tempo Barrel System and a 30-round magazine. In July 2025, Smith & Wesson announced the introduction of the M&P22X. It comes with 20-round magazines & was designed to be a competitor to the SIG Sauer P322. Shield In 2012, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P Shield in 9mm and.40 S&W. The Shield is a subcompact single-stack magazine variant of the M&P line. The Shield has roughly the same silhouette as the M&P Compact but is considerably thinner at less than 1-inch in width. The Shield is the first M&P to incorporate an improved trigger with positive reset. In 2016, a.45 ACP variant Shield was added to Smith and Wesson's product line. The.45 ACP Shield variant has a longer barrel, measuring in at top length of, and exhibits larger overall dimensions. In April 2021, the original 1.0 Shield platform was discontinued after the release of M&P Shield Plus. In 2018, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P 380 Shield EZ. As the name suggests, the Shield EZ has a number of convenience features including an easy-to-rack slide and an easy-to-load magazine. In late 2019, Smith & Wesson added a 9mm offering to the Shield EZ line. Both the.380 and 9mm variants feature an internal hammer. In spring 2021, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P Shield Plus in 9mm. An evolution of the M&P Shield, the M&P Shield Plus, among other improvements, utilizes a double-stack magazine to increase capacity at the sacrifice of a slight increase in width. The M&P Shield X was introduced in July 2025 and features enhanced ergonomics, a longer 3.6" barrel, an accessory rail, and increased 13+1 magazine capacity. Bodyguard In 2014, Smith & Wesson introduced the M&P Bodyguard 380 in.380 ACP. The M&P Bodyguard is functionally identical to the previous released Bodyguard 380, which it replaces. The M&P-branded Bodyguard removes the integrated laser sight of the previous pistol and brings the aesthetics in line with the rest of the M&P product line. Unlike the rest of the M&P pistols, the M&P Bodyguard is not striker-fired. It is a more traditional double-action-only hammer-fired pistol intended for personal protection, concealed carry or as a law enforcement "back-up" gun. • Model — Barrel length — Cartridge — Capacity — Dimensions — Weight — Frame color • mm — inches • M&P22 —.22 LR — 10 or 12 — 1.6 × 5.5 × 7.5 — Black • M&P22 Compact —.22 LR — 10 — 1.5 × 5.0 × 6.7 — Black • M&P 22 Magnum —.22 WMR — 30 — 1.13 x 5.9 x 8.4 — Black • Compact — 89 mm (3.5 in) — 9mm — 10 or 15 — 1.2 × 4.3 × 6.7 — Black or Dark Earth •.40 S&W — 10 •.357 SIG — 10 • Full Size — 9mm — 10 or 17 — 1.2 × 5.5 × 7.5 — Black or Dark Earth •.40 S&W — 10 or 15 — Black or Dark Earth •.357 SIG — 10 or 15 — Black • M&P9L — 9mm — 10 or 17 — Black • M&P9 Pro Series — 9mm — 10, 15, or 17 — Black • M&P9 Pro Series 5" — 9mm — 10, 15, or 17 — Black • M&P40 Pro Series —.40 S&W — 15 — Black • M&P40 Pro Series 5" —.40 S&W — 15 — Black • M&P45c – Compact Size —.45 ACP — 8 — Black or Dark Earth • M&P45 – Mid-Size —.45 ACP — 10 — Black or Dark Earth • M&P45 – Full Size —.45 ACP — 10 — Black or Dark Earth • M&P 10mm M2.0 – Mid-Size — 10mm Auto — 15 — Black • M&P 10mm M2.0 – Full Size — 10mm Auto — 15 — Black • M&P Shield — 9mm — 7 or 8 — Black •.40 S&W — 6 or 7 •.45 ACP — 6 or 7 — 165 (length) — 6.5 (length) • M&P Shield EZ —.30 Super Carry — 10 — 173 (length) — 6.8 (length) — Black •.380 ACP — 8 — 170 (length) — 6.7 (length) — Black • 9mm — 8 — 172 (length) — 6.8 (length) — Black • M&P 5.7 — 5.7×28mm — 22 — 215.9 (length) — 8.5 (length) — Black • M&P Bodyguard 380 —.380 ACP — 6 — Black • M&P Shield Plus —.30 Super Carry — 13 or 16 — Black • 9mm — 10 or 13
Users
Users
• Illustration — Map with M&P users in blue
Current
Current
• Australia – M&P40 • South Australia Police • Victoria Police • Belgium: M&P9 with Federal Police, acquired in 2011 and issued with Blackhawk T-Series holsters from 2023. • Canada • Gatineau Police Department • St. Thomas Police Service • Greater Sudbury Police Service • Halton Regional Police • Peel Regional Police • Windsor Police Service • India: Mumbai Police • Iraq: Iraqi Military • Pakistan: Sindh Police Agency • Trinidad and Tobago: Police Service • United States: M&P9, M&P40, M&P45 and M&P357 pistols have been used by various U.S. police departments • Anchorage Police Department (APD, AK) • Austin Police Department (APD), M&P40 • California Highway Patrol (CHP), M&P40 • Cincinnati Police Department, M&P9 • Columbus Division of Police (CPD), M&P40 PRO • Colorado State Patrol (CSP), M&P40 • Denver Police Department (DPD) • Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD), M&P9 • Maricopa County Sheriff (MCSD) • Massachusetts State Police (MSP), M&P45 • New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) M&P45 • New Mexico State Police (NMSP) M&P357 & M&P9 • Oregon State Police (OSP) M&P40 • Prince George's County Police, Maryland (PGPD, MD) M&P 40, M&P 9, Full Size and Compact • San Antonio Police Department (SAPD), M&P40 • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) • Vermont State Police (VSP), M&P40 • Washington State Patrol (M&P40) • NC Dept. of Correction (NCDOC), M&P40 • Westchester County Police (WCPD) M&P Metal 9mm • Westchester County Department of Corrections (WCDOC) M&P 2.0 9mm • Robbinsdale Police Department (RPD), M&P 9mm 2.0
Former
Former
• United States: • Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), M&P9, currently being replaced by the newly-issued FN 509 MRD-LE • Puerto Rico: M&P40; Puerto Rico Police Department in 2009, currently being replaced by the SIG Sauer P320 9mm
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Named by the record
Places
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- United States
Context
Primary material
Context
The circumstances in which Smith & Wesson M&P stands. Recorded as a kind of semi-automatic pistol. Manufactured by Smith & Wesson. Within the Encyclopedia. Connected to 1 other published record in the VALÉORINE Encyclopedia.
Documents and archives
Primary material
Documents and archives
institutional register
- Internet Archive holdings naming Smith & Wesson M&P
General reference · Internet Archive
reference work
- “Smith & Wesson M&P”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q15934581: Smith & Wesson M&P
General reference · Wikidata
Text attribution
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Smith & Wesson M&P, revision 1370847084 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Packs 22+1 Rounds of Firepower!. 17 January 2023.
- 2.Association, National Rifle. An Official Journal Of The NRA Gun Review Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7. An Official Journal Of The NRA.
- 3.NEW: Smith & Wesson® M&P®5.7.
- 4.Guns, Holsters and Gear. Smith and Wesson M&P Pistols Adopted by 276 Police Departments in the USA. 1 February 2008.
- 5.The Firearm Blog. S&W M&P pistols now with thumb safety (sic). 20 January 2009.
- 6.Quinn, Jeff. "Smith & Wesson's New M&P .40 S&W Pistol" Gunblast Web site. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- 7.Scarlata, Paul. Smith & Wesson M&P: A Semiautomatic Pistol Worthy Of Its Name. Shootingtimes.com.
- 8.Smith-wesson.com. Product: Model M&P9.
- 9.Smith-wesson.com. MA Compliant Trigger Pull.
- 10.Quinn, Jeff. "Smith & Wesson's 9mm M&P Semi-Auto Pistol" Gunblast Web site. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- 11.Ramage, Ken. Gun Digest 2009: The World's Greatest Gun Book. F+W Media, Inc. 182 Dead link. November 2023. 978-0-89689-647-5.
- 12.Shooting Industry Magazine. Handgun of the Year Award 1992 through 2011.
- 13.Smith & Wesson M&P22 Review. Shooting Times. 5 June 2012.
- 14.The New Smith & Wesson M&P M2.0: Making a Great Pistol Even Better—Hands-On Review. 2 January 2017.
- 15.Add A Millimeter! Smith & Wesson Introduces The 10mm M&P 2.0. thefirearmblog.com. 16 November 2021.
- 16.NEW Smith & Wesson M&P 10mm M2.0 in 4" or 4.6" Optics Ready. 16 November 2021.
- 17.Smith & Wesson M&P Now Goes 10mm :. Guns.com.
- 18.Smith & Wesson Drops $699 M&P 5.7 Pistol with 22-Round Mags. 17 January 2023.
- 19.Smith & Wesson Introduces Full-Size 5.7x28mm Pistol to M&P Lineup. 19 January 2023.
- 20.Knupp, Jeremiah. New For 2023: Smith & Wesson M&P 22 Magnum. americanrifleman.org.
- 21.Smith & Wesson M&P FPC 22LR and M&P 22X: First Look. gunsandammo.com.
- 22.Smith & Wesson M&P 22X Pistol Shows Promise as a Favorite Plinker. guns.com.
- 23.Metcalf, Dick. Palm-Size Power: The Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Review – Guns & Ammo. Gunsandammo.com.
- 24.First Look: Smith & Wesson M&P45 Shield. 20 May 2016.
- 25.Bryant, Drew. Smith & Wesson To Suspend Production Of The M&P Shield 1.0 Models. Loadout Magazine. 2021-04-14.
- 26.smith-wesson.com. M&P 380 SHIELD EZ.
- 27.Hammer, Jens. Smith & Wesson Announce New Shield 9mm EZ. ammoland.com. 11 December 2019.
- 28.Manfredi, Lucas. Smith & Wesson unveils new M&P Shield Plus amid surge in first-time gun ownership. Fox Business. 15 March 2021.
- 29.Smith & Wesson M&P Shield X vs. Shield Plus. Smith & Wesson.
- 30.Tactical Network International. New from Smith & Wesson: the M&P Bodyguard 380. 2014.
- 31.M&P 22 Magnum Series.
- 32.M&P 10mm M2.0 – Mid-Size.
- 33.M&P 10mm M2.0 – Full Size.
- 34.Smith & Wesson to Equip South Australia Police Force. 7 January 2009.
- 35.Millar, Paul. Victoria Police switches to semi-automatic weapons. The Age. 29 April 2010.
- 36.Australian Broadcasting Corporation. New pistol chosen for Victoria Police. 29 April 2010.
- 37.Smith & Wesson® Secures M&P Pistol Contract from Belgium Federal Police.
- 38.Blackhawk Awarded T-Series Holster Contract with Belgian Federal Police – Small Arms Defense Journal.
- 39.Smith & Wesson Receives M&P Pistol Order From Canada's Halton Regional Police Service. 23 April 2008.
- 40.Smith & Wesson Receives M&P Pistol Order From Canada's Halton Regional Police Service. 29 April 2008.
- 41.St. Thomas Police Service Annual Report 2008.
- 42.Crown appealing decision to drop charges against S-CAP 11. 26 November 2013.
- 43.Press release.
- 44.Press Releases.
- 45.Assault rifles and an armoured vehicle: 'We are a use of force'.
- 46.No bang in Mumbai Police's new guns. The Hindu. 8 April 2009.
- 47.Smith & Wesson Fills M&P9 Pistol Order for Iraqi Military and Security Forces. Earth Times. 30 October 2008.
- 48.PoliceOne.com. Smith & Wesson Ships Orders for M&P Pistols To International Law Enforcement Agencies. 28 August 2008.
- 49.Smith-wesson.com. West Virginia State Police and Wyoming Highway Patrol Upgrade to New Smith & Wesson Pistols. December 2011.
- 50.Smith & Wesson Provides Firearms To Texas Officers. 13 May 2013.
- 51.CHP Military Equipment Policy.
- 52.Columbus Police Choose New Pistol | the High Road. 4 February 2007.
- 53.Colorado Gun Laws. Colorado State Patrol – CSP. 6 August 2014.
- 54.policemag.com. L.A. Police Selects S&W's M&P9 Duty Pistol. 25 August 2013.
- 55.policemag.com. Mass and Vermont Troopers get Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols. 15 December 2011.
- 56.San Antonio Police Department Converts to Smith & Wesson® M&P® Pistols. 1 May 2013.
- 57.smith-wesson.com. Smith & Wesson M&P Pistol Authorized By U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. 14 January 2009.
- 58.Mass. And Vermont Troopers Get Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols. 15 December 2011.
- 59.policemag.com. L.A. Sheriff Selects S&W's M&P9 Duty Pistol. 25 August 2013.
- 60.Demilt, Kristina. Los Angeles Police Department "LAPD" Selects FN 509 MRD-LE as New Duty Pistol. FN®. 10 August 2021.
- 61.Noticiasonline.com. Entregan más recursos a la Policía de PR, Puerto Rico. 4 November 2009.
- 62.Rivera Puig, Miguel. Trueque de armas en la Policía. El Vocero de Puerto Rico. 4 December 2019.
References
Citations
References
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institutional register
Internet Archive holdings naming Smith & Wesson M&PInternet Archive
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Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
Connections
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Connections
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Broader subject
1- semi-automatic pistolTerminology
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