M&P

Smith & Wesson M&P
A Smith & Wesson M&P with a detached magazine.
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	2005–present
Used by	See Users
Production history
Manufacturer	Smith & Wesson
Produced	2005–present
Variants	M&P Full-Size (9mm, .40) M&P45 Full-Size M&P45 Mid-Size M&Pc (Compact Size) M&P Pro Series M&P9 JG M&P9L M&P Shield (9mm, .40, .45 ACP) M&P22 M&P Bodyguard 380 M&P 2.0
Specifications
Cartridge	.22 LR .380 ACP 9×19mm Parabellum .40 S&W .357 SIG .45 ACP
Action	Short recoil, locked breech
Feed system	Detachable box magazine
Sights	various iron sights

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. It uses a Browning-type locking system. While targeted at law enforcement agencies, the M&P is also widely available on the commercial market.

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 a striker-fired semi-automatic pistol. This 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 three removable and interchangeable grips. The slide and barrel are made out 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 very 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 for 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.