M&P mods for making good USPA gun - Question

[ratdog]

First off - appreciate any help.

I just purchased a stock m&p 40 that I would like to use for shooting in uspsa matches. I'm still trying reading through all of the different posts - but this is what I came up w/ so far and the questions I have.

(1) - Trigger job is 'needed' - Based on all of the feedback, it seems like I'm going to go w/ Burwell 3.5lb trigger job. Should I run X number of rounds through the gun before sending it out?

(2) - Sights? Not sure... a lot of people seem to replace at least the front sight w/ a fiber optic sight (Hviz, Dawson, Speed Shooters Specialties) or go w/ a combo like the Warren Comp or Hviz. Right now I'm leaning on just getting a speed shooters specialities or dawson fiber optic front - stock dimensions - assuming red is the way to go - but not 100 per sure. I understand this is part personal preference - figured i would ask.

(3) - Guide Rod Spring - read on a forum where there seemed to be a trend to change the spring to a # 13. Some folks also suggested replacing the guide rod w/ a SSS guide rod. Anyone give this a try?

(4) - Magazines - need a bunch more. Was wondering if the factory 10 rds fit into a m&p compact (assuming a different base plate is used).

(5) - Get out and shoot....

Thanks for the help - can't wait to get out there and give it a go


-ratdog

 

[Dan S]

What division do you wish to compete in? If it's Production, which is where almost all the M&P's play, a 9MM is preferred since no matter what, Production is scored minor.
Anyway, get the trigger done, sights are a personal issue, some like fiber optics, some don't. I'm in the latter group.
Recoil spring, stay with the stock setup for now. Since you seem to be just starting out, reliablity is more important than a little change in sight tracking, if you'd even know there is a difference.
Your magazine question makes no sense to me. Is the gun a Compact or not? If it's a full size you may not be allowed to change the style of floor plate in Production. Get at least 6 mags. Production allows no more than 10 rounds in the magazine.
I'd spend more money on loading components than anything else if I were you. Or ammo if you don't load.

 

[GTOShootr]

If you are sending it to Burwell, just let Dan set it up as he would recommend. He is an active USPSA shooter. I've seen him at a few matches in PA and VA and he is good.

For sights, Dawson fronts are usually the ones that come in the right width.

 

[Gammon]

First off - appreciate any help.

I just purchased a stock m&p 40 that I would like to use for shooting in uspsa matches. I'm still trying reading through all of the different posts - but this is what I came up w/ so far and the questions I have.

(1) - Trigger job is 'needed' - Based on all of the feedback, it seems like I'm going to go w/ Burwell 3.5lb trigger job. Should I run X number of rounds through the gun before sending it out?

(2) - Sights? Not sure... a lot of people seem to replace at least the front sight w/ a fiber optic sight (Hviz, Dawson, Speed Shooters Specialties) or go w/ a combo like the Warren Comp or Hviz. Right now I'm leaning on just getting a speed shooters specialities or dawson fiber optic front - stock dimensions - assuming red is the way to go - but not 100 per sure. I understand this is part personal preference - figured i would ask.

(3) - Guide Rod Spring - read on a forum where there seemed to be a trend to change the spring to a # 13. Some folks also suggested replacing the guide rod w/ a SSS guide rod. Anyone give this a try?

(4) - Magazines - need a bunch more. Was wondering if the factory 10 rds fit into a m&p compact (assuming a different base plate is used).

(5) - Get out and shoot....

Thanks for the help - can't wait to get out there and give it a go


-ratdog

I just finished setting up an M&P 9mm for Production class and agree that this is the ideal caliber. Since 9mm and .40 pistols are identical, the mods are pretty much the same.

I installed a red fiber optic sight and painted over the dots on the rear sight witth flat black paint; my personal preference.

My gun didn't need a trgger job, I just polished the trigger bar and firing pin safety plunger. I didn't touch the sear and don't recommend that anyone else do so. I would shoot the gun for a while and then get a trigger job, if necessary.

I am using a lighter than stock (15 lb) spring and intend to go to a 13. This is because I am reloading my own ammo and it is below a 130 power factor (minimum is 125). I would not go to a lower power recoil spring in the 40 unless I was loading the ammo myself. If you are using over the counter ammo, stick with the stock spring.

The full sized 9mm and the compact version use the same steel body for the ten round mags. I would assume that this is also true for the .40. The difference in length is made up by the length of the floor plate, the full sized pistol using an extended floor plate. These parts are available from S&W for a very reasonable price so the mags can be converted from one length to another quite easily. I bought four M&P 9mm compact mags by accident and had to replace the short floor plates with the extended versions which I ordered from S&W, no problem.

If you are serious about competing, the next step is practice. This requires lots of ammo. I would seriously consider reloading.

 

[Lugnut]

I use Dawson sights- all black. You will find many varying opions when it comes to sights... you need to figure out what works for you. Burwell's triggers are sweet.