[AJP1959]

I'm a low income college student and I needed at least one handgun for personal defense. I bought a M&P 40. I haven't had too much time to put many rounds through it, but so far I love the thing. Does anyone have any suggestions for defensive and target ammo, accessories, upgrade kits, holsters, or anything?
Thanks!

[cswann1]

Gratz on the piece.

For practice/fun you can shoot pretty much anything. You can even buy and shoot the cheap steel-case Russian ammo to save some cash.

For a SD round, any of the big manufacturer premium hollow points will do. I recommend a nickel plated brass case. They feed smoother than a standard brass and are less likely to cause any feed issues. A couple of examples of a good SD round are the Remington Golden Sabre and the Hornady Critical Defense.

If you want a light, there are several models to choose from. Streamlight is a good brand for those on a budget. I would recommend a light over a laser.

If you find that the recoil of the .40 is a bit high and you want to get quicker follow up shots, the DPM Systems spring does what it advertises.

[AJP1959]

Awesome thank you! I like the idea of throwing a new spring in there. I started off with a box of Federal Hydrashok 180gr. for SD. I'm sure those will do just fine.

[cvia]

I have the m&p 40 and love it. Check out black hawk holsters and crossbreed. I use hornady critical defence ammo. Winchester white box for target use. It's a great pistol.

[sdiver35]

Originally Posted by AJP1959

Awesome thank you! I like the idea of throwing a new spring in there. I started off with a box of Federal Hydrashok 180gr. for SD. I'm sure those will do just fine.

Congrats, my wife and I both have M&P 40's. They are great pistols- good target ammo is WWB, but I reload now and only shoot my own. We've also shot Tula with no problems though.

[NitroxAZ]

Originally Posted by AJP1959

Awesome thank you! I like the idea of throwing a new spring in there. I started off with a box of Federal Hydrashok 180gr. for SD. I'm sure those will do just fine.

Make sure your M&P likes the Hydrashok rounds. Some guns get finicky with different makers ammo. The Hydrashok is a fine round just run through that box and maybe one more to make sure it will eat it without fail. If so, the next box should be your last as you will most likely never need it for SD. Make sure that you keep a mag with whatever SD ammo works in your gun fully loaded. For SD you want a magazine that is either empty (IMHO bad idea) or fully loaded. In either condition the spring in the magazine is either at rest or fully compressed. This will help prevent a ftf (fail to fire) due to the spring being used being partially compressed.

[AJP1959]

Excellent information. Thanks guys!

[psymmonds]

Originally Posted by cvia

I have the m&p 40 and love it. Check out black hawk holsters and crossbreed. I use hornady critical defence ammo. Winchester white box for target use. It's a great pistol.

I agree %100, and do the same

[Corndork2]

My first gun was a M&P .40. I still have it and love it.

It also loves Hornady Zombie Max Hollow Points. I keep a mag of them in every night just in case

Congrat's on your M&P

[AJP1959]

Originally Posted by Corndork2

My first gun was a M&P .40. I still have it and love it.

It also loves Hornady Zombie Max Hollow Points. I keep a mag of them in every night just in case

Congrat's on your M&P

When I was buying defensive ammo a guy was telling me about those Hornady Zombie Max Hollow Points. He said they are more affective through thicker clothing than other hollow points or something like that. Is that legit?