As the recoil spring pulls the slide forward, it strips the next round out of the magazine and chambers it. As the slide and barrel go into battery, the barrel hood once again moves up into the ejection port, locking the two units together.

The M&P45 comes with three interchangeable palm swells so the shooter can fit the pistol to his hand size.

While the top end of the M&P is impressive, it is the design of its frame that really sets it apart from the competition. The M&P's frame features a extended beavertail that secures the pistol in the shooter's hand, dissipates recoil and makes for a naturally pointing pistol.

M&P frames are one-piece units made from Zytel polymer and have rigid steel rails imbedded on either side, that run from the front locking block to the rear sear housing block. These not only provide additional strength to the frame itself--reducing torque, frame flex and felt recoil--but also create a chassis that provides consistent alignment of the trigger and sear that is not affected by the expansion and contraction of the frame due to environmental conditions or the heat generated by extended firing.

The slide reciprocates on four stainless steel rails, two on the frame-mounted locking block, while the rear pair are part of the sear housing. They are shaped to provide a very small bearing surface which, while still providing sufficient support, reduces friction to improve functioning. At the same time, the setup creates a self-cleaning action that removes debris from inside the frame rails.

SPECIFICATIONS S&W M&P45
MANUFACTURER:	Smith & Wesson, 800-331-0852
TYPE:	recoil-operated semiauto
CALIBERS:	.45 ACP
CAPACITY:	10 + 1
BARREL LENGTH:	4 1/2 in.
OVERALL LENGTH:	7 3/4 in.
SIGHTS:	three-dot fixed novak
GRIPS:	interchangeable backstrap
WEIGHT:	29.6 in.
CONSTRUCTION:	polmer frame, stainless steel slide and barrel
PRICE:	$679

One of the most attractive features of the M&P is its interchangeable palm swell system. Instead of the shooter having to adapt his grip to the pistol, the pistol's grip is adapted to the shooter's hand by installing any one of three palm swells. To do so, you rotate and remove a catch at the bottom of the grip frame, which allows the palm swell to be lifted off and replaced with one of a different size.

Ambidextrous slide stop levers have a flat profile, sit flush with the frame and are located slightly forward of the usual slide stop position. This lessens the chances of the shooter engaging them unintentionally.

The magazine release button can be easily changed from port to starboard side to suit lefites. The trigger guard is enlarged to accommodate gloved hands.

The M&P uses a double-action-only trigger that provides a 61⁄2-pound trigger stroke with 0.30 inch of travel; it completely retracts the striker before tripping the sear. The trigger pull is exactly the same for each shot, providing consistency and accuracy. An overtravel stop is incorporated and provides a clean-feeling break.