[Sean Gaines]

Please take this poll, I know there is a couple of cheaper aftermarket barrels out there, I was wondering, if a major mfg, were to make a quality barrel, would you guys be interested.

This post has been edited by Sean Gaines: 12 September 2009 - 07:43 AM

[G-ManBart]

I've already spoken with Mike at Schuemann about an aftermarket barrel for the M&P....it's on his radar screen, but that's about all I know. I need to give him a call soon so I'll see if he's thought any more about it. R,

[DougCarden]

I am happy with the Storm Lake barrels, but I would buy one from Schumann, especially in the 1-32 twist! Cmon Mike, help the brothers out!
DougC

[NoSteel]

9mm suitable for open class. (comp'ed) Hey, just to be different...

[almostold]

KKM has told me they are producing them in small quantities. They sent the last batch to Italy(??) I have a SL and it is OK, but would prefer a fitted bbl.

[dcarter]

I would try it after my current barrel has more rounds through it.

[JeffWard]

When I wear this one out.... yes. It's fine till then.

Jeff

[Chris Christian]

I shoot the standard 9mm and .45 ACP M&Ps.. mostly in IDPA, a little USPSA. They are more than accurate enough for the task at hand. Might try one after I wear these out... but I suspect that by then the gun (frame/slide/barrel lock up) would also be worn out and an aftermarket barrel would be little help.
Chris Christian

[SA Friday]

I see an M&P in my future for my step-daughter. My main concern is I'm running 147's out of my Glocks and have read some info on BE that the barrel twist on M&P's can be problematical with 147's. That would why I would look at an aftermarket barrel. Then I could use the same ammo through both, or at the very least the same reloading components.

[Chris Christian]

Friday,
I run 147 out of my 4 1/4 inch M&P... Hornady 147 FMJ at 880 fps.. have 8000-9000 rounds through the gun. Kicks like a .22 LR... groups 2.5 inch at 25 yards.. and that's as good as ANY other factory load I have tried (and I've tried over a dozen of them). Even Rainer plated 147s are good for three inches. The 147 grain Cor-Bon performance Match (too expensive to shoot for practice... but great for matches) is in the same 2.5 inch range as my reloads. I can't see a problem with 147s in my standard 4 1/4 inch gun...have State, Regional and National IDPA trophies on the wall with them .....haven't accuracy tested them in the five inch guns.
Chris Christian

[Nemo]

NoSteel, on Sep 12 2009, 01:48 PM, said:

9mm suitable for open class. (comp'ed) Hey, just to be different...

Open DIVISION

[G-ManBart]

SA Friday, on Sep 12 2009, 03:12 PM, said:

I see an M&P in my future for my step-daughter. My main concern is I'm running 147's out of my Glocks and have read some info on BE that the barrel twist on M&P's can be problematical with 147's. That would why I would look at an aftermarket barrel. Then I could use the same ammo through both, or at the very least the same reloading components.

I've had nothing but success with 147s so far, but it's only been AA&A with the Zero 147 and some Speer GDHP 147s (that's what goes in the wifey's Kahr PM9). The AA&A stuff is like 1.25" at 25yds and the Speer seemed quite accurate but I didn't really shoot groups with it.

Honestly, we all know that there are still some issues with at least some M&P's as far as extraction goes. I'd like to see Mike make an AET barrel for the Pro. The slight chamber flutes and high polish would probably make the extraction issue a non-factor for problem guns and I'm sure it'd be crazy accurate.

I've offered up my Pro as a test mule...now let's just hope it happens. R,

This post has been edited by G-ManBart: 12 September 2009 - 01:06 PM

[Merlin Orr]

I am going to order a Storm Lake for my M&P Pro.... If Schuemann had one it would get the nod for sure.

[cautery]

Don't want a drop-in... Want a short chambered, smith-fit aftermarket barrel from one of the top makers...

[Sarge]

SA Friday, on Sep 12 2009, 03:12 PM, said:

I see an M&P in my future for my step-daughter. My main concern is I'm running 147's out of my Glocks and have read some info on BE that the barrel twist on M&P's can be problematical with 147's. That would why I would look at an aftermarket barrel. Then I could use the same ammo through both, or at the very least the same reloading components.

Don't believe everything you read or hear. My PRO won't group MG 124's worth a crap but it shoots very good groups with their 147's. I will be sticking to 147's of some type for mine.

[Sarge]

I forgot to say that even though my barrel is fine I would really like to see a .22 conversion for practice.

[BMartens]

I get good accuracy with 147 grain bullets, lead, moly and MG through my standard M&P. It also likes 124 grain MG and Berry plated and it will not group any style of 124-125 grain lead. I guess they all are a little different.

I voted no on the barrel, it is good enough for this sport and I will probably never come close to wearing it out as the M&P is my back up for production.

[mike cyrwus]

cautery, on Sep 12 2009, 04:17 PM, said:

Don't want a drop-in... Want a short chambered, smith-fit aftermarket barrel from one of the top makers...

hear, hear.

[Nemo]

sandman, on Sep 12 2009, 06:52 PM, said:

... I would really like to see a .22 conversion for practice.

DITTO

[NoSteel]

I'd buy a 22 conversion today even if the price was a little high, as long as the quality was there......

[Ledge]

Big ditto on the .22 conversion kits. Right now, I'm happy with my stock .40 barrel. It eats everything that I throw at it. I wouldn't want to go to a tighter chambered barrel, that may cause new issues that I don't currently experience.

[NoSteel]

Nemo, on Sep 12 2009, 03:48 PM, said:

NoSteel, on Sep 12 2009, 01:48 PM, said:

9mm suitable for open class. (comp'ed) Hey, just to be different...

Open DIVISION

Nemo, I hear ya!!! But wouldn't any Group of hanguns built for a certain Division be considered a "class" of handguns???? Thread drift pending.................................

[Sean Gaines]

looking at the poll, the majority of people don't really think the factory barrel is as good as it could be.

[Xfactor]

Sean Gaines, on Sep 15 2009, 10:19 AM, said:

looking at the poll, the majority of people don't really think the factory barrel is as good as it could be.

I absolutely agree. The stock barrel on my Pro was very much lacking in the accuracy dept. (4"+ groups at 25yds at best), and the velocity was even a little slower than my 4-1/4" M&P. A drop-in Storm Lake barrel brought the accuracy into the 2-3" range, and increased the velocity about 50 fps.
I'd be curious to see if a gunsmith-fit barrel would actually further improve accuracy over a drop-in aftermarket barrel on a gun like the M&P... which has some kinda loose fitting tolerances overall.

[raz-0]

I have a storm lake in my M&P.

The factory barrel is pretty accurate, and the storm lake is only a bit better regarding accuracy. However, the storm lake is a faster barrel and is nice and shiny. I didn't feel like playing the S&W QC game with it and just replaced my barrel that was having some issues.

If someone else made a barrel that had to be fit by a smith, it would have to be demonstrably better than the storm lake barrel to justify paying for the barrel and getting it fit and chambered.