Not only is it being adopted by more and more law enforcement agencies, but civilian shooters are buying them for use as home/personal defense handguns. They are showing up in increasing numbers at USPSA and IDPA matches, where I expect to see them make a name for themselves.

So what could S&W do to make this popular pistol even more popular? Well, if the company had asked me, I would have told it to chamber the gun for the most popular of all American pistol cartridges: the .45 ACP.

Well, apparently someone must have been reading my mind because earlier this year the folks from S&W unveiled the M&P45.

The M&P45's slide and barrel are machined from solid stainless steel bar stock and then "through hardened." Most manufacturers use a case hardening that merely hardens the surface of the steel. S&W's process produces both external and internal hardening.

It takes only a matter of seconds to disassemble the M&P to its five basic subcomponents.

M&P barrels have a so-called "cone" muzzle that provides consistent barrel positioning--providing enhanced accuracy and less slide friction. On top of the chamber hood is a half-moon cut, which allows the shooter to verify whether or not there is a cartridge in the chamber.

Both the slide and barrel receive S&W's proprietary Melonite finish, a heat-treating process that not only protects the surface but penetrates into the metal itself. This provides enhanced protection from wear, solvents, salts and whatever Mother Nature throws at it. Melonite combines with the through hardening process to produce a surface hardness of 68 Hrc.

A generously sized extractor claw ensures reliable extraction while its external location makes replacement fast and simple. All M&P pistols come with Novak Lo-Mount sights, one of the most highly regarded sighting arrangements on the market today. For those desiring higher tech equipment, Trijicon night sights are optional.

The front of the slide features a unique two-stage, tapered profile designed to ease reholstering of the pistol, especially when the task has to be performed one-handed. Deeply cut serrations at the front and rear of the slide make retraction a cinch, even with wet hands or when wearing gloves.

Another nice feature is that all edges of the slide, including the Novak sights, have been beveled to prevent abrasion to the shooter's hands when loading, unloading or clearing a malfunction.

A close look at the two steel rails that connect the locking block and sear housing. This provides extra strength while reducing torque and frame flex.

Last but not least, a full length, stainless steel guide rod and captive recoil spring ensure smooth operation and consistent lockup and ease the task of disassembly.

Breech locking is by means of a system used by many modern pistols. The barrel and slide are locked together by the barrel hood bearing on the front edge of the ejection port, and upon firing, they recoil together for a short distance, whereupon the barrel is cammed down, allowing the slide to continue to the rear--extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge case.