Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate Review

Discovering the Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate: My Take

My journey to acquiring the Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate began not with a desire for an upgrade, but with a simple, frustrating reality: a worn-out original. After years of reliable service from my M&P pistol, the magazines were showing their age, exhibiting the occasional feeding hiccup that no amount of cleaning could entirely resolve. It was time for a direct replacement, and for my S&W M&P .45 ACP, sticking with the OEM manufacturer felt like the most sensible path. The idea of a spare, a second 14-round magazine, also held considerable appeal for range days and extended training sessions.

My first impression upon unboxing was one of solid, no-nonsense construction. The weight felt appropriate, and the blued steel body promised durability. The blued/brown floor plate, while a minor aesthetic detail, lent a slightly classic touch to an otherwise modern firearm accessory. I had considered a few aftermarket options, intrigued by claims of higher capacity or different materials, but ultimately, the known quantity and guaranteed compatibility of a factory Smith & Wesson magazine won out. There was a palpable sense of relief, a quiet satisfaction that this necessary replacement would integrate seamlessly and restore my pistol’s peak performance.

Real-World Testing: Putting Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate to the Test

First Use Experience

My initial testing of the Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate took place at my local indoor shooting range, a controlled environment that allows for immediate feedback on firearm function. I loaded it with a mix of my preferred self-defense and range ammunition, including some slightly hotter loads that can sometimes be finicky. The magazine seated into the pistol with a positive, reassuring click, and the first few rounds fed flawlessly.

During a session that involved roughly 100 rounds through this magazine, it performed without a single hiccup. The action remained smooth, and I experienced no feeding failures or issues ejecting spent casings. The ease of use was immediate; there was no learning curve whatsoever, as it functioned exactly like a factory magazine should. My only surprise was how much of a difference a fresh, perfectly functioning magazine made compared to my aging ones; the reliability felt almost jarringly improved.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several months and hundreds of rounds, this particular magazine has become my go-to. It consistently performs flawlessly at the range and serves as a reliable spare for my carry rotation. The blued steel body has held up remarkably well, showing only minor cosmetic scuffs from being dropped on the concrete floor once during a hasty reload—a testament to its robust construction.

Despite the occasional drop and regular exposure to hand oils and range dust, there’s no discernible drop in performance. Cleaning is straightforward; a quick field strip, a light brush, and a wipe down with a silicone cloth is all it takes to keep it in pristine condition. Compared to some generic aftermarket magazines I’ve encountered over the years, which often required careful break-in periods or exhibited inconsistent reliability, this OEM magazine is a study in dependable functionality. It has certainly outperformed my older, worn-out magazines and met the reliability standards I expect from Smith & Wesson products.

Breaking Down the Features of Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate

Specifications

The Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate is constructed from high-quality steel, ensuring both strength and longevity. Its magazine capacity is precisely 14 Round, making it a substantial addition for any M&P .45 ACP owner. The color is a classic blued finish, which is both aesthetically pleasing and offers a degree of corrosion resistance.

This magazine is specifically designed for the Gun Model: Smith & Wesson M&P 45 and is chambered in .45 ACP. The blued/brown floor plate provides a comfortable grip surface when dropping the magazine and also adds a touch of visual distinction. Its durable steel construction means it can withstand the rigors of regular use and the occasional mishap without significant damage.

Performance & Functionality

In terms of core function, this magazine performs exceptionally well. It reliably feeds .45 ACP ammunition into the Smith & Wesson M&P 45, consistently pushing rounds into the chamber without failure. The 14-round capacity is particularly beneficial for extended shooting sessions or defensive scenarios where minimizing reloads is crucial.

The primary strength of this magazine is its unwavering reliability. It simply works, every single time, which is exactly what you need from a critical component like a magazine. If there’s a weakness, it might be that the capacity is fixed at 14 rounds; for those seeking higher capacity, other options might exist, but this adheres to the standard for the M&P .45. It unequivocally meets and exceeds expectations for a factory replacement or spare magazine.

Design & Ergonomics

The design of this magazine is all about functional efficiency. The steel construction provides a solid, durable feel, and the blued finish is smooth to the touch while offering good grip. The blued/brown floor plate is well-integrated, providing a tactile surface for magazine changes and preventing the magazine from being over-inserted.

Ergonomically, it fits perfectly into the M&P .45 ACP pistol’s magazine well, sliding in and out with a satisfying, positive feel. There’s no looseness or wobble, which contributes to a secure feeding platform. The follower mechanism is smooth, allowing rounds to feed reliably without snagging.

Durability & Maintenance

Given its steel construction and blued finish, this magazine is built for significant durability. Under normal use, it should last for many thousands of rounds. It’s designed to be a reusable component, and with proper care, it will serve its owner for a very long time.

Maintenance is quite simple; it requires occasional cleaning to remove powder residue and debris. A basic cleaning kit and a bit of oil are all that’s needed. While the blued finish offers some protection, prolonged exposure to harsh elements without cleaning could eventually lead to surface rust, but this is typical for blued steel. The magazine’s internal components, like the spring and follower, are also robust, showing no signs of fatigue even after repeated compression and release.

Accessories and Customization Options

This particular model, the Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate, doesn’t come with additional accessories. It is, however, designed to be a direct replacement part, meaning it seamlessly integrates with existing M&P .45 ACP pistols. While there aren’t specific customization options for the magazine itself beyond its inherent design, it functions perfectly with standard firearm maintenance tools.

Pros and Cons of Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate

Who Should Buy Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate?

This Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate is ideal for owners of the Smith & Wesson M&P 45 pistol. It’s perfect for those who prioritize reliability and want to ensure their firearm is always ready for action, whether at the range or for self-defense. Shooters who have experienced feeding issues with older or aftermarket magazines will find this OEM option a breath of fresh air.

Anyone looking to expand their magazine count for more efficient training sessions or as a reliable spare for concealed carry should consider this model. You should skip this if you are looking for a higher capacity magazine for your M&P .45 ACP, as this model is limited to 14 rounds. For optimal use, ensuring you have a quality pistol cleaning kit to maintain the magazine’s performance is recommended.

Conclusion on Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate

The Smith & Wesson M&P 14 Round .45 ACP Pistol Magazine w/Blued/Brown Floor Plate is, in essence, exactly what it promises to be: a reliable, well-built magazine for the M&P .45 ACP. Its performance has been consistently stellar, demonstrating the benefits of sticking with original manufacturer parts. The steel construction and 14-round capacity offer a compelling combination of durability and utility for everyday shooting and defensive preparedness.

While the price of $65.39 might seem a touch high at first glance, the peace of mind and guaranteed functionality it provides are well worth the investment, especially when compared to the potential unreliability of lesser alternatives. For any owner of the M&P .45 ACP looking for a dependable spare or a replacement for a worn-out magazine, I would wholeheartedly recommend this model. It’s a solid, functional piece of equipment that simply gets the job done, time and time again.