The S&W M&P12: Big Firepower in a Small Package

The new S&W M&P12 bullpup can fit 15 12-gauge shells in a package just over two feet long. The modern smokeless-powder 12-gauge is a weapon that has been used to devastating effect against animals and humans since at most 1897. They are very simple, inexpensive and highly effective. Twelve-gauge pump-action shotguns still serve tactical defensive roles over 100 years after John Browning invented the first pump-action. Smith & Wesson’s radical new M&P 12 bullpup was recently released to the market. But how does it compare with other tactical shotguns in its class? Where The M&P 12 ShinesBullpups are a controversial topic, whether they are shotguns or rifles. Some feel they offer the best of both the worlds: the compact length of a CQB weapon and the ballistic advantage that comes with a full-size barrel. Some people dismiss bullpups, claiming they are gimmicks. They don’t offer enough benefit for the awkward ergonomics and poor triggers. The M&P 12 is a good option for those who have decided that they want a bullpup shotgun with high capacity. Although similar offerings are available from UTAS and IWI, they are significantly heavier than the M&P 12. Although they are similar to the M&P 12, the Kel-Tec KSG and UTAS have significantly larger offerings than the M&P 12. The M&P’s heavier, more solid, metal construction means that the bullpup shotguns may have features that are not normally available in traditional shotgun designs. The magazine size of a traditional tube-fed shotgun is directly related to its overall length. A pump-action with a length of 4 or 5 shells would have a similar capacity to an M&P 12, or it would have to be extremely long to even compete with the M&P 12. Magazine-fed shotguns, on the other hand, can be shorter in length but bulkier due to the large capacity shotgun mags. Drum magazines are notoriously awkward, bulky, and less reliable than other designs. The M&P12’s 14+1 capacity makes it an attractive option. This design allows you to carry multiple types of ammunition. The magazine tube can be easily switched between using a selector button, which allows the user to choose between two types of ammunition. The M&P 12 is a niche weapon. The M&P 12 is a niche weapon that excels in two areas. A traditional shotgun that takes up so little space as the M&P 12 will have a very small capacity. Anything that is larger or heavier than the M&P’s capacity, will be invariably longer or more bulky. The M&P 12 is the best shotgun on the market for those who need a reliable, small shotgun with a large firepower and a high capacity. Although it is slightly heavier than the KSG, the M&P 12 is more reliable, durable and modular. It can mount an optic, foregrip, and weapon light to clear tight indoor spaces. Or, it can be left stock and can be stored inside a vehicle. If you were ever forced to use it, it would likely offer sufficient capacity to survive the encounter, but if you were forced to reload, the tedium of that task would probably spell your demise.The M&P 12 probably wouldn’t excel on a 3-gun course or in a duck blind, but it does what it was designed to do very well–clearing hallways and being stowed in tight spaces as an emergency defensive tool with some major firepower.For more, please visit smith-wesson.com.More Tactical Shotguns:NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack 62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDS This impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains 62 printable targets for rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be downloaded in MOA. Perfect for long-range shooting! Get free targets