Due to my curent location I am unable to look up the rules on what types of pistols and what are considered modifications. I am going to purchase a S&W M&P VTAC .40 cal when I return to the states. The pistol does NOT come with a thumb saftey. Is this a problem for compitition? If so does anyone know where I would be able to get a thumb saftey for it? Could this pistol be considered a good competition gun?

No need for a 'thumb safety' unless you want a chance of a DQ. If you have a 'thumb safety' it needs to be on when abandoning a firearm. I've seen some very good shooters get DQed because the 'thumb safety' did not get applied fully or get knocked off. This is one reason you see so many Glocks, XD's and M&Ps in 3 gun.

Ok thank you for the info. Probabley wont get a thumb saftey now.

To elaborate further, glocks, M&p's, and XDs have internal "passive" safeties that are considered to be engages at all times until the trigger is pulled. Hence they don't need a manual safety to be activated when abandoning.

Another option is to clear the weapon of the mag and the chamber before you move on. IF I have a few steps before the bucket this is fast enough. If not I just use the safety.
Pat

It takes no longer to do this than the time it takes to drop a magazine.

-Cameron

If you drop the magazine you still need to rack the slide to clear the chamber unless you apply the safety or if you have a pistol without a safety that you just place in the bucket. Maybe I misunderstood what you meant. The real reason I believe there are so many Glocks and M&P's is cost. You can buy 4 glocks for what I have into my Dawson Precision Edge limited gun. 2 glocks for what I have into my Caspian 38 super comp open gun. But the 1911 pattern guns are easier to shoot well so I use them for the games.
Pat