So I have a question about the M&P firing block.
I have seen lots of diagrams on Glocks, and notice the glock has a firing pin block notch on the end of its striker that is held by he firing pin block.
I don’t see this on the M&P striker assembly.
I also have noticed the firing pin block is further forward on the glock.
What is the difference here and what point on the M&Ps is the striker being held safe by the firing pin block?
I cant find any internal diagrams or pictures online.
The firing pin block is located under the rear sight. You can see it here just to the left of the rear sight (part 3), and to the left of the extractor.
The notch is there in the striker assembly.
all modern pistols and revolvers have some sort of firing pin/striker block.
this video shows you the M&P block (counter at 2:45ish):HOW TO REMOVE THE STRIKER/FIRING PIN FROM SMITH AND WESSON M&P SHIELD 9/40 - YouTube
and pic of the block. 
.
I hope this helps.
Except for series 70 1911’s.
Different animal…but you are correct.
I know where the firing pin block is. I just want to know what part of the striker assembly it makes contact with to keep it from going forward.
It is easy to tell where in the striker the firing pin holds the glock striker. The shape of the striker is different than the M&P.
I also want to know why the glocks firing pin block is in a different location.
So I believe this is where the firing pin makes contact with the block.
This is a Glock slide, which it’s firing pin block is located half war down the slide, were as M&P is further back.
If you do a google search for M&P nomenclature it may give you some diagrams and names of certain parts or pieces.
https://images.app.goo.gl/Ad8N7UyygH9dLh8F9
Here’s what I found on google search. Hope this helps.
So in case anyone finds this, here is the contact point between the firing pin and the firing pin block.
Here is the contact point on glock.
After doing more research, this pains me to say this… but I prefer how the glock firing pin functions. It is not fully cocked until the tricker is pulled and the contact point for the firing pin block is at the front of the firing pin.
The M&Ps firing pin seems to be fully cocked and simply released when the sear is pulled downward. The firing pin block moves out of the way of that small piece towards the rear. Allowing the firing pin to move forward.
Both are safe, I just think the Glock design makes more sense.
(This research has been motivated by my dabbling in Appendix carry. I need to be confident that my junk is safe).
@Scoutbob . It doesn’t matter how striker operates if firing pin block is in place.
The final effect is the same. If you don’t press the trigger, there’s no way the striker hits the primer.
Cocked, half-cocked… You need the same force to be used on trigger to make the pistol “bang”.
Good holster, good firearm handling, good safety precautions - your junk is safe 
If it makes you feel better, I worry about that too, and why I dont carry my M2.0 more often.
I think of things that serve important and potentially dangerous functions in terms of contigencies. I visited the 35W bridge in Minneapolis shortly after the collapse and think of the spagetti remains as a reminder of why there should be a contigency for a contigency for a contigency. For example, I have a sump pump, backup sump pump with battery, generator, and portable sump pump and hose… of course I live in a swampy area.
35W bridge collapse:
Therefore, I have less assuredness on a firearm having a firepin block as the main contigency rather than my Kahr (or related to your post Glock) which requires more inputs to fire. However, I think the firing pin block is already a contigency to a contigency (sear), so maybe that will make you feel better. I could be mistaken. I don’t count the inertia trigger safety as an internal safety, but you could figure that in too.
Side note: I don’t know if it’s true or not, but it rumored that Bob Dylan rented an apartment overlooking this bridge (these pics were taken in front of the apartment I think it might have been) when he was younger… I have pics, but don’t know if they are the rumored apartments or not.
I will say I’ve come to be happy with how the M&P striker is.
This is gonna ruffle some feathers, but I do not the 365 striker. The striker block notch is located on the same section of the firing pin that contacts the sear. So, though unlikely, you could potentially lose the two internal safeties in once striker failure.
So as much as I like the idea of a p365xl, I will not buy one because of this striker design and the lack of a trigger safety. (Personal choice though, not trying to persuade anyone from a p365.)
