Great idea to check You Tube, but first get some good cleaning tools or kit. The idea behind removal of factory grease is to insure that the firearm is properly lubricated before you use it and that is not always the case from the factory. A good through cleaning with Hoppes #9 will do fine and then relube it as per the manual that came with the gun. A good rule of thumb is if it slides grease it ....if it rolls oil it ....give us a range report when you can .....shoot well and safe........JJ

M&P's are easy to maintain. The easiest method of cleaning all but the barrel is to use spray solvent available at most sporting goods stores or counters. It comes in plastic safe mixture and the other type. Use plastic safe unless you have proof positive other types are safe. We don't want that grip or trigger to melt. If extra grungy a small brush is usefull.

Hoppes #9 along with a pistol cleaning kit from Walmart will handle the barrel.

The manual that came with your pistol shows the spots to place a small drop of light gun oil such as Rem Oil or other light gun oils. They do not require a lot of oil or any grease. Do not oil the striker. If you didn't get a manual they are available for download at S&W's web site. Read it and it will fulfill your request for a care and feeding guide. Dont worry to much about it, it is not rocket science.

Rem oil has done the job for me and my M&P's over the past 6 years and 30,000 plus rounds.

I hope you enjoy your M&P as much as I have mine.

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

For cleaning: if I get this kit (7-PCO - Hoppe's Universal Pistol Cleaning Kit) do i need anything else?

Kit should contain everything you need.....JJ

Ben;
Click on: How Do I Clean and Maintain My New Gun? What Else Do I Need?

Originally Posted by some_kind_of_ben

Thanks for everyone's help so far!

For cleaning: if I get this kit (7-PCO - Hoppe's Universal Pistol Cleaning Kit) do i need anything else?

should have all you need for the basics, you may want to pick up some toothpicks (useful to clean the inside of the rails with a patch) and a toothbrush or brass brush. do NOT use a steel brush as it can scratch! also when you are field stripping your gun spray some cleaner or in your case some of that hoppes in the barrel for about 5 mins before you brush and then patch clean it. this is also my 1st handgun if you have any questions feel free to ask! I have watched every video on it I could find , and have cleaned it many times. (every time I have shot it) I use M Pro 7 cleaner and M Pro 7 LPX lube. works great for me, your mileage may very. Welcome to the M&P Family!

A light cleaning is generally fine when the gun is new and before your first trip to the range. After that, a good "normal" cleaning is recommended after every range session if this is to be a primary carry gun.

With the M&P, pay attention to cleaning thoroughly around the slide stop as this location tends to get a fair amount of powder residue. Also clean your magazine(s) that you used in the gun when firing it. M&P mag followers get dirty real quick and can cause failures to hold the slide open after the last round. Disassemble the magazine(s) and clean well, then use your chosen lubricant. Other areas which get dirty are the recesses at the front corner of the frame and drawbar junction.

As for lubing the gun, if it is to be a carry gun, consider a quality dry lube (Hornady's One Shot) or a quality silicone spray (CRC Heavy Duty Silicone Spray). Oil and grease attract dirt, lint, and debris whereas these products do not.

Originally Posted by Steve M1911A1

Ben;
Click on: How Do I Clean and Maintain My New Gun? What Else Do I Need?

I am operating on the principle that the only stupid questions are the ones that don't get asked....

When you say "disassemble", are we talking "normal maintenance" kind of disassembly (slide, recoil spring, barrel) or "take everything apart" (ie all of the preceding + trigger mechanism, etc)??

Just normal maintenence.Leave a detail strip to a pro.