I took the S&Ws to the range today. The old Mod 28 and the New M&P 9. I've had the Mod 28 for 40 years but the M&P only a few weeks. It shows.

The first 20 rounds through the M&P landed 14 on the 10 x 12 paper and only 5 in the black at 50 feet. Terrible! I thought something must be wrong. So, I loaded the Mod 28 with 6 semi-wad and planted 6 of 6 in the 10 circle. Hmmmm So I put 10 in each magazine of the M&P and fired 20 at a new target. At least I got 19 on the paper with about a third in the black. They weren't high or low but mostly off to the right. 6 more 357s in the Mod 28 and another perfect 60.

It is obviously me needing a LOT more practice and learning with the M&P as I usually shoot at 100 feet or more. I was surprised how different my accuracy was with the two different guns. I expected a difference but I didn't expect to miss the paper entirely at a measly 50 feet!

But I did manage to pick up about 300 empty 9mm cases along with the ones I shot up so between range days, I'll have some more reloading to do. I need to get some more ammo boxes though.

Bottom line is I really like the M&P 9. It was flawless, easy and felt good & predictable on every shot. I've just got to learn how to use it better.

Saturday and Sunday at the ranged were MUCH BETTER!! Practice and learning the feel of the 9mm definitely helped! Using sandbags to help eliminate the gun and isolate me, the shooter, was essential to understanding what I was doing wrong. It turned out to be a few different things.

There was a bit of wind but at on 50 feet, it didn't contribute. The .357 was still dead on and the FS M&P 9 was not only all on the paper this weekend but, almost all in the black.

I noticed that after the shot fired from the M&P that I was always pointing to the right of the target. I kept adjusting my hand position until this was no longer the case. Immediate improvement. Also making sure I squeezed the trigger straight back (no side pressure) also improved my accuracy.

Learning & practice are paying off. I hope to reach out to the 75 and then 100 ft targets soon. You can teach this old dog some new tricks.

Dryfire it a half a million times. I shoot bad guys on tv. It always helps me when I'm fraternizing with a new one.

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James L. "Jim" Rhiner