Greetings friends! Post #1 for me here.

5.5 years ago my first child was born. Shortly thereafter I began to think in more concrete terms about my rights as an American and decided that best way to teach my offspring their rights is to practice them.

A few years ago I bought a Remington 870 Express. Some time passed before I began to think about owning handguns. In 2010, I resolved to purchase a handgun, and in the fall I had my sights set on a Ruger Mark III, to do some inexpensive plinking. My wife somehow always managed to get in the way of the purchase, and I couldn't figure out why, until Christmas Day 2010, when I was given a Chiappa 1911-22.

My father-in-law and I went shooting just before and the day after Christmas. I got to put about 500 rounds through five different guns. The Chiappa is an adequate plinker (though not as nice as a Mark III), but what I really liked was his STI GP6-C. (I didn't, however, like his Kahr.)

Thus was ignited the fire to also have a 9mm. I have no current plans to carry (though I'm thinking about it) so I knew a full-size was what I wanted. As is my custom, I started to read a lot. I decided I wanted an American gun, so I focused on the M&P9.

Two weeks ago a friend and I went to a local range where we rented the M&P9 and the G17. We put 150 total rounds through the guns, loading 10 rounds into each magazine and then firing them one after the other to make a direct comparison. I knew after that session I was going to get an M&P9. I didn't like the 2x4 grip on the Glock. I don't have large hands and I couldn't get comfortable.

Yesterday I went to Vance Outdoors to purchase a Liberty safe. While there, I peered into the case full of M&P9's. (They must be hot, because they display them on the top shelves of the most prominent case at the gun counter.) The full size was on sale and I gawked at the price. It was as low as anywhere I had seen it, including on line. I bought it on the spot.

My sons like it. The rule in the house is they can see and hold my guns anytime, as long as they ask. I allowed them to dry fire it a few times last night, and when I returned from work this evening they asked again, and I obliged. They think that's the cat's meow, but they don't know the half of it! Some day they will experience the joy of firing for themselves, but for now they learn about their rights through me, as they should.

Soon I'll take it to the range and fire it. Should be fun! Hopefully my father-in-law will bring the GP6 with him the next time he visits so we can compare the M&P9 directly.

Congrats on the M&P9. I love mine.

I think you'll love your M&P 9mm. I have two and their both great firearms. Over 4000 rounds in less than 3 months and only one issue. Solid & reliable.

__________________
Jeff Lynch
Sugar Land, Texas

Buckeye Chuck, I also recently purchased a M&P 9 mm for all the same reasons. Visiting family this weekend and plan on shooting mine for the first time next weekend. I also did extensive research and rental shooting. I too didn't like the 2x4 grip on the Glock. M&P's are sweet!!

Congrats on your new adition and welcome to the forum...

__________________
1911Pro9 M&P9 40 45c 686.357

I just picked up an M&P 9mm today ! It's the best poly framed 9mm on the market IMHO. I've shot them a few times before making the purchase. It beats Glock in every area. I picked it up for $495 which is the cheapest I've seen them in my area. How many pounds would you say the trigger pull is on yours? Mine is really light. I'm guessing 4 to 4 1/2 lbs.

BuckeyeChuck --

Spend the time and money to take TDI Ohio's three-day pistol course this spring. Days 1 and 2 meet the requirements for the Ohio CHL if you need it, but are much more than just that.

Their facility is down in Adams County. You'll need a couple of cases of 9mm.

Yeah, I know American males can all shoot pistols and drive for NASCAR with no further training...

-- Chuck

You might also like an inexpensive laser for dry fire practice. It tightens up your hold like nothing short of coached live fire.

Geoff
Who went with the SWaMPy 9c.

I've thought about this. I cannot dry fire the Chiappa so I have been unable to practice keeping the sights in line all the way through the trigger pull. I am aware from live fire practice that I am doing a poor job at this, but I couldn't practice at home.

To practice at home, I line up the sights on something, and I try to hold the sights as still as possible all the way through the trigger pull. I'm improving, and I'm eager to return to the range so I can see if I'm actually getting better.

I've tried dry firing the M&P9 with both the medium and large backstraps. I don't have large hands (because I'm not a large man) so the medium feels better in my palm, but the reach to the trigger feels much better with the large backstrap. However, since a smooth trigger pull is a critical element of shooting any gun, I'll practice with the medium backstrap because I can't count on a long reach to the trigger with other guns. Fundamentals are important when first learning to shoot, so I'll focus on them and worry about customizing guns to feel better later.

I am not an experienced shooter; therefore I cannot say if the M&P9 beats the G17 in every area. However, it was more comfortable in my hand, and I simply shot better with it, though I put little stock in that because as noted, I'm not an experienced shooter.

I lack the experience to gauge the heft of my M&P9's trigger. It doesn't feel heavy to me, but it's pretty gritty. It's smoothing out rapidly as I dry fire it, as expected.

Tonight I sojourned to the Powder Room in Powell, OH. I started by putting at least 150 rounds through the Chiappa 1911-22. I really don't like that gun, as it is unreliable and the front sight stinks. However, it's what I've got and I can work on fundamentals with it.

Then I got out the new toy. I put 80 rounds through it and I shot it well.

I shot everything but one clip of .22lr from at least 25 feet. I was shooting about 35 feet at one point, and I was suprisingly accurate, given the lousy front sight. I shot the M&P9 from 25 feet, and did very well with that, too. It and I are going to have a long, successful relationship.

After trying to shove 80 rounds into the magazine, I immediately purchase a Maglula Uplula. I am not a strong man, and I lack the finger strength to shove rounds into the M&P9 magazine. The Uplula comes with lousy instructions, but once you figure it out, it is suh-weet.