Cashed my bonus check today and decided to go and purchase my first ccw gun. After debating and researching for months and months I had narrowed my choices down to 2 candidates a glock 26 and a M&P 40c. Instead of limiting myself to just one or the other I just decided to buy both but wasn't sure which one to buy first. I recently saw an ad online for a new gun shop not too far from home and after visiting the shop and seeing it for myself, i made my way down cash in hand to purchase my new toy. One of the things that piqued my interest was that this store has an on-site range and will let you shoot before you buy. I entered the store and was greeted by one of the counter guys and told him I was gonna buy a gun today. He showed me some of the different models and then asked me why I wanted two different calibers. Told him I don't really have a good reason other than I like to shoot different calibers. Well bad news was they were out of both guns I wanted and the guy wasn't sure exactly when they would get more in. Next thing I know without a word, guy leaves the counter and goes into a side room. I stood there for fifteen mins without a sign from the dude. I finally got fed up and left. I was kinda miffed at this point and vented to my little bro who was with me. He suggested we go to a big sporting goods store around the corner so off we went. This place was swamped and we had to wait about 20 mins (not a big deal) before someone was called over from another dept. to help us out. Poor guy didn't know much about guns and also informed that they too were out of my two choices. Being a little more miffed now my mind churned at the notion of having a wad of cash in my pocket and not being able to spend it! Finally my mind cleared up a bit and I remembered a mom and pop western wear/gun store that I had bought my remington 870 at about a month ago. I remembered these guys being incredibly helpful and having an awesome stock of ordinance. So off we were to shop three and upon arriving i noticed the guy that helped me last time was manning the counter and available. He gladly got out the guns and happily informed me he had both in stock. I decided on sweet M&P 40c and it was priced right at 479. Told the salesman that I would be back in a month to purchase that glock 23. He said he would look forward to it and that he appreciated my business. I will definitely purchase all my firearms from this shop in the future and will not even bother going anywhere else. Just thought I would share my 3 levels of service with you guys. Thanks for letting me rant.

Vasconic

I tried buying a gun at the local "big name" store and was treated to similar experience. That's awesome that you gave your business to the little guy. I have a family owned local shop I go to that is like that, nice people and great to work with. They have even talked me out of a few guns by letting me shoot them. You just can't get good customer service any more out of the "big name" stores any more and frankly the little guys have better pricing. Enjoy your new purchase.

There are three gun shops in my area that I trade with. One has higher prices but a lot more inventory; they give "average" value on trades. The second has great prices, great inventory, but gives the lowest of the three on trades. The third shop has the highest prices of the three, doesn't always have the latest and greatest, but they do have an outdoor range and will let you try a particular model (if they have one used) before you buy. They also give top dollar on trades, and they have the most expertise of the three. All three have been friendly and helpful, IMO, but I like dealing with the third shop the best...it is in a rural setting, they are just good old Texas boys, and they always enjoy just talking about guns...I've never felt rushed or pressured in any way.

I have also bought several handguns at Academy Sports...and while they often have better prices than local gun shops, the ignorance of the employees working the gun counters is just unbelievable. I like to browse and just spend time looking, and while standing there, I have heard some of the most ridiculous things imaginable....some customers seeking to buy obviously know very little, and the sales persons know even less. It makes me cringe, and I have to bite my tongue...I am no expert by any means, but some of the things asked and answered are just amazing in terms of plain wrong information.

Welcome to the S&W world, welcome to the M&P tribe and welcome to the .40c clan. Whenever you have good or bad experience with an outlet or store, feel free to share their name(s). You'll be doing us a favor so as not to patronize someone who doesn't deserve our hard earned money.

I have found my .40c to be a very reliable piece. I've equipped it with CTC grips and it's been my EDC since I got it around a year ago. If you're interested in a great (kydex) holster, let me know.

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MotorCityGun

First store was Discount Guns and Ammo in Provo, UT. Will never ever step foot in there again. Second store was Sportsman's Warehouse in Provo, UT. Last and best was Gunnies in Orem, UT. They will be getting all my business from here on out. The whole experience at Gunnies was top notch. If anyone is ever out this way gun shopping be sure to give them a visit.

Thanks
Vasconic

Since you are a Wasatch Front guy, I thought I would mention a store in Murray, Utah that is good. It is Doug's Shooting Sports. They have good inventory, good knowledge, and good prices. They have an indoor range that I use. As an example of the helpfulness, one of their guys who teaches shooting lessons at $40/hour has given me so many shooting tips that I may not need a lesson now. I didn't know that he taught for pay, but he kept helping me with the little things I was doing wrong and now I can shoot pretty well (1" group at 20' and 2.5" group at 50', most of the time)

I have bought three guns from them in the last two months, all at the best prices I can find. The are usually at least $40 less than Cabela's and other gun shops and from what I have seen at gun shows.

Thanks for the heads up. I will definitely give Doug's a visit the next time I am in the area. I am still pretty miffed about my experience at Discount Guns and Ammo. I had high hopes for that place. Lesson learned.

Vasconic

This may be a topic for a new thread, but care to share what you learned (for free)?

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MotorCityGun

quote Cashed my bonus check today and decided to go and purchase my first ccw gun. After debating and researching for months and months I had narrowed my choices down to 2 candidates a glock 26 and a M&P 40c

Why not buy another M&Pc in the other caliber
I did have both a 40c and 9c getting a 357 conversion set up also

had glocks (the word is had) .

have sold a lot of other brands and replaced them with different M&P's

Find I do better sticking to one brand of guns -

to buskerpcr: I have never personally owned a glock but have fired a couple of different models. I am leaning to a G26 based on the fact that in my line of work i do a lot of installation work in and around customers houses which often involves bending and working in people's living rooms and tv areas ( i am a satellite contractor). I am worried about printing and showing while working and would like to have a ccw firearm that I could pocket carry. In the summer I mainly wear cargo shorts and a G26 would pocket carry easily in my strong-side right front cargo pocket. I submitted my Utah CFP about a week ago and have never CCW before so this is uncharted territory for me. Thanks for the input.

Vasconic

LOL! I can assure you that I am not qualified to charge anyone for shooting advice. I just started doing this in February of this year.

For whatever it is worth:

1. grip - I was holding the gun wrong. The left hand is supposed to wrap around the fingers of the right right hand and under the trigger guard so that both thumbs are on the left side of the gun. The left hand is doing much of the weight support while the right hand is focused on correct trigger method. The right hand is supposed to grip the gun as high as possible on the back of the handle for max control of the gun.

2. trigger finger - I was using too much of the trigger finger on the trigger, leading to a slight movement of the gun to the left. I now use basically, the tip of the trigger finger only, and try to remember to pull straight back when I squeeze. Hand guns are much more sensitive to errors in trigger method than are rifles, due to gun length. (simple physics - angular momentum etc)

3. sighting - Line up the front and rear sight with the center of the target so that the top of the front sight is level with the top of the rear sight and evenly spaced between the two rear sight posts. It is not possible to clearly see the rear sight, the front sight, and the target all at once. At least two of these get blurred because of eyeball focus issues. We are supposed to focus on the front sight and let the rear sight and target be a little blurry. In order to avoid blinking when the shot breaks, focus on seeing the front sight through the entire trigger squeeze and noting where the front sight is at shot break (being able to call your shot) and bring it back to target center immediately. (follow through)

4. breathing - It usually helps to exhale just prior to the shot.

The tip on seeing the front sight at shot-break was actually given to me by someone on this web site.

This is probably, as you said, off topic for this thread. If Vasconic doesn't mind I would be interested in any tips you have picked up from your experience.

No worries at all... Sometimes the best advice is FREE!!! FWIW Just to echo you a bit the biggest difference maker I have learned and implemented recently is with my trigger finger also. I have long fingers and am in the habit of pulling the trigger with my 1st joint instead of the tip.. Man what a difference it makes!!! Just need to work on muscle memory and getting my finger in the right spot.

Thanks guys

Vasconic

Congrats on your new 40c. I just got one a week ago and got it to the range where I put around 75 rounds through it.

As mentioned with your 40c you have an opportunity to do one or all of the following:
FS magazines in .40 with X-Grip. Gives it a full size grip feel and extended magazine capacity.

9mm Storm Lake barrel. Drops in, but you will need 9mm magazines short or long.

.357 SIG, new barrel, same magazines.

The platform you have is very versatile and if you don't like the feel of the trigger check out the Apex kits. About 80$.

Here are a couple pics illustrating the X-Grip.

I love my 40c and it is used to boot. No problem and fits the hand much better than glock ( ok, still have my G17, but G26 is gone ).
I wonder if S&W sold the 40C with 9mm barrel & mags plus 357 barrel what would happen? Seems better choice than Sig 250 with all the interchangeable stuff.

I really like that x grip you have...Looks good.. I will be ordering mine soon.

Great review of basic techinques. Thanks.

1. grip - in addition to everything you mentioned, I've also found that "centering" the backstrap of the pistol into the web between the thumb and trigger finger is key.

2. trigger finger - my 40c is equipped with CTC grips. An exercise I've used is to dry fire with the laser on to see how much and which way the laser beam diverts at break.

3. sighting - my (former Marine) buddy coached me at the range on the importance of focusing on the front sight with great results, however, the explanation you provided is an excellent one.

4. breathing - took my buddy who I've trained in the martial arts with for over 30 yrs, to his first shooting/range experience. I instructed him to smoothly breath (out) as though he were throwing a punch, every time he pulled the trigger. This seemed to work well for him.

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MotorCityGun