|
|
05-22-2012, 01:04 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Finally pulled the trigger...
I've been lurking around the site for a while but just joined today and have a few questions. I've had my CCW for a little over a year but never bought a gun until last night. Originally I was looking into a 380 because of the size but I never felt comfortable holding one for the very same reason. After the comments I've read here I decided on the M&P 9c for my first endeavor. I spent the better part of an hour picking the dealers brain with every question I could imagine but as soon as I got home with the gun I thought of a few more.
My questions... Is there a proper way to break in a new gun or do I just shoot the heck out of it? In the case along with the extra clip, gun lock, extra back straps and paperwork I found an small sealed envelope which I haven't opened yet and an orange plastic cylinder that is pointed at one end and has two tabs. What are these two items and are they important?
Thanks in advance.
|
05-22-2012, 01:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Utah
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
The orange plastic thing was probable just stuck in the chamber for shipping and it doubles as a chamber empty indicator. The small envelope contains on spent shell from the test fire at the factory. As for breaking in, there are many debates out there on the paractice. personally, I say just go out and shoot, have fun and never look back.
good luck!!
|
05-22-2012, 01:12 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 206
Likes: 104
Liked 54 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
You made a great choice in the 9c. Just take it apart and clean and lube it then take it to the range and shoot the snot out of it. The sealed envelope is just the spent cartridge that was test fired at the factory, not exactly sure what the other item is.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
05-22-2012, 01:24 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 380
Likes: 286
Liked 87 Times in 55 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhornfan69
You made a great choice in the 9c. Just take it apart and clean and lube it then take it to the range and shoot the snot out of it.
|
I Second that. And congrats on choosing the M&P9c. I think you'll be very happy.
And, if I were you I would try all of the backstraps just to see which gives you the best feel/grip. I did with my Full Size M&P45 and found the one which made it feel like it was made for my hand.
__________________
G21C,Shield.40,LCP
|
05-22-2012, 01:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Ohio
Posts: 268
Likes: 369
Liked 326 Times in 140 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by longhornfan69
You made a great choice in the 9c. Just take it apart and clean and lube it then take it to the range and shoot the snot out of it. The sealed envelope is just the spent cartridge that was test fired at the factory, not exactly sure what the other item is.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
|
I third that.Just make sure you shoot as much of your self defense ammo as you can afford along with your target ammo.This is so you get acquainted with it and ensuring that your gun will cycle it effectively.
Congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the forum.
|
05-22-2012, 02:21 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Waterloo Ia.
Posts: 45
Likes: 1
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
As was said a good clean and lube then go have fun, the only thing I do with a new gun is shoot jacketed for the 1st 100 rounds or so as some bores are a little rough and this seams to smooth them out. I have had some guns that got excessive leading in the barrel when starting out with lead. This is JMO though.
|
05-22-2012, 02:54 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Indiana
Posts: 11,941
Likes: 10,112
Liked 10,107 Times in 4,786 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delna
...an orange plastic cylinder that is pointed at one end and has two tabs. What are these two items and are they important?
|
The orange thing is called a chamber flag. S&W sends it to be sure they are not shipping a loaded gun, and to help you with that matter, among other things. Since you are not an experienced gun handler (and even if you are) it is not a bad idea to take it with you when you go to the range. When you are ready to leave, clear your pistol, put the chamber flag in and lower the slide to its forward position. THEN immediately put your pistol in its case.
If you do this EVERY time you leave the range, you will never arrive home to find that you have a loaded "unloaded" weapon. It is a simple little gizmo, but the habitual use of it can help to avoid disaster. I know a shooter who narrowly avoided potential disaster only because a brick wall stopped a 9mm from his "unloaded" pistol that he brought home from the range (and neglected to check when he got it out to clean it).
Mistakes like this can happen to anyone if you don't take simple precautions.
|
05-22-2012, 03:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Thanks for all the responses and the warm welcome. I'm hoping to be able to hit the range later this week.
|
05-22-2012, 03:23 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 225
Likes: 66
Liked 43 Times in 29 Posts
|
|
Hello from Central Florida as well. Good choice on the 9c, it is one of my favorites. Lots of practice ahead and enjoy the firearm. Nothing else for me to add from the above - just be safe
|
05-22-2012, 04:00 PM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
Liked 40 Times in 29 Posts
|
|
How far west and where do you shoot? I'm 4 corners area, by disney. Stay safe and have fun!
|
05-22-2012, 04:08 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 76
Likes: 16
Liked 13 Times in 12 Posts
|
|
The alternative practice to using a chamber safe is to get in the consistent practice of every single time you pick up a gun assume it is loaded until you can physically verify no magazine inside and no round in the chamber. Do not depend on any "loaded chamber indicator" feature on the firearm, as that isn't 100% reliable. Press check the slide and make sure you can see in the chamber.
The other practice I recommend is to feed the first round in any magazine by hand. Subsequent rounds can be fed by an UPLULA, without worrying about damaging the magazine follower. I do this 100% of the time, from when I first receive an autopistol.
Tommato
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-22-2012, 04:13 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 520
Likes: 63
Liked 103 Times in 67 Posts
|
|
I also have the 9c and recently the M&P Shield. Find a mentor to assist you to learn to shoot properly and safely. Do NOT purse carry. It just isn't safe (I am a lady too, and had to learn to adjust my dress to accommodate carrying my gun) As for breaking it in .. just shoot the heck out of it and make sure that you lube it often.
Seriously tho .. get professional training. It will make a huge difference with your confidence handling/carrying a gun.
|
05-23-2012, 02:50 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by darksideemt
How far west and where do you shoot? I'm 4 corners area, by disney. Stay safe and have fun!
|
Let's just say if I were any further west I would need a waterproof holster. I'm in the Clearwater area and hope to hit one of the local ranges this weekend.
|
05-23-2012, 02:57 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Metro Denver, CO
Posts: 303
Likes: 18
Liked 50 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
As stated. Clean, lube, shoot the heck out of it. put a few hundred rounds through it. Google Dry Fire techniques and learn to do at least one of them. It helps.
Finally, Get some profession shooting assistance. Take a class on shooting. Go to the range at least twice a month to stay in practice. If you are not confidant with the firearm do not carry it until you are. As you know this is a deadly weapon and there are no minor mistakes with firearms. Get and stay trained.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
05-23-2012, 03:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2012
Location: West Central Florida
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 2 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kris7047th
I also have the 9c and recently the M&P Shield. Find a mentor to assist you to learn to shoot properly and safely. Do NOT purse carry. It just isn't safe (I am a lady too, and had to learn to adjust my dress to accommodate carrying my gun) As for breaking it in .. just shoot the heck out of it and make sure that you lube it often.
Seriously tho .. get professional training. It will make a huge difference with your confidence handling/carrying a gun.
|
Thanks for the info Kris, I'll make a point of not to "purse carry" and as far as learning to adjust a dress... Not a problem as I haven't found one that goes well with my beard. Had to double check my profile info to make sure I didn't accidentally check the wrong box somewhere
I will look into the other stuff though and if I ever run across some nice heels in a men's size 12 I may have to reconsider the whole dress thing
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
05-23-2012, 07:44 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Idaho
Posts: 68
Likes: 213
Liked 24 Times in 12 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delna
Thanks for the info Kris, I'll make a point of not to "purse carry" and as far as learning to adjust a dress... Not a problem as I haven't found one that goes well with my beard. Had to double check my profile info to make sure I didn't accidentally check the wrong box somewhere
I will look into the other stuff though and if I ever run across some nice heels in a men's size 12 I may have to reconsider the whole dress thing
|
Damn it Delna a man needs to learn to accessorize!
__________________
Dennis in Idaho
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|