I have an M&P Pro CORE 9mm and was wondering if anyone else out there had an opinion on the Sprinco Guide Rod System? Or is there a more "preferred" guide rod?

I'm looking at reducing the recoil a bit so a porting the slide and barrel are also an idea. Any suggestions on this route?

The gun is very tame, but I think it could be a little bit more tame for competition shooting. I'm new to competitive shooting so just looking for some advice on this firearm.

Thanks

If you're new to competitive shooting, save your money for more practice ammo. . Seriously, I've thought about both of the options you mentioned, I've already got a Sprinco kit (uninstalled) and will be sending a spare slide off to Magnaport after last outdoor match of the season (end of November) I figure I'll play with the setup in the Spring and see if there's any advantage or disadvantage. I'm real careful about changing stuff on a setup that works 100% reliably. One of the guys I shoot with has a Core that he's changed so much stuff that he's always dealing with various failures during the match. I've got around 70K on my Core and the only match failures were ammo related (I did break a trigger return spring and slide lock during practice though ) I'm always willing to try new things but most I've tried aren't a big improvement (if any). The Apex FSS and trigger were huge improvements, but the KKM barrel I didn't notice much difference. Just remember it's not the equipment that makes the difference, it's the nut behind the trigger. Shoot lots of matches and watch the good shooters, you can learn a lot that way. (I did).

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Minimize the variables

Very good advice. I shoot often, probably 2-3 times a week, and I do a lot of dry fire practice as well. But you're probably right. I should hold off on those things for right now. I would like to get the forward set trigger in addition. That slack is bothering me more than I thought it would.

The Apex FSS kit is wonderful, especially if you compete. Other than that just shoot the heck out of it. At this stage of the game I really don't think tricking out your gun will really help you. Practice shooting slow and accurate and then practice shooting fast and accurate. Having the most tricked of gun doesn't mean diddly if you can not consistently hit your A zone.

I have tried using heavier recoil springs in my Ruger pistol, from standard 16 pounders to a 20 pounder, and I could not feel or tell any difference in felt recoil. I measured the springs and they were a true 4 pounds heavier, but the only thing that changed was the slide was harder to rack. What works for me was to increase my hand, wrist and arm strength. I do exercises to strengthen these areas and it has greatly reduced my felt recoil. With 9mm there is hardly any flip or felt recoil, and just slightly more when shooting 40 S&W and 45acp.

I do isometrics exercises opposite the recoil direction for my wrists and arms. I use a heavy sponge and do finger and thumb squeezes for hand strength. For me these exercises have helped my shooting in speed and accuracy.

I am sure porting will help reduce flip and some felt recoil, but if you want to do competition shooting, those changes may put you in a different class. I haven't shot in competition for over 30 years and I have no idea of the current classes or rules. I watch some of the pros shooting on TV, and their speed is amazing.

Bob

Porting the gun is the last thing I would do. It will have little effect on standard 9mm and isn't allowed in very many competitions. Probably the most effective way to reduce recoil is to handload lighter and spring the gun to the load. But you might run into minimum power factors you need to meet in certain competitions.

Shoot it. Learn the rules of the shooting games you prefer. Don't be another newbie that is unhappy when I inform them their gun is now illegal in IDPA or thrown into OPEN in USPSA because they did modifications to their gun before they knew what competition was about.
You wouldn't show up with an INDY open wheel race car at a SCCA race, would you? That's about what you are talking about doing.

No offense, but if a 9mm CORE is kicking you too much, a class on how to hold the gun would be the smartest investment.

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Science plus Art

Appreciate the input guys!

This gun is in no way shape or form "kicking my butt". I've been shooting my whole life, shot Co. high in the Marines, pistol expert, and train frequently. I try to shoot at least 300rds a week (not much but ammo's expensive...Im learning to reload currently).

I was simply looking at options to get a good competition gun. This is why I ask before I do stuff. Some great points were made as far as class of the gun, etc.

The ported barrel/slide would be an addition, not a replacement. I would keep the unported barrel/slide for other classes though.

The working out idea is great, especially for the hands/forearms. I can't do much pressing work and avoid the gym because of some surgeries I had to have after a deployment. I still get quite a bit of pain when lifting things around the house, so I'm very hesitant to hit the gym again for fear of really screwing something up

I think you can find more recoil reduction by handloading your own ammunition than you can with springs or porting. Depending on the powder used, and the power factor you load to. (minimum 125 in USPSA minor, but there is no minimum PF in Steel Challenge yet). Porting and compensators work better in Major Power factor (minimum 165) and put you into the Open class in USPSA and Steel Challenge (and excludes you from any IDPA competition). But all this only matters if you think you are going to be able to compete with the guys that can still run like rabbits, if you're like me, more like the tortoise than the hare, then it really doesn't matter and just shoot for fun.

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Minimize the variables

Nah I can still run, thankfully....I got out a 300PFT'er and I'm only 2 years removed so thats not an issue.

I DEFINITELY am looking forward to learning more about reloading! I get my NRA cert/instructor cert in it next month and from there I'll be reading everything I can on it! I know its a great way to make more cost effective ammo, but to also custom load rounds to my specs.

Thanks bud!!

Maybe you just left it out, but don't you have to port the barrel as well? I'm just spitballing here, but I wonder what happens when you fire a ported barrel under a non-ported slide?

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Interesting thread. I had never heard of this Sprinco guide rod.

Do any of the top USPSA / IDPA shooters use this?

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Take your time, fast. J.Hughes

When I said slide, I meant the slide assembly (with barrel). Porting just the slide wouldn't be porting, it would be slide lightening.

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Minimize the variables

Here's a link to Sprinco's site Sprinco USA -- Recoil Reducers It's more than just the guide rod.

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Minimize the variables

Some of the reports I've read say that it is not such a great modification after a several hundred to a thousand rounds. Wouldn't mind hearing from some people that have used it though.

If you can find one of the top competitors that use Sprinco, that's one more than I've seen in nearly 20 years of officiating and tech checks. I have seen some being used, mostly by inexperienced shooters. Most experienced shooters want top quality, reliable gear that works, not "gadgets".

Mike Seeklander made a video that shows what we all teach and try to achieve in competition recoil control. It's mostly about how you hold the gun, believe it or not.
Tips for Building the Perfect High-Performance Handgun Grip

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Science plus Art

You want to get better with the 9? Shoot the 40 and get used to it. I do that with 6g Unique under a 180g bullet for a PF of around 180 or more. Once you do that for 50 rounds, that 9 will feel like a 22LR. Each time I do this with my M&P40 followed by the 9mm barrel, my shooting gets way better. Yes, I am recoil sensitive and yes when I go several weeks shooting 40 exclusively, my 40 shooting gets better.

Get someone to video you while you shoot in practice, or in a match. I'm a long time shooter and watching video of me during a match was enlightening (my problems seem to be related to sight picture and trigger control). Recoil us not the issue, as my pistol stays almost as flat as the Salient Arms-modified M*&Ps do in their promotional videos. Also examine your grip. That is a lot cheaper than adding stuff that may or may not work. Get some dummy rounds, load them randomly in the magazines and see what happens when your pistol goes click intead of bang. Slow down a little and work on what is revealed from the drills.