9mm for range/comp

[pitt1717]

Just wondering, if you were in the market for a M&P9 for range and IDPA/USPSA/3gun would you get a a pro series, pro series CORE or not bother and get a regular M&P 9 and use the savings for sights, trigger etc.
while i would like the core for the optics, i can't use it in the production class. and if i move up to an open class, i should really have a 40 or better caliber and or a better gun all together.

any thoughts or opinions would be great. also anyone have any leads in NJ to get one.... man these are hard to come buy

 

[Llando88]

Interested in the thread.

New to shooting, looking for first pistol. I have shot multiple 9mm pistols over the past two months at the range and settled on the M&P FS. I'd like to find a rental Pro model to shoot but so far have only shot the 'normal' model.

 

[sw1519]

I don't shoot competition as of yet but just picked up a CORE 5" PRO 9 and have intentions of trying amateur competition this fall. I went with the CORE because I have a PRO .40 for a duty weapon and like it tremendously. The night sights on the PRO .40 are great and the trigger is a bit gritty but still much better than stock. Thus, I liked the PRO series quite a bit and wanted the same in a 9mm with a 5" barrel. Really the only reason I went with the 5" PRO CORE 9 over a 5" PRO 9 is because my local dealer had the CORE in stock but not the 5" standard PRO. In hind sight though, I'm happy I at least have the ability to add an optic and try the open class eventually. If I don't like it then the optic can come off and I'll put the cover plate back on top and run with the irons. I would probably say if you think you will have any desire to eventually add an optic, go with the CORE. Otherwise if the price difference was good enough, I would probably go with a standard M&P or PRO and do some enhancements to it.

 

[Llando88]

Bump. Any further thoughts on this?

I'm close to purchase. At this point, since I'm new to shooting anyway, any fancy pants optics or red dots would be wasted on me. I am thinking, S&W M&P FS 9mm, range and carry kit (for third mag plus reloader.).

I think I need to practice focusing on the front sight until I get 2.5" groups at 25 yards. (Might take a while lol).

Is this an unreasonable expectation for a stock service pistol out of the box?

Or should I go ahead and buy a Performance Center model now?

From what I've read, accuracy "ain't the gun, it's the shooter."

Thoughts?

 

[Llando88]

I guess I wanted to ask a thread-related question also.

So I have aspirations of using my pistol in 'competition'

I've joined a local range (Shooter's World Tampa) as a member. Both Mrs. Llando88 and I plan to get our Fla CCL this fall and follow up with advance classes this fall.

I also would like to attend a practical course, such as HE-01 by say Chris Costa in Myakka Fl at some point.

Given all that, is a standard, stock M&P FS 9mm 4.25 pistol suitable for such use?

 

[Bkreutz]

I guess I wanted to ask a thread-related question also.

So I have aspirations of using my pistol in 'competition'

I've joined a local range (Shooter's World Tampa) as a member. Both Mrs. Llando88 and I plan to get our Fla CCL this fall and follow up with advance classes this fall.

I also would like to attend a practical course, such as HE-01 by say Chris Costa in Myakka Fl at some point.

Given all that, is a standard, stock M&P FS 9mm 4.25 pistol suitable for such use?

A stock 4.25 will be fine. I have a 9c that I carry, a 5" Pro CORE that I use for IDPA, USPSA, and Steel Challenge stock classes. I also have a FS 9 that has been relegated to "loaner" status when I take a friend along to the range. I don't run an optic on the CORE at the moment but I got it because I wanted the flexibility to add one easily at a later date.

 

[Llando88]

A stock 4.25 will be fine. I have a 9c that I carry, a 5" Pro CORE that I use for IDPA, USPSA, and Steel Challenge stock classes. I also have a FS 9 that has been relegated to "loaner" status when I take a friend along to the range. I don't run an optic on the CORE at the moment but I got it because I wanted the flexibility to add one easily at a later date.

Thanks - What I was thinking.

 

[AR-Getsome]

I use the fs 9 in my idpa competitions. I shoot ssp Division. Since we are being politically correct. I haven't shot my qualifier yet to determine my class.

 

[OKFC05]

The M&P 5" Pro is all set up for IDPA/SSP or USPSA/Production and requires no modification to compete.

For those that have not shot competition, my best advice as a match director is to bring whatever pistol you have to a club match and shoot enough to get an idea what the sport is all about before you start shelling out for "the ideal outfit."
If you have never shot enough competition to know what DIVISION you want to shoot in, then you will probably change your mind about what gun you need later anyway.
By the way, CLASS is determined by how well YOU shoot; DIVISION is determined by what kind of gun you shoot.

 

[AwfAxis]

I have both a 9mm FS and CORE 9L (5"). I use the FS for IDPA and the CORE for UPSPSA/IPSC. I have to say I'm much better on the "run & gun" with the 5" because of the longer sight radius.

I'm installing front/rear Williams F.O. sights for the FS because I can't acquire the sights fast enough. Right now, the FS has a single FO front, and Warren Tactical rear. The rear sight is just a blurr and makes longer range shooting difficult.

The CORE with 3 bright whites is good and some day I'll use the Optic when my speed improves.

In hind-sight, I should have bought the 40L CORE so that I could shoot Major Limited 10. I can't really use the 9L in production because of a APEX FSS kit I installed. Its a visible modification which moves it to LIMITED (when someone notices it).

I've been thinking now whether to get a M&P 45 (4.5") or CORE 40L. The recoil is snappier on the 40L buts has a longer sight radius. The lighter recoil on the 1/2" shorter 45 may make it a draw either way.

Maybe Santa will bring me one this year.

 

[epj]

Bump. Any further thoughts on this?

I'm close to purchase. At this point, since I'm new to shooting anyway, any fancy pants optics or red dots would be wasted on me. I am thinking, S&W M&P FS 9mm, range and carry kit (for third mag plus reloader.).

I think I need to practice focusing on the front sight until I get 2.5" groups at 25 yards. (Might take a while lol).

Is this an unreasonable expectation for a stock service pistol out of the box?

Or should I go ahead and buy a Performance Center model now?

From what I've read, accuracy "ain't the gun, it's the shooter."

Thoughts?

If you want 2" out of the box groups, might should look at the 1911 line up. The S&W Pro might give that kind of performance. If you want to stay with 9mm, take a look at the STI 1911's. at the bottom end, the Trojan will do sub 2". The Spartan will probably do 2" or close to it. You would have to get an extraordinary M&P to get much under 3". Actually, 3" groups at 25 yards is pretty durn good for a striker fired service pistol. I think the level of accuracy you're after is going to take a 1911 or one of the Sig models to achieve.

 

[Llando88]

I misremembered the quote from "The Perfect Pistol Shot" by Albert H League III.

It is 'three shots within 4" at 25 yds.

My bad.

With that, Is 4" not a reasonable expectation from a standard 4.25" 9mm M&P pistol?

I mean, to be honest, I'm not knowledgable about firearms to know what to expect. I do know, as an Engineer, I like objective goals I can measure, otherwise I don't know if I'm improving.

Anyway, I'm pretty much sold on a standard M&P FS. It does most things well, is reliable, comfortable, more accurate than I am, fits me (lefty) and my wife (righty) and from what I understand is durable enough to stand up to multi-day (e.g. HE-01 course) or 'competition' (whatever that turns out to be). I've shot it as a rental at the range over six sessions and approx 800 rounds to date. It's also at a price point I can afford. I'll take any delta in cost over a Pro or a Sight and invest in more training.

Thanks for all the inputs. Much obliged.

 

[epj]

That's a much more reasonable expectation. You'll like the M&P FS. The ergnonomics are excellent. Try to find a very recent production example. There have been recent changes that improve the trigger and barrel. You may still want to install one of the Apex trigger inhancements, but try it as is first and see how it does. Do NOT shoot a target grade 1911. If you do, the M&P trigger will never be quite right. ( or any other plastic gun trigger for that matter)

 

[OKFC05]

I mean, to be honest, I'm not knowledgable about firearms to know what to expect. I do know, as an Engineer, I like objective goals I can measure, otherwise I don't know if I'm improving.

The M&P is capable of 3-4" groups at 25 yards, but it is not a bullseye pistol.
It is a defensive service pistol, so the targets are larger and the distances are usually less, BUT time is a factor.
So I start people out on a paper plate stapled in the middle of an IDPA target, and tell them the paper plate is the bullseye, and all shots on the plate count the same. We are not shooting "groups." Only hits on the plate count. The first object is to put the shot on the paper plate at 5 yards. Then put 2 shots on the paper plate. Pause, then do another 2. If it gets boring, back up. If you get tired, take a break. Don't just stand there and yank the trigger.
Several short practice sessions done often are better than long ones once a month.

Then there is the gun handling. Load 2 cartridges into a mag. Fire the 2 hits and then reload and fire 2 more. Get a good holster and learn to draw (empty gun at first).

Put up 3 targets at 10 yds. Fire 2 shots into each target, reload and again fire 2 shots into each target. Only hits on the plates count.

When that gets boring, go find an IDPA club.

 

[millisec]

I got a M&P 9 full size right after first introduction and promptly switched from mostly shooting CDP to SSP. I ran that gun several years and again not long after release snagged a M&P Pro that I'm still shooting today. Both guns are fine but I actually shoot noticeably better with the Pro and I tend to prefer 5" barrels anyway. The only mods to gun are the original Apex parts (not extractor or trigger), some polishing, and a change from green to red fiber. I've looked at, handled and tried to like the core but I just can stand the tall sights (white dots at that) and the optics mount isn't of much use for any sport I shoot. There is some push to allow optics in IDPA but don't think that will happen anytime soon. As far as USPSA goes the M&P is not the best platform to build a limited or open gun on but great for production with iron sights. Maybe just a personal preference but for iron sight competition you just can't beat a single red dot in front and black rear sights. There's a reason the IDPA magazine is called "Front sight".

So if you want a good starting gun an older or new M&P Pro (non-core) is a good bet. You will get a decent trigger and fiber front sight to start and there is no need to run out and spend money on sights or trigger right away (or ever on sights IMO other than some replacement fiber). You can pickup a IDPA Competition Shooters Pack from Bladetech with holster and mag carrier for about $89 (looks like they jacked prices) that works great and meets IDPA and USPSA rules.