Just bought my M&P 9mm, few questions

Clear Black · #1 10-02-2011, 10:31 PM

Well..the title says it all I guess. After much debate whether or not it was the proper time to be purchasing a pistol I decided just to go ahead and do it before I regretted not doing it. SO I picked one up at Cabelas last night. This will be the first gun of any kind I have owned. I finally made up my mind when my gun club sponsor and I went to the range for our range tour and shoot session on Saturday. He has both the 9c and pro series 9mm. I shot both and was convinced I needed one asap.

So to my few questions.

1. I been researching how often to oil and clean your pistol and have found many different answers from all sources. So I thought Id ask you guys since most of you are carrying the gun I now own.

2. Saturday was the first time ever shooting a pistol. From 15yrds away I was able to put 50 rounds within a 6inch circle. BUT...big but here....during the last two 10rd clips my hands started to "shake" I couldnt stop them as hard as I tried. So being who I am I got pissed at myself thinking my shooting days where already numbered. I went home and did some online searching for "shaking" and found many other people had similar problems.

Besides Satuday I DO NOT or HAVE NOT ever had problems with "shaking" I do however have weaker than normal wrists and may have early onset of carpal tunnel. Who knows.. I also read that other people who were in my situation were doing certain things that would cause this, mainly technique issues. Death gripping the pistol was one. I think I was. I also was under the impression(from watching years of tv)that a "good form" included having your shooting arm in the locked position. So I thot about it a little and realized that I was locking my arm with all the energy I had. Sort of like a death lock if you will. Other suggestions hinted at the fact of it being a new thing for my arm to hold 5lbs or so outstretched in that manner. So they suggested doing dumbell exercises. So I went and purchased a 5lb dumbell and will be doing some arm exercises with my arm outstreched holding the dumbell.

All and all I cant wait to get back out to the range in a few weeks and shoot some more. Im just worried about this whole shaking business. Feedback of any sorts will help folks!!

Thanks

chessail 77 · #2 10-02-2011, 10:46 PM

Clear
you may now be using muscles that have not seen much use before as shooting is somewhat new to you, so those exercises will certainly help. I clean and oil my pistols after each trip to the range as I have a few and it may be awhile before they go back. A small thing as you are new to firearms and want to learn the correct terms, the rounds are inserted in the pistol with a magazine, clip is an incorrect term.

rsrocket1 · #3 10-02-2011, 10:56 PM

First of all, congratulations on your new gun

1. Read the manual. I think its page 22. There are only 7 places to put a tiny bit of oil. You don't need much meaning the oil shouldn't be dripping off these points.

2. How much rest did you have between magazines? That happens to me too when I have fun shooting mag after mag. The death grip will wear you out sooner than you think. Take more breaks, you aren't going to be shooting 50 rounds all at once in a gunfight, so don't feel like you have to do it in practice.

alank2 · #4 10-02-2011, 11:31 PM

Hi,

To make magazine loading a dream, get one of these:

Maglula UpLULA Pistol Magazine Loader and Unloader Polymer Black - MidwayUSA

It makes a range trip so much nicer, you can load mags forever without tiring hands, wrists, or fingers.

If this device cost as high as $100, I'd pay it happily. You can get it at local sporting goods stores, Cabelas probably has it. Academy has it.

Good luck,

Alan

SoCalDep · #5 10-02-2011, 11:34 PM

+1 on the UpLULA. I thought mag-loaders were for sissies until I broke my trigger finger. Now I fumble somewhat. During a class a few weeks ago I tried the instructors UpLULA and fell in love. Of course, I still haven't shelled the cash for one. I need to put it on my wish-list.

LedFowl · #6 10-03-2011, 01:09 AM

I usually go to the range with a friend, and one of us shoots a mag while the other watches, and then we switch. It gives you a few moments to relax and think about what you're working on when it's your turn. When I go by myself, I like to pause now and then to sweep up casings, inspect my target or whatever. As to cleaning, I like to do that pretty soon after I shoot.

Have fun. Stay with it. I think, to some extent, you unconsciously figure out what works as you shoot.

Gran Torino · #7 10-03-2011, 10:17 AM

I'm 62....and used to experience that shaking thing from time to time. Since I'm taken up using the dumb bell exercises and relaxing between magazines I've had no problems. It's a bitch getting old...

Lost Lake · #8 10-03-2011, 10:25 AM

I think it's just the stress on the muscles that makes you shake.

If you do bench presses by the time you reach your limit you are shaking violently.

One test I took for the State Patrol involved holding a revolver barrel inside a small metal ring and firing said revolver as many times as possible without touching the ring. Everybody shook like a leaf before they finally touched the ring and the count was stopped. So I believe it is perfectly natural.

dbmiller8 · #9 10-03-2011, 11:11 AM

i am also new to this. i have a 9 compact that my kids and i took to the range right after i got it. we shot about 300 rounds with me loading the majority of the magazines. i pinched the **** out of my thumb and i wore my index finger through to the meat. i just invested in one of those uplula loaders after watching a video on it. looks very simple and everyone raves about them. the gun store near me is out of stock so i went on ebay. this is a link to the cheapest i found since shipping is included. eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices
you might be able to get one cheaper if you don't mind bidding wars. i am impatient so i didn't want to wait to save a couple of bucks. i live in massachusetts so my trigger pull is 10+lbs and i noticed a marked drop in my accuracy the longer we shot. i am thinking about putting in a couple of apex tactical components in soon to drop the trigger pull. have fun. i am.

OKFC05 · #10 10-03-2011, 01:43 PM

There should be a little "spring" to your arms, and don't "milk" the grip.
Dry fire, dry fire.
How to shoot a pistol. - YouTube

Gauger · #11 10-05-2011, 12:47 AM

I had the same issue the first coupke times at the range. It was likely too much adrenalin in your system. Since this was your first time shooting, your system was pumping too much into your system. It would also be componded by the amount of cafeine or other stimulants you had in the system as well ie cigarettes. The more you practice and get used to the sights and sounds of the range, your body will get used to it and you won't have the same reaction.