This is my first post in this forum. I'm an editor/reporter/reviewer (Newstips Bulletin - a publication only other journalists get to see - weekly for 30 years now).

We normally cover products that boost personal productivity in an office, home or mobile workspace. About 6 months ago, an investigation led me to discover that home protection and personal protection handgun purchases have, since 2009, been a rapid-growth industry. That compelled me to extend our coverage orbits to embrace handguns. I needed a "poster child" - one that I don't expect to get universal agreement.

I chose the full-length Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm as representative of the entire segment - based partly on market statistics and partly on my own druthers after holding dozens of different 9mm semi-automatics in my hand. (I had earlier done a shooting comparison of 9mm versus .40 cal and decided to lean toward 9mm because, I felt, in the hands of a spouse, the kick of the .40 might make shots after the first less accurate).

I chose full-length over compact because of balance, feel and accuracy - even though it makes concealed carry more difficult.

This has been an immersive investigation for me. I hadn't shot a gun since the qualification range in the Air Force - and that was so long ago we used feathers and glue to fly.

I'm now going through hundreds of rounds each month on the range with the M&P and other 9s to learn what I like and dislike and to bring my skills up to speed. I got my CCW in December - still haven't bought a gun - just renting and/or reviewing for now.

But my subject question is one that I hope you will help me answer: if the M&P 9 is the main course, what are the side dishes that ought to be part of its kit?

I recognize (for example) that bad guys tend not to wait for morning, so I believe that tritium sights, white LED accessory lights & an aiming laser are good recommendations (there's also some recent-buyer demographics to underscore a need for these).

Then there's eye protection, hearing protection, gun locks, gun safes/vaults/boxes, cleaning kits, various ammo types, concealed carry holsters (Sptingtach, Cell Pal), other holsters (Bedside Backup, DeSantis Kingston), Snap Caps, Laser-Ammo, dry boxes, dessicant packs & I'm sure there's a lot I have yet to discover. So far the Uplula is my all-time favorite.

But I'm here to ask, not tell.

What are your recommendations - or favorites?

Heck, you nailed most of it.
Once you get a gun, you need:
A place to keep your gun
Something to carry your gun in
Something to put in your gun
Some stuff to clean your gun
And training and practice.

You can have a weapon light for the nightstand
But probably take it off for carrying.

You NEED an UpLula. You found that out.

The next thing you will need is a gun companion. These guns like to be with other guns. The more the merrier.

As a big journalism/literature junkie I cannot tell you how excited I am to see this thread. I hope that you share with us whatever becomes of the piece you're working on.

A small touch of background info:

I am 21 years old and my Smith & Wesson M&P 9 FS is only the second gun I have ever owned, my first being a S&W SW9VE. I purchased my M&P on the 14th of this month. My interest in firearms began in September of 2010 when a coworker took me out shooting near the west side of Utah Lake. It was the first time I had ever fired a gun. I was instantly hooked. Almost a year and a half later I am now equipped with my M&P and I am awaiting my Utah CCP in the mail.

You covered the most common and desirable accessories in your post. However, one thing you may have noticed when relearning marksmanship is trigger control. The M&P comes with a decent stock trigger. Despite this, many veteran shooters and people accustomed to competition level guns will note a slight grittiness to the trigger and a heavier than desired trigger pull. One thing I have been looking at very closely is making modifications to the trigger.

While gunsmithing is not for everyone, it can greatly improve the characteristics of the firearm. Making these modifications may void your S&W lifetime warranty should they ever be the cause of a failure. Nonetheless, the trigger is the heart of the gun and the more comfortable and responsive it is, the better. A free and custom job is a great way to raise your M&P to a level which you are satisfied with.

A very reassuring and convincing tutorial can be found at burwellguns.com. http://www.burwellguns.com/misc/M&Ptriggerjob.pdf This tutorial outlines several small and labor-light modifications that can be done to the gun to achieve varying levels of trigger "lightening" as well as reducing travel from the point the sear breaks and when the trigger resets.

These modifications can be done by a confident amateur mechanic in possession of some basic tools, (mentioned, but not outlined in the .pdf) provided that they can give patient attention and care to the task at hand.

The benefits? Monumental in perspective. A fundamental part of marksmanship is trigger control. Having the ability to maintain your sights/aim while squeezing just one finger is a necessary skill to master. A lighter trigger pull reduces the force necessary to shoot the gun, thus reducing effort needed to stay on target. Another benefit, shorter trigger reset. This allows for quicker follow up shots and aids in the "double tap" technique.

As an alternative, Smith and Wesson offers a package which includes similar work with similar results. You may purchase it from their website for approx $110 USD. The firearm must be shipped to them. There is an expedited service available. Their work does not void your lifetime warranty and has been given rave reviews all across the internet.

It should be noted, though, that a trigger job and any amount of gunsmithing will not correct poor shooting habits and it will not make you a gunslinger overnight. It is intended to smooth and improve already healthy habits and abilities, make the gun more enjoyable for target shooting, as well as require less of the shooter in high stress situation.

There is no replacement for professional training and practice. Those are the two most important add-ons of all.

I hope my information was helpful and I'd be glad to answer anything I didn't cover. This is a very active forum and I know you should get plenty more responses as the day wears on. Good luck and we hope to see your finished product!

Welcome-you picked a winna as far as I am concerned. I own an M&P 9 and feel that it fits my hand better than any other semi auto except the Browning High Power. I think it is a great representative choice. Have no idea what an uplula is though
You can go hog wild with accessories, but being the minimialist that I am (others call it being cheap) I find that I am perfectly content with three extra magazines as the sum total of my "accessories". Don't have night sights, don't have a laser, don't have a attached light for the rail under the gun. ( I do have a little pointy laser on my key chain that I use to mess with the cat and Angus and I have a big flashlight if I need some light.). Main thing is to shoot the snot out of the gun and get comfortable with it. Lots of "bling" tend to detract from this basic tenent
I keep it in my drawer. If I take it to the range, I put it in a sock and then into a soft case. I don't believe in buying stuff dedicated to just one gun. I use a .38 cleaning rod from one of my Smith & Wesson revolvers and whatever I have handy for patch material for barrel cleaning. I use Hoppes #9 and WD40 to clean it and that's about it.

I'm just not a Ninja kinda guy (Of course not spending money on such things means I can but more important things-like more firearms )

Welcome again to the forum and I hope you learn just how interesting "gunnies" can be. Except rburg, he's a little weird

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Forum consigliere

I feel obliged to point out that should one wish to have night sights and a lighter trigger on a full size M&P, you can buy it that way from the factory as the M&P Pro 4 1/4 in barrel. This avoids the often heated debate about the issue of modifying a carry gun, and leaves no question about warranty or repairs.
The trigger is distinctly lighter than the standard FS.

I added the Blade Tech carry pack with holster and mag carrier, plus extra mags; I already had a sturdy dress gun belt.

I find great pleasure in buying quality guns and gear that I can just clean, load, and shoot, PRN. Maybe that's why I've become a great fan of the S&W Pro Series handguns.

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Science plus Art

Thanks - I'll have to follow up on this with their PR guy - seems like a great lead!

(Thanks to the others, too - in my business, you can never stop learning).

UpLula.... It's a magazine loader.

If your magazine was a beer can, the UpLula is the opening tab.

If your magazine was a loaf of bread, the UpLula is the twisty tie.

If your magazine was an ear of corn, the UpLula is the pat of butter.

Thanks again for the lead in the 9mm M&P Pro 4.25" - it does incorporate both a modified trigger and top-side 3-dot glowing sights.

I'll probably put in next week for one to review.

Hi Marty!
If you take Lost Lake's list he posted and make each of his lines a heading, then post that and ask everyone what they use you would get some accessory information for your articles. You will get lots of opinions as to which is the best - for instance just ask what is the best cleaner and lubricant for your M&P. Ask if a laser is good or better than night sights; Kydex or horsehide; thumb safety or not; and so on. You'll get lots of opinions, but you will get lots of information.


And a gun's companion gun IS a legitimate accessory.





Gotta be a nice guy, he has such a great first name...

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Marty 4513TSW 13-1 642 60-10

So true, so true...

I'm sending you a private reply to share some of what I'm already covering - and about 40 more reviews are done and slotted into February issues.

I may follow your suggestion once the heat over ammo settles down.

Thanks.

I know you're asking about accessories but it can't be stressed enough: Practice, practice, practice. Which goes along with some training. To the point you could do it in your sleep. And I'm not just talking about accuracy.

Can you clear a type 3 malfunction without thinking about it? If someone doesn't know what a type 3 malfunction is, training and practice are mandatory. Not something you want to try and figure out in a gun fight.

Do you know where the problem areas are in your house where movement is constricted? Obsticals to hide behind? Ever try to clear your house at night with your (unloaded) gun for practice? The first time I did, it made me feel like a gun nut and not in a good way. But then I realized it wasn't something I really wanted to do it for the first time when I thought someone was in the house and I may have to use my gun.

People go to the range where everything is nice and safe, they lay their guns on the table, BS with their friends between targets, shoot when concentrating on their front sight and breathing while slowly pulling the trigger. Then they hit a couple bullseyes and think they're going to be accurate in a gun fight. How about practicing drawing your weapon and firing 2 controlled shots to the center body mass? How far away are you still accurate? Any idea how quick on the draw you really are?

These are all examples of things that you don't want to have to think about when you've just been woken up at 3 am to glass breaking. I know you're asking about accessories but I want people to be safe and protected. I have several friends (and there are too many people who think the same way) who buy a pistol, put 50 rounds per year through it, strap on their piece in a fancy holster and think they're well prepared.

Any different than buying a nice basketball, a fancy pair of B-ball shoes, shooting around a couple times a summer then thinking you're going to be a good basketball player if the coach puts you in the game?

I can't tell you how often that comes up.

Let me add some weight to it.

My research shows that most of these since-2009 new handgun initial purchases involve only 3-4 items: the gun, some ammo, a cleaning kit and sometimes a holster.

How about eye protection, ear protection, aiming aids, gun locks, training, range use, additional ammo purchases, etc.?

Sales in those categories are all up, too - but not nearly as much as sales of the handguns.

It's a reasonable conclusion that many of those guns are on a closet shelf in the box they came in, never fired. I can't reliably tell you whether or not owners have read the manual or know how to load a magazine or disengage a safety.

That's one of the indirect purposes of my writing about guns - the more cool stuff ("peripherals and accessories") people perceive as out there and available, the more likely they are to take it out of the box and regard it as a working tool and not just as a keepsake.

So I applaud your message and its intent - but it's slightly off-topic - simply because I can't harvest it for more goodies to chase down and review.

Has anybody here tried Laser-Ammo?

Eye and ear protection is usually available at the range for free or available to rent for a pittance - however since you ask - I use my company issued ANSI Z87 rated safety glasses with side shields. They're in my normal prescription and rated for industrial use.

If you search the forum there have been some spirited debates on hearing protection. Some don't place much stock in it (they're the ones with tinnitus) while others wear over-ear over the top of in-ear. Decent dB reduction can be had for cheap or one can go hog wild. I practice weekly and belong to at least one league per year so I put some research and money into mine. While there are other decent brands out there, I'm sold on the Peltor TAC7S (no longer available, sorry). At $150 and up Peltor electronic muffs ain't cheap but are top notch. Pro Ears is another brand that is also highly regarded.

Drop into the reloading forum Reloading and you'll enter as whole 'nother dimension with regards to "alternate ammo".

Never heard of Laser Ammo. Was that part of The Gipper's Star Wars project back in the 80's?

Newer.

It's a laser in a cartridge body that's momentarily switched on when the firing pin hits the center of the back of the cartridge.

It's a way to get in practice without making a noise or creating holes in the walls.

And a cheap way to convince the impetuous that they really do have to first learn to shoot by aiming.

I know the question you asked was regarding acoutraments and I could'nt agree much more about your selection of the M&P 9FS. I myself own a 9Pro and a .40c. I will offer an alternative and particularly in light of the suggestions to put in Apex kits or send a new handgun to XYZ vendor for trigger enhancements or improvements, which until recently I would have agreed with since the reason I bought the Pro version was to get a better trigger and even so far as having purchased an Apex Kit for the .40c.

I also have a Walther P99 AS great gun, great trigger and better than M&P for ergonomics IMO (and many others). The prices were such for years that the Walther didn't get much play and was relatively unknown, a red headed.....stepchild. Intro the Walther PPQ and the price is now in the $500 range, the ergonomics are great, the trigger without mods is simply outstanding, and compared with a high end 1911 FWIW and now comes with the S&W warranty, which previously was one year. Worth checking out. Walther is made in Germany and sold by S&W.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_QhiTa-7OA

You should find this review interesting.

I was talking to the S&W PR guy a few days ago and we discussed a few Walther models, including the PPQ.

I'm really not modifying my stance that for my editorial coverage, the 4.25" M&P 9 is my "poster child", but I do intend to get in the M&P Pro (improved trigger and 3-dot night sights) for review and will probably make that my personal gun.

The M&P is still the best "feel" in my hands after holding dozens of guns during my preliminary stages - including Walther, Beretta, Glock, Sig et al.

And editorially, the more mainstream the gun, the better the selection of goodies to use with it.

"The M&P is still the best "feel" in my hands after holding dozens of guns during my preliminary stages - including Walther, Beretta, Glock, Sig et al.

And editorially, the more mainstream the gun, the better the selection of goodies to use with it. "

I'm just glad your selection was not a Glock, as it is has a longer history, arguably more mainstream, more goodies, but I am not a Glock fan nor likely will be.
Ergonomics on the Glock are not for me by a long shot although it would be superior to a club until empty.

You have definitely done your homework and you do your readers a great service.

Thank you - that's very flattering.

Side dish suggestion and although not for everyone....
Veridian C5L Green Laser with LED light. If you are going to do the light or laser may as well do it right. As shown on a S&W M&P .40c with XGrip Extension.

I'm also a big fan of the Peltor Tac7s. I can't overstate how important good hearing protection is, especially for new shooters. It makes shooting far more fun and not painful. New shooters are very intimidated by the "bang", these go a long way in helping this, while still allowing a coversation...no yelling.

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Member NRA, VSSA & Cavalier R&P

And of course what "kit" would be complete without a good flashlight and pocket knife.



Shown, knife, Spyderco Native, LED flashlight, 4Sevens Quark X (2XAA)

or a modular cleaning kit by Otis.



Amazon.com: Otis M16 Soft Pack Cleaning System: Sports & Outdoors

Great feedback - keep it coming!

The ultimate in gear bags from Maxpedition, I know, I know this is really reaching but hey if you are doing a "best of class" story every forthright M&P owner has or should have a Bug Out Bag.


Sitka Bag from Maxpedition

Stuffed with essentials including what else, an M&P.

from the S&W Store.

Once the M&P bug has bitten your semi-automatic handgun is going to need its counterpart, in the form of the M&P 340 J Frame Snub Nose Revolver



Here seen wearing Crimson Trace 405 grips, XS Dot Tritium Night Sights and DLC finish.

I do intend to look into revolvers later but I'll likely choose something with a longer barrel - maybe 3" - and a bigger frame - there's an 8-chamber S&W .357 that intrigues me.

I wouldn't read into your stats too deeply... Many many many first time handgun buyers already have a half-dozen long guns with all the range essentials.

And the guns come with locks. Also, once you finally get through the decision process and finally get all the paperwork done, I would suspect most buyers are happy to get the heck out of the store instead of hanging around to buy ammo, holsters or whatever. Besides, the wide array of choices is enough to make your head spin, a lot of buyers want to go home and research what they should be buying next.

In my case, I owned 4 handguns and not a single holster. Eye protection is a pair of sunglasses, ear protection, well if you run chainsaws and tractors and the like, you have plenty of ear protection at home already, and range time? I've never paid for range time in my life.

Consider extenuating circumstances before you decide what all your data may mean....

My M&P 340 is a back up to my FS9 that I carry on duty. I like the M&P line!

Many experts consider a white light (flashlight) a necessity on the bedside. Of course, it can be attached to the gun, but IMO it is safer if you carry it in your weak hand and the gun in your strong hand. The light should be bright enough to temporarily blind someone.

Regarding a gun for home defense, a 12 gage shotgun is just about tops. I have a Mossberg Maverick with a 18 inch barrel. I have it loaded with 2 3/4" #4 buckshot (42 pellets). At living room range it would most likely instantly incapacatate an intruder.

For a companion gun, look at the M&P22.

Our county Sheriff also prefers a shotgun for home defense; at my house, my home defense gun would be the same (only) gun I would have on hand if a backyard coyote decided to go after a small dog (just lost our Jack Russell; my wife is now intent on adopting a Chihuhua/Rat Terrier mix she saw at a local shelter) and a shotgun would give me zero chance of just hitting one and not the other. I don't think I'd try it with a pistol, either, that wasn't equipped with a light and a laser.

But that's a different discussion.

On that subject, I ran into a quirk in Ohio law and confirmed it with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

While there is no season for coyotes, I'm not allowed to shoot one (even one in my yard) without a hunting license - and I can't get a hunting license without taking a hunter's education course.

So I signed up for the next course in this county (in April, 7 hours each on one Saturday before and another Saturday after I have to be away in Las Vegas for a week at a major trade show) - but just to stay ahead of everything, I downloaded the course book, printed out the chapter review questions and filled in the answers yesterday and today. I don't know if that will be any help in the course, but I'm thinking there's some small chance the instructor will take that as course completion and let me cut class.

I'm also planning a trip to Pennsylvania to get their concealed weapon permit - together with Ohio I'll have most states covered.