I've owned Glocks in the past (17 & 22) but could never warm up to them nor did I shoot them well, but I can't deny the practicality of a polymer frame autoloader for CCW. So after resisting as long as I could I finally decided to give it another try and I bought a S&W M&P45C.
First impressions:
I chose the "dark earth" color as it looks less "Glock" to me.
The 45C feels much more natural in my hand than my Glocks did and the sights come up aligned when brought to eye level. It is light, not Glock light but close. The magazine, safety and slide-lock release are easily in reach of my thumb. The tapered Magazines are easy to index in the mag-well.
The trigger is around 7 pounds. I'd like to reduce that slightly. Initial take-up is crunchy, but the trigger breaks cleanly and any over-travel is not noticed. The trigger reset seemed good, though I don't have enough repetitions yet to be confident of my endorsement.
Another reason I chose the M&P45C was its reputation to feed everything. Cast Lead bullets are a no-go in Glocks so this is a major plus in my book. The first loads I tried were notorious for NOT cycling in Automatics. They were 200 grain SWC that I loaded back in the 1970's and have mostly lived in a coffee can since because they didn't cycle in my 1911's (except for a Taurus PT1911 which eats everything) The S&W digested these without complaint and even shot them pretty well. This load averaged 729 fps over the chronograph
The flyer was totally me - not being used to the trigger. 7 yards, offhand, POA = POI
Another load I tried was the LEE 452-200 which really weighs closer to 225 gr with the alloy I use. Its WIDE meplat is not autoloader friendly but once I got the OAL figured out it seemed to feed them OK (more testing is needed before I'd rely on that though). Over Bullseye powder avg = 867 fps.
7 yards, offhand. I'm certain once I'm familiar with the trigger it'll do better. POA = POI
Curiosity lead me to try 140 grain .454" round balls in the 45C.
Over the chronograph they averaged 907 fps, fed from the magazine, cycled the action and were decently accurate
Next was a 230 grain RN (looks like a FMJ) from an old Speer Mold over Unique (again from the way back machine, loaded in the 1970's stored in an 50 cal ammo can..) averaged 934 fps. Pretty impressive muzzle flash too...
Found some 1970's 230 grain FMJ military Ball ammo and it fired and cycled splendidly averaging 747 fps.
Some more 1964 vintage 230 gr FMJ Match ammo, shot VERY well averaged 839 fps (826-857 extreme spread for the string). Been saving it for a while. Don't have enough to shoot a match with so I'll see if I can find a use for it soon.
This weekend I'll try some longer range shooting and if the accuracy trend holds make take on the 100 and 200 yard dingers just for fun.
Other notes:
The POI changed slightly (lower) with the flush bottomed magazine. As I gain familiarity with this pistol I will test again and see if that holds true.
The interchangeable grip back straps are a nice feature. I'm undecided as to which I prefer at this time at the Medium and the Large both feel good. I may keep the mediums on just in case I ever hand it off to the wife.
The flush bottom magazine is more difficult to load all 8 rounds into it than the magazine with the pinky rest. It is also wise to extend one's pinky when slamming the magazine home. There isn't enough grip for all four of my fingers... I'm very impressed with the barrel, besides being accurate it is not finicky and very easy to clean.
Need to find a good holster for it and extra mag carriers. Less options than the Glock has for sure. I was thinking about a pocket magazine holder but the thickness of the magazines may change my mind about that option.
First impressions:
I chose the "dark earth" color as it looks less "Glock" to me.
The 45C feels much more natural in my hand than my Glocks did and the sights come up aligned when brought to eye level. It is light, not Glock light but close. The magazine, safety and slide-lock release are easily in reach of my thumb. The tapered Magazines are easy to index in the mag-well.
The trigger is around 7 pounds. I'd like to reduce that slightly. Initial take-up is crunchy, but the trigger breaks cleanly and any over-travel is not noticed. The trigger reset seemed good, though I don't have enough repetitions yet to be confident of my endorsement.
Another reason I chose the M&P45C was its reputation to feed everything. Cast Lead bullets are a no-go in Glocks so this is a major plus in my book. The first loads I tried were notorious for NOT cycling in Automatics. They were 200 grain SWC that I loaded back in the 1970's and have mostly lived in a coffee can since because they didn't cycle in my 1911's (except for a Taurus PT1911 which eats everything) The S&W digested these without complaint and even shot them pretty well. This load averaged 729 fps over the chronograph
The flyer was totally me - not being used to the trigger. 7 yards, offhand, POA = POI
Another load I tried was the LEE 452-200 which really weighs closer to 225 gr with the alloy I use. Its WIDE meplat is not autoloader friendly but once I got the OAL figured out it seemed to feed them OK (more testing is needed before I'd rely on that though). Over Bullseye powder avg = 867 fps.
7 yards, offhand. I'm certain once I'm familiar with the trigger it'll do better. POA = POI
Curiosity lead me to try 140 grain .454" round balls in the 45C.
Over the chronograph they averaged 907 fps, fed from the magazine, cycled the action and were decently accurate
Next was a 230 grain RN (looks like a FMJ) from an old Speer Mold over Unique (again from the way back machine, loaded in the 1970's stored in an 50 cal ammo can..) averaged 934 fps. Pretty impressive muzzle flash too...
Found some 1970's 230 grain FMJ military Ball ammo and it fired and cycled splendidly averaging 747 fps.
Some more 1964 vintage 230 gr FMJ Match ammo, shot VERY well averaged 839 fps (826-857 extreme spread for the string). Been saving it for a while. Don't have enough to shoot a match with so I'll see if I can find a use for it soon.
This weekend I'll try some longer range shooting and if the accuracy trend holds make take on the 100 and 200 yard dingers just for fun.
Other notes:
The POI changed slightly (lower) with the flush bottomed magazine. As I gain familiarity with this pistol I will test again and see if that holds true.
The interchangeable grip back straps are a nice feature. I'm undecided as to which I prefer at this time at the Medium and the Large both feel good. I may keep the mediums on just in case I ever hand it off to the wife.
The flush bottom magazine is more difficult to load all 8 rounds into it than the magazine with the pinky rest. It is also wise to extend one's pinky when slamming the magazine home. There isn't enough grip for all four of my fingers... I'm very impressed with the barrel, besides being accurate it is not finicky and very easy to clean.
Need to find a good holster for it and extra mag carriers. Less options than the Glock has for sure. I was thinking about a pocket magazine holder but the thickness of the magazines may change my mind about that option.
