An Old M&P Struts its Stuff

[DCWilson]

I picked up this mid-'20s M&P recently because I thought every collector should have one. I wondered how it would perform, so I took it along to the range yesterday. I had no expectations for it one way or the other.

Turns out it gave me the best target of the day. Sometimes you fire a couple of cylinders and learn everything you need to know about a gun.

25 feet, 12 rounds, Weaver stance. Two outside, 10 in the red.

I wonder why I bother with adjustable sight models when there are service guns that shoot like this.

 

[pistola]

Very Nice

A beautiful old revolver and some darn good shootin'.

 

[m-1911]

Dave
I totally agree Dave. Here is a picture of a Model 1926, 44 Special, with 8 shots in a target at 25 feet. This revolver is a Providence Police Dept gun that I picked up from David Carrol at the last Tulsa show. These fixed sight guns really shoot great.

 

[GF]

Bring 'em to Indiana Mr. Wilson, and we'll back up a' ways and shoot!

David, you can't tell very well in this picture, but I put 6 in a 1 inch target at 30 yards (hip shootin') with my fixed sight M&P.

I can tighten it up a little with the adjustable sight revolver and a Weaver stance.

GF

 

[DCWilson]

Gail, you're out of my league! But I'll be glad to sit on the side and watch.

Gary, nice shooting! My .44 groups don't look like that.

 

[roaddog28]

Great shooting and nice M&P. The M&P and the model 10 with fixed sights to me are more accurate than I can shoot. My M&P 38 special 4 inch and my model 10 4 inch shoot for me the best. And I also have a early model 13 4 inch that is just as accurate. I can't shoot a adjustable sight revolver any better than my fixed site revolvers. I always prefer a fixed sight revolver versus a adjustable sight revolver. But that is me.

Happy shooting,
roaddog28

 

[GLV]

I can only see 5 holes

 

[Vulcan Bob]

That's a nice one there! You and it shoot pretty well too. The only M&P I have from the twenty's is a very nice vintage 1927 target.

 

[Texas Star]

I've shot some exceptional groups with fixed sights, and they are more rugged. But adj. sights do make it possible to dial-in the gun for a specific load. And they usually give a better sight picture.

Unlike Elmer Keith, I don't favor target sights on hideout guns. They might snag in a pocket or coat lining.

Even the rougher-finished Victory Model M&P's will shoot fine groups.

Colts with fixed sights are often not well regulated. But I once owned a New Service .45 made in the 1930's that was well regulated, and it shot every bit as well as my S&W M-29.
Both were very accurate guns.


T-Star

 

[greener]

It's not surprising that those old, ratty M&P's shoot like a dream. The first handgun I fired shot like a dream when it was old back in the '50's and still does. My introduction to handguns

 

[OIF2]

Here's a 5" mid 20's M&P courtesy of our own "handejector". This is also an awesome shooter with 148 gr. factory wadcutters.
Bob

 

[DCWilson]

Here's a 5" mid 20's M&P courtesy of our own "handejector". This is also an awesome shooter with 148 gr. factory wadcutters.
Bob

Those five inch barrels make for wonderful shooting. I have always had good luck with that length on a Heavy Duty, and now I have seen it on the M&P as well.

Bob, good looking gun! It's true that Handejector moves high-quality steel. I didn't get my mid-'20s M&P from him, but I did get an early 1917 that is just gorgeous.

 

[OIF2]

That was my first gun from Lee. My 2nd was (gasp) a Browning Hi Power. The M&P 5" is my favorite S&W...easy to shoot well and still a ton of them out there in very nice shape. Just gotta find them. Here's another 5" M&P from the mid-30's.
Bob

 

[j38]

David and Bob,

Thank you for showing us your fine 5" M&Ps, ... and reminding me to add a picture of my own. Finely crafted classics to be sure.

Great shooting, David!

Jerry

 

[OIF2]

Jerry-
I WANT that revolver.
Bob