First range session with M&P 4" compact...

[Mystery]

I went to the range this evening and shot around 70 rounds.

It was very difficult to load the first round into the magazines.
For some reason, the feeder needs a lot of force for the first round to go in.
Even then, it was pretty stiff. My thumbs were hurting after few mags.
Thankfully, RSO loaned a Uplula and it was way better on my hands afterwards.

I used Federal champion FMJ 115 gr ammo.
There was a lot of smoke today.
Not sure if it was my ammo or others' ammo or ventilation but I felt and smelled more smoke than last time.

BTW, the Howard Leight Impact Sport is pretty useless.
It doesn't block noise to be called shooting ear protection.
With double protection, it was still pretty loud so I tested the impact sport by itself at home and I can clearly hear normal conversation.
Yes mic was off and good seal around the ear.
My stereo headphones block more noise. Maybe the one I got is fake.
Thank god that I used ear plugs under these.
Basically, it was the ear plugs that was working.
I'll get a Peltor or something better soon.

Aim was not bad but I found it was very hard to see gap between the front and rear sights.
Probably due to lighting in the range.
My shots were still little bit low and left.

Gun felt pretty good with medium large grip.
I'll try large grip next time as I still felt I needed more thickness there.

As for pistol case, don't laugh.
I used a table tennis paddle case as a gun rug and put it inside Craftsman router's hard case along with eye/ear protection and ammo.
worked great and Craftsman doesn't scream gun!

Aim was in the area but not exactly where I pointed.
They were mostly around an inch or two low and left.
There were some noob moment where I pulled the trigger without racking the slide after inserting the mag.

 

[Smoke]

Go take a defensive handgun class

 

[murphydog]

I'd say not bad for a first outing. I'd suggest some dry fire practice in good lighting, then extra training once you are used to the sights and trigger.

 

[RobzGuns]

Gun felt pretty good with medium large grip.
I'll try large grip next time as I still felt I needed more thickness there.

Aim was in the area but not exactly where I pointed.
They were mostly around an inch or two low and left.

Pretty good for the 1st time with an unfamiliar handgun. The Low-Left is very common, even to experienced shooters, when we get a new handgun. The 'Left' is probably due to twisting the pistol a fraction of a second prior to trigger break and the 'Low' is most likely due to recoil anticipation (or... your whole hand squeezing, instead of isolating your trigger finger).

As others mentioned, do some Dry-Fire practice. This is where you try the different grips, as well as figuring out which part of your trigger finger (tip, mid-pad, or near the 1st crease). Use the grip and finger placement that gives you the best straight rearward trigger press.

As for electronic muffs... I use the Peltor Rangeguard. It gives me good enough protection that I don't need plugs and still hear conversations just fine.

 

[ScaryWoody]

Bend your knees a little bit more. Feet shoulder width. Squeeze the trigger straight back. Make sure your grip is high and firm and center the pressure on both sides of the gun. With sights on the target squeeze the trigger take up, re-aim, breathe out squeeze, reset. After 500 - 1000 rounds you'll have it down.

 

[Mystery]

Thanks for comments.

I'm liking this gun so far except the manual safety paddle comes too far out.
It is right where thumb rests on the frame. I have to think not to push it up. Probably training issue.
Not that big deal for range but I can imagine it engaging/disengaging when walking/bending etc... if holster does't have guard for the safety for carrying.

Safety size is fine but shorter or flush safety like they have in the Shield is better for carrying.

 

[murphydog]

The safety levers on these do protrude somewhat and do not need a lot of force to move. I would opt to use it for reholstering (as one example) and leave it in the off position otherwise.

In contrast, the Shield safety is more positive but is far too small to use consistently, to me.

 

[RickBunn]

Practice and break in. I've found that most firearms need a 100 rounds or so to polish the barrel and smooth out any machine marks. I have a Springfield Range Officer in 9mm. It took 200 rounds before it would shoot a decent group, but now its proving to be one of my most accurate 9mm handguns. Same with my S&W model 27, 100 rounds before it would shoot consistently. I'm on the range about 4 times a month either instructing, coaching or practicing.
Regards
Rick Bunn
Alexandria, VA.

 

[Smoke]

There's reason I won't carry a handgun with a manual safety at work or for self defense

 

[bsmiley]

Sounds like you're figuring out you're preferences and having fun. I'm always working on my technique, always.
Training courses are great, but also consider finding your local IDPA and go check out a match. Its a lot of fun, its you vs the clock. You'll meet some great folks and be able to learn some things from them too.

 

[Mystery]

2nd session...

I went back to the range today and shot for around half an hour taking my time.
I finished the leftover Federal champion ammo and switched to Remington UMC 115gr.
The Remington felt better. There's not much price difference so I'll go with the Remington.

I tried to focus on the front sight as much as I can.
I think the front sight needs to be slightly over the rear to hit where I aim.
It could be just me compensating for other things like squeezing the trigger.

I also tried the front sight completely over the rear and that hit higher so I think the gun/sight is okay.
I need more practice.

Anyways, I had 5 or 6 out of 45 rounds close to the red dot, in the middle square at 7 yards.
Better than first session I think.

Btw, today I was on the rifle bay and there was one guy two lanes over and he was shooting some type of AR rifle, I think it was AR 10 or 15.
It was first time I ever heard rifle that close and even with double protection (I used range's earmuffs this time with earplugs underneath), the compression hit me every time he shot.
He had the hostage target in 90 degree rotate mode and he would shoot two rounds at the bad guy every time it faced him.
Nice little practice mode but I'd go to pistol bay next time. Rifles are too loud, even though he was two lanes over.

 

[dla]

Nice little practice mode but I'd go to pistol bay next time. Rifles are too loud, even though he was two lanes over.

Helps you learn to concentrate.

 

[scattershot]

Great pistol, I love mine. The safety lever has always seemed too large to me. I plan to trim mine down at some point, just haven’t gotten to it yet. I did remove the right safety lever, and that helped somewhat. I wish someone would bring out a Shield type safety lever for the M&P series, though.

Forgot to mention, the mags on mine are pretty stiff, too. I suspect they use the same springs on the full size mags.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Your shooting will improve with practice. Concentrate on pressing the trigger slowly and smoothly straight back. Experiment with the different size backstraps to find out which one fits your hand better. A good fit will help your shooting.

As others have mentioned dry fire practice can be very beneficial. Put a round dot removable sticker on a plain wall in a brightly lighted room. Make sure the chamber and the magazine are empty. Aim at the sticker from across the room. Concentrate on not letting the front sight move off the sticker during your trigger press. The more you practice the better your shooting will become.

It looks like you're already putting the majority of your hits within that 8x8 square, and that's a good start.

I have the 2.0 compact without safety, so I don;t have to worry about accidentally thumbing it up. That has happened to me while shooting other pistols now and then - especially a 1911.

 

[joshputman]

As far as the safety goes, ride it. It keeps your thumb high and neutral so it's not putting pressure on your support hand. It also keeps you from inadvertently clicking it on accidentally under recoil.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[oneounceload]

Thanks for comments.

I'm liking this gun so far except the manual safety paddle comes too far out.
It is right where thumb rests on the frame. I have to think not to push it up. Probably training issue.
Not that big deal for range but I can imagine it engaging/disengaging when walking/bending etc... if holster does't have guard for the safety for carrying.

Safety size is fine but shorter or flush safety like they have in the Shield is better for carrying.

One reason I don't like those external safeties. Have you tried all of the different backstraps? I have changed mine several times. What felt good just holding it didn't always give the best accuracy when actually shooting it.

 

[Mystery]

One reason I don't like those external safeties. Have you tried all of the different backstraps? I have changed mine several times. What felt good just holding it didn't always give the best accuracy when actually shooting it.

I want external safety for now.
It's just the matter of size and getting used to it.

It came with medium and that felt little small.
I'm using the medium large now.
I tried the large and feels little too big but haven't shot with it.

 

[dla]

I want external safety for now.
It's just the matter of size and getting used to it.

It came with medium and that felt little small.
I'm using the medium large now.
I tried the large and feels little too big but haven't shot with it.

Larger works better than smaller for many people. Helps trigger pull because you have less leverage against the pistol with your shooting finger. The aggressive stippling keeps the gun secure.

 

[Mystery]

Proud of myself... 5th ever gun session and have good grouping...

Today is my 5th gun day ever in my life and I'm finally enjoying it little bit as the groups are getting wayyyy better.
I don't know how long it takes for someone to get decent group at 5 and 7 yards but it's my 5th time.

I kept most of the suggestions, youtube videos, articles, etc... in mind when shooting.
I shot around 25 shots today taking my time.

One thing that really helped me is this [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGkn7SQe1V0"]youtube video [/ame]where this guy suggests to load one round, drop the mag, shoot live round and then shoot empty.
I did that for 20 rounds at 5 yards and then shot some rounds at 7 yards.
The 7 yards went right through the middle. Few shots outside the circle are at 5 yards.
I can see how gun moves when I shoot empty. That really helped me control the trigger finger after about a mag.

Here's the proof:
These are around 20 rounds at 5 yards and few at 7 yards so total of around 25 rounds:

Target pulled up:

Conclusion is the gun is good to go. It's better than my skills.
Thank you all you guys for suggestions.
I better watch it, if I start enjoying (except the hot shell burning my back), it'll burn a big hole in my pocket.