First range trip with new FS M&P 9mm

[MyDads38]

So today, I took the new M&P FS 9mm to the range for her maiden voyage.

Took her apart last night for cleaning & lube, nothing special, just a general cleaning. Lubed per manual with Hoppes oil.

Went to the local Wal Mart and bought a 100 round bulk pack of Federal Champion 115 gr. FMJ ammo. Just happened to be cheaper than WWB and didn't want to try out a new pistol with Perfecta or BrassMaxx.

Set my target at 5 yds. to find POA/POI-No worries, was spot on. Kept alternating the 2 mags to see if there were any issues there-not a single issue from either.

All 100 rounds fed/fired/ejected with no issues at all. 3 targets @ 20 rounds each, average group size was 1 1/4" x 2 1/4" all center of target/mass. Fired 40 rounds at a B-24 silhouette target, combination of slow fire/semi-rapid fire-again no issues.

I must be one of the luckiest guys, when it comes to handguns. In the past 2 years, I've purchased:

Ruger P89DC 9mm;
Ruger SR1911 45 acp;
S&W SD9VE 9mm;
S&W M&P 45 45 acp
S&W M&P 9 9mm.

And not only have they all functioned flawlessly (so far), but they all shoot to the same sight hold/alignment. Even when I expect to have to adjust my sight picture due to different ammo, they still shoot where I hold. I just try to be consistent, and it must be paying off.

So, as I go along and try different ammo through the gun, I will report back here and let you all know how the gun performs. Hopefully, it will be the same boring stuff, as with my SD9VE and the M&P 45

 

[Jboutfishn]

That is the way things should be. I have 3 different M&Ps, and 3 different Smith Wheel guns, all have functioned without issue.

I shoot USPSA with a Sig Nitron Rail. The only issue I had was when I tried to load copper plated LRN to long. Not the gun's fault.

 

[colt3374]

Bought mine new in 2007,,,still stock, runs like a champ!

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Glad to hear of your results, great pistols are they not? Mine has been dead reliable so far, even with my cast bullet loads. It also seems to have a slight preference for 124gr bullets in the accuracy department. Enjoy yours!

 

[MyDads38]

Bought mine new in 2007,,,still stock, runs like a champ!

My M&P 45 is also from 2007. Was a little concerned about buying used, but I knew either the shop I bought it from, or S&W would make it right if I had any issues. The gun looked like it had never been shot, or shot very little. It performs like a good 45 should!

 

[fdw]

Congrats,

I've got 3 M&Ps and they all run like a clock!

 

[bob98366]

Glad it's running to spec. My three M&Ps also have been flawless for 4,000 rounds total.

 

[M29since14]

You're probably not lucky - you probably have good technique. Keep working on it and make the groups get smaller.

When you are ready to move on, get a standard 25-yard bullseye target and shoot 10-rounds slow-fire for a score. Start at about 15-yards and gradually move it back to regulation distance. Keep track of your scores to see how you are progressing. Informal target shooting can be a lot of fun. You can take it as far as you are inclined to go.

 

[MyDads38]

You're probably not lucky - you probably have good technique. Keep working on it and make the groups get smaller.

When you are ready to move on, get a standard 25-yard bullseye target and shoot 10-rounds slow-fire for a score. Start at about 15-yards and gradually move it back to regulation distance. Keep track of your scores to see how you are progressing. Informal target shooting can be a lot of fun. You can take it as far as you are inclined to go.

Just shot 8 weeks of 22 Bullseye competition; I had never attempted this before. Had to buy a pistol (Browning Buck Mark) and hope I could find enough 22LR ammo to complete the 8 weeks (480 rounds). If nothing else, I learned about trigger control and really working on basic marksmanship skills! I came in 4th place and was really proud of myself. I learned a lot of things, one being I am NO Bullseye shooter! LOL But it was fun to do something different and compete again.

My range regiment/practice is shooting from 5, 7, 10 & 15 yards and keeping all my shots in a controlled center of target/mass grouping. I concentrate on the basics, and I can tell when I'm NOT! Shooting has always been fun for me; and at times a requirement for my job. I'm just a casual shooter, but accuracy is always what I strive for.

At some point, I think I'd like to try IDPA competition, and shooting steel looks to be fun too!

 

[MyDads38]

Another range trip today. Ran a box of CCI Blazer Brass 115 gr. FMJ with no issues at all. Also tried 25 rounds of Winchester Training ammo with 147 gr. FMJ/TC; also no issues.

Trying different brands of ammo, to see if there are any issues; so far, so good! Total round count so far 175. Got a way to go to catch up with my SD9VE!

 

[MattO]

I just picked up my first new M&P yesterday. I'm heading to the range this week to see how it performs. I'm hoping to have some of your kind of luck. Especially after my experience with the first used one I bought.

 

[MyDads38]

1-10-2015 Another range trip...

Spent a few hours at the range shooting my 2-9mm's and my M&P 45.

Fired another 50 rounds of the Federal Aluminum 115 gr. FMJ through the M&P 9; no issues to report with the gun, but it sure doesn't take long to shoot 50 rounds! LOL Total round count now 225.

Also took a look at a 9mm Shield, never handled one before. I was pretty impressed with the way it felt in my hand; not at all what I expected. Next range trip, I'll see if they have a Shield rental gun and give it a try.

 

[MyDads38]

Range trip today. shot 50 rounds of WWB through the M&P-no problems at all. Total round count 275.

I really like the M&P format. Another shooter and his son were in the next lane and I was watching their targets. Noticed they were shooting a 1911 and something else. While collecting my brass, I asked if they were saving their brass; he said no and I was welcome to it.

We chatted for a few minutes, the dad had bought his son a Colt Commander size 45 before he left back to college. The dad was shooting a compact Beretta 40 cal. I mentioned I had never shot a 40 S&W and he loaded the mag and let me try it. I, in turn, let them both shoot my Ruger FS 1911. They both liked the Ruger and the Hogue grips that I have installed; and I found out I might like to have a 40 cal. after all. This is one of the things I like about the shooting sports-there are so many nice people to interact with!

 

[M29since14]

...the dad had bought his son a Colt Commander size 45 before he left back to college.

A pretty generous Dad, I would say. Most kids won't appreciate something like that and would think a Glock or XD would whip the Colt in the cool department. I hope his son is not one of those.

This is one of the things I like about the shooting sports-there are so many nice people to interact with!

Almost invariably the case in my experience, and particularly when the family is participating together.

 

[MyDads38]

A pretty generous Dad, I would say. Most kids won't appreciate something like that and would think a Glock or XD would whip the Colt in the cool department. I hope his son is not one of those.



Almost invariably the case in my experience, and particularly when the family is participating together.

The dad said that his son had been wanting a 1911 45 and he happened to find this one. Happy to say that the "cool" in this situation was the relationship that this son has with his dad-that is just WAY COOL!

They were having a good time and I could see the mutual respect that they had for each other-very "cool", indeed.

 

[M29since14]

Good story. Thanks for that. My own first 1911 style pistol happened to be a Colt Commander too, so I can understand the young fellow very well.

 

[MyDads38]

1-24-2015 Range trip

My weekly trek to the range, shot 30 rounds Fed Alum and 30 rounds of 125 gr. LRN reloads through the M&P 9. No issues to report, which is a good thing Total round count 335.

Tried a different load with the 125 gr. LRN:

Blazer Brass once fired case
125 gr. Ind. Bullet Co. Cast LRN @ .356"
CCI Small Pistol Primer #500
4.2 grs. Alliant Red Dot Powder.

Happy to say the RD burned clean during firing, no unburned left in the gun. No chance of a double charge with this load, powder filled the case; any type of over-charge would've been very noticeable-and messy! Started using RD when there was no pistol powder available and it has worked out well, so will keep it on hand-just in case!

 

[Yankee Bill]

Great shooting and good luck with your new gun. Hope I'll have a similar experience when I get my new Shield 9 to the range.

O.k., I guess I'm officially classified as an old guy now, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the sharpest tack in the box when it comes to "Keyboard Lingo". But can someone please tell me what the "FS" stands for in the OP. = fully stock?

Thanks,
YB

 

[Bkreutz]

O.k., I guess I'm officially classified as an old guy now, and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not the sharpest tack in the box when it comes to "Keyboard Lingo". But can someone please tell me what the "FS" stands for in the OP. = fully stock?

Thanks,
YB

Full Size (as opposed to Compact or Shield)

 

[Yankee Bill]

Full Size (as opposed to Compact or Shield)

Ah, thanks. I was thinking it was a Shield thread (Duh), I picked one up yesterday and my brain has been stuck in shield mode.

He who can't read - YB.