first time shooting

[cemeb4dk]

I went to the range today for the first time. I have been lurking here awaiting my foid card. And from all my research, I was pre decided on a m&p 40 . So I rented it and I enjoyed shooting it, shot well for first time, was surprised at how little the kick was I had imagined it being much more severe. A friend came with me and he has a Springfield 1911. I really liked his and actually shot it better. I think it was due to the weight of the gun the heavier 1911 just felt better in my hand.

So my question is as a new shooter is the weight issue just in my head. I liked the m&p, its more in my budget. Has anyone else ever thought the m&p was to light? These are the only 2 I have to refer to. If it makes any difference it was a full size.

After we shot those two, we grabbed my buddies new m&p 15-22. Wow that was a fun little rifle to shoot.

I can see this turning into a obsessive hobby just to bad I waited 38 to shoot my first gun.

Thanks for listening, and any advice would be appreciated. Since I'm in Illinois the gun will be used only for range and home defense.

 

[fstkmaro]

In my opinion the M&P 40 is perfect. I just shoot with one today and could not believe it. I am definitely buying one.

 

[Ruger Nut]

The M&P is a great choice. Have you considered the 9mm? I can't tell you what to do,but i'de suggest you take a firearms class. You can learn so much valuable information there.

 

[cemeb4dk]

Definitely taking a class. No I'm wanting a .40. I liked shooting it, it just felt light in my hands. If I only shot the m&p I would not of noticed it, but the 1911 was much heavier and fit hand better. I know the med grip was on 40 maybe the large would make it feel better.

I guess the main point of my question was the weight of the gun, I have never heard mention of it. If it was a carry gun the choice would be clear. It's probably more in my head and lack of inexperience.

 

[georgepittenger]

Definitely taking a class. No I'm wanting a .40. I liked shooting it, it just felt light in my hands. If I only shot the m&p I would not of noticed it, but the 1911 was much heavier and fit hand better. I know the med grip was on 40 maybe the large would make it feel better.

I guess the main point of my question was the weight of the gun, I have never heard mention of it. If it was a carry gun the choice would be clear. It's probably more in my head and lack of inexperience.

I'm a little unsure exactly what ur asking .

The 1911 is a great design in many ways .
It "feels good' in hand to most people .
The weight and the sight radius of a 5" gun also provides for a lot of accuracy at the range .
The weight and length of full size barrel make it less comfortable to be an everyday carry piece for lots of people , me included .
But if I had to pickup 1 gun in a SD situation - it would be my S&W 1911 .

Regards ,
George

 

[g_conway]

The M&P is going to be lighter than a standard metal frame gun.
I would suggest you try a S&W 4006, thats the stainless gen 3 40 cal.
I had the 1006 which is the same gun in 10mm. I loved the weight but was not a fan of the 1911 style grip it had. After shooting the M&P 40 for about 6 months, I would never go back to the SS guns.
The lighter weight is so much quickerfrom target to target.

Good luck, and welcome to a new place to throw money.

 

[Bob H]

1911

Be very careful, 1911s are an addiction, I bought 4 this year and my problem is; which one do I take to the range this time!

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thanks everyone, I'm sure I will get used to the weight. His SPringfield 1911 was nice but out of my price range for a first gun. That's a good point with the weight moving from target to target, which I am sure I will do as I progress along in my shooting.

I am going to purchase the M&P .40, but was torn between the pro and reg version just due to the fact of the price difference of less than a $100 and getting night sights and a smoother trigger. But after looking at some truglo tfo sights. I think I will go with the regular version and the truglo Tfo sights. I don't have to worry about the sights in a holster as I cannot carry (Thanks Illinois).

Thanks again to any advice you can throw my way.

 

[vista461]

I bought a M&Ppro 4.25", for the better trigger and night sights.

 

[flkinganuthin]

To answer your question simply, yes.
It is the weight. It could be the gun design as well, 1911, when well made, are the Ferrari's of handguns..

But remember when video recorders were those huge clunky vhs things with big batteries? The good thing about those were how easy they were to keep perfectly still. The weight kept your muscles from jittering. They just sucked to carry everywhere..

 

[cemeb4dk]

well I decided, Im going this week to get the FS.40

My LGS has it for $519 and he has the range kit for $549 so I think I will just get the range kit, because between the extra mag and the uplula loader its worth the 30 bucks. I'm in Illinois so the holster and mag holder are meaning less to me.

Thanks again to this forum and its members so I can be semi educated abou the firearm and its different models when I went to LGS. I hate looking like a complete newb.

 

[1fly2ty]

Great choice, although you think you won't use the holster and mag holder, you just might if you can find the time to get involved with a group or club that shoots IDPA or USPSA. I know they have shoots in Illinois, and as a new guy to the shooting arena, you would benefit from participation in these events so much you won't believe how much the people that run these shoots can impart on a new shooter. Plus you will have alot of fun,expend about 100 rounds of ammo, and meet a bunch of great people! June 5 2011 there was an IDPA State Championship in Sparta,Ill. The contact point was John Abbott and you can reach him at 618-912-4715, I would bet this guy could point you in the right direction to get started. Enjoy the sport,and the people it has so much to offer,but you have to take the first step by getting in touch with the right people! You can also look up IDPA.org

 

[cemeb4dk]

Thank for the information. I will look into it

 

[cemeb4dk]

Well its paid for. Just need to wait the three day waiting period (thanks Illinois) having truglo tfo installed during the waiting period