New first time owner/shooter

[HOUSTON RICK]

Welcome, in a addition to the above sage advice, when cleaning guns, do it in a place where you can find parts that go flying (springs). Do not ask me how I know this. Happy, safe shooting.

 

[Frank46]

I also switched the mag release from the left side as I'm a righty. Took a few tries but now it releases the magazine from the right hand side. The only other pistol I know that allows you to do this is on the Beretta 92FS. I have short thumbs and using the right finger to release the magazine is so much easier. Drop the old mag,slap in a new one and your trigger finger is ready to go to work. Morefirearms manufacturers should do this
eliminates the troubles one experiences with a short thumb and you do not have to put a button on the mag release. Frank

 

[markmiela]

Lots of videos on YouTube that show you how to field strip and clean your M&P.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[OLDSTER]

Hi from North Dakota

 

[k31scout]

So I logged in this morning and was amazed at the number of replies to my original post. Many thanks to all who posted...the cleaning tips and suggestions are much appreciated.

My initial shooting lesson was mostly about safety. My instructor is an ex navy seal weapons trainer and his mantra is check chamber...check mag well...check chamber...check mag well.

I've read the owners manual from front to back and do want to learn to do my own maintenance. Now if only I could find a place with ammo in stock...

Another safety tip that's got to be ingrained is Finger Off The Trigger until you are ready to fire. I've seen most new shooters violate that rule as well as sweeping themselves or others. Be conscious of where the gun is pointed.

 

[Bob4southern]

Another safety tip that's got to be ingrained is Finger Off The Trigger until you are ready to fire. I've seen most new shooters violate that rule as well....

Yes, Ive recognized that Im doing that and have to make a conscious effort not to do so. My instructor has said to stay off the trigger until I'm prepared to pull it...but I still keep doing it. He said Ive seen too movies and to be aware of my grip.
Says easy...does hard...

 

[lhump1961]

Good for you for pursuing responsible gun ownership. Make room for future purchases...it's inevitable.

 

[CBStuard]

Re finger off trigger. We have been shooting long enough that picking up a pistol w/ just 3 fingers is natural. But I have a friend in exactly your situation. I taught him that me saying 'finger' means his is on the trigger. Also me saying 'muzzle' means his is pointed unsafely. Teach these to your wife. My thought would be have that pistol available as much as possible (kids etc in the house won't work) unloaded w/ no mag installed. Get some colorful wire tires or a roll of weed eater line. Grab a 6 inch piece of either. Pull the slide back and stick it in the barrel so an inch or two sticks out the end and an inch or two sticks out of the slide when you let it go forward. Now we have a gun that everyone can tell w/o touching it that it is incapable of firing. So now start picking that thing up. Carry it to the kitchen. Set it down and pick it back up when you go to the living room. You get the idea. If you could pick it up 500 times I bet you will have a new skill that is super, super important. Get your wife involved. Let her do the same thing. Make it a contest. She calls 'finger' on you and you pay her a dollar. Same thing in reverse. End of a week who has the most dollars? As you progress remember this is serious stuff. But make it fun too. Although we have been shooting for 20 years I found out 6 weeks ago that my wife likes shooting at the dueling tree at our range. Now there is never a range trip where we skip that tree.

 

[Bob4southern]

CB, thanks...thats an excellent idea...although it will probably be just an individual exercise since the significant other is not in favor of my new acquisition and hobby.

 

[Tov88]

You're welcome !

 

[Ruger Nut]

Greetings,
After taking a few lessons at my local range I finally managed to purchase a new M&P 2.0 9mm compact. I've never owned a pistol.

My instructor showed me how to field strip but since I want to maintain and clean it myself could someone point me in the right direction for further instructions?

Ive purchased the tools and supplies he suggested and watched a few YouTube videos but not sure which ones are best....any suggestions, tips, etc?
Thanks in advance,

Welcome to the forum.
Just out of curiosity, what made you become a 1st time gun owner?

 

[Maddog 521]

Say this to yourself every time you handle your pistol.

"Safety begins with me"

Many times, every time and be responsible.

Have fun in your new adventure.

 

[shocker]

What I do for modern pistols:
Brass brush dipped in mineral spirits to remove powder residue from the bore. I wipe over the necessary parts and points with a lint free rag lightly impregnated with mineral oil. That's it. Never want to see the "wet look" on a lubricated gun.

 

[Bob4southern]

Welcome to the forum.
Just out of curiosity, what made you become a 1st time gun owner?

Candidly, the events and social upheaval of the past several months finally nudged me into my purchase. Watching the looting and rioting along with the ridiculous public calls to defund the police was simply the last straw.

I'm neither Rambo nor Wyatt Earp...I'm just a retired guy living in a suburban town in Utah. I worked my entire career to get where I'm at now in life and I wanted to be able to defend myself should the circumstances ever arise.

So I decided to use my government stimulus dough and took some lessons and discovered I liked shooting. I bought a made in the USA pistol, a safe, some accessories and cleaning supplies and it's become a new interest and hobby.

Now...if I could only find a shop with ammo in stock...