Shot my first match today, M&P rocked

[Goathead75]

So I shot for the first time (other than casually at whatever targets) and had an absolutely blast. The range I belong to held a rimfire/centerfire bowling pin match today so I figured I would try it out, seemed like it could be fun.

I kept hearing how my 9mm would be underpowered and would have a hard time especially when the pins got beat up. Most were shooting .44 mags and .45s, some .357 with hot loads and one other guy with a 9mm. The first handful of shooters went and one of the guys with a 9mm (Glock compact) went and he had a harder time than the others.

My turn, I was super nervous hoping and praying I wouldn't be up there using all three mags of either pistol. I put my Ruger Mark III up with the mags and my M&P Pro up with the mags, got my sight picture, ready to go. Started with the Ruger first for the pintops using Stingers, whiffed two and had to reload, then I cleared it. Put the Ruger down, grabbed the M&P with 147gr lawman, 5 shots-5 pins cleared. Results, just over 30 seconds.

Next round, I was much more settled and wound up clearing the table without a reload at a tick over 19 seconds, fastest round of the day! I wound up in first with a 24.8 avg which totally blew my mind! I was very happy for my first time, can't wait for the next one. M&P didn't feel underpowered at all, wonder if the 5" barrel plays into it with velocity? Seemed to work fine, even in the second round.

 

[isaidme1]

Good work! One day ill get the nerve up to join in a local match. Im sure the barrel length gave you an edge in velocity over the glock compact.

 

[DustyDawg48]

9mm is more than enough...just ask the next person that says it hasn't got enough to do the job if they'd volunteer being shot by a 9mm and see what they say! The 5" barrel will add some velocity to that plus using 147 grain bullets don't hurt, either! Most people will use anemic 115 grain target loads and have issues but the heavier bullets will be better for that type of shooting.

Glad you had such a good time, be sure to head back and do it again! If you can find a match locally, look for some IDPA or USPSA matches and bring your M&P. Those matches are even more structured to put you competing against others with the same skill level and weapon type.

 

[Goathead75]

The 9mm definitely seemed to be fine for me, could just be shot placement? They have them once a month so I'm going to go again in July and hopefully it wasn't just beginners luck It was real fun, although after the first time I shot, I had the shakes for about 45 seconds after, I couldn't reload my mags LOL. Just a little adrenaline rush.

I'd like to shoot IDPA or USPSA, I'll have to check for local matches and I'll ask around in the club to see if anyone else shoots it.

This bowling pin match was just a "run what ya brung" type of event. There were guys using revolvers, $2k+ 1911's, and most had red dots on them. I just had iron sights, I'm thinking target acquisition might be quicker with just sights. Don't know, haven't shot red dots at all.

 

[DustyDawg48]

I never want to sound like I am dissing on another shooter's favorite sport but I just have this thing about putting a giant red dot sight on top of a fighting pistol for rimfirs that is perfectly acceptable but I'd vote for you to keep your M&P pure and find you some IDPA or USPSA and put that Smith to the test!

I remember grinning like an idiot on my way home from my first IDPA match...I was hooked and as soon as I got home I logged on to their site and joined for 3 years right then! Go find you some and let us know what you think!