Thoughts regarding a 45

[mrrick]

ISCS Yoda

"THAT is a great gun as far as I am concerned."

Excellent!

 

[forrestinmathews]

Seriously? A handgun at 50 yards to 100 meters? Well, it certainly can be done and lots of guys do it. However, the M&P was not designed for it.

As you get out past 25 yards the .45 drops off considerably. It becomes more of an artillery shot.

I'm aware. The Major loads I was shooting dropped about six feet at 194m out of a four inch 625. It would still ring the gong, but was mostly for laughs.

I shoot my M&P 9 and G19 at 60+ yds/m on occasion and find the glock slightly better suited. I figured I'd ask on the longer side and somebody might come back with something better than 7-15 possibly 25+. I've heard great things about the M&P .45 and was curious if it had been compared against Sig or a decent 1911 at more than a short range.

 

[Rastoff]

I've heard great things about the M&P .45 and was curious if it had been compared against Sig or a decent 1911 at more than a short range.

I honestly don't believe it's a fair comparison. A decent 1911 will cost at least twice as much as an M&P.

Even so, I have both an M&P 45 and a couple of really nice 1911s. I can tell you that the 1911, all 1911s, have far better triggers. As such, they are easier to shoot well. Thus, I shoot the 1911s better than the M&P. Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to use the M&P in the capacity for which it was designed; self protection.

With the M&P 45, at 7 yards, from concealment, I can put two shots in the thoracic cavity, within a hand span of each other, in under 2.4 seconds. I don't expect anything better from any gun. At the price range, the M&P is a great gun.

 

[BillR1]

I honestly don't believe it's a fair comparison. A decent 1911 will cost at least twice as much as an M&P.

Even so, I have both an M&P 45 and a couple of really nice 1911s. I can tell you that the 1911, all 1911s, have far better triggers. As such, they are easier to shoot well. Thus, I shoot the 1911s better than the M&P. Even so, I wouldn't hesitate to use the M&P in the capacity for which it was designed; self protection.

With the M&P 45, at 7 yards, from concealment, I can put two shots in the thoracic cavity, within a hand span of each other, in under 2.4 seconds. I don't expect anything better from any gun. At the price range, the M&P is a great gun.

In IDPA competitions, M&P 45s regularly come out on top against the "famed" 1911. The Apex FSS trigger on my FS is as good or better than many 1911s. (I've been told that by 1911 owners!) My M&P is lighter which makes target transitions easier/faster. I also don't have those silly grip or thumb safeties to fumble with. The M&P soaks up recoil really well, so a heavier gun is not needed. The accuracy is certainly comparable at normal IDPA competition distances. (<30yards)
What's not to like?

 

[Rastoff]

In IDPA competitions, M&P 45s regularly come out on top against the "famed" 1911.

This is shooter related not gun related. Guns don't win competitions, shooters do. I've seen plenty of guys shoot plenty of guns really well. That doesn't mean one gun is better than another.

The Apex FSS trigger on my FS is as good or better than many 1911s. (I've been told that by 1911 owners!)

While I have no doubt that some guys have said this, I still think the 1911 trigger is better. I own an M&P 45 with the Apex FSS in it. While it is a great upgrade, it's still not as nice as a 1911.

Please understand, I'm neither a brand nor model loyalist. I believe the best gun is the one that helps the individual shooter put rounds on target, with the accuracy and speed they require for their intended purpose.

I've listened to guys argue this back and forth for years. No one wins. When I out shoot someone with my 1911, the common response is, "If I had an expensive gun like that, I'd have shot better." When they out shoot me (which happens a lot), the comment usually goes, "See, all that money is wasted. You should have just bought the el cheepo like I did."

It's the shooter, not the gun. Yes, having a gun you're comfortable with makes a huge difference in how well you shoot. The only really debatable issue is functional reliability. Once a gun is proven that it's reliable, the rest is dependent on individual taste.

The M&P 45 is a well made, reliable gun. It's accurate enough for the purpose it was designed for; defensive shooting. I would gladly use it in USPSA, IDPA or IPSC competition. I would also gladly carry it for self-defense. I personally shoot the 1911 better, but that doesn't mean I don't shoot the M&P well enough.

 

[BillR1]

My point was/is that the 1911 doesn't always have a better trigger or shoot better. I've owned several 1911s (Colt, SA, and STIs) and just never shot them as well as I do the M&P line. For me, the M&P is faster, simpler, far more reliable, and easily as accurate. The lower cost is just a bonus. I'd buy the M&P over a 1911 even if it cost more.

 

[fdw]

Well, the various items that people like and don't like about this gun or that could fill a book and actually does, I suppose. So I'll add my 2 cents based on my adventure last Sunday.

Six of us went to the range together. Four of us brought our own guns and two guys rented range guns. The rented guns were a full sized Glock 9mm and a full sized Springfield .45 ACP which, I presume, is the gun under discussion here. XDwhatever.....

We weren't shooting long distances, 7 yards being mostly what we shot. I won't discuss the several Glocks that I shot because I shoot all Glocks well and wouldn't own one if they were free. Long story for another thread but we all have our prejudices in such matters and it's not relevant here.

The guy with the Springfield .45 was tossing his rounds all over the typical B-27 target used for various testing purposes, most specifically the Texas CHL test that I am intimately familiar with. I am a certified CHL instructor and a Texas Level III combined instructor, just for the record. Also for the record, I have never fired a Springfield XD45. So I watched him scatter his shots and I asked him if he would allow me to try the gun and, of course, he said yes.

Target - green B-27
Distance - 7 yards
Gun - Springfield XD45
Result - 3 rounds touching in a perfect group right where I aimed - head shots - I gave the target a nose.

THAT is a great gun as far as I am concerned.

***GRJ***

Guy shooting beside me one day at the range had the XD and asked if I wanted to shoot it. I'd never shot one and put the best grouping of my day at 7 yards, pretty much all touching. I out shot him.

I was impressed.

 

[bunkshaner]

I have a full size MP45 I bought brand new. Never fired straight out of its blue box I loaded it with Winchester target ammo for my CCW class. Here's the results.....varying from 25 yards on down.