The Dumb Gun Collector
08-04-13, 16:49
http://www.flickr.com/photos/52942291@N00/9437100505/
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/9437100505_b1169fd2f5.jpg
Hello gentleman,
I finally broke down and bought another gun. I sold off 90% of my collection at the begining of the year during the insanity. Since then I have pretty much been down to my J-frame and HK45C. Really, the only pistol I regreted selling was my M&P40, which I thought was the best all-around home defense gun I had. I also noticed that .40 was the most availible of the three common handgun calibers.
So I picked up a M&P VTAC .40 yesterday. I really don't care about the color either way but I liked the VTAC sights. I got a "decent" price on it but nothing special.
So, I slapped a pair of laser grips on them (I basically won't buy a pistol if I can't run a CT laser on it). I also put my X300 on it.
Today I shot 100 rounds of WWB and 100 rounds of PPB 180 grain HP. I ran 1,2,3 drills at 21 feet and 30 feet. Bunches of box drills and walking forward, backward and sided to side drills. Basically my normal practice routine.
1. The gun functioned 100 percent. Not really a surprise since M&Ps are generally regarded as reliable. The closest thing to a "problem" was that during the first 30 shots ejection was erratic. After that it settled down. Certainly less consistent and forceful than my Hk.
2. Accuracy was excellent. Not quite up to my HK45c, but not much is. Basically as accurate as any .40 cal handgun I have ever shot. I shot groups at 21 and 30 feet. And took shots at 50 and 75 yrd gongs with excellent results.
3. The VTAC sights appear to be overly busy, but they aren't. If you standing under cover firing out into a lighted area the sights are black. If you are out in the sun the fiber-optic sights are the only thing you can see. If you are indoors only the tritium capsules are visible. At least at this point, the sights seem to be pretty useful. The POI was perfectly regulated to the tip of the sight.
4. The laser grips were easy to zero. Really a no-brainer on the M&P since they add no real weight or bulk, and provide you excellent means of shooting in mixed lighting, smoke or at moving targets. They also make dry fire a little more productive.
5. I am not a big fan of the button mag release. Obviously I am in the minority on this. I prefer the mag lever on the HK. I have medium small hands and can drop the mag with my trigger finger on the HK, and reload without shifting my strong hand grip. Reloads are just plain faster with me with the HK system. On the other hand, the M&P's button is easier to operate quickly than the standard Glock button.
6. I still believe the M&P is the softest recoiling polymer .40. The design does a great job of muting the .40 cal "snap" that a lot of folks dislike.
7. I need a "devgru" switch for the gun. I really don't like having to shift my grip to operate the X300. I always despised this on my old Glocks, and always considered it a pain in the ass during low light classes. My opinion hasn't changed.
8. General ergonomics are excellent. I am a big HK fan but I don't think the P30's grip is any better. I much prefer the M&P's short slide release buttons. I occasionally ride the oversized HK levers, I can't see how that could happen with the M&P. On the other hand, the M&P buttons are a little stiff and can slow a reload if you don't slingshot (which I don't).
9. The tan finish does not look to be all that durable. On the other hand, I don't give a crap about finish wear.
10. The M&P is not famous for having a great trigger. I don't see what the big deal is. It is a little more heavy than a Glock (which is arguably too light) but lighter than a LEM. Spend a three thousand rounds with a J-frame and the M&P trigger will feel like a custom 1911. The take up is a bit gritty, but I never notice it while actually shooting the gun. It has a very nice break, with none of the cap-pisol mushyness of the Glock. The reset is nice and short, but again, I am not trigger snob. I can shoot pretty much anything and be happy.
Anyway, I think this gun is going to be an excellent home-defense piece. 16 rounds of 180 grain Gold Dots in the gun, and a spare 15 with versatile sights, a laser and a light are a great all-around system for dealing with burglars and crazies.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/9437100505_b1169fd2f5.jpg
Hello gentleman,
I finally broke down and bought another gun. I sold off 90% of my collection at the begining of the year during the insanity. Since then I have pretty much been down to my J-frame and HK45C. Really, the only pistol I regreted selling was my M&P40, which I thought was the best all-around home defense gun I had. I also noticed that .40 was the most availible of the three common handgun calibers.
So I picked up a M&P VTAC .40 yesterday. I really don't care about the color either way but I liked the VTAC sights. I got a "decent" price on it but nothing special.
So, I slapped a pair of laser grips on them (I basically won't buy a pistol if I can't run a CT laser on it). I also put my X300 on it.
Today I shot 100 rounds of WWB and 100 rounds of PPB 180 grain HP. I ran 1,2,3 drills at 21 feet and 30 feet. Bunches of box drills and walking forward, backward and sided to side drills. Basically my normal practice routine.
1. The gun functioned 100 percent. Not really a surprise since M&Ps are generally regarded as reliable. The closest thing to a "problem" was that during the first 30 shots ejection was erratic. After that it settled down. Certainly less consistent and forceful than my Hk.
2. Accuracy was excellent. Not quite up to my HK45c, but not much is. Basically as accurate as any .40 cal handgun I have ever shot. I shot groups at 21 and 30 feet. And took shots at 50 and 75 yrd gongs with excellent results.
3. The VTAC sights appear to be overly busy, but they aren't. If you standing under cover firing out into a lighted area the sights are black. If you are out in the sun the fiber-optic sights are the only thing you can see. If you are indoors only the tritium capsules are visible. At least at this point, the sights seem to be pretty useful. The POI was perfectly regulated to the tip of the sight.
4. The laser grips were easy to zero. Really a no-brainer on the M&P since they add no real weight or bulk, and provide you excellent means of shooting in mixed lighting, smoke or at moving targets. They also make dry fire a little more productive.
5. I am not a big fan of the button mag release. Obviously I am in the minority on this. I prefer the mag lever on the HK. I have medium small hands and can drop the mag with my trigger finger on the HK, and reload without shifting my strong hand grip. Reloads are just plain faster with me with the HK system. On the other hand, the M&P's button is easier to operate quickly than the standard Glock button.
6. I still believe the M&P is the softest recoiling polymer .40. The design does a great job of muting the .40 cal "snap" that a lot of folks dislike.
7. I need a "devgru" switch for the gun. I really don't like having to shift my grip to operate the X300. I always despised this on my old Glocks, and always considered it a pain in the ass during low light classes. My opinion hasn't changed.
8. General ergonomics are excellent. I am a big HK fan but I don't think the P30's grip is any better. I much prefer the M&P's short slide release buttons. I occasionally ride the oversized HK levers, I can't see how that could happen with the M&P. On the other hand, the M&P buttons are a little stiff and can slow a reload if you don't slingshot (which I don't).
9. The tan finish does not look to be all that durable. On the other hand, I don't give a crap about finish wear.
10. The M&P is not famous for having a great trigger. I don't see what the big deal is. It is a little more heavy than a Glock (which is arguably too light) but lighter than a LEM. Spend a three thousand rounds with a J-frame and the M&P trigger will feel like a custom 1911. The take up is a bit gritty, but I never notice it while actually shooting the gun. It has a very nice break, with none of the cap-pisol mushyness of the Glock. The reset is nice and short, but again, I am not trigger snob. I can shoot pretty much anything and be happy.
Anyway, I think this gun is going to be an excellent home-defense piece. 16 rounds of 180 grain Gold Dots in the gun, and a spare 15 with versatile sights, a laser and a light are a great all-around system for dealing with burglars and crazies.