View Full Version : More M&P time at the range...
I accompanied a couple of friends to a short handgun class today. It was their first time for any formal training and asked me to go along since the instructor was a friend of mine.
I ran both my M&P 9's and M&P 45 since I wanted some trigger time on both and to get a few more rounds through them. Even though I was not on my A game today, the M&P's ran perfect. Zero malfunctions from Any of them. It was raining and very wet and muddy. The grass at the range had also just been mowed in the past day or so, so there was no shortage of wet grass clippings around. They loved to stick to mags and do their part to crud them up along with the mud and water. Zero issues with any mags.
The M&P 9's have definitely established themselves with me. I have more time on them than my M&P 45. That said, the M&P 45 continues to impress me more and more. I was actually shooting it better today than I was my 9's. I have been carrying it, but I do believe that it needs to see more holster time after today. Might have to go to start splitting more equal time with the 9's. It is definitely a capable .45, so far.
I also have 10-8 rear sights on all of my M&P's. Have to give credit where its due. The 10-8 rear sight is a GREAT sight, for me. It really draws my eye right to the front sight, even in the very overcast and rainy conditions we had today.
John_Wayne777
10-06-07, 21:17
I keep hearing good things about the 10-8 sight on the M&P. I just installed a set of Trijicons on my M&P 9 and they are an improvement (I think) over the standard factory sights.
That being said, I'm still not as happy with them as I would like to be. Maybe I should look at keeping the Tritium front and getting a 10-8 for the rear.
Robb Jensen
10-06-07, 21:49
The 10-8 is great right up to the point you try a Warren Tactical rear sight. Then it's............just good. ;)
On my competition M&P which I can actually shoot faster and more accurately than my 'race gun' (STI .40) I use a Warren rear and a Speed Shooters Specialties .100" wide fiber optic front. I've run .11sec splits with this with 2 A zone hits on an IPSC target at 15yds. YMMV.
John_Wayne777
10-06-07, 22:16
Interesting side note:
I have an Ameriglow sight pushing tool for the Glock pistols....it works great for M&P rear sights too. The only thing I've found that works on the front sight is a big friggin' hammer and a big brass punch.
John_Wayne777
10-06-07, 22:17
I've run .11sec splits with this with 2 A zone hits on an IPSC target at 15yds. YMMV.
:confused:
I think that's competition shooter-speak for "I got good hits REALLY fast".
I've run .11sec splits with this with 2 A zone hits on an IPSC target at 15yds. YMMV.
:confused:
I think that's competition shooter-speak for "I got good hits REALLY fast".
I think the "YMMV" is the key part. That means he gets about 10 mpg or so better than you and I. :(
Robb Jensen
10-06-07, 22:32
:confused:
I think that's competition shooter-speak for "I got good hits REALLY fast".
It is ! ;)
I get .14sec splits with a PURE race gun with 'gamer loads', not a factory built S&W with factory MagTech 9mm 115gr FMJ ammo. My STI 'race' gun has a .100" front sight as well with a 'tweaked' BOMAR rear sight which resembles a Warren rear VERY closely.
Forgot a few things in my first post. Couple of observations on my M&P's. I have held off sending any of them off for a trigger job because I wanted to see how the triggers would develop with some rounds on them. They definitely seem to be getting better the more rounds they get through them.
Also, M&P 45 mags are pretty tight to try and seat with the slide closed. Even after several series of loading/unloading via firing, they are still tight. I know it so I just automatically compensate and havent had a problem seating any mags when running drills.
Another issue is I consistently fail to get the slide to lock open on the last round. I am pretty sure this is caused by me though, and my thumb being in too close of a proximity to the slide lock and inadvertantly hitting it. Happens on both my 9's and my 45. I am going to practice with a very slightly differnt hold and see what happens.
The 10-8 is great right up to the point you try a Warren Tactical rear sight. Then it's............just good. ;)
On my competition M&P which I can actually shoot faster and more accurately than my 'race gun' (STI .40) I use a Warren rear and a Speed Shooters Specialties .100" wide fiber optic front. I've run .11sec splits with this with 2 A zone hits on an IPSC target at 15yds. YMMV.
Can you quantify for us what it is you like so much about the Warren's? I remember you mentioning them before, so I'm curious.
I'd like to see what the site picture looks like.
Cheers.
I put a set of Warrens with fiber optic front on my girlfriend's G19 and I'm pretty much sold. I really like the fact that the rear face is smooth instead of serrated. I always bought into the "serrated for glare reduction" bit when discussing rear sights, but have now changed my tune. I have shot the Warrens in bright sunlight, overcast, and night shoots with no glare issue as all. Without the serrations the rear sight just disappears that much easier.
On the M&P thing, I'm glad to read reviews like Hawkeye's. I'm not sure I'm sold yet, and I've only gotten to fire one (a fullsize .40 that had trigger work done) but it seems like a very viable platform. I'm hoping to get to a range with a rental M&P or borrow one from someone so I can take my girlfriend out and have her shoot it side-by-side with her G19 and figure out which one is best for her.
I would very much like to see the price for M&P mags come down though. With Glock mags now hovering in the $15/ea range it's much easier to stock up.
While I would never take anything away from Mr.'s Bowie or Burwell I have also left my triggers alone on my 9 and .45
I find the trigeers easily as good/better than any of my glocks.....any shortcomings are mine alone
This is good info on rear sites...that is one upgrade I do want to pursue
Mags are a bit spendy....but that just means they are more in line with every other mfg...other than Glock
Robb Jensen
10-08-07, 07:50
Can you quantify for us what it is you like so much about the Warren's? I remember you mentioning them before, so I'm curious.
I'd like to see what the site picture looks like.
Cheers.
To me they're faster than anything but you don't loose precision with gaining the speed. I also love that they allow you to see more of the target. It keeps me front trying to look at the target and my eyes naturally go to the front sight. I use the fiber front and with the rear round notch it's like the sights align themselves. I'm a dot shooter so I don't even concentrate on the metal of the sights. I shoot Sevigny and Heinie sights great but measurably slower. Sights an an individual thing. Some people like Sevigny like the larger rear sights. Try a set if you know somebody with them.
Here's my IDPA/USPSA M&P9 with a Warren rear sight and a .100" Speed Shooters Specialties front sight. (this is the pistol I used yesterday to shoot a 7.61sec on the El Pres and shot it 'clean'....meaning all alphas for an A class score of 76%).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP007.jpg
As gotM4 said sights are a very individual thing. I prefer the 10-8 over the Warren due to the serrations and the ability to use the sight to manipulate the slide if needed. My M&P is carried on duty almost daily.
One advantage of the Warren is the various rear notch widths. If your eyes are a bit "out of date" (or you're just plain getting old), the wider rear notch can be a big help in picking up the front sight quickly.
Heavy Metal
10-08-07, 10:18
Hey GotM4, what is that you have applied to the grip? Skate Board tape?
To me they're faster than anything but you don't loose precision with gaining the speed. I also love that they allow you to see more of the target. It keeps me front trying to look at the target and my eyes naturally go to the front sight. I use the fiber front and with the rear round notch it's like the sights align themselves. I'm a dot shooter so I don't even concentrate on the metal of the sights. I shoot Sevigny and Heinie sights great but measurably slower. Sights an an individual thing. Some people like Sevigny like the larger rear sights. Try a set if you know somebody with them.
Here's my IDPA/USPSA M&P9 with a Warren rear sight and a .100" Speed Shooters Specialties front sight. (this is the pistol I used yesterday to shoot a 7.61sec on the El Pres and shot it 'clean'....meaning all alphas for an A class score of 76%).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP009.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v408/gotm4/MP007.jpg
Ahhh, nice! Thanks for the pics. I was searching last night and found out that Warren makes a rear for the P226 :cool: Can you suggest a fiber optic front that would give the same POI as the factory front?
John_Wayne777
10-08-07, 14:24
Hey GotM4, what is that you have applied to the grip? Skate Board tape?
Looks to be glock decal's he's pasted onto an M&P.
Robb Jensen
10-08-07, 15:03
Looks to be glock decal's he's pasted onto an M&P.
Exactly, but Eric W (http://www.ericwesselman.com/store/store.html) does make them now direct fits for M&Ps.
Interesting to see this thread Hawkeye. I thought you were selling an M&P 9mm w/ holster, etc.? I guess it could have been that "New" guy from FL.
John_Wayne777
10-09-07, 07:34
Interesting to see this thread Hawkeye. I thought you were selling an M&P 9mm w/ holster, etc.? I guess it could have been that "New" guy from FL.
Hawkeye's journey with the M&P has been a long and sordid one, filled with many twists and turns....:D
Interesting to see this thread Hawkeye. I thought you were selling an M&P 9mm w/ holster, etc.? I guess it could have been that "New" guy from FL.
I did sell a M&P 9 way earlier this year. I had some things come up that I needed some $$ for. It was the most recent purchase, and the one with the least amount of time on, so it was the one to go. Things were worked out and I eventually was able to pick up another one.
Hawkeye's journey with the M&P has been a long and sordid one, filled with many twists and turns....:D
Dont remind me. :rolleyes: Makes my head hurt just thinking about it. :(
But I am in a happy place now. :D Excuse me while I just go sit over here and be happy.
Heavy Metal
10-09-07, 16:29
What is the word on the M&P's with the external safety?
Dont know. I dont have any.
Alpha Sierra
10-09-07, 20:15
What is the word on the M&P's with the external safety?
Don't know, I wouldn't buy one. I don't like any external safeties.
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