I "shouldn't" carry my M&P C.O.R.E. ?

[azeriosu85]

I'm confused as i'm reading more and more about how the C.O.R.E. model shouldn't be considered for "hard use" or serious CCW consideration. I have the 9mm version with 4.25" so its easier to fit holsters i own. Now I understand the "C" stands for competition, but i'm just not getting why these things are being said. Some say the RMR setup is extremely weak and will affect zero, others that the lack of rear sight options make it a "write off". I do not see any of this, however i haven't placed a RMR on mine yet so onto that point i have zero experience. just curious what you guys think. Will this make me second guess my choice of CCW'ing this? absolutely not. Just curious on the reasons why some rag on this as anything but a competition gun.

[policetested]

the problem with the mini red dot cut out is that it is generic. The screws become the only baring surface for the G-force the sight experiences during cycling. They will eventually become loose allowing the sight to move or worst case fail and the sight falls off.

True low mounted mini red dots have the slide machined to the sight. This means the sight is fitted to the slide and is snug fit so that the screws essentially are insurance the sight does not move; much like set pin/screw on an iron sight. This is why most places machining slides for mini red dots prefer to have your sight for the slide to get an exact fit; at least that is what the folks at Lone Wolf tell me.

Hope that helps

[kLewis]

It seems you're referring to Hilton Yam's article, since you paraphrased it twice in your post. http://modernserviceweapons.com/?p=5381 Unfortunately, you've taken a lot of what it actually says out of context, and now you're wondering if others can validate your feelings.

Yes, it has a unique rear sight, so you only have 1 option if you don't like the one it comes with. No big deal if you do like the one it comes with. He's letting people who haven't bought one know.

Yes, the mounting system for the red dot is designed for competition, and may not hold up to duty use. That's important to know before you buy, but you say you haven't mounted one, so that doesn't effect you. The reality is that the $50 upgrade you paid for the CORE version does not equal having $300 worth of custom mounting work done. That should not be a surprise in life. Things that are too good to be true are, in fact, too good to be true.

No one said it doesn't shoot, or is an unreliable gun. The article simply discusses the limits of that model's features. It's an M&P, generally they are reliable and run fine. If yours does, carry it and be happy.

[jonconsiglio]

I know a number of guys running red dots on their handguns. I think KevinB is carrying his, or at least using it as classes. Unfortunately, Doc Roberts got run off, or he'd tell you how they've been working for him as he's done a lot of testing with the different RMR's. He has some good posts about that on Lightfighter.

Personally, I don't have enough time on them to say, but in my limited experience I still want a rear sight and I've seen them make it very hard to get a sight picture in bad weather.

I noticed no sped increase in my short test, but I was more accurate at distance.

[Rosco Benson]

Blue Locktite and index-mark the bolts, shoot it a bunch, and see if the optic shifts zero or falls off. If it doesn't fail, then it's okay.

Just because a stronger solution is available doesn't always mean that a weaker solution isn't strong enough. Kind of like carrying a 1911 with a low-mount Bomar on it. We all know that a fixed sight is stronger, but the Bomar is strong enough for most anything. I suggest you try it out, heavily, on the range and see if the C.O.R.E. has any issues.

Rosco

[LightningFast]

You could just, you know, go out and shoot it and find out on your own. You don't need "SMEs" to tell you if something will work or not.

[kantstudien]

Hilton has already stated his reasons very clearly for why he doesn't think it is a hard use weapon.

[Kain]

My two cents, for what little they are worth, and saying they are worth two cents is really over marketing them in this case, but if you are wanting to use a gun, any gun, for hard use, duty, or what have you, I think there are a lot of people here who will agree that it is prudent to test the gun and run it through its paces. Shoot it a bunch, I would also agree to the witness marks on the screws to see if they move, and see what happens. If it holds together and nothing goes wrong and you trust it then run with it. If anything hinky goes on then you know what it is good for. At the end of the day it is your ass not ours, so it is your decision to make. If you do decide to take it and run it through it's paces do let us know how it turns out, any issues, and how it holds up. Am thinking of picking up an RMR sometime next year and have not decided what the hell I am going to mount it on, but having handled the C.O.R.E. ....

[azeriosu85]

Guys i think i might have worded my OP poorly. IM not concerned with carrying it, i have shot it and its very reliable. Was just curious on the issue of carrying equipped with an RMR. AS far as im not going to because of what a "SME" said is moot and not applicable to my original question. I carry mine everyday, just have not bought a RMR yet and was curious

[TRshootem]

Dawson precision has just come out with a sight set for the CORE, so if you want a light pipe fiber front.... I am mounting a Vortex Razor to my 9 CORE and we will see how it holds up. Jerry Mickelec(sp) says it's holding well so far. Many of the earlier red dot set ups were not milled into the slide and worked for thousands of rounds with periodic checks for attachment integrity. I shoot some Steel and defensive pistol, with aging eyes RDS seems like the right move. We are seeing more of the 'pros' in the training bidness going this way, are they getting older also