S&W MP40 mini-range report

[Judah Ben-Hur]

I just picked this gun up last Friday. I had interest in getting a Glock 29 or this one. I passed on the Glock for now because it was like holding a brick. I was mainly in a gun buying mood anyway. lol They didn't have any 9mm's or 357 Sigs. I was leaning on getting a 9 just so I could shoot it alot and cheap. Never had a 9mm either. Oh well, got the .40 S&W anyway. Around here, it's a little pricier. If I want to reload for it, I've already got 2 sets of 10mm dies. Got home and field stripped it, cleaned & oiled it, also did some grip swaps and 30 or so magazine drops. Field stripped it a few more times and just plain got to know the ins & outs of it. Dry firing it didn't feel too bad. It's funny how good you can shoot doing that.

Hey, why not see how she shoots before it gets dark and no chance of shooting for a few days because of work. My first trip to the range didn't go too well. Couldn't hit the paper at 25 yards to save myself. Well, a few-very few would half-print on the lower left corner but for the most part the target would be a keeper for another day. Shot some Blazer & UMC 180's. Couldn't tell if there was some kind of group off the page because the backstop was riddled with holes from others. Like mine would somehow be in a nice tight package just off the paper. lol Ok, I was also fighting the sunset too. Tired eyes, hands, new gun with a trigger that had me a little buffaloed. Just had the feel of being very "gritty" and having now idea when it would break. Felt like it needed some real snapping (yeah, I do that alot) just because it surprised the hell out of me on many occasions. Not that good kind of surprise. Ok, let me get the 1911 out and see what she will do with 2 magazines. I have no clue where they were printing. Its not me, has to be the guns. :banghead: Go to bed and get it out of your system. That 6 hour drive ealier in the day was too much and the guns couldn't take it.

Just got back from the range later today with a little more ammo that I purchased with the gun. Still tired from working 12 hour shift night shift with a few hours of shuteye and fighting a setting sun. :banghead: Started out with the big grip with 20 rounds of 180 UMC MC's. Also did all my shooting at approx 15 yards offhand, two hand grip, with a center hold on the B2 targets. All the rest were limited to 10 shots with the medium grip installed. Wasted too much time looking for brass on the first 20, so I wore a brass catcher for all the rest. Running out of daylight fast! Just trying ammo mostly. Not a torture test by any means but the gun had no misfires, jams, or any other maladies for a newbie. Just a few rounds of hot brass not hitting the catcher right and laying on my hand. It burns. The trigger is getting to know me alot better too. I'll play around with the grips next time out and try the other 2 loads. I like this gun alot so far, it handles really well with these mild loads. I like the take down better than my Glock. Plus it just looks good. I just need to work on the low to the left thing to tighten things up.

The 155 gr JHP Blazers had the most wallop but the gun stayed right on target. Not much muzzle flip at all with any of the ammo. The 165 gr Blazers felt the best, I shot them as fast as I could. The 180's were all pussycats in the recoil department.

The ammo I brought was:
UMC 180gr MC
Federal Classic Hi-Shok 180gr JHP
CCI Blazer 180gr FMJ
CCI Blazer 155gr GD HP
CCI Blazer 165gr TMJ
American Eagle 180gr FMJ - Did not shoot
UMC 165gr MC - Did not shoot

Sorry for the long winded post. Here are some pics if this works right.

 

[treebeard]

Congrats on the new piece. I love mine. I also shot low and to the left as well on my first few trips to the range, but now that I am getting used to the trigger and I am doing much better. There is still some crunchiness in the trigger, but it is getting a little smoother now. I still can't make up my mind on whether I like the large or medium insert. Have fun and be safe. Give us another report when you find the ammo that shoots the best for you.

 

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Off hand, I always shoot low to the left. I know I'm snapping and jerking the trigger something bad. I just need more practice instead of just making it go bang.



Have you seen any holsters or lights out for the MP's yet?

 

[distra]

Glad you are enjoying the M&P. I seem to shoot the 180gr bullets better than 165gr. For some reason the 165 were low, not left and low, just low of POA. Anyway, I got a D. Hume 721 OT OWB and a CTAC IWB from http://www.comp-tac.comfor the M&P. Both are comfy, but I like the CTAC better for CCW.

 

[Mortech]

the M3 / M6 series of tac lights all work with the M&P . I have a M3 on mine

 

[treebeard]

The M3 is a perfect fit on mine too!!

 

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Without doing a google, who makes them?

 

[Coronach]

Insight.

http://www.insightlights.com/

 

[Coronach]

It is a standard rail, I believe, so most any light should fit.

Holsters are another story, especially one for the pistol with a light attached. Not sure what's out there yet.

Mike

 

[Judah Ben-Hur]

Thanks guys, I'll check those lights out.

Bought some 165/180 gr Winchester and CCI Brass Blazer's in 180gr ealier today. Hope to get up to the range to blast a few off.