tydephan
Member
Fireside Chat - M&P, EMP, G22, P3AT
Greetings everyone,
Thought I would let everyone know about my range trip today and some thoughts regarding each of the firearms I carried with me. This isn't a Range Report, per se...just some thoughts on what I shot today.
Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm:
I bought this gun about 4 months ago. I put 100 rounds of Winchester White Box through it today, and just like every other time to the range, it performed perfectly. While the target wasn't exactly pretty (at 20 yards), it was sufficient for a shooter at my level (beginner).
The trigger on the M&P wasn't the best out of the box. But after about the first 300 rounds it really settled in. The accuracy of this gun is fantastic. The action of the gun has really settled in as well. Slide release functionality is a lot easier for both the right and left slide release mechanisms (it was originally very stiff). The M&P has solidified itself in my collection. I believe it will be a bonified contender in the future polymer wars.
This gun was purchased NIB and through 500 rounds of various ammo (speer gold dots, WWB, etc.) it has yet to yield the first failure.
Glock 22 .40cal:
The Glock is the first handgun I ever owned, so it is near and dear to my heart. But I have never shot it in the same session as any of my other polymers. I only shot 30 rounds of .40cal, as I was busy trying to break in the EMP and M&P most of the day. I had some flyers with the .40cal. Shooting the Glock after the M&P really exaggerates the horrible ergonomics on the Glock. But it is still a favorite and will never leave my collection.
A Glock is a Glock. I never have any problems with this gun.
Springfield Armory EMP 9mm:
I don't know where to begin with this pistol. I had previously put 100 rounds of WWB through it during my first range session with it with no failures. The target was real sloppy, with lots of flyers at 15 yards. Recoil was extremely mild, but I wasn't impressed at all with the accuracy (probably more the shooter than the gun).
This session, however, was an exact reversal. This little gun is worth every dime (10,000 dimes) I paid. I fed it WWB again (still haven't tried hollow points) and experienced no failures. The trigger on the EMP is the best I have ever shot. This gun is definitely a confidence builder. It is extremely forgiving for the beginning shooter.
I've only had 200 rounds through it so far, but it is fantastic to shoot. I would recommend this gun to everyone!
Kel-Tec P3AT .380:
Well, I bought this gun about a month ago after getting the BUG bug.
This gun was difficult for me to hold onto. I felt like I was really having to strain during each shot to make sure it didn't fly out of my hand. The only finger that really had control of the weapon was my middle finger. I hope that a hogue grip and finger extension will solve this issue.
Given that I was shooting at a 20yard target and the P3AT has little to no sights, I won't comment on accuracy.
I didn't have any failures with this gun, but I didn't shoot many rounds through it. I basically wanted to test the recoil and control of the weapon on the first trip. While I wasn't thrilled, I think that it will serve nicely as a backup gun. Reminds me of the "Noisy Cricket."
I also carried a Ruger 10/22 and shot a friends Phoenix Arms 22 pistol. As always they were fun plinkers. The 10/22 performed fairly well. Seems like rounds 100 - 900 after a cleaning always perform flawlessly, but the first 100 and last 100 (before the mandatory 1000 round cleaning) are real messy.
I left feeling real confident with the EMP, but the M&P has definitely earned my respect.
Just some thoughts for you guys. No detailed target information (still trying to improve accuracy.)
Greetings everyone,
Thought I would let everyone know about my range trip today and some thoughts regarding each of the firearms I carried with me. This isn't a Range Report, per se...just some thoughts on what I shot today.
Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm:
I bought this gun about 4 months ago. I put 100 rounds of Winchester White Box through it today, and just like every other time to the range, it performed perfectly. While the target wasn't exactly pretty (at 20 yards), it was sufficient for a shooter at my level (beginner).
The trigger on the M&P wasn't the best out of the box. But after about the first 300 rounds it really settled in. The accuracy of this gun is fantastic. The action of the gun has really settled in as well. Slide release functionality is a lot easier for both the right and left slide release mechanisms (it was originally very stiff). The M&P has solidified itself in my collection. I believe it will be a bonified contender in the future polymer wars.
This gun was purchased NIB and through 500 rounds of various ammo (speer gold dots, WWB, etc.) it has yet to yield the first failure.
Glock 22 .40cal:
The Glock is the first handgun I ever owned, so it is near and dear to my heart. But I have never shot it in the same session as any of my other polymers. I only shot 30 rounds of .40cal, as I was busy trying to break in the EMP and M&P most of the day. I had some flyers with the .40cal. Shooting the Glock after the M&P really exaggerates the horrible ergonomics on the Glock. But it is still a favorite and will never leave my collection.
A Glock is a Glock. I never have any problems with this gun.
Springfield Armory EMP 9mm:
I don't know where to begin with this pistol. I had previously put 100 rounds of WWB through it during my first range session with it with no failures. The target was real sloppy, with lots of flyers at 15 yards. Recoil was extremely mild, but I wasn't impressed at all with the accuracy (probably more the shooter than the gun).
This session, however, was an exact reversal. This little gun is worth every dime (10,000 dimes) I paid. I fed it WWB again (still haven't tried hollow points) and experienced no failures. The trigger on the EMP is the best I have ever shot. This gun is definitely a confidence builder. It is extremely forgiving for the beginning shooter.
I've only had 200 rounds through it so far, but it is fantastic to shoot. I would recommend this gun to everyone!
Kel-Tec P3AT .380:
Well, I bought this gun about a month ago after getting the BUG bug.
This gun was difficult for me to hold onto. I felt like I was really having to strain during each shot to make sure it didn't fly out of my hand. The only finger that really had control of the weapon was my middle finger. I hope that a hogue grip and finger extension will solve this issue.
Given that I was shooting at a 20yard target and the P3AT has little to no sights, I won't comment on accuracy.
I didn't have any failures with this gun, but I didn't shoot many rounds through it. I basically wanted to test the recoil and control of the weapon on the first trip. While I wasn't thrilled, I think that it will serve nicely as a backup gun. Reminds me of the "Noisy Cricket."
I also carried a Ruger 10/22 and shot a friends Phoenix Arms 22 pistol. As always they were fun plinkers. The 10/22 performed fairly well. Seems like rounds 100 - 900 after a cleaning always perform flawlessly, but the first 100 and last 100 (before the mandatory 1000 round cleaning) are real messy.
I left feeling real confident with the EMP, but the M&P has definitely earned my respect.
Just some thoughts for you guys. No detailed target information (still trying to improve accuracy.)
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