Wife's First Outing w/Her S&W M&P9c

[Tomac]

My wonderful wife has nothing against guns but has been slightly afraid of them since her father made her shoot his 7mm magnum when she was very young.
Over the past couple of years I've managed to get her to try a .22, my .32 Tomcat then my 5.7x28 FN57. She hasn't been particularly accurate (very recoil shy) but she's been game and has come to enjoy informal plinking, even got her a PS90 which she enjoyed a great deal.
Fast forward to today, her PS90 has been replaced w/a lightweight STG-556 and my FN57 & Tomcat have been replaced by a S&W M&P9.
She recently tried my M&P9 and liked it. Found the recoil manageable (she's petite) but felt it was a little too big for her. Had her handle an M&P9c at a local store and she liked the balance better than my M&P fullsize so I ordered a 9c w/the same APEX sear & striker block I have in my fullsize. Robert quickly & professionally installed a set of Meprolight night sights for us (thx, Robert!).
She tried it today for the first time and we both came away pleasantly surprised. She was surprised at the manageable recoil (she was expecting much worse since it's smaller than the fullsize) and I was surprised at all the COM/headshots she was making! Although the recoil from the FN57 was less she's far more accurate w/the 9c.
Surprising to both of us is she shoots better w/the flat-based mag than w/the pinky-extension mag (I'm just the opposite, I need the pinky extension).
We're already planning on her taking DefTac's 1-day introductory defensive handgun course as soon as she's stronger (she's recovering from kidney cancer, now in remission Thank God) to improve her confidence & ability w/the 9c.
Our M&P's have become my all-time favorite pistols, bar none.
Tomac

[broncovan]

How did the Compact shoot?  I've been looking for a .40 compact and got a chance to finger the M&P9c yesterday.  Felt a lot like the Glock 27 to me as far as the grip was concerned.  The magazine safety threw me for a second, that's a different feature that I hadn't seen before.  I didn't really fall in love with the 27, mostly because of the grip I think.  Even with an extender, I couldn't learn to like it.  I'm thinking that I may just have to settle for a 23 instead of a sub-compact.  A 9 in a sub would probably be fine, but I really want another 40.

Still can't make up my mind between the M&P, XDM, or Glock 23.  I'd like to get a matching 40 for my P30 9mm, but I can't justify the extra $350.

[agunforeachhand]

tomac, glad you are both happy with them.


broncovan IMO I would go with a 23 over a 27 anyday. The damn pinky extensions always seem to pinch my fingers and the 23 really isn't that much bigger.

[Tomac]

How did the Compact shoot?  I've been looking for a .40 compact and got a chance to finger the M&P9c yesterday.  Felt a lot like the Glock 27 to me as far as the grip was concerned.  The magazine safety threw me for a second, that's a different feature that I hadn't seen before.  I didn't really fall in love with the 27, mostly because of the grip I think.  Even with an extender, I couldn't learn to like it.  I'm thinking that I may just have to settle for a 23 instead of a sub-compact.  A 9 in a sub would probably be fine, but I really want another 40.
Still can't make up my mind between the M&P, XDM, or Glock 23.  I'd like to get a matching 40 for my P30 9mm, but I can't justify the extra $350.

To me recoil on the Compact wasn't much more than the fullsize. Magazine safety is an option, none of my M&P's have it (in fact, thumb safety is an option as well but if you get it it's easily removed if you decide later on that you don't want it). All the M&P's come w/3 different-size backstraps so you can choose the one that feels best to you. If you want to try the Compact some time just let me know and we can meet at the George Nourse range like we did for those who wanted to try the fullsize M&P9.
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

To me recoil on the Compact wasn't much more than the fullsize. Magazine safety is an option, none of my M&P's have it (in fact, thumb safety is an option as well but if you get it it's easily removed if you decide later on that you don't want it). All the M&P's come w/3 different-size backstraps so you can choose the one that feels best to you. If you want to try the Compact some time just let me know and we can meet at the George Nourse range like we did for those who wanted to try the fullsize M&P9.
Tomac

ooh ooh me I wanna try it lol

Can anyone compare a M&P to the new SR9's?

[Tomac]

ooh ooh me I wanna try it lol

I've been working a lot of OT Saturdays recently but my Sundays are always free. How about next Sunday around 8:30am or so at the George Nourse range? I can bring the fullsize M&P as well if you'd like to do a direct side-by-side comparison w/regards to accuracy & recoil.
Tomac

[popsgunner]

Glad all is good all the way around, guns, god and family is what it is all about. More power to both of you, thanks for all the kind words as well.

[Tomac]

Glad all is good all the way around, guns, god and family is what it is all about. More power to both of you, thanks for all the kind words as well.

You're welcome. Btw, I'm bringing you more business Wed or Thurs, another 9c needs night sights! 
Tomac

[agunforeachhand]

I've been working a lot of OT Saturdays recently but my Sundays are always free. How about next Sunday around 8:30am or so at the George Nourse range? I can bring the fullsize M&P as well if you'd like to do a direct side-by-side comparison w/regards to accuracy & recoil.
Tomac

Im game. I will let you know for sure in the middle of the week Tomac.

As long as that pops guy isn't going.

[popsgunner]

Thanks Tomac and Agfeh, it's a public range so pound sand buddy !  , we'll be at the gun show anyway...so there.....neeener, LOL

[agunforeachhand]

Thanks Tomac and Agfeh, it's a public range so pound sand buddy !  , we'll be at the gun show anyway...so there.....neeener, LOL

SO you will just be fondling lmfao and tomac and I will be shooting



Neener neener fondle your wiener

[broncovan]

To me recoil on the Compact wasn't much more than the fullsize. Magazine safety is an option, none of my M&P's have it (in fact, thumb safety is an option as well but if you get it it's easily removed if you decide later on that you don't want it). All the M&P's come w/3 different-size backstraps so you can choose the one that feels best to you. If you want to try the Compact some time just let me know and we can meet at the George Nourse range like we did for those who wanted to try the fullsize M&P9.
Tomac

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to.  Only problem is, I'm in Biloxi MS and won't be home till late Nov.   Man I miss Idaho.

[Tomac]

Thanks for the offer, I'd love to.  Only problem is, I'm in Biloxi MS and won't be home till late Nov.   Man I miss Idaho.

Drop me a line when you get back and we'll head to the range! 
Tomac

[popsgunner]

LOL