Dissapointed with the M&P 9

Comil_1983

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For Christmas I got an M&P 9 range kit and I have found myself oddly Dissapointed. I did my research, handled the gun and I managed to shoot the .45 version before buying but I still have found that I struggle with the gun. It is moving around in my hands with recoil and the trigger is frustrating. Also,As I have only really shot 1911's any real amount I have had issues with me causing the slide to fail to lock back with my natural grip dragging on the slide or my thumb resting on the slide release. So now what?

Anyone else share these frustrations? What did you do about them?
 
For Christmas I got an M&P 9 range kit and I have found myself oddly Dissapointed. I did my research, handled the gun and I managed to shoot the .45 version before buying but I still have found that I struggle with the gun. It is moving around in my hands with recoil and the trigger is frustrating. Also,As I have only really shot 1911's any real amount I have had issues with me causing the slide to fail to lock back with my natural grip dragging on the slide or my thumb resting on the slide release. So now what?

Anyone else share these frustrations? What did you do about them?

Hang on tighter and lower your thumb. Mine don't move when I shoot and I don't ride the slide. You might try the different grips sizes to see if one is better than the other for you. Get some skateboard tape and see if that helps with the grip.

Take Care

Bob
 
Training. The trigger will improve in feel over the first 500-1000 rds. Give it some time to break in. Other than that its just sounds like you need more time with the gun. If after putting a few thousand rds down the pipe you still don't like it, sell it and move on.
 
Just make a conscious effort to have your strong hand thumb a little further over/away from the slide release. In no time it will be a habit to not have your thumb touching it. I had it happen a couple of times with my Glock just because my thumb is exactly the right length and width to ever-so-slightly touch the slide release, so I just made that adjustment and was good to go.

Sounds like the grip/recoil/trigger problems you have could be a combination of many things. I don't feel like I am experienced enough to give that kind of advice, I will jsut list what is helping me. Someone else can chime in and explain how what I am doing is all wrong. For me its all a mental game, I know the gun is more accurate than me, and capable of whatever the tested X" group at Y yards is.

Here is what I find is helping me:
I would recommend googling 'dave sevigny brian enos combat grip' and reading points 3,4 and 5 here: http://www.glockfaq.com/content.aspx?ckey=glock_faq_shooting_technique_and_practice

Dry Fire Practice using these tips makes a huge difference for me.

I find concentrating on separating the act of holding the grip from the movement of the trigger finger during dry fire practice helpful. If your grip can stay firm while you move the trigger finger there is much less disturbing your aim. I try to get my trigger finger to act separately from my grip so that I am not tightening my grip to shoot.

For me I repeat 'front sight, front sight....' over and over in my head while making a shot. It keeps me focused on the front sight and not focused on anticipating the shot going off and makes me take my time.

Also when at the range taking every shot one at a time mentally, which results in slow shooting. I was told at first that I shoot too fast. I tried to slow down and found that I was just taking a break and not doing anything but having time pass; the results were the same. After more reading I understand what was really meant by 'too fast'.

The result is that I don't try to shoot slowly, but I try to make sure that I am doing all of these things that are supposed to help me in hopes of one day making it a subconscious habit. The end result is shooting considerably slower without 'trying' to be slow.

YMMV
 
I have put thousands of rounds through my G17, and to this day I still shoot any single action triggered gun better!

A 92A1 a friend had at the range this weekend was shooting better for me and it is frustrating to say the least.

I ordered a 3.5 # connector to see if that helps the trigger at all. If not I think I'm gonna trade it.

I just love the way the gun feels in my hand and it points so naturally for me. Drawing from a holster and getting on target are much better with the Glock, but I mostly just shoot for fun.

That said I have definitely improved over the last couple years, but I am still frustrated when I pick up someone elses gun, I've never shot before and do better.
 
Fits your or it doesn't. Not the guns fault. Not yours either.

Sell her and move on, sounds like a full metal gun would fit you perfect! Maybe try out a P226, 92F or the 1911.

At the end of the day, just about every pistol I can think of is reliable and functional. The fit is more like a pair of shoes. Not every shoe on the rack is going to fit ya.
 
Agreed with everyone... A lot people like Glocks, but I don't care so much for the grips... Keep in mind that every gun feels differently, especially between a high quality 1911 versus an M&P.... It's like comparing a Ferrari to a Toyota.... Completely different

Try a few more trips to the range, and if it's not a good fit, sell it and move on
 
I see no leginamate complains here. it has recoil, thats normal. Adjust your stance and grip and with practice 9mm will have minimum recoil. Slide doesn't lock back? either change your grip or don't let it bother you. Trigger is quite decent, once you put enough rounds thru it you be able to master it.
 
How many rounds have you put through it?

I'd echo the other comments about more range-time and practicing your grip on the new gun. If you liked the M&P 45 enough to buy it in 9mm, I guess you just need to relax into it and learn the new pistol. I shoot a 1911 too, but always grab the range-gun M&P when my wife wants to use 9's.

If after 1000 rounds you still don't like it, then PX it for something else - but give it a fair chance! :)
 
Shoot it more; you just need to work on your muscle memory. If you still hate the trigger after that, it is an easy, drop-in fix with the Apex parts.
 
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I had the same issues with CZ SP-01, I heard the buzz, how it was one of the most amazing pistols ever made, and decided to rent it at a range, shot 50 rounds and it hurt my hand the "hump" on the back was too big and the base of my thumb does not match with the gun, which was a disappointment for me.
 
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"Why can't I shoot a 9mm?"
 
...So now what?

Paul Gomez Pistol Classes, Peace River, AB, June 1-5
<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=691133>

We're pleased to announce that Paul Gomez will be coming to Peace River this June for 3 classes. Paul will be presenting one short class on dealing with traumatic injuries and two, two-day pistol classes.

1 June Handling Traumatic Injuries
2/3 June Robust Pistol Manipulations
4/5 June Integrated Pistol Skills

For more info about Gomez Training International and to register go to his website.

All classes will be held at the Peace Country Fish and Game Association range, northwest of Peace River, AB. Primitive camping space is available at the range with limited power hookups, porta-potties and no potable water. There will be a daily range fee of $20 per person, for each of the pistol classes.

Please post any questions you have regarding the classes here.

We'll see you in June!

<http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showpost.php?p=6596401&postcount=1>
 
I have the same issue with my beretta 92A1, I can shoot it worth a ####. Well I keep 60-70% in the black at 15 yards. My 1911,Gp100 and buckmark I shoot awsome. I am finding tho that 9mm is picky with bullet weight (atleast for the beretta) The more and more I shoot it the better I get. Come spring I plan to only shoot the beretta untill I have mastered it. Is this your first handgun ? Maybe it just does not work with you. For me 1911's and revolvers are just plain natural and easy as heck to shoot. Don't let this gun get you down as others have said. Keep shooting and shooting it. And like others have said if after a few thousand rounds its still not how you want it to be, sell it.
 
Try different backstraps and see if that improves the fit. Dry fire it enough to sense when the trigger is rearward enough and is now resting against the sear, at that point, its only a short pull.

On the thumb subject, I lock thumb over thumb, rather than the parallel thumb method. I think it secures a better grip and keeps the strong hang thumb away from the slide.

When I first got my M&P40, I thought it was sliding around in my hand a lot. Now, after a trigger job and less overtravel, and pulling quickly to the break point, the gun feels 50% better. It's sure no 1911 though. A good single action with a crisp 2 1/2 lb trigger is night and day different.
 
Well it's not exactly the same gun, but a good friend has the M&P Pro version in 9mm.
We both agree, it's by far the most accurate semi-auto we have both shot. Well, perhaps his S&W Model 52 is a better shooting rig, but that's it.

I don't know what else to say friend?
 
I have put 500 rnds through and this is where I'm at. I guess my mind is telling me not to retrain, it just feels wrong not to flip on the safe before the holster and since I liked my .40 s&w 1911.( I should never have sold it.) The trigger still feels wrong but that's probly cause the 1911 had an Armco trigger job. I think I will stick it out for now and get it to atleast 1000 rnds to give it a fair trial. I found a Hogue handall grip that I will try. Then I might trade her off.
 
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