SW MP 40 for IPSC

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Gleevo

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Hey guys
Thinking about getting into IPSC, never competed in anything like similar to before. There's a black badge course coming up the end of the month and it'll be the only one of the year. Been waiting for one since last summer. I'm wondering about classifications, right now I have a stock M&P 40 I bought new last summer. My accuracy is very hit or miss. I can go through a mag and hit the target at 20m every time, then next mag miss completely.

Using hand loads IMR 700x and berry's 180 gr hollows. Previously I was using 180 gr lead cast and Alliant power pistol. The IMR and hollows are significantly better. I've tried federal 165 gr and 180 gr fmj, blazer aluminum 180 gr fmj and the hand loads. Federal 165 gr was terrible, very snappy and I was inaccurate with it. Had a half dozen people try shooting it and said the same thing vs blazer or 180 gr federal.

I've been looking at upgrading to some apex parts, but does this put me out of production class? I've read a few threads where people were complaining about the accuracy of the M&Ps, any suggestions?
 
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I'm in a very similar boat. I'm signed up for my BB course at the end of the month and of all my guns, the one that made the most sense is the M&P40 (no safety, no double action). But I was so hopelessly inaccurate with it that I was tempted to blame the gun. With my 92FS and especially 1911 I can drill the bullseye from 10m. With the M&P I hit the target every time, incl at 25yd, but it's all over the place. I got close to deciding that it's the gun's fault.

But in the past few weeks, I went back to basics and messed with the grip some. I found that I had best control over it with grip tape (which I've concluded is a MUST for this gun) and the large backstrap. I think part of the problem too was that this was my first gun so I've shot it longest and through my most inexperienced time. And the snap of the 40 programmed a very systematic flinch. Putting the sights on target and just letting it go bang resulted in this. Not marksmanship quality or anything but this was with little effort, just two mags in a row trying to mind the fundamentals:

http://i.imgur.com/BE4GpKM.jpg

I do have all of the Apex internals which I think make a big difference. When you dryfire, try watching your sight picture very very carefully. When the stock trigger breaks, I bet you will see the gun flick right, thanks to the epic trigger pull and overtravel.

From what I was told, the mods WILL take the gun out of production but then again, when I'm to the point where I can compete for trophies, I will probably run the 1911. For now it's all about improving my skillset for me.
 
Look for some 40 handloads that make about 140PF with 165 gr bullets.
You don't need to make major for the course so shoot the lighter load.
In the hogdon book, the clays starting load is a good bet.
Also try wearing plugs and a headset.
Nothing wrong with the M&P for the BB course.
 
Gleevo said:
...I've been looking at upgrading to some apex parts, but does this put me out of production class? I've read a few threads where people were complaining about the accuracy of the M&Ps, any suggestions?
Click to expand...

This setup in production will get you bump into OPEN unless you declare yourself in STANDARD. Level I and II match, don't bother because nobody will verify that. In a level III, if your trigger pull is below 5 lbs, you will fail the trigger test.
 
I have several different 40s. I find them all quite accurate and easier to tune up than 9s.

Here are two groups shot from my M&P. The left one is 20 yards, shot 2 handed. The right one is 25 yards, rested.

mampPgroups.jpg


The load is 3.3g TiteGroup under a 155g SWC. This is the best load in this pistol, and also in my SIG and Glock.

How old are you? At my age I need a narrower front sight on the pistol so I can see some white on either side of it. The gun became much easier to aim once I changed to the narrower sight. Are you focusing your eye on the front sight?

Have you tried different backstraps? What feel best may not shoot the best.
 
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.40 M&Ps generally shoot well. Most 9mm M&Ps shoot OK, but a significant percentage have accuracy issues.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys

Ganderite said:
How old are you? At my age I need a narrower front sight on the pistol so I can see some white on either side of it. The gun became much easier to aim once I changed to the narrower sight. Are you focusing your eye on the front sight?

Have you tried different backstraps? What feel best may not shoot the best.
Click to expand...

I'm only 23, no problems with vision. I've fired about 1000 rounds through it since I bought it last summer. Tried the different back straps, the larger one felt awkward holding it but does shoot better. Was at the range again today, fired another 100 rounds 5gr imr 700x (min load) with 180 gr HP. Again couldn't get good results from the 20m mark. I have 180 gr FMJs I can load and try the weekend but I never can get a good grouping with any ammo I've used so far.
 
can you try some cast lead bullets of 155gr? I have done load development for 40 or 50 handguns and most of them shoot some bullets very badly. The trick is to find out what works.

have you asked a real good shooter to try it?
 
If you are doing the BB course indoors, try to avoiD the cast stuff so you don't smoke the place out.
 
Antoine22 said:
This setup in production will get you bump into OPEN unless you declare yourself in STANDARD. Level I and II match, don't bother because nobody will verify that.
Click to expand...

So you are telling him to cheat?

Shoot the same gun with the same parts all the time in the proper division if you want to shoot well. Changing things from match to match, from practice to match, etc will not help you in the end.
 
SVISTI1911 said:
So you are telling him to cheat?

Shoot the same gun with the same parts all the time in the proper division if you want to shoot well. Changing things from match to match, from practice to match, etc will not help you in the end.
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Yes, that's exactly what a wrote.:confused:

A shooter can do whatever he wants with his firearm but must be aware that if he get caught, he will be bumped into OPEN. Do you really think I have time to verify each and every gun on a level II match? I'll give the benefit of the doubt with this issue unless I can prove he intentionally tried to cheat. Then it's a DQ.
 
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Ganderite said:
can you try some cast lead bullets of 155gr? I have done load development for 40 or 50 handguns and most of them shoot some bullets very badly. The trick is to find out what works.

have you asked a real good shooter to try it?
Click to expand...

Wouldn't be able to locally, and I doubt I'll find any online that'll ship in time but I will have a look. It's been mostly novices shooting it with the same or less experience than me. Only exception was a friend who's been into hand guns for a few years but I wouldn't classify him as a really good shooter. I never thought about 155gr before because I found such a difference between 180 and 165 I only looked for 180 and bought 2000 of them (1k HP 1k FMJ).
 
Antoine22 said:
Yes, that's exactly what a wrote.:confused:

A shooter can do whatever he wants with his firearm but must be aware that if he get caught, he will be bumped into OPEN. Do you really think I have time to verify each and every gun on a level II match? I'll give the benefit of the doubt with this issue unless I can prove he intentionally tried to cheat. Then it's a DQ.
Click to expand...

The issue is not whether or not you or I as a RO have time to check. Some people have moral character some do not.
Whether or not someone has the scrupples to compete fairly or not is not the only point I was trying to make. If you want to be the best you can be with your pistol on game day you will be better served to keep it the same as much as possible for consistancy sake.
 
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