I picked up a new Ruger SR1911 last week for $644.99 on base! I've been wanting a 45 1911 for a long time and just couldnt pass up on the deal. Now to find time to get to the range...
M&P's are excellent pistols. This is my full-size M&P9 doing the paper-punching, three-inch diameter circle at seven yards (I choked on two of the rounds; it's an interesting added stressor at the range knowing a camera is rolling):
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quote:
...XD's are a no go for serious use--the inability to retract the slide without engaging the grip safety makes one-hand injured operation very difficult with the XD--this is a deal breaker for me. In addition, in some government tests, XD's (particularly the .40's) have broken a lot of parts compared to other pistols being tested...I'll take a 9 mm Glock or M&P any day of the week over an XD.
The M&P may just be the best LE service pistol produced to date. I was involved in a M&P40 trial at a large agency where four M&P40's fired 7000 rounds each in 1 week without any significant issues. Up to this point, we have not seen any major problems with M&P40/45's--they just keep steadily improving. Some M&P9's exhibit accuracy issues at ranges beyond 15 yds--hopefully S&W will soon rectify this inconsistency. The Apex duty kits can offer a substantial improvement for those who object to the OEM M&P trigger feel. An M&P40 w/ambi safety and Apex duty kit will be the service pistol I'll pick if I ever go back to uniformed LE patrol duties again.
...If you have the option, carefully assess what your service pistol and handgun caliber needs are, based on potential engagement scenarios, objective measurements of skill including scores and times, and ancillary factors. In closely looking at where I am at today, my bottom line is:
-- I currently shoot 9 mm better than .45 ACP; as a result, I will be phasing out my .45 ACP usage and concentrating on 9 mm. -- I currently shoot an RDS better than iron sights; as a result, all my pistols will be equipped with RMR02's. -- I shoot an M&P9 better than a G17/G19; however I live in CA and have over 100 pre-ban Glock mags, a large supply of Glock accessories and spare parts, and for my current non-uniformed pistol needs find the G19 to be a perfect handgun for daily carry, so I will be focusing on 9 mm Glock use for 2012.
Whatever you choose, make sure you fire at least 500 and preferably 1000 failure free shots through your pistol prior to carrying it. If your pistol cannot fire at least 1000 consecutive shots without a malfunction, something is wrong and it is not suitable for duty/self-defense use.
Source (and more reading, including photos and specs of ballistic gel performance in the popular pistol calibers): Thoughts on Service Pistols, along with Duty and Self-Defense Ammo Recommendations by DocGKR, Feb/Mar 2012 http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887
Do a search for Springfield XD torture test. The guy put 20,000 rounds (600 lbs of ammo) through one. Threw it off a cliff, ran over it with a truck, froze it in a block of ice, buried it in sand, mud, dust and ash, threw it down on concrete etc. etc. Not one, repeat not even one malfunction. I have several thousand rounds through my XD 9mm and have not had a single failure of any kind either.
Just for kicks, I just tried racking the slide on my XD with one hand, just put your wrist (of your shot off hand ;} )in the crock of the grip (where the grip safety is) and coke (won't let me say ••••) with the other hand. Piece of cake.
I (and lots of others) would consider the XD well suited for "serious use"
Me, too. I'm about guns like I am about motorcycles: I love 'em all, and there probably aren't too many truly "bad" ones out there these days.
I put some rounds thru a new Springfield XDs single-stack .45 recently. The owner of one of the ranges I go to, a retired PD/SWAT dude and all-around good guy, was raving about the XDs, comparing the felt recoil favorably to my M&P9's. They have one for rent, but he comped me the pistol and and handful of .45 rounds so I could see (feel) for myself.
Hard to believe, but he was right: it's a big-block that shoots more like a small-block. Compact and light, and I liked the trigger feel very, very much.
Still.....I'm extremely happy with my M&Ps - thousands of rounds and not a single hiccup. The new Shield, in 9, will join the collection soon.
I guess the membership for that gun range comes with a youtube account lol.
I probably am not getting anything in the near future.. there is a range near me I can join and rent for practice/learning and will probably end up with something eventually BUT... that S&W Governor is looking like a great choice... good def/target practice and uses 3 types of ammo = fun ....don't you think?
I picked up an XDs 45 few weeks ago. Put about 150 rounds thru it and going to put another 150 again this weekend. Has been flawless so far and is easy to carry (for a 45). Its a keeper for me.
I would like to have a shield also! Just can't find them in the stores.
Got the H&K squeeze cockers, also. The importer left some with the Connecticut state police firing range about 20 years ago. Everyone's scores improved compared to their regular weapon.
