Disclaimer: I am by NO means an expert shooter, or even a very good shot for that matter. I am young in years and fairly young in shooting experience. I have shot with my grandpa since I was little but have no official training (I know, I know...I'm working on it!)
I just received these guns over the weekend and have never shot either one, or any M&P for that matter.
Ok, on to the report:
Shield: Fired approximately 100 rds throughout a 1/2 hour time frame
It was a little snappy but I got the hang of it rather quickly. The grip, although slim, was not bad at all in my rather large hands. The sight picture was good and I had no trouble getting on target rather quickly (quickly for me...remember, I'm no expert). My grouping was larger than I'd like but I was able to keep approximately an 8-10" diameter.
I did have 3 FTE's, 2 of them back-to-back, one in another mag. I believe these were an ammo issue, but I'll get to that. No other issues encountered at all. I do prefer the extended 8 rnd mag, but was shooting decently with the 7 without a pinky extension.
Overall I am very happy with the Shield 9mm and would definitely trust my life with it (provided I have proper ammo).
9c: Fired approximately 100 rds throughout a 1/2 hour time frame after warming up with the Shield
Loved it! My first 24 shots (2 mags, one pinky extension, one without) were in a 5" diameter group, (12) 9mm sized holes, and (1) jagged silver dollar sized hole. The grip was like it was made for my hand, used the backstrap that was on it when I got the gun (it was used from a LGS but appeared to have never been fired, or fired very little). Sight picture was basically the same as the Shield, I did like looking down the wider slide a little better than the narrow one, but overall it is kind of a wash.
I had no malfunctions or issues with the 9c of any kind using same ammo as the Shield. Again, I prefer the pinky extension but shot OK without it.
Overall I am very happy with the M&P Compact 9 and would definitely trust my life with it.
Ammo: Used in both guns
Mainly WWB, probably 80-90% of shots fired were this brand. No problems of any kind in either gun. Overall, happy with it for range ammo.
The rest of the shots were Ultramax Remanufactured 125 gr. This resulted in the FTE's in the Shield. I have had similar issues with this ammo in a Kel-Tec P11. Very dirty, large smoke cloud after every shot. Overall, would not buy again unless it was stupid cheap prices like when I bought it in the first place.
Range:
Family Indoor Shooting Range (Pop's) ...I know, I know...BGF is better, and I agree!
I had a groupon and free range tokens so I am going to use them up - preferably when there aren't a lot of other people in there so it isn't as obnoxious in there.
I know their air quality isn't as good as BGF, could be part of the problem with the large smoke cloud from the Ultramax ammo.
As soon as I use up my free range tokens I doubt I'll be back.
Edit: Found another INGOer who was at the range at the same time I was, he had a rather unpleasant experience. https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/332950-hit-ricochet.html
Conclusion - I love my new M&P's, compact better than the Shield, but still love them both! If I had not shot the compact and shot Shield only I would love it even more. I am happy with the purchase(s) and look forward to more range time with them. I will be carrying the Shield in a Wee Celtic IWB Holster Wee Celtic IWB Holster * Black & Tan - Celtic Holsters once I get a few more rounds down range and a self-defense ammo I like (I'm open to suggestions). All-in-all, it was a good evening after work at the range.
Pic: These look like all the rest, but they are mine...
I just received these guns over the weekend and have never shot either one, or any M&P for that matter.
Ok, on to the report:
Shield: Fired approximately 100 rds throughout a 1/2 hour time frame
It was a little snappy but I got the hang of it rather quickly. The grip, although slim, was not bad at all in my rather large hands. The sight picture was good and I had no trouble getting on target rather quickly (quickly for me...remember, I'm no expert). My grouping was larger than I'd like but I was able to keep approximately an 8-10" diameter.
I did have 3 FTE's, 2 of them back-to-back, one in another mag. I believe these were an ammo issue, but I'll get to that. No other issues encountered at all. I do prefer the extended 8 rnd mag, but was shooting decently with the 7 without a pinky extension.
Overall I am very happy with the Shield 9mm and would definitely trust my life with it (provided I have proper ammo).
9c: Fired approximately 100 rds throughout a 1/2 hour time frame after warming up with the Shield
Loved it! My first 24 shots (2 mags, one pinky extension, one without) were in a 5" diameter group, (12) 9mm sized holes, and (1) jagged silver dollar sized hole. The grip was like it was made for my hand, used the backstrap that was on it when I got the gun (it was used from a LGS but appeared to have never been fired, or fired very little). Sight picture was basically the same as the Shield, I did like looking down the wider slide a little better than the narrow one, but overall it is kind of a wash.
I had no malfunctions or issues with the 9c of any kind using same ammo as the Shield. Again, I prefer the pinky extension but shot OK without it.
Overall I am very happy with the M&P Compact 9 and would definitely trust my life with it.
Ammo: Used in both guns
Mainly WWB, probably 80-90% of shots fired were this brand. No problems of any kind in either gun. Overall, happy with it for range ammo.
The rest of the shots were Ultramax Remanufactured 125 gr. This resulted in the FTE's in the Shield. I have had similar issues with this ammo in a Kel-Tec P11. Very dirty, large smoke cloud after every shot. Overall, would not buy again unless it was stupid cheap prices like when I bought it in the first place.
Range:
Family Indoor Shooting Range (Pop's) ...I know, I know...BGF is better, and I agree!
I had a groupon and free range tokens so I am going to use them up - preferably when there aren't a lot of other people in there so it isn't as obnoxious in there.
I know their air quality isn't as good as BGF, could be part of the problem with the large smoke cloud from the Ultramax ammo.
As soon as I use up my free range tokens I doubt I'll be back.
Edit: Found another INGOer who was at the range at the same time I was, he had a rather unpleasant experience. https://www.indianagunowners.com/forums/general-firearms-discussion/332950-hit-ricochet.html
Conclusion - I love my new M&P's, compact better than the Shield, but still love them both! If I had not shot the compact and shot Shield only I would love it even more. I am happy with the purchase(s) and look forward to more range time with them. I will be carrying the Shield in a Wee Celtic IWB Holster Wee Celtic IWB Holster * Black & Tan - Celtic Holsters once I get a few more rounds down range and a self-defense ammo I like (I'm open to suggestions). All-in-all, it was a good evening after work at the range.
Pic: These look like all the rest, but they are mine...
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