Interesting trend in my last CCW class...

[ColtM1911A1]

For the first time in my CCW class of six or more adult students, the revolver was not the most carried handgun. Four of the students had semi-autos and all of them were the Smith & Wesson M&P -- 1 9mm, 1 .40 S&W, and 2 .45ACP...

This new S&W is certainly starting to become popular. FWIW, the students shoot them very well and seem to be comfortable handling them...

Just a heads-up for those keeping tab on trends...

[Stubob]

I will also start tracking the trends -

We have seen a mix of revolvers and semi-autos - but we ask that all students take the test with the semi-auto so they can carry any revolver, semi - or derringer. If they take it with a revolver they can only carry a revolver or derringer.

It will be fun to go an try one of the S&W's

[duc_fan]

I haven't fired one of the S&W M&P pistols yet, but I have handled a couple of them in the local stores and at the gun show. The ergos were very good, but the overall build feeling wasn't there. A Dan Wesson feels like it's made from a solid billet. An HK feels like it was made by BMW. A Smith & Wesson revolver feels solid (albeit not as solid as a DW). The M&P stuff just didn't feel that solid. The details of fit and finish were generally nice, but overall design and construction didn't impress me.

The trigger also bugs me. If you have a chance to pick one up, notice the trigger is hinged in the middle for one of the safeties. The engineer in me is really put off by the structural weakness built in there. In a dry-fire test, I didn't like the trigger pull. Of the striker-fired handguns I've felt, I prefer the Glock or Springfield XD.

I also generally don't like seeing daylight between the slide and frame when the slide is in battery. (to be fair, the M&P isn't the only handgun to do this)

In an effort to not be a complete "Negative Nancy", the M&P did have great ergonomics. Potential design flaws aside, the assembly seems to be high quality (surface finish quality, clean edges, etc).

Disclaimer: I haven't fired an M&P, so I can't speak to how it feels when a round is going off. I'm also a 24-year-old punk kid (with an engineering degree) with limited experience around handguns. http://www.ducatimonster.org/smf/Smileys/classic/wink.gif Don't own one yet, but based on my limited experience I'd describe myself as a SIG guy, with HK a close second. For 1911s, I really like Dan Wesson.

[pioneer461]

I think a lot of folks are rediscovering the revolver as a viable self defense gun. I know I have. My choice was a Taurus mod. 85 ultralite .38 spl., until my wife "stole" if for her carry gun. I replaced it with a Taurus 617 .357 2" 7-shooter. My primary carry rig is a Smith & Wesson semi-auto .45, but every once in a while I just feel like strapping on a wheel gun for old time's sake.


http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Pistols/Guns027.jpg http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/Pistols/Guns024.jpg

[hygyliac]

I've considered adding my S&W 640 onto my CCW for those times when minimum concealment is the path of travel. I've procrastinated because of the thought that I am limited to 5 rounds and a slow reload. But I guess 5 rounds of .357 is better than 6 rounds of 9mm. What are the opinions of the Forum on this?

[Dan in Broken Arrow]

The debate of on cartridges worth over another will never be settled. IMHO the .357 mag is my last choice and bare minimum caliber.

My first is the .40 S&W, followed by the .357 sig, then the .41 mag, and last but not least is the venerable .357 mag.

The reasoning for my choices are this; I truly believe that a carry gun caliber should have a 4 in front of it. The .357 sig has come on strong, and I think one day may outsell all handgun cartridges. You may notice that my first two choices are auto loaders and my second two are revolvers. My only concern being that I may have to engage multiple targets.

Some may notice that I have left of the 9mm and .44mag, but with this in mind. I have seen some test where good shot placement didn't get the job done with 9mm, but that could happen with any bullet regardless of caliber. As far as the .44 as goes, I just don't like the recoil in a small handgun for this cartridge.

Once again this is just my humble opinion and is only put on the table for thought.

[DMorrison]

When I was shopping around for my carry weapon, i knew i wanted a .40s&w or 45. I would have got a 10mm, but fact is the glock 20 is a huge carry. I had decided i wanted a "new-age" polymer type weapon. So I looked at XDs, Glocks (my preference then and now) and the new Smith&Wesson M&Ps. I didn't spend a lot of time with it, even the ergo's are nice, especially with the replaceable grips. The entire weapon felt ...weak. I picked it up, it rattled, i let the slide go forward and it rattled, I dri-fired and locked it back to the rear and said "no thanks" It truly felt like it would fall apart on me. Of course i am no gun-smith or even a pistol expert, but it didn't inspire confidence, at all.