The Accurate Reloading Forums
Buying my first pistol

This topic can be found at:
https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6011036801/m/9981044852

31 March 2020, 19:19
bluefish
Buying my first pistol
Waiting on delivery of my M&P Shield EZ 9mm. I am excited to enter the world of handguns.
31 March 2020, 21:12
p dog shooter
The S@W shields I have shot have worked and shot well.
31 March 2020, 22:43
bluefish
Looking forward to it very much.
01 April 2020, 09:26
NormanConquest
You + your friends/kids are going to have a lot of good times!


Never mistake motion for action.
01 April 2020, 23:10
bluefish
The wife, too.
05 April 2020, 04:56
bluefish
Picked it up today. Looking forward to heading for the range.
06 April 2020, 05:50
mdstewart
The M&P Shield is a fantastic choice. I’ve owned 3 of them and my 24 year old son uses his as his personal protection. They are accurate, reliable, and work great for CCC.


JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More
06 April 2020, 18:39
bluefish
I have a large load of 9mm on the way. Do any forum members reload for 9mm?
07 April 2020, 08:40
NormanConquest
I do on my Dillon XL 650. I used to use the Vitavoiry powder but when it was used up I found some other loads using Bullseye + Blue Dot for the 115 G. jacketed bullet. The Vitavoiry powder is good if you can find it. I seem to recall that it was imported by Western Cartridge Co.


Never mistake motion for action.
07 April 2020, 13:13
p dog shooter
I do have a Lee 1000 set up for it.

Easy to load
07 April 2020, 17:44
bluefish
Have been reviewing online tutorials in re. grip since no one is teaching right now. A strange this g with the support hand thumb and strong hand thumb sitting near one another while holding the pistol. Until one has snap caps is it ok to dry fire the pistol?

Is there value in one of the training lasers that can be a fixed to the barrel?
07 April 2020, 23:27
p dog shooter
Dry fire it all you want. Just make sure it is unloaded


Always double check to see that it is unloaded.

If you set it down when you pick it up make sure it is unloaded

I always tell my self 3 times that it is empty then 3 times after I load it that it is loaded.

Good safety habits make for safe gun handling.
08 April 2020, 08:56
NormanConquest
The keyword there is MAKE SURE ITS UNLOADED! The stories are legion about P.D.s + ( not just cops) that have a broken wall clock that has been used for practice dry firing over the ages until that ONE time when someone forgets. It can happen to anyone. I had a friend that just bought a new gold Cup + wanted to show it off. Racked the slide + put a round right between my feet. We took it away from him as he was about to faint. Even Jeff Cooper shot his own television for the same reason, + HE knew better.


Never mistake motion for action.
09 April 2020, 17:11
bluefish
Good advice as with all guns!
10 April 2020, 23:57
tsturm
quote:
Originally posted by bluefish:
I have a large load of 9mm on the way. Do any forum members reload for 9mm?


Unique & 115g - 124g copper plated lead bullets
cheap & easy!! tu2


14 April 2020, 04:55
Dulltool17
Blue- I still have a full-size M&P in .40 that I bought 15 years ago. Digests anything I feed it and has been supremely reliable.

If the Shield is, as I suspect, on a par with the full-size, you'll be delighted with it.


Doug Wilhelmi
NRA Life Member

16 April 2020, 18:06
john c.
4 instances of unloaded handguns having an AD come to mind. only 2 were me. i'm sure i could remember a lot more. one was in a squad room.
18 April 2020, 16:34
Mike Mitchell
There's no such thing as an unloaded gun.

1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never point the muzzle of the gun at anything you're not willing to destroy.
3. Finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
4. Watch your background.


-Every damn thing is your own fault if you are any good.

18 April 2020, 22:17
tanks
quote:
Originally posted by bluefish:
... Until one has snap caps is it ok to dry fire the pistol?

Is there value in one of the training lasers that can be a fixed to the barrel?


It is not rimfire so you can dry fire it to your hearts content. I am a competitive USPSA shooter, I dry fire twice a day for about an hour total each day. Never use snap caps.

For grip and stance, check the videos here:

https://tacticalperformancecenter.com/videos/
10 May 2020, 10:04
mdstewart
I strongly suggest the combat Israeli grip. I’ve used many grips over the years, but this grip works for me. Google it.


JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More