Testing the M&P 9c, and advice for shooting the S&W442

[aiden528]

Hey Gang,

First off I'm very excited to hear episodes #74 & 75, which are loaded on my iPhone as we speak.

After moving from Florida to Michigan this past January, I finally had a chance to head over to a local pistol range to get in some much needed practice with my S&W 442 before taking my Michigan CCW.

While at the gun shop/range I noticed they had an M&P 9c on their rental rack, and after hearing how much the ProArms gang liked them I figured what the heck. I am embarrassed to report that despite having never shot a compact 9mm before I shot the M&P more accurately than my J-Frame.  Whether this was from lack of practice, or the inherent difficulty of shooting a j-frame accurately I'm not sure of. What I am sure of is I'm now looking for either a used full-size or compact M&P9.

That being said I love my j-frame but can anyone give me some advice on how to shoot it more accurately? I dry fire as often as I can, which still probably is not enough. I did find myself staging the trigger while at the range, something I don't do when I dry fire. My 442 has the longer wood boot grips which I'm planning on swapping out for a set of Hogue #61000 as soon as I can.

Any and all advice would be welcome.

[flop-shank]

As you're pressing the trigger home while keeping your sights on target, don't anticipate the sear breaking. If you see the muzzle flash, that means you did it right.

Everyone's hands are different, but I pinch the pad on the end of my trigger finger between the trigger and trigger guard as I press the trigger. If done right, it acts as sort of a squishy overtravel stop.

Those are two of my tricks. I hope they help.

[waltw]

I don't own a j-frame but have found tips from Jerry Miculek very informative. I use his trigger staging tips for the heavy double action trigger on my pocket pistol (S&W Bodyguard)

Revolver Grip
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/shooting/shooting-usa/jerry-miculek-revolver-grip

Trigger Control
http://www.myoutdoortv.com/shooting/shooting-usa/jerry-miculek-trigger-control

[aiden528]

Thank you both for the help. I'll check out both of JM's videos later today.

[flop-shank]

You're most welcome.

BTW, the finger pad trick works well for slower carefully aimed DA work. When I'm getting lead downrange fast, I don't use the finger pad trick.

[Steve]

"High hand, crush grip, smooth roll of the trigger."  Once you start the trigger moving, don't stop or "stage" it.  Trust your "wobble zone!"  Most students have a problem seeing the front sight properly.  It needs to sit way down in the rear notch to keep from shooting high.  There is a reason that most of the Pro Arms crew have Crimson Trace laser grips on our J frames.  The guns are accurate, but the iron sights are a PITA!  I've often wondered why, in all these years, S&W hasn't fixed that...on the basic gun, I mean, not on the custom and PC models.

Steve

[Lawrence]

"High hand, crush grip, smooth roll of the trigger."  Once you start the trigger moving, don't stop or "stage" it.  Trust your "wobble zone!"  Most students have a problem seeing the front sight properly.  It needs to sit way down in the rear notch to keep from shooting high.  There is a reason that most of the Pro Arms crew have Crimson Trace laser grips on our J frames.  The guns are accurate, but the iron sights are a PITA!  I've often wondered why, in all these years, S&W hasn't fixed that...on the basic gun, I mean, not on the custom and PC models.

Steve

I agree about the CT laser sight. The best shots I've had with my J-frame were with the LG-405. I regret I sold the laser set.