This past Saturday’s KR Training time was just one class, Basic Pistol 2. What was different was the KR in KR Training wasn’t with us. Karl was taking a well-earned day off, so this class was being run by Tom Hogel and staffed with myself, Paul Martin, and Ed Vinyard.
Things went quite smooth. Twelve students of varying demographics and experience levels. Equipment was in pretty good shape too for this class. Usually we have a lot more people with problem equipment, but we had only one that I think is going to ditch his DA/SA gun for something like a Glock or M&P. We don’t have to convince people of this, they convince themselves. Once they have to really run their equipment, they find out how much it doesn’t work. It’s just good that guns have a fair resale value.
All in all, class went smooth. The recent cold fronts and rain gave us some great weather. And with a good group of students that came with minds open and ready to learn, we couldn’t ask for a better day.
Biggest thing to emphasize to those in the class? Slow down. Yes, you have to know that speed matters, but right now you need to be correct. You now understand proper technique, so now is the time to apply it. Don’t worry about speed, don’t worry about trying to go fast; worry about trying to be correct and do it right every time. That said, don’t waste time, don’t dawdle. Realize that speed will matter and is something to work towards, but for now, work on learning the motions and being correct.
FWIW, a new class called “Skill Builder” is starting and will be running fairly regularly. I’d recommend folks check this class out as a way to practice under the eye of an instructor, and also to gain assessment of where you are and need to go.
Finally… Karl left a new acquisition for us at the ranch to try out. An M&P-22. Man, that’s a fun gun! In most all respects it’s the same as a full-sized M&P, just in .22 caliber. From what I remember now as I write this, the backstraps were not interchangeable, I don’t recall how ambidextrous-friendly it is, and the gun does feel lighter in the hand which make sense since the barrel and slide can’t be as heavy. Oh, and I do recal the trigger was actually pretty decent and had a tactile reset! It was a lot of fun to shoot, and certainly would make for a good .22 pistol, either as a trainer alternative from your regular M&P or just as a .22 to have fun with. It did have some ammo-related problems, like failures to feed, failure to eject, stove pipes, and such, but we’re not sure if those were due to the gun or due to the ammo itself. Would need more testing to determine, and I’m sure we’ll have a line of people willing to test that out. Fun little gun!
Stuff From Hsoi 
“In most all respects it’s the same as a full-sized M&P, just in .22 caliber.”
John, is it close enough to fit a kydex M&P holster?
You know, I didn’t try… stupid me for not doing that. But I also use a Comp-Tac MTAC which isn’t full Kydex so it may not be a 100% check.
I’ll ask Karl as he’s got a Blade-Tech Eclipse, which is full Kydex.
But I will bet that it does because yes, the egronomics and everything about the thing seem a perfect replica of the full-sized M&P other than a couple minor things like 1. it has a thumb safety, 2. the backstraps can’t be changed, 3. it is lighter, 4. of course the magazine has a different form factor but they did a good job of making it akin to the full-sized’s form factor so it all still works the same.
I dig it. I will seriously consider picking one up.
Karl says it fits just fine.
I’m curious, is the reason people switch from a DA/SA to just a DA for consistency?
There are numerous reasons, but consistency of trigger pull is certainly one of them.
Is it easier to learn 2 things or 1? With a DA/SA you have to master 2 trigger presses and the ability to switch between them. Not impossible, but certainly why complicate matters?
DA generally also means very long and heavy trigger presses, which many people have trouble with. I see lots of people that plink at the range with a DA gun and always thumb-cock the hammer because they hate the long and heavy DA trigger. But you can’t really use a gun like that in a gunfight… you can’t carry them that way.
Then they have some sort of decocking mechanism. It’s more levers, it’s more dohickies. It makes the machine more complex internally, but it’s also more stuff for people to have to remember to manipulate. Again, you can train to manage it, but if you have a choice between learning a simple machine or a complex machine and both ultimately do the same thing, why should you complicate matters? Then there’s some designs, like I recently experienced with a Walther PK380 that decock by having you pull the trigger!! IMHO that’s a ND waiting to happen.
We see countless students struggle to run these sorts of guns. Then we lend them a Glock or an M&P or an XD and the look of relief comes over them. Their ability improves and all that changed was the hardware.
Hah, interesting, but not unexpected. Guess what gun I have? A Beretta PX4 so I know exactly what you mean 🙂 I do like the decocker on it, although to be honest I have never shot a straight DA gun like a Glock. Was thinking of getting something small (and painful) for when I get my concealed carry… maybe a Kel-tec PF9. Texas being what it is (hot), and the whole “the gun you have is better than the gun you don’t” makes me want to get a pocket pistol, although a more midsized gun is also appealing.
You should give ’em a try, tho I’d suggest an M&P over a Glock… merely because it might be a bit less of a change from your PX4. But a Glock is fine if that’s what would suit you.
But as for small and carry well… if you want a PF9 I’d recommend an M&P Shield first. Tho I don’t have much problem carrying a full-size M&P9 all summer long.
Hmm, was just watching hickok45’s review of the Shield and damn it looks like it can shoot! He compared it’s size to the LC9 and it was very similar, so I assume it’s just a tiny bit bigger than the PF9. Could you easily carry a Shield in the typical camo shorts front pocket (probably with a pocket holster I suppose)? Along that line of thought what’s your recommendation holster-wise for the typical short and tshirt wearing Austinite? I assume some type of IWB wouldn’t be too bad for the Shield.
Yes, it’s a pretty good gun. The trigger needs some work, but Apex Tactical is working on a solution. Also based on some intel from them, a lot of parts are the same with the regular M&P. I’ve got one of the hard sears coming and reports I’ve heard is that alone really improves things.
Could you carry it in shorts? Well, if the pockets are big enough AND you have a good pocket holster. I have cargo shorts with BIG pockets and it fits in there. Jeans? forget it.
And holsters for shorts and t-shirts? IWB is certainly the way to go. I carry my full-sized M&P9 in a Comp-Tac MTAC. Works just peachy. I will say, some t-shirts may not work as well, if say they are tighter. Loose clothing is your friend (good for keeping cool too). Plus fabrics that have texture, the prints that are complex (i.e a solid color shirt won’t break up lines as well as something with prints and checkers or lines or Hawaiian garishness). But that all works just fine.