I’m finally doing it.

Finally giving in.

Turning to the dark side. Yes.

I’m buying a Smith & Wesson M&P. 🙂

My present carry gun is a Springfield XD-9 Service. It’s a good gun. When I was deciding on a carry gun it all came down to either the XD or the M&P. The ONLY reason I didn’t go with the M&P was because it was brand new, unproven, unknown, and S&W’s track record in this area wasn’t so hot (remember the Sigma?). Everything else about the M&P I liked, especially how it fit me. Of course since that time, M&P has really taken off and exploded. It wins lots of competitions. S&W has been aggressively pursuing contracts with police departments (even the Austin PD is switching to M&P 40’s). It’s all over. And with good reason — it’s a very good gun.

As I’ve used and shot them over the past few years I’ve enjoyed it. A little weird, but mostly because it’s different from what I’m used to. But slowly over time I noticed a few other things that really cemented my need to switch. The biggest? Last time Tom Givens was in the area, his wife, Lynn, had an M&P on her hip. She let me try it, and I noticed something about how my index finger comes into the trigger area. Just due to how my hands are built, the angle of my index finger ends up putting a slight rub on the frame of my XD and if I’m not really careful about it I get a slight “shoots left” problem because of the frame rub. On the M&P? I have no such problem. It’s all due to the construction of the gun. Score one for equipment.

There’s a bunch of other reasons, but nothing to air here.

I’ve actually wanted to do this for a long time, but just haven’t pulled the trigger on it (so to speak) until now.

Yes, I am looking to make the M&P my carry gun. It will take some time tho. Need to get the gun, break it in, do LOTS of dry practice with it to get used to the changes, find the setup that works best for me (e.g. which size backstrap), and do some modifications. There will be an Apex Tactical kit in it. I’m also going right to a new KKM barrel, because the 6″ @ 25 yards grouping behavior of the factory barrel doesn’t fly with me (the KKM should group 3″ @ 25). I’ll replace the sights with Dawson Precision Chargers, tho that will wait until I try the gun with the KKM in it and then can do the math on what height sights to get. Stock up on magazines. And who knows what else needs doing.

Ah, what fun, eh?

We’ll see how it goes.