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Old November 17, 2012, 10:26 PM   #1
Agent_Smith
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Possible for "inexpensive" open gun

Do you think the Smith M&P40L pro-series C.O.R.E. pistol with a red dot could cut it in IPSC open division?


Last edited by Agent_Smith; November 18, 2012 at 12:09 AM.
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Old November 18, 2012, 08:50 AM   #2
B.L.E.
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I would say that this pistol, and thousands of rounds of practice, and money spent on a good shooting coach, will beat the best race guns shot by someone who thinks he can buy his way into the championship.

But realistically, you will be handicapped if you bring a doubleaction only self defense gun to a racegun fight.

Last edited by B.L.E.; November 18, 2012 at 10:36 AM.
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Old November 18, 2012, 10:37 AM   #3
alex0535
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I would want to hold one in my hands before making any decisions.

Read a review with concern about the trigger pull at 6.5lbs and a dislike of the trigger safety. These things are sort of something you will either be ok with or you won't. I am referring to the M&P40 because i couldn't find much on the M&P40L, not sure how much they differ.

All in all though, it will shoot as well as you do. Practice often. Try to not develop bad shooting habits. Put a couple thousand rounds through it and you will probably be good enough to hit anything your shooting at with it.
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Old November 18, 2012, 10:54 AM   #4
BillM
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Do a little Google on "M&P open gun". People are starting
to play with the platform, and it appears to be capable of
handling major power factor 9mm.

I've run a G17 9 major open glock for several years--it's
competitive, but I could do better with a 2011 based gun.
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Old November 18, 2012, 10:55 AM   #5
Gerry
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If you're asking would you be able to hold your own in a match against guys with skills matching your own, the answer would be "Not a Prayer" in my opinion.

It doesn't have to be a super expensive gun - just the "right kind"... 9mm, ported, at least twice as heavy in weight, light crisp SA trigger pull, and feed it the proper reloads ... that will at least put you on the same map.
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Old November 18, 2012, 07:15 PM   #6
g.willikers
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If you used a minor load, it would probably do ok.
It won't have the lack of muzzle flip of a compensated gun, or the fast trigger of the others in the class, either.
But for a low cost entry into Open class, why not?
It's always the shooter, more than the gun, anyway.
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Old November 18, 2012, 09:34 PM   #7
Agent_Smith
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Thanks for the replies. I shoot IDPA with a Glock 34. It is certainly an ideal pistol for SSP. I've met some USPSA guys while shooting steel, and I like the idea of shooting with a red dot every once in a while.

I have no experience with a single-action pistol. Sounds like I need to branch out. Gerry, I'm surprised you said 9mm. Isn't there a disadvantage in shooting minor?

So if not USPSA open, what competition might the M&P40L pro-series C.O.R.E. excel in?
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Old November 18, 2012, 10:37 PM   #8
BillM
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Quote:
So if not USPSA open, what competition might the M&P40L pro-series C.O.R.E. excel in?
Without the dot, you could be competitive in USPSA Limited, Limited 10
and Production (assuming it's on the Production approved gun list).

I made B in USPSA Open division with a G35, with a red dot on a Carver
mount and a cheapy ported barrel. It was fun, but I got my butt handed
to me by the real open gun shooters on the longer field courses.
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Old November 19, 2012, 06:24 AM   #9
Gerry
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Quote:
Gerry, I'm surprised you said 9mm. Isn't there a disadvantage in shooting minor?
Shooting major.

9mm loaded to major power factor is by far the most popular open division caliber up here. That way you can use a tiny light bullet and load it with lots of powder especially created to make huge volumes of gas. This makes the compensator work very efficiently. They work so good, it's almost a danger to birds flying overhead when shooting at level targets
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Old November 23, 2012, 09:30 AM   #10
Hunter Customs
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I've built a lot of open division raceguns and here's what you will be up against in that division.

The gun itself will be compensated to the point that recoil is almost nonexistant, the dot in the scope will not move from the target, as a matter of fact it will move very little at all in a properly set up racegun.

Most open division shooters will be using mags "big Stcks" that hold a large amount of ammo so if the M&P mags are not 30 rounders you will be at a disavantage as for having to make mag changes.

I you want to be a serious competitor in USPSA open division I believe you will be better served using an open division racegun.

Best Regards
Bob Hunter
www.huntercustoms.com
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