27Dec06

Interesting comments on the new S&W M&P, from a friend in the Philippines:

"A friend owns a local gunshop and is currently advertising S&W =99s new M&P pistol in 9mm. Having read your glowing review of this platform, I decided to take a look. Imagine my surprise when I was told the first shipment sold out before it even arrived! My friend kept a single copy, just so customer s could see one in person. No word on when more will arrive.

The M&P is getting great reviews locally. Nearly everyone comments positively on the adjustable ergonomics, accuracy, and the low recoil.

The only downside is one your don't even have to worry about in the States. It is the issue of detail disassembly. One has to remove the M&P's rear sight in order to clean the firing-pin safety plunger, something about whic h you in the States seldom need worry. Conversely, over here we are all compelle d to shoot ammunition that is "dirty," at least by your stand ards. It's a choice between that and no practice at all. FMJ ammunition is so expensive , ' practicing' with it is out of the question, except for the wealthy. We 'peons,' as you would say, are confined to lead reloads.

As you are well aware, shooting lubricated, lead reloads makes detailed cleaning a necessity rather than an option. Paraffin lube will inexorably bl ast its way into extractors, plungers, and eventually every nook and corner of t he pistol. Lube builds up, hardens, and eventually something seizes, and the pistol is out of action.

Thus, most new M&P owners have not been able to shoot much, as re-zeroing the pistol after removing and reinstalling the rear sight is tedious and requires a trip to the range. Glocks, of course, become gummed-up too, but , as you know, the real genius of the Glock is its simplicity. Detail disassembly and cleaning is a simple task by comparison."

Comment: Once again, we here in the USA often don't fully appreciate how good we have it! I tell students not to shoot what we call "lead/ga rbage" through their pistols, and all manufacturers warn against the practice too. Occasionally, we need to think about what we're going to do when its =9Clead/garbage " or nothing. I wonder how many of us can even detail-dissemble ou r pistols!

/John

27Dec06

Good advice from my Riflesmith, Colby Adler, with regard to frequent studen t complaints about gritty triggers on stock AR-15s:

"I highly recommend against the installation of any adjustable, =98target' trigger on your AR, particularly two-stage systems. Too many tiny pins. T oo many small, weak IC/MIM (investment cast/metal-injection-molding) parts. I n addition, all adjustable triggers employ several set screws that will invariably work loose and move while firing. No target trigger I know of w ill hold up under heavy use. Indeed, none are designed for heavy use.

For serious ARs, the only trigger system I recommend is Eugene Stoner's original design. Stock AR-15 hammers and triggers are robust forgings, and the disconnects are laser cut from tool steel. They rarely break."

Comment: Your fighting rifle needs to be set up for legitimate, military use. Meaningless, anal accuracy will be small comfort when your prissy tri gger disintegrates in the middle of a fight! Triggers on serious rifles must break at no less than five pounds and they will always have some creep, eve n (Heaven forbid!) a little grit. Who are too pure to hear this need to go reevaluate the worthiness of their ambitions!

/John