As a perused my collection today I realized I haven't been getting my guns out like I should. I cast my eyes over my J-frames, S&W 908 & 3913, my G26 & 33, and finally my S&W MP9c. Got to thinking how many generations these gun types have served and how things have evolved. I took a sample of each of the above outside and picked out some cedar trees to kill (revenge for my allergies 
). Shooting was limited with just a couple magazines out of each auto and a couple cylinders from a model 60 (no-dash). Range was about 7 yards.
Model 60 - every bit as accurate as the autos but the gun rotated in my hand a bit under recoil and recovery, even with the uncle mikes, slowed me down a bit. Not painful at all but the heaviest recoiling of the samples and the sights were hardest to pick up.
S&W 3913tsw and Mdl 908 - Metal frames make these feel like 'real' guns. The checkered front strap on the 3913 was a big help, as was the stipling I added to the rear of the 908 plastic grip (need to do this to the tsw). The guns hit just where I was aiming and the sights were noticably better than the J-frame. Recoil was less as well but the guns had noticable muzzle flip with the higher bore and I had to focus on the DA/SA transition (As I said - I really don't shoot these enough).
Glock 26 - Great shooter - I was reminded why this has been my concealed handgun of choice for so long. Sights were quick to pick up and, even with the stock mag floorplate and 2-finger hold, pointing was natural and recovery was quick.
Glock 33 - Very similar to the G26 (as you might imagine!). I really like the short reset of these pistols and the way they just settle in the hand when shot. The 357sig cartridge in this pistol did make follow-up shots a bit slower than the G26 but still faster than the Mdl 60 with 38+p.
S&W M&P9c - Ah, finally a plastic gun that feels 'real'! Progress has definitely been made in the area of ergonomics. Manufactures seem to be getting more confident in the use of polymers and we are finally starting to see components being made as thick as they need to be rather than "add some more - we wanna be sure!". This makes for a better feeling, more balanced, pistol that actually has some visual appeal. The trigger is a little heavier than my Glocks but I'm not sure if this is a result of lawers, the guns design, or just the fact that I have many more rounds through my Glocks.
Summary -
First of all, these are all wonderful weapons. All hit where I wanted them to and there were no malfunctions (even though I was burning up and assortment of old tarnished ammo). I found that the more I shot the more I feel validated in asserting that the actual weapon (as long as it's reliable) is not nearly as important as the shooter. These guns span from 1950 (the introduction of the first 'Chiefs Special') to the 1980/90's (heyday of the Smith and Wesson Autos in American police holsters) - to the king of the 2000 (Glocks) to the return of the American police auto in 2010 (M&P). Though the guns are progressively easier to handle, lighter recoiling, higher capacity,and more ergonomic, as tools to put bullets on target they are all very capable. Real advancement, IMHO, have been in night sights and ammunition developement - Paying for the latest and greatest bullet launcher has very little to do with whether or not we win the gunfight.
That said - I like guns and am going to keep buying them
Just my impressions,
Coffee
). Shooting was limited with just a couple magazines out of each auto and a couple cylinders from a model 60 (no-dash). Range was about 7 yards.Model 60 - every bit as accurate as the autos but the gun rotated in my hand a bit under recoil and recovery, even with the uncle mikes, slowed me down a bit. Not painful at all but the heaviest recoiling of the samples and the sights were hardest to pick up.
S&W 3913tsw and Mdl 908 - Metal frames make these feel like 'real' guns. The checkered front strap on the 3913 was a big help, as was the stipling I added to the rear of the 908 plastic grip (need to do this to the tsw). The guns hit just where I was aiming and the sights were noticably better than the J-frame. Recoil was less as well but the guns had noticable muzzle flip with the higher bore and I had to focus on the DA/SA transition (As I said - I really don't shoot these enough).
Glock 26 - Great shooter - I was reminded why this has been my concealed handgun of choice for so long. Sights were quick to pick up and, even with the stock mag floorplate and 2-finger hold, pointing was natural and recovery was quick.
Glock 33 - Very similar to the G26 (as you might imagine!). I really like the short reset of these pistols and the way they just settle in the hand when shot. The 357sig cartridge in this pistol did make follow-up shots a bit slower than the G26 but still faster than the Mdl 60 with 38+p.
S&W M&P9c - Ah, finally a plastic gun that feels 'real'! Progress has definitely been made in the area of ergonomics. Manufactures seem to be getting more confident in the use of polymers and we are finally starting to see components being made as thick as they need to be rather than "add some more - we wanna be sure!". This makes for a better feeling, more balanced, pistol that actually has some visual appeal. The trigger is a little heavier than my Glocks but I'm not sure if this is a result of lawers, the guns design, or just the fact that I have many more rounds through my Glocks.
Summary -
First of all, these are all wonderful weapons. All hit where I wanted them to and there were no malfunctions (even though I was burning up and assortment of old tarnished ammo). I found that the more I shot the more I feel validated in asserting that the actual weapon (as long as it's reliable) is not nearly as important as the shooter. These guns span from 1950 (the introduction of the first 'Chiefs Special') to the 1980/90's (heyday of the Smith and Wesson Autos in American police holsters) - to the king of the 2000 (Glocks) to the return of the American police auto in 2010 (M&P). Though the guns are progressively easier to handle, lighter recoiling, higher capacity,and more ergonomic, as tools to put bullets on target they are all very capable. Real advancement, IMHO, have been in night sights and ammunition developement - Paying for the latest and greatest bullet launcher has very little to do with whether or not we win the gunfight.
That said - I like guns and am going to keep buying them
Just my impressions,
Coffee
