09 October 2016

What We Did at the Sporting Goods Store

My wife, a crack shot who's been riding the fence about a personal sidearm for several years, finally decided to take the plunge.

Yesterday, we visited the Sportsman's Warehouse*. At the gun counter, A. Friendly Clerk brought several different models to us, so she could try each one for size and grip.

We started with the Ruger LC9s, and while we know its reliability and performance (Older Daughter has a 1st generation model), she didn't care for the short grip. It isn't quite long enough for her to get all four fingers around it, even with the drop-down extension on the magazine.

Ultimately, she decided on the Smith &Wesson M&P9 Shield, a fairly compact 9mm with an 8-round magazine.

It just felt better in her hands, and that was that.

We also opted for the model without a thumb safety (it's available, at a slightly higher price). Her experience has been almost exclusively with a revolver, so this is new to her.

Years ago, I owned a Charter Arms Pathfinder in .22 WMR, which she enjoyed immensely. She regularly embarrassed both her brother and me in target practice, too. She's one of those people who can pick up a rifle after not shooting for 20 years, and blow the center out of a target at just about any reasonable distance. Pistols, too.

So this will be a new thing for her to learn, which she's looking forward to. She has no bad habits to unlearn, either, so it'll be fun to turn her loose, after some initial instruction at the range. More "thug life gnome" targets will have their centers perforated, in short order.

:)


* I've already been asked, "But you guys have Cabela's AND Bass Pro Shops - why didn't you go there?"  Because Sportsman's Warehouse was cheaper; enough so that I was able to throw in two boxes of ammo for the same price as the pistol cost at the competitors.

9 comments:

drjim said...

That's a good reason to buy it there!

My wife is also a "more than adequate" shot.

People really look at her when she cranks off a few rounds with her 357 magnum, and takes out the center of the target at 25'.....

LindaG said...

I wish we had a Sportsman's Warehouse. I only know it by catalog.

Be safe and God bless!

Rev. Paul said...

Jim, I hear you. My wife & both daughters shoot like that; they get it from her. I have to work at it, and practice a lot. Grumblegrumble. But the practice is fun. :)

Linda, the Cabela's & Bass Pro both opened here within the last two years. The Warehouse has been here for at least 15, and where we shop depends mostly upon what we're looking for.

Ed Bonderenka said...

Good to hear she chose the No Thumb Safety option.
What's the trigger pull like?
I know my Kahr is stiff because of no safety.
Scherie went with a Ruger SP101 in .357 but runs .38 +P
Recoil is more manageable for her.

Rev. Paul said...

Ed - the trigger has a bit of travel before engaging, and takes more pressure than I would have expected otherwise. It's not unmanageable, but stiffer than my .45.

Guffaw in AZ said...

Congratulations, Mrs. Rev. Paul!

gfa

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, my friend. :)

Jenny said...

Cool!

Mrs. Rev. Paul is awesome. :)

Rev. Paul said...

Thank you, Jenny; I find I must agree. :)