Jitterbug
07-18-2011, 11:54 AM
My older 2004 Model suffered a broken magazine catch which I replaced with a new metal one, I then installed a new recoil assembly with a Wolff 18# outer recoil spring, a new CT Laser and a Pierce extension grip. While I was at it I picked another 6 round magazine, (so I still have a flush fit) for pocket carry and a new Mitch Rosen OWB holster for the CT.
While the wife worked on pistol fundamentals with a Ruger MII, I was going back and forth between PM9’s and checking out both pistols in the new holster, I didn’t notice any difference with the wife’s new model PM9 with the beveled slide and CT and my old blunt nosed model with CT, the holster is starting to break in and the draw is smoothing up nicely.
I was working on three different loads using once time fired Winchester brass, 124 grain Winchester FMJ’s, WSP primers, and minimum start loads of Titegroup, AA5 and AA7.
The distance was 7 yards and I was firing 6 round groups.
Without measuring the groups, the Titegroup load was the obvious winner, the AA7 load the worst, but it was acceptable for an inexpensive plinking load. Both pistols functioned perfectly for a 100+ rounds of reloads.
I’m not having much luck with AA7 and 9mm so I’m going to try some 231 next and narrow it down from there, I’m impressed with the Titegroup loads though, living up to its name.
We then switched to American Eagle 124 FMJ factory loads and proceeded to practice firing, one handed from the hip using the Laser’s at 3 and 5 yards.
The wife had a bit of a time getting used to firing one handed and getting the gun barrel up, without the laser she would have fired into the ground…we determined this with some dry firing first. But she did get the hang of it and was eventually able to place two fairly quick shots in an 8” black bull at those ranges.
I did notice a slightly stronger difference in trigger pull between her new model and mine, I still have the original striker spring in my 7 year old gun with 1500+ rounds through it.
Both pistols and all the gear were flawless.
More to work on…and these aren’t really “range guns” and especially for her, she does do a bit better with her heavier S&W M&P9c which absorbs the recoil better, but nevertheless a very pleasant way to enjoy a cool afternoon, high up in the Rockies.
While the wife worked on pistol fundamentals with a Ruger MII, I was going back and forth between PM9’s and checking out both pistols in the new holster, I didn’t notice any difference with the wife’s new model PM9 with the beveled slide and CT and my old blunt nosed model with CT, the holster is starting to break in and the draw is smoothing up nicely.
I was working on three different loads using once time fired Winchester brass, 124 grain Winchester FMJ’s, WSP primers, and minimum start loads of Titegroup, AA5 and AA7.
The distance was 7 yards and I was firing 6 round groups.
Without measuring the groups, the Titegroup load was the obvious winner, the AA7 load the worst, but it was acceptable for an inexpensive plinking load. Both pistols functioned perfectly for a 100+ rounds of reloads.
I’m not having much luck with AA7 and 9mm so I’m going to try some 231 next and narrow it down from there, I’m impressed with the Titegroup loads though, living up to its name.
We then switched to American Eagle 124 FMJ factory loads and proceeded to practice firing, one handed from the hip using the Laser’s at 3 and 5 yards.
The wife had a bit of a time getting used to firing one handed and getting the gun barrel up, without the laser she would have fired into the ground…we determined this with some dry firing first. But she did get the hang of it and was eventually able to place two fairly quick shots in an 8” black bull at those ranges.
I did notice a slightly stronger difference in trigger pull between her new model and mine, I still have the original striker spring in my 7 year old gun with 1500+ rounds through it.
Both pistols and all the gear were flawless.
More to work on…and these aren’t really “range guns” and especially for her, she does do a bit better with her heavier S&W M&P9c which absorbs the recoil better, but nevertheless a very pleasant way to enjoy a cool afternoon, high up in the Rockies.