What do you have and what is the kind of accuracy do you get? Thanks.
Either me or the Max 9 goes to pieces after about 7 yards.
Either me or the Max 9 goes to pieces after about 7 yards.
Micro Pistol owners your input please
- Thread starter MaxMan
- Start date
contender
Ruger Guru
Darn,, I was thinking this might be a thread about the mini revolvers made by Freedom Arms,, or now North American Arms. I was wrong.
But I can easily use a Max 9 or the LCP and several other compact handguns out to 25 yds w/o issues. In fact,, the very first time I fired the LCP was at about 20 yds,, on a steel plate rack. I hit 6 out of my first 7 shots.
But I can easily use a Max 9 or the LCP and several other compact handguns out to 25 yds w/o issues. In fact,, the very first time I fired the LCP was at about 20 yds,, on a steel plate rack. I hit 6 out of my first 7 shots.
Sounds about right.
OP
Thanks, I am working on shots on target time at close range (7 yds +-), In as far as distance, I guess I have something to shoot for. Sort of speak.
contender
Ruger Guru
MaxMan,, get a shooting timer. It'll really help you work with speed. For practice,, set the timer on a delayed start,, then at the buzzer,, draw & fire at a pair of targets,, with (2) rounds each. perform a reload, & fire at the targets again, with (2) rounds each. Then you can take the timer,, see how long it took from the start before you get the first shot off,, the splits between shots, and how long your reload was, followed by your splits again.
USPSA competitors do this all the time.
A Grand Master class shooter can get off their first shot in about 1/2 a second or less.
A Master class can do it in about .65 of a second.
An A class in about .85-.90 of a second.
A B class in about 1.25 seconds.
A C class in about 2.0 seconds.
And a D class shooter,, about 3.0 seconds.
Once a person gets towards the top levels,, the draw to the first shot times get closer,, and they make up time in their reloads, and their movements between targets & positions.
Oh,, and it only counts if you ALSO hit the center mass of the target.
But a timer can really help you figure out how & where you need to improve. But we also have a saying; "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." It means to be very smooth in your movements, and how you go through everything. Once smoothness is achieved,, you will find your times will be much quicker. Consistently smooth & clean movements equals speed.
USPSA competitors do this all the time.
A Grand Master class shooter can get off their first shot in about 1/2 a second or less.
A Master class can do it in about .65 of a second.
An A class in about .85-.90 of a second.
A B class in about 1.25 seconds.
A C class in about 2.0 seconds.
And a D class shooter,, about 3.0 seconds.
Once a person gets towards the top levels,, the draw to the first shot times get closer,, and they make up time in their reloads, and their movements between targets & positions.
Oh,, and it only counts if you ALSO hit the center mass of the target.
But a timer can really help you figure out how & where you need to improve. But we also have a saying; "Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast." It means to be very smooth in your movements, and how you go through everything. Once smoothness is achieved,, you will find your times will be much quicker. Consistently smooth & clean movements equals speed.
My EDC is a Kahr Mk9, like Contender 20-25 yards is my regular practice distance. Target is an 8x11 sheet of typing paper 90% on the paper is my goal, bullseyes take too much time.
OP
Thanks, Gives me a goal.
OP
Not sure I understand about the shooting timer. Wouldn't the other guns at the range give a false reading? Or are you talking about some of the home shooting systems.? I saw the fast/smooth statement on a guy's shirt at the grocery store. Didn't pot in it context. It makes good sense.
For defensive shooting I think your experience is about right. I have shot my LCP more than most folks do and I typically shoot for practice at about 10 yards.
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
I also EDC P365 and agree with Klondike Mike. The other nice thing about it is the modular design. Easy to mod it if you're into that.
I too have both, 365X and 642 PC. They fill the niche for pocket pistols but the S&W finds its way with me more often because it goes in easier and more importantly out easier and quicker. Like you say more than acceptable accuracy for their intended jobs. The Sig works nicely in the pocket also but the Smith has it by a nose in the draw. I tried a family members orig 365 but got the X because I wanted three digits on the grip.
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I usually grab the bad guy by the front if his shirt and pull him close as my Glock 36 comes up.................Wait, that sounds like BS 
We can skip that part.
As I have gotten older with a few slight glitches like reflexes and vision I practice at closer ranges. I have never been competition good but senior plinker
good.
Good advice from the other members.
The only thing I would add in is do not get discouraged. You will get better with plenty of good practice. Have fun with it.
We can skip that part.As I have gotten older with a few slight glitches like reflexes and vision I practice at closer ranges. I have never been competition good but senior plinker
good.Good advice from the other members.
The only thing I would add in is do not get discouraged. You will get better with plenty of good practice. Have fun with it.
I have a Max 9. When I first got it I put about 400 rounds through it in a couple of weeks. I was trying to get used to it & working out a difficulty. I was unintentionally hitting the slide stop with my thumb, causing the slide to lock back when the magazine was still partially loaded. That problem was corrected by riding the thumb safety.
I went to see a friend a couple of weeks after that & I was consistently hitting 6" steel plates at 25 yards without working hard to do it. I haven't shot for groups at that distance but I have shot it enough to know the pistol is fine. With me it seems that how well I shoot depends on how much range time I've had lately. The little pistols are less forgiving than
larger ones.
I went to see a friend a couple of weeks after that & I was consistently hitting 6" steel plates at 25 yards without working hard to do it. I haven't shot for groups at that distance but I have shot it enough to know the pistol is fine. With me it seems that how well I shoot depends on how much range time I've had lately. The little pistols are less forgiving than
larger ones.
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GypsmJim
GypsmJim
When I decided that I "needed" a micro nine I went to my LGS. As it turned out they had a Max 9, a Hellcat, a Glock, a P365 and a Smith in the counter, all ready to play with. I handled them all and did slide racking and trigger pulling and I chose the Ruger. It simply "felt" the best, and of course being a Ruger Aficionado I may have been swayed.
In any event, my "combat" stance is at 7 yards and I hit the bull every time. My Winter indoor target shooting is done on a 50' range and I can at least put it on paper, within all the rings.
In the past 3 years she has had about 1000 rounds down the pipe, with not a single malfunction of any kind. The trigger gets better with age. Quite happy with the Max 9.
In any event, my "combat" stance is at 7 yards and I hit the bull every time. My Winter indoor target shooting is done on a 50' range and I can at least put it on paper, within all the rings.
In the past 3 years she has had about 1000 rounds down the pipe, with not a single malfunction of any kind. The trigger gets better with age. Quite happy with the Max 9.
contender
Ruger Guru
"Not sure I understand about the shooting timer. Wouldn't the other guns at the range give a false reading?"
It depends.
If you are in an indoor range,, yes,,, most likely you will get interference. Outdoors,, not so much. Most good timers will pick up the shots fired if they are within about 15-20 ft or less in general.
I guess I was assuming you were practicing outdoors due to mentioning speed/time. I was thinking of what it takes to draw & fire. Most indoor ranges usually frown upon this practice. They get nervous at people drawing to fire.
If you are doing so outdoors,, try & get away from other shooters to practice.
It depends.
If you are in an indoor range,, yes,,, most likely you will get interference. Outdoors,, not so much. Most good timers will pick up the shots fired if they are within about 15-20 ft or less in general.
I guess I was assuming you were practicing outdoors due to mentioning speed/time. I was thinking of what it takes to draw & fire. Most indoor ranges usually frown upon this practice. They get nervous at people drawing to fire.
If you are doing so outdoors,, try & get away from other shooters to practice.
I got to shoot a Shield Plus. Nice pistol.
Sugar River
Buckeye
It kinda depends how you define Micro Pistol.
With a Kahr PM9 @ 7 yds I can knock down 5 bowling pins with one mag (6 rounds).
The P365 stretches that distance to 15 yds or a touch more, more to hold on to.
With a Kahr PM9 @ 7 yds I can knock down 5 bowling pins with one mag (6 rounds).
The P365 stretches that distance to 15 yds or a touch more, more to hold on to.
GunnyGene
Hawkeye
Even though I'm a Sig fan, I'm not sure the 365 is what I would call a micro pistol
for a number of years I carried the Ruger LC9s and I was pretty comfortable with it out to about 7 yards...
I also have an Sig P290 which is the old style double action only trigger and I'm actually not real comfortable with it.
They do make a Sig P365 that is what I consider close to micro and I'm kind of interested in finding one of those... I forget the exact name they call it.
Edit: I swear at one point in the past I saw a smaller 365 but now looking it seems they are all 6" long or longer and 4+" high and that does not meet my idea of a 'micro' pistol no matter what name they want to put on their 'macros'.
for a number of years I carried the Ruger LC9s and I was pretty comfortable with it out to about 7 yards...
I also have an Sig P290 which is the old style double action only trigger and I'm actually not real comfortable with it.
They do make a Sig P365 that is what I consider close to micro and I'm kind of interested in finding one of those... I forget the exact name they call it.
Edit: I swear at one point in the past I saw a smaller 365 but now looking it seems they are all 6" long or longer and 4+" high and that does not meet my idea of a 'micro' pistol no matter what name they want to put on their 'macros'.
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I believe this is the original size.
https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting...wo-toned-cerakote-pistol-101-rounds/p/1824691
After it was a huge success they came out with the X & XL versions.
Or you could man up with some .45acp goodness. (Kidding)
Stock photo of mine. Early model without the light rail. Added Pearce grip extensions (very much recommended) to my extra mags
I do not carry, but if I did my Glock 36 would be the winner. I find it easier to shoot than micro 9's or small revolvers.
Stock photo of mine. Early model without the light rail. Added Pearce grip extensions (very much recommended) to my extra mags
I do not carry, but if I did my Glock 36 would be the winner. I find it easier to shoot than micro 9's or small revolvers.
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freakindawgen
Blackhawk
When I read Micro this is what I thought of. The small one I can hit a gallon milk jug @ 20ft
contender
Ruger Guru
freakindawgen got it. That's what I'd call a micro pistol.
Larryburford
Blackhawk
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- LA - Lower Arkansas, USA I use to be Crazy Horse
I have a glock 43 9mm, S&W bodyguard 380 and a Ruger LCP. Glock is by far the easiest to hit with. Ruger is the lightest, I like the safety on the S&W. The Ruger and S&W have terrible triggers as expected but all three do the job they are intended to do. It's better to have a lightweight pistol with a bad trigger in your pocket than a heavy pistol left at the house.
Lou
Bearcat
I haven’t posted on here for quite a while. Reading your answer I just have to say, if you are hitting a target with an LCP (380) at 20 yards (60) foot) 6 out of 7 times, you’ve spent enough time aiming for the guy to put a 9mm through your head or you are a legend. I’ll wait.
