I may be practiced in the use of a variety of sporting arms, primarily shotguns, rifles, compound bows, and crossbows, but when it comes to firearm weaponry, handguns have never really been high on my list.
I’ve generally regarded them as impractical for hunting (where legal for that purpose) and, particularly when it comes to semi-automatic models, safety issues also concerned me. While I do own a little .22 H&R revolver and, over the years, have fired larger caliber semi-automatic pistols (belonging to friends) on the range at camp, I had always found their accuracy sorely lacking, especially in my hands.
Of course, given my lack of interest in owning another handgun, I never pursued any kind of instruction or training in their handling or shooting. But my interest was piqued a few weeks ago when I attended the National Conference of the Outdoor Writers Association of America in Knoxville, Tenn. Attending writers had the chance to sample a wide array of products supplied by supporting members — everything from driving new trucks to paddling kayaks to shooting shotguns, rifles and handguns at the range.
That’s where I met Paul Pluff, a handgun enthusiast from Oklahoma. In fact, Pluff hunts exclusively using handguns, and that includes the pursuit of dangerous game in Africa. Pluff also serves as Director of Marketing Communications for Smith and Wesson, one of the premier firearms manufacturers in the country. So when I expressed an interest in learning more about handling and firing some of the pistols his company had on display, Pluff couldn’t have been more accommodating.
Since my experience with handguns is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Pluff’s, there was plenty he could teach me. After just a few minutes of instruction, I began punching holes in the bullseye with surprising consistently (shooting a target at a range of 20 yards from a bench rest).
After my first few shots barely scratched the outer edges of the target paper, Pluff’s expert advice soon helped me zero in. Pluff schooled me in the use of two of Smith and Wesson’s most popular handgun models, the M&P Compact in 9mm Luger and the M&P in .40 S&W caliber. One critical aspect of handgun accuracy, Pluff emphasized, is the grip. Proper grip results in maximum contact with both hands (fingers and thumbs)on the gun, provides maximum control, and enhances accuracy.
Correctly sighting in on the target is another critical component of accuracy. The M&P Compact 9mm was fitted with the traditional three-dot sight — two dots on each side of the notched rear sight and a single dot at the front of the barrel. Once the sights are aligned on the target, Pluff explained, the shooter should focus primarily on the front sight dot when squeezing the trigger.
Proper trigger pull is another key aspect to handgun accuracy. Pluff emphasized the importance of squeezing the trigger slowly, firmly, and steadily. “Every time the gun fires,” Pluff asserted, “it should come as a surprise.” A shooter who anticipates the gun going off is more likely to flinch, resulting in an errant shot.
My efforts resulted in plenty of errant shots early on, but as Pluff continued to critique my form and technique and advised me on corrections I should make (almost too much information to process), I began shooting more respectable groups closer to the center of the target. He was pleased with the progress I made over the twenty minute session.
After I shot the 9mm Compact model, Pluff handed me the standard M&P model in .40 caliber fitted with a red-dot sight, an illuminated optic that makes aiming and accuracy a bit more foolproof than the standard three-dot sight. My shots using the .40 caliber proved much more accurate for a number of reasons: the red-dot sight, the fuller grip and longer barrel of the standard version of the M&P, and the fact that I could now apply the newfound handgun wisdom instilled by Pluff himself.
Incidentally, when it comes to semi-automatics, the 9mm and .40 caliber are two of the most popular handgun calibers out there, and an ongoing argument often ensues about which one is “better.” As I shot each of the two, Pluff pointed out that the slightly smaller 9mm tends to jump or “snap” back upon recoil, while with the .40 caliber, the recoil effect is more of a “push” back. Advocates of the larger .40 often claim that it has more “stopping power” when used for hunting or home defense.
Advocates of the 9mm believe that, given the ballistics of today’s sophisticated, modern ammunition, any difference between the two calibers in so-called “stopping power” is inconsequential. They also note that 9mm ammo is cheaper and that the 9mm magazines can hold more shells (18 versus 16 rounds), and claim that most law enforcement entities, including the FBI, prefer 9mm over .40 caliber.
Of course there are plenty of other handgun calibers out there including the very popular .380, .45, and .22 calibers. Smith and Wesson also makes compact and subcompact size M&P in Shield and Bodyguard renditions of their handguns (most available with laser sights) more suited to personal protection and concealed carry than hunting or target practice.
Founded in 1852, Smith and Wesson is an iconic American company actually dating back to the 1840’s when Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson first learned the firearms trade while working at the National Armory in Springfield, Massachusetts. Today the company has plenty of competition when it comes to manufacturing and marketing handguns. Other top handgun makers include Colt, Glock, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Sturm Ruger, Taurus, and Walther, just to name a few.
But I’ll give full credit for my newly acquired handgun “expertise” to Smith and Wesson’s Paul Pluff. For more information on their products, check out their website at www.smith-wesson.com.