How I decided to buy a handgun in the first place…
Last year I purchased my first handgun. It was a few weeks before my 49th birthday and during the holiday sales that are ever present in November and December. I had thought about it the year prior while driving the long miles between Albuquerque and Colorado Springs every other week for 3 months. During those drives, often passing through sketchy areas late at night or very early in the morning, I ran into several uncomfortable situations where I wished I had something more than pepper spray and a pocket knife to protect myself.
Not growing up in a gun-friendly household, I only had a small amount of experience shooting a .22 caliber rifle at Boy Scout camp and a few trips to shooting ranges with friends under my belt. I decided at the time that I would wait to purchase a firearm until things had stabilized in our household.
Last Fall, things had not only stabilized, but I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, started Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT), and completed 50 rounds of Radiation Therapy. Despite daily walks and light weight training (to retain my muscle mass and keep my bones strong), I had lost much of my strength. With a long drive to visit family, my loss of strength, and long stretches of road with limited services, I was concerned about the safety of my family and myself.
Buying a handgun…
So I dug up a bit of research I had done in the past and refreshed my familiarity with beginner firearms. I figured that I find something that would work as a starter, and I could grow from there. Checking the ads, I found a really good deal on a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield Plus for around $275. I went to the store, and a few hours later, I was home and learning about my new handgun.
Safety first!
After taking an NSSF First Shots class with my son, we went to the range and tried it out. We had a lot of fun, both in the class and firing my new pistol! While I didn’t shoot very well, I did a lot better than I expected. The surprise was that my son not only shot well, but he also did better than I did.
My thoughts about the M&P Shield Plus
While the M&P Shield Plus is a great pistol, it is not an ideal learning platform for new shooters. It tends to be a bit snappy, even with 115gr ammo. The sights are nice and clear, and the pistol feels good in my hands, if a little on the heavy side. My major complaint is that the recoil spring is extremely stiff. So stiff that it can be difficult to rack for a beginner. After a year with the pistol, I am comfortable with it and shoot it pretty well.
All in all, I’m happy with the M&P Shield Plus, and it has a place in my carry rotation now that I have my concealed carry permit.