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91 downloadsIt's not secret that I am a practical shooter, not very good but one nonetheless. I've been competing in IPSC/USPSA since 1996 according to my oldest classifier on file. That old classifier was for limited division, the division I started in and shot until I got bit by the revolver fever in 2005. I shot revolver for two years until USPSA created a division specific for the oldest gun in my safe and my favorite: SINGLE STACK DIVISION for THE 1911. From September 07 to December 2011, Single Stack is what I did. Nothing else.
All those single stack years I had a friendly but fierce competition going with Francisco. I wasn't winning. He got too good, too fast and too young. With Fran going to the Navy, the single stack wasn't gonna taste the same so I decided to put it away for the 2012 season. But to do what? I don't have any 2011s or revolvers left. Thought about production or L10 but then decided to go back to limited but showcasing what can be done when you combine the Smith & Wesson M&P with products manufactured or distributed by my friends and sponsors from SPEED SHOOTER SPECIALTIES (www.speedshooterspecialties.com). So we kicked-off the Limited M&P40 Project.
I already had 2 M&P40s in my safe but both were 4" barrels. Couple of friends were having trouble making major power factor with those without getting to "crazy hot ammo" levels. Since I was one of those that clamored for a 5" M&P40 in the internet, it was time to put up or shut up. so, when that big internet gun store from Kentucky had a deal on M&P40L with night sights and 3 magazines for $500, free shipping, miraculously someone stole my identity and used my credit card to buy one and have it delivered for me at Jim's Dog House (my local FFL of choice). Crazy how things happen some times, huh? "Yeah, right..." said my wife. Anyway, here's where Kenny and Lacey of Speed Shooter Specialties (SSS from now on) get reintroduced in this story.
A couple of years ago SSS was reducing the Double Alpha Academy belt from their inventory and Lacey gave us (Fran and me) one for each. Those are the belts we've been using since then and they are every bit as good as the CR Speed but a bit thicker so threading the gear on them is a little harder, but not impossible. Although SSS has always been there for us while shooting single stack we didn't bother them as much. Back to January 2012, the story changes...
I picked up the M&P40L and immediately ordered from SSS a set of Dawson front and rear sights and traded the night sights with my friend Pedro for install of the Dawsons. I also bought from SSS an Apex Tactical Comp-AEK and installed it in the pistol. VOILA! Instant trigger job in a bag! The trigger pull was significantly lighter but there was something that still wasn't right. No time to figure it out because the frame had to get to Dan Burwell in PA to get the sharkskin texture. The M&P factory grip texture is not very aggressive and when shooting major power loads I like better purchase on the gun. Dan's texture job is PERFECT, not too smooth and won't draw blood.
The Apex COMP-AEK was good but the pistol's factory trigger shoe and safety didn't quite agree with my trigger finger pull angle and didn't move back smoothly, the little safety tab tripped on the frame with every pull. So, comes Kenny to the rescue again and provided me with an Apex Forward Set Sear and Trigger Kit. One word -> WOW!!! Notice in the photo that the trigger in my M&P is not plastic, it's aluminum. Google Apex Tactical Forward Set Trigger and check the videos. That kit is awesome!
So by this time my M&P40L had its textured grip and excellent sights an awesome trigger. Sometime during that process I ordered a BladeTech holster for the 40L and added to it one of the DOH hangers I had gotten from SSS a long time ago. I mounted the BladeTech holster on the DAA belt and hunted down in my storage bins for my old Safariland 771 mag pouches... Found them! Cool!
Also in storage I found a first edition of SSS mag well that Kenny gave Francisco a long time ago, and 3 Taylor Freelance extended mag pads that he had to bevel to work with the magwell. Now I have three extended mags that hold 20 rounds each and a magwell. I also wanted to use 15 rounds mags, so called Lacey and in the mail came 3 ESP aluminum base pads and the ESP magwell that works with them. THE GUN AND RIG ARE READY!!
In January 2012, locally with the new setup I was 3rd on my first match (SEPSA), then won SAPSA and Ancient City. This poor man's limited setup is working for me and I LIKE IT!!
The Safariland 771s didn't fit the DAA belt without forcing the mounting plates and they started to show small stress cracks after the first 3 matches. SSS to the rescue again by providing me 5 CRSpeed VersaPouches and the spacers for the pouches to work with M&P magazines. Those are the ones in the photo and they are awesome.
To recap: The only thing from this setup not from SSS is the pistol, the holster, and the Burwell custom grip texture. THE REST CAME FROM SPEED SHOOTER SPECIALTIES. So, if you ask me where to go to make your M&P or any other Smith & Wesson firearm ROCK, you know where I'll send you.
This is a very long way of telling Kenny and Lacey, THANKS A LOT for your sponsorship and support throughout the years but most of all THANKS FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
