Was at the parent's farm yesterday, and while back at the woods brother pulled ut his HP. I had taken 40 rounds of Winchester White Box 165 grain, and he has a box of Fionnci (spelling?) I think was 129 grain, both FMJ.
The gun felt good in my hand, with the ribbed hand grips. It is heavy, I'll say that. First thing I noticed was the slide did not have a hold open option (other than the last shot way). We set up a piece of galvanized tin and I paced off 21 feet (7 yards). With his shells, first shot was about a foot low due to the trigger pull. 2nd better, 3rd better, then I put 3 in a straight line 1" apart 2" above where I was aiming (we had no bulls-eye so I just picked an area). I then put the last 2 below making a nice "T", same 1" apart. Total space was in about a 5" circle - all well in the "kill" area. None of the last 5 shots was more than 3 seconds apart. Not bad for a first time firing I thought!
Then I loaded a magazine of my heavier WWB loads. First shot was good, the second didn't chamber. Loaded it and shot, another FTL. I switched to my right hand and emptied the mag. He loaded a mag with WWB and ran the mag FAST no problems. Might be my grip or shooting left handed I told him. I will not blame the gun with out a lot of more shooting.
We then loaded a mag. of his shells and took up a target os an "X" of 2 sticks about 20 yards away. We shot 7 rounds (me 4, him 3), all within an 18" circle, 3 within a 6" circle of the x. Not bad I thought.
My final thoughts are this: I can not say this "cheap" gun is a piece of crap. I liked it, it shot good, but I feel I need more shooting to decide if it doesn't like me or WWB heavier weight bullets. (Brother said it was me). It will take getting used to the trigger as I'm used to my M&P trigger feel.
I was a bit worried though, that the slide seems very close to the grip. Already having a scar from a slide bite, I just thought that this might be an issue to someone with large hands.
Overall, the HP C9 for the price is a good gun, but not one of my M&P's. I will probably never buy one, but will always look forward to shooting my brothers! I plan on ordering him a few extra mags first chance I get as he said $$ is short for him, being on medical leave from work (I already gave him a bunch of targets). If you call the factory they sell them for $15/18 (shipping included!).
__________________
Griz drinks more coffee than Juan Valdez!
NRA Life Member
I love them personally im about to get one in .40 S&W. and if i were you i would buy one just for fun. Plus it makes a great truck or woods gun because it is cheap and if you break it they will ALWAYS repair or replace it. and if the gun was new that is what caused the jam.
I bought my HP 40SW friday...took it to KY and shot the first 50 rounds through it in 2 days... only 2 FTL, but I think that was more me than the gun...
I was shooting (I think) wolf ammo 180, FMJ...
Never been a pistol guy, but within 15 or 20 steps, i'll get ya...
First thing I noticed was the slide did not have a hold open option (other than the last shot way).
My C9 can lock the slide back with the safety or the empty magazine. With no mag it uses the safety to lock open. Unless I don't understand what you mean?
__________________
The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.