M9A1 Range Report

I understand that it is a requirement of new personnel here to submit a range report, so here is mine, hope it is acceptable: Took my M9A1 to the range today for the first time and brought along my Walther P99 for comparison. Initial shooting was done at approx 40 feet. Accuracy and tightness of groups for the M9A1 was consistently as good as the P99. With regards to ergonomics and recoil, the M9A1 was just about as comfortable to shoot as the P99. I found the recoil, as has been stated by others, to definitely be different, less muzzle rise; double and triple taps can be accomplished very quickly. I started out with Winchester 115 gr FMJ (Walmart white box), then some Fiocchi leadless 100 gr TCEB, then some Fiocchi 115 gr FMJ. I utilized both (15 round) magazines that came with the pistol. The M9A1 functioned absolutely flawlessly, no failures of any type; all ammo fed from the mags fine, all rounds fired fine, all rounds ejected properly, none ejected back on any part of my body and the slide would always stay back on the last round. It probably should be noted here that I did give the M9A1 a quick cleaning after I purchased it last week; it looked fine, but after many years of purchasing firearms, I have learned that you just never know how long the parts or the assembled firearm may have been sitting on a shelf with the original lubricant collecting dust and getting sludgy, also know that some machining processes use lubricants that are good for machining but maybe not the best oil for operation of an assembled unit so I always made a practice of cleaning a new firearm. At 40 feet, I immediately got accustomed to using the trapezoidal sights, would typically get many follow up rounds connect to the holes from previous rounds. I changed targets often so I could clearly observe how I was doing. The trigger pull is very good and of relatively short reach. On a totally subjective note, the M9A1 is just a very nice and enjoyable pistol to shoot. So, in summary, my initial sense is that based upon this first experience, appears to be an excellent semi-auto and I like it enough at this point to be ok with spending more hard earned money on some nice holsters for it if I can find them. Already found that it fits in my Bagmaster IWB and Shoulder Holsters that I bought for my P99 so at least I have something to wear until I can locate some nice leather for it.
Steve

 

Holsters

madecov,
If I might be nosey, would you share with us who you are having make the holsters, and if you have had them make holsters for you before? thanks.
Steve

 

Holster

madecov,
Would you mind if I contacted him to see if he would make one for my M9A1 at the same time he made your holsters?
Steve

 

Holster

madecov,
Thank you very much. looked over his site. I am considering either the Spoiler C1, which I would be able to use for personal concealed carry, as well as duty if I decided to qual with it instead of my P99, or the Hybrid Warrior which looks extremely interesting. Also, that Professional C4 which looks like an all leather version of the Hybrid Warrior also looks very nice. Have you ever seen a sample of that Hybrid Warrior?

Steve

 

Holsters

That back piece that can be seen behind the pistol, appears to be a shield portion of the holster to isolate the pistol from the body, do you recall if that is leather or kydex/hard plastic?
Steve

 

Follow Up Review on M9A1; personal decision reached.

Performed an inspection and side by side comparison of my P99 that I have had for a couple of years (and has been one of my favorites) to the new M9A1 and made the decision that the A1 is my new primary firearm and the P99 was given a good cleaning tonight and ready for storage, maybe even sale, depending upon how much stuff I want to buy for the A1.
I made my decision on what I believe are some good objective details and also some just plain personal preferences. Based on 37 years of shooting and about a decade as an LE firearms instructor and armorer, I decided I like both the design of the A1 as well as the workmanship better than the P99. I compared weights of major asemblies (used wife's food scale so not very scientific/accurate) and not much significant differences found there; the slide and mags appeared to be similar in weight, frame of the A1 a bit more, but not much.
I think the A1 shoots better for me due to the lower muzzle rise enabling faster second shots. I also find the 15 round A1 mags easier to load the last few rounds than the P99 mags, not sure why, doesn't feel like there is a big difference in spring pressure, perhaps the boxy shape of the A1 mags make it easier to hold, not sure. Another probably trivial point, but I still thought about it as a possitive for me, and really not a big deal, but the case the Steyr comes in is just a very sturdy case with an excellent hinge and good secure locking devices that are convenient to use. This is a concern to me (and again agree a smal concern), but I travel by plane occassionally and FAA reg requires the unloaded pistol to be in a hard sided locked case and typically have to open for inspection so it is convenient to have a well fitting case for a pistol that locks securely but is still quick and easy to open. Just avoids any wasted time, when getting to the airport, like to get my bags checked in as soon as possible and get to the coffee shop to get one to go for the ride. The P99 case is flimsy in comparison, no real hinge just plastic that flexes, no locking tabs, you have to wrap a cable around the handle, really awkward.
So, for me anyway, it is a done deal, the A1 is it; researched holsters, have a couple of nylon ones that fit; talked to El Paso Saddlery yesterday by tel and found that they have a mold for the A1, also, FIST has the mold and they offer an incredible selection of options, so ordered one for concealed carry yesterday, plan on ordering one for duty on Monday. Still like the P99 a lot and think it is a real good firearm, just decided I like the A1 better.

 

Locks

Yes, came with two good locks.
Steve

 

Range Report Update

Have had the M9A1 to the range a couple more times. Most recent trip put some Winchester 147 Gr SXT (believe this is the re-named Black Talon round) and also some Corbon 115 Gr HP plus P just to see how it would function and shoot. Also, used some of my normal range ammo, Wincester and Fiocchi. The A1 functioned fine with all ammo. One noteworthy observation is that the Corbon seemed to do much better with regard to accuracy in the A1 than in my S&W CS9, could be the lack of felt recoil which is substantial in the small frame Chief Special with the plus P loads. In any event, the Corbon short stubby 115gr bullets seem to feed and function fine in the A1. Gave the A1 an initial cleaning and lube when I bought it. However, intentionally have not cleaned or lubed in four range visits now over a two week period and no failures of any type and have not had any ejected cases come back at me. Will probably do one more range visit without cleaning or lube just in the interest of initial testing and then go forward with the normal routine of cleaning after every use.