The Loaded Question

Once, while I was a cadre for Cadet Basic Training, one of my Air Force Cadets in training went through the long process of using the basic responses to ask me what my favorite gun was. For those of you unfamiliar with USAFA Basic Cadet Training, Basic Cadets are only allowed to speak using the seven basic responses: Yes Sir; No Sir; No Excuse, Sir; Sir, May I ask a question?; Sir, may I make a statement?; Sir, I do not understand; Sir, I do not know. Of course, these responses are shouted. So this basic cadet went through the process, at lunch to do this:

“CADET JACOBSON, BASIC CADET READ REPORTS!!!”

Yes?

“SIR, MAY I ASK A QUESTION?”

Is it stupid?

“NO SIR!”

Let’s hear it.

“SIR, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GUN!”

Basic Cadet Read had a good question. What is my favorite gun? I have several, so choosing one is a difficult task. Obviously it depends upon application, as my Glock 9mm is not going to be my favorite duck hunting gun, and my shotgun is not going to be my favorite long-range implement.

Just thinking about choosing a “favorite gun” makes me cringe a little bit. Like I am cheating on the other ones by committing to one as a favorite. Like they would get jealous if I don’t spend enough time with them, and settle down with just one gun. Despite all these emotions the question brings, I would have to say that my favorite gun is the one I have with me. Right now, that gun is a Smith and Wesson M&P in .40 S&W. I use it as a competition gun, and as a concealed carry piece. I will admit it is a little big for concealed carry, but I make it work. It has a match barrel, a trigger job, and an excellent set of Israeli night sites. It was also the first handgun I ever bought, which I purchased off of a friend of mine who was looking to buy a Sig Sauer P226. The M&P40 is accurate, reliable, and easily enough concealed.

I will say though, that I wouldn’t recommend the .40 S&W round for much other than competition, where it gives you a power-factor advantage. Rather, I would recommend a 9mm or even a .45 ACP over it. The .40 doesn’t give you much of a power advantage over the 9mm, at the expense of a few rounds of capacity, and it gives you a sharper recoil impulse than the .45 ACP. All that being said, I find that I am extremely accurate with my particular M&P, and since I use it in USPSA competitions, I am very confident in my ability to hit what I am aiming at, even out to extended distances (25-50 meters for an unsupported pistol).

Despite how awesome I feel the M&P40 is right now, I’m sure that soon, I’ll be saying the same thing about my Glock19, or one of my .45’s. Not being able to chose your favorite gun is a good problem to have. Now here’s some links to videos of people shooting.

CLICK HERE for shooting videos

CLICK HERE for a tamed down example of USAFA BCT.