New P-07 questions

[DE0827]

I just got my P-07 (new version) in 40 cal, and it is the first pistol I have owned. The first thing I noticed is the slide seemed very stiff and difficult to maneuver. I have cleaned it, been to the range a couple times, and have been practicing at home. It does seem like it's getting easier, but I was wondering if this is normal. I know it could be just a part of the break in process & me getting used to it though.
I also wanted to try the different back straps, and even though I was successful in changing it, I sure had a hard time pushing the spring in to get the pin back in. Any pointers on making that task easier?
Loving the gun so far!
Thanks

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I just got my P-07 (new version) in 40 cal, and it is the first pistol I have owned. The first thing I noticed is the slide seemed very stiff and difficult to maneuver. I have cleaned it, been to the range a couple times, and have been practicing at home. It does seem like it's getting easier, but I was wondering if this is normal. I know it could be just a part of the break in process & me getting used to it though.
I also wanted to try the different back straps, and even though I was successful in changing it, I sure had a hard time pushing the spring in to get the pin back in. Any pointers on making that task easier?
Loving the gun so far!
Thanks

Lots of guys complain about the slide being stiff to rack and there are lighter recoil springs available but if the gun is running reliably and dropping spent casings within 6-8 ft. from your firing position I wouldn't mess with it. I run the standard spring in mine and have now issue with it. If your gun has the lanyard loop on the mainspring plug I use that to depress the spring and slide the pin out. If you have the flush fitting mainspring plug I have a 1/4 inch machine screw I drop in a hole in my work bench and put a piece of tape over it that I can depress those with. The tape protects the plug from scratches.

[M1A4ME]

You may find it easier to rack the slide to the rear if you thumb cock the hammer first.  Then you're only compressing the recoil spring as the hammer spring is already compressed.

What "feels good" in your hand may not be the best configuration for actual use.

If you quickly raise the pistol up and align the sights (with themselves and the target) are they aligned when you bring it up?  Or do you have to "find" the front sight?  Usually, when aimed straight to the front it's pretty normal/natural and they'll be lined up. 

However, if you pull the pistol up and aim it to the left, the right, low, high, etc. you many find that you have to waste some time finding that front sight.  Changing that back strap changes the way the pistol sits in your hand and can cause alignment issues.

I ran into this (for the very first time in my life) with my M&P FS pistols.  I came home, put the most comfortable inserts into the rear of the frame and felt good.  Then, while dry firing, I noticed that only when aimed to the front at normal height did the front sight "automatically" align with the rear sight and the target.  If aimed to the side, low, high, etc. the target and rear sight were there, but the front sight would low and pulled to one side or the other, requiring me to first raise the front of the pistol, then move the front to one side or the other to align the sights. 

Wasted time getting on target.

I sat down with the pistols and started changing out back straps till I found the one that kept my sights aligned no matter what angle I aimed the gun at.

If your P07 is the first pistol you've ever owned/carried you may not see this issue, because your mind and body have to learn to do it from scratch anyway.  Having carried a 1911 for so many years I'd never seen it either.  I "grew up" carrying/shooting the 1911 so my body and mind learned with one of those.  I had to find the M&P back strap that made the M&P point like my 1911's in my hand.