Bought a new polymer frame, steel slide, 9 mm from a reputable manufacturer (not S&W, permit me to not say the brand for now). It is reliable and accurate, but shoots to the right (2 or 3 inches at 10 yards). I am a lefty so I asked a righty to shoot it--it shot to the right for him as well (and he is VERY experienced). I moved the rear sight waaay over to the left (as much as I could without it hanging of the side of the slide), and that brought it almost back to center. But now it seems I need to consciously flex my wrist to bring the front sight into alignment

I looked at the front of the gun, and noticed the hole in the slide from which the barrel protrudes appeared slightly to the right. Measured it with a caliper and it seems about .015" to the right (the left edge of the hole was .20 from the left side of the slide; the right edge was .23 from the right side of the slide).

Does this sound like whining, or something in my imagination? Or does this sound like a a real mfg defect? I do not know what tolerances are expected. Are there more tests I should do or measures I should take?

I will go back to the manufacturer for service if that seems called for. Again this is not a S&W but you folks here are so knowledgeable and level-headed I thought I would ask here for advice. Thank you!

I would call the company and tell them just what you found and see what they say.

More like poor quality control rather than any kind of defect.

A company like S&W recognizes quality control issues and will correct as needed. Your mystery manufacturer may feel your gun is acceptable. Contact them to see what they say.

"reputable manufacturer" should mean that their CS will take care of it; can't hurt to call them and tell them what you found. The difference your caliper found may or may not be within the tolerances on the drawing.

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"... shall not be infringed."

If findings and info is correct, I'm sure people would like to know what to look for. I don't understand the reluctance to name the mfg.. Butt that's your option.

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SOS USA

Every manufacturing process has it's tollerances and it sounds like your pistol snuck out without a check somehow. It needs some TLC and the best place is the manufacturer. Write up your tests in detail, your finding and what you would like them to fix (read not how). An example of this is that you expect a pistol to shoot dead on left to right at 10 yrds. Moving the rear sights to the extreams is not acceptable as cause your wrist to cramp.

My read is that if they are a company that cares about their name they will make things right. If you get a dolt in customer service ask for a supervisor and then manager. Get names, write down dates and then if you get no where ask for the department's director. You can check to see if the person they say is a manager really is one by calling and speaking with the CEO or COO's assistant.

If they feel the pistol is within their factory specifications then ask them to send you a copy of all thier specifications and post them with a warning here and else where on the net. Don't tell them that though.

Document, have someone review your request and be respectiful yet firm. You will do fine.

Please let us know how you make out.

B2 (;->

Wow, 2-3 inches right of POA at 10 yards? It may group well, but that far off target, especially with the rear sight adjusted all the way over to correct, sure doesn't meet my definition of accurate. Since it was experienced by multiple shooters, it seems to be a problem with the gun, rather than grip or sight picture. Certainly not "perfection." Reliability is of little use if it won't allow accurate shot placement, and compensating for a known accuracy problem by shifting the sights off target will result in poor performance on the range, and is not practical in a high stress defensive situation. I reccomend contacting the manufacturer's warranty service department and stressing the lack of accuracy, offering your measurements as additional information. There are many factors which could impact this sittuation (placement of front sight on slide, internal tolerances, etc), and you may have received a gun which has several areas which are at max tolerances, but at opposing sides when considered as to their interaction. Hope they can resolve this for you.