We’ve got quite a thread going concerning the accuracy of the full size M&P’s. And this has made me wonder just how accurate they CAN be. I’ve put maybe 2000 rounds downrange with my M&P40 but the majority of those have been with my 9mm barrel. I originally started out with 6” groups being average at 10 to 15 yards but over time my shooting with it has improved. The target below is pretty typical of what I'm getting. This is fired at a measured 50ft and is a 15 shot group. I attribute the flyers in the white to be caused by my poor trigger control. The black is a tad under 4" and the orange dot in the center is 2” in diameter. I would like to be able to put them all in the orange. Of course this is almost impossible using a combat hold at that range as the front sight almost completely covers the black at that range. This makes it difficult to really know if you’re holding on the same spot each time. I’m wondering if changing the sights to allow for a 6:00 o’clock hold would allow me to get better groups or if a mass produced plastic gun is even capable of getting smaller more consistent groups. I really enjoy shooting my M&P and don't mind spending a little money here and there to improve it but don't want to spend a lot of money and end up with the same results. I have already installed the APEX hard sear.

Been shooting handguns well over 40 years. I live in the "boondocks" and can shoot any time I get the inkling. My (stock/standard) three FS 9's will take the center out of that target at 25 yards along with my FS 45 (that one has 3 dot "nuke" sights). 9c will do the same at 15 yrds and keep them well with-in the orange at 25yrds. 9 Shield will keep them all in the center at 7 yrds and well with-in the orange at 15 yrds. Still breaking in the Shield and it's getting better all the time.

What you are describing is what I have gotten accustomed to with other pistols I have owned. I live near the boondocks and generally will get out at least once a week to shoot. Well hell, maybe it's just me. I know I need glasses but it's never shown itself up this badly in the past although, most of my shooting has been revolvers. I may not be as steady as I once was either I guess. And again, this isn't an outstanding target. I tried to pick one that was typical.

Matter of discipline. The mechanical potential is there, the rest involves mental trigger discipline.

So, with stock factory sights you can both get sub 2" groups at 50ft and better? I've been thinking it was the front sight covering too much of the target at that range (using a combat site picture) but it's looking like maybe I need to work on my trigger control. This is my first striker fired gun.