M&P 9 shooting low/low left?

CSimmsSU · #1 08-13-2012, 06:34 PM

I am a new shooter so am not about to blame the gun for this and am sure it is operator error. But having no training in properly aiming, I have found that I consistently shoot my new M&P 9mm low or low left of the target. This is about 7-10 yards out. I am right handed shooter but left eye dominant so not sure if this is a cause? Any suggestions/tips and I'd appreciate it! Thanks a lot

gregm784 · #2 08-13-2012, 06:41 PM

Practice trigger pull...lots of practice. This is a very common issue. I would start youtube'ing proper grip, trigger control, etc. You are embarking down a fun road right now. enjoy the trip. Oh ya, buy ammo in bulk. If you buy a box each time you go to the range, this sport is/seems very expensive. I buy by the thousands, so each range trip is pretty cheap.

Training is always worth what you pay for it too. Not sure what area you are in, but i'm sure someone can recommend a great instructor.

nickn10 · #3 08-13-2012, 07:32 PM

I've been told it's due to jerking the trigger, seems to be accurate at least in my case. I'm a lefty so mine go low right. To prove it to myself I fired 20 rounds on sandbags...results, dead on, about 1 inch high at 20 yds.

kris7047th · #4 08-13-2012, 07:36 PM

I did that a lot when I first learned to shoot because I was mashing the trigger. My 1st gun was a S&W 638 that had a 10lb + trigger pull which made it extremely difficult for me. Have someone work with you to learn the fundamentals.

danysw · #5 08-13-2012, 07:49 PM

Shooting low left happens 99% of the time in a beginner right handed shooter as gregm784 said and almost all the time is because of “jerking the trigger”. Solution is practice, practice and more practice. Google will help finding articles and videos on how to shoot better. Welcome aboard dude and good luck!!!

jajo · #6 08-13-2012, 07:49 PM

I agree with the comments above. The M&P trigger has a long take up (in my opinion); mine has a nice clean break and then some over travel. It takes practice to become proficient, but it's definitely worth it. This is a great pistol.

Some practice dry firing might help.

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Wee Hooker · #7 08-13-2012, 08:46 PM

Get a handfull of snap caps and have somebody else randomly load a a few mags with a mix of these and live ammo. Start shooting. When the striker falls on a snap cap vs live round, note how the gun moves. Then cycle the next round in (without looking) and try again. It won't be long before you train yourself to fix your improper trigger/ grip skills.

DocSunShine · #8 08-13-2012, 11:12 PM

New right handed right eye dominant shooters almost always shoot left/lower left. It's not the gun, it's you and it's not uncommon at all, don't feel bad or don't feel like you're a bad shot. To this day when I line my irons up, I compensate for this and aim a touch high and to the right.

Brass Nuggets · #9 08-13-2012, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSimmsSU

I am a new shooter so am not about to blame the gun for this and am sure it is operator error. But having no training in properly aiming, I have found that I consistently shoot my new M&P 9mm low or low left of the target. This is about 7-10 yards out. I am right handed shooter but left eye dominant so not sure if this is a cause? Any suggestions/tips and I'd appreciate it! Thanks a lot

I'm righty, left eye dominant. Left leaning shots are usually too much trigger finger wrapped around the trigger, and as you squeeze, you have a tendency to torque your right hand… left. For now, don’t spend time, concerned on shooting low. Slow down on firing; make sure the trigger sits in the middle on your finger, first joint… not inside the joint. IN other words, the trigger needs to rest about as far back as the finger nail, that is mid point of the first joint. If you work on this drill, you will find your point of impact (POA) move right and slightly higher… you’re squeezing to hard.

kcabear · #10 08-13-2012, 11:53 PM

I was doing the same when I first started shooting except I was low and right. I was putting my left pointer over the front of the trigger guard and then my thumb against the frame pulling my shots down and right. I used the targets that diagnose bad habits and I put my fingers where they go and started doing the push-pull technic and it went away with practice and concentrating on each and every trigger pull.

Twoboxer · #11 08-14-2012, 12:11 AM

IMHO, the M&P9 needs a strong grip with both hands in addition to proper trigger control, and the correct sight picture. IOW, the fundamentals lol.

If the right hand isn't truly firm, odds are its other fingers are squeezing the pistol down and left when you squeeze the trigger. If the left hand isn't firm, you allow recoil to the left. If the trigger is jerked, you can get "low".

Also, you didn't mention your sight picture . . . front dot should be on the desired POI.

Finally you also didn't say how you address your left eye dominance. Close your left eye and see if your groups move . . . doesn't matter if they are still off the bullseye for other reasons.

Masterorion9 · #12 08-14-2012, 12:27 AM

Also try using the larger grip insert. At first I used the medium because I felt the large was too fat. However the smaller grip circumference was allowing my trigger finger to creep in during recoil, which resulted in stringing left. I've since switched to the large insert, as well as installing Apex Tactical's Forward Set Sear &trigger. Now my shots are dead center when I do my part. Just food for thought. Nothing beats qualified instruction, however.

SGT_Kramer · #13 08-14-2012, 03:05 PM

I find one of the best tips for a new shooter is don't load the mag full and sit there shooting 17 rnd at a time. put 3-5 rounds in there and slow fire. Stay focused and keep shooting practice around an hour to prevent fatigue in form. As you get better load em up full and shoot as long as you want but those are things I've noticed helped new shooters.

RIDavid · #14 08-14-2012, 05:29 PM

I am also shooting low left with my Shield. It's frustrating!

CSimmsSU · #15 08-14-2012, 07:16 PM

thanks for the reply guys. lots of great tips and i will be sure to test them out next time at the range.
as far as my right dominant, left eye dominant... what is best strategy for this in terms of aiming?

danysw · #16 08-14-2012, 08:53 PM

You should always shoot with your dominant eye open or if you feel comfortable you could do it with both eyes open, but never with the non dominant.

kris7047th · #17 08-14-2012, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSimmsSU

thanks for the reply guys. lots of great tips and i will be sure to test them out next time at the range.
as far as my right dominant, left eye dominant... what is best strategy for this in terms of aiming?

I am big time right handed, left eye dominant. I semi shut my right eye and focus with the left eye while shooting right handed. But .. I could not for the life of me shoot long gun right handed. So, from the get go I decided to shoot shotguns and rifles left (using right handed guns only) This works very well for me. Would not consider buying a left handed long gun.

Twoboxer · #18 08-14-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSimmsSU

. . . as far as my right dominant, left eye dominant... what is best strategy for this in terms of aiming?

I don't think it's possible to be certain which is the "best" strategy for you to deal with the problem. No one here can see your current stance and shot, or know your purpose. What I *can* advise is to (1) figure out what problem - if any - your cross-dominance is causing you, and (2) consider one of the several strategies for dealing with it.

I advised earlier to shoot a group as you currently do, no changes. Then close your left eye and shoot a second group. If cross-dominance is causing you an issue, you'll see a difference.

As for dealing with it, you can:

1) Train to be right-eye dominant (they say it can be done, but you may not be aware if you revert at the worst possible time)
2) Close your left eye, align sights with right eye. (may lose depth perception, peripheral vision. *May* be important to you)
3) Use both eyes, align sights with left eye (stance a bit awkward)
4) Change nothing except adjust your hold for the variance you saw (tricky as distances and sight radius etc change)

I am right-handed, right eye dominant, but have an issue in my right eye causing multiple and blurry images of the iron sights in that eye's image. Until that is fixed, I've chosen to shoot right eye closed, sights aligned with left eye. YMMV.

jajo · #19 08-15-2012, 07:17 AM

I am ambidextrous and left eye dominant. I shoot right handed (primarily). No problems.

I switched to right handed shooting about 40 years ago when learning the M16. It was and still is pretty much a right handed world.

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George9 · #20 08-15-2012, 08:15 PM

Get 3 dummy loads and have someone else load your mag up. When you hit that dummy round and it don't go bang you will see exactly what your doing wrong. Best way I know.. Give it a try.. After that click you should still be right on target.. You will see that your drastically jabbing at that trigger and may also detect if your flinching adding to the missed shots.. Do this drill every once in a while to keep you on your toes.. George