Hello,

I typically test for pistol accuracy by shooting five shot groups and measuring the best (closest) 3 out of 5. With my 1911's fullsize and commander length .45's, my SIG 226 and 229 9mm, and my Glock 19 and 26 9mm, I am able to shoot premium HP ammo and consistently get less then 3 inch groups at 25yds from a two-hand rested position.

Using a two-handed sandbag rested hold, I am getting 3 inch groups at 15yds and 5 to 6 inch groups at 25yds using four different types of premium standard pressure 115/124 grain HP ammo (GD, HST, Hornady, Rem GS).

Is this what you other 9mm Shield owners are experiencing?

Thanks in advance

I've never bench rested my Shield 9mm, but considering it's a personal protection 3" gun, I'd say those results are about right.

I did read about one test that showed 3" groups at 25yds...but that might've been from a ransom rest, not just sandbags.

I do not hold the Shield to the same accuracy I expect from my 4" and 5" 1911's....just ain't gonna happen!

That's about right for most 3" barrel guns...IMO.

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Lt. Dan, what R U doing here?

Your groupings are about right. Using a rest I can get just under 3 inch groups at 15 yards, with my Shield 40. You have to remember you have a 3.1 inch barrel and a short 5 inch sight radius. So without locking the gun in a bench rest, you are open sight aiming and just one degree variance in aiming will throw the impact point off. It is a SD gun, not a range gun. Most statistics show SD shooting situations are less than 20 feet.

Bob

Thanks for the feedback.

I know the larger/longer barrel firearms are more conductive to obtaining smaller groups. But I'm on my second G26 and I've previously owned a G27 for a few years...I could/can obtain less then 3 inch groups at 25yds with all those three and one/half inch barreled pistols. Was hoping for the same out of my 3.1 inch barrel shield.

regards,

Just qualified with my Shield 9mm for use as a back-up. I shot all A zone IPSC and scored 100 for a 25 rnd. course from 15 yds. in. I have had sub 3" groups at 25 yds. with 125 gr. GDHP +P. I have seen no problems in accuracy.

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Dave Frost

when the lasermax 1st. come out i bought one. it would not adj. like it should have. so it went back. but at 10 yds, i cloverleafed several rounds. and the the shot groups were good. didn`t want to have/trust a laser that could not stay adj., and i trust my front sight shooting, especially at close ranges.

+1 on this.

The G-26 barrel is (just about) 3.5" and my grouping with my XDM9c (3.8") and G-26 are both better than my 3" barreled subcompacts.

The Shield (and other 3" subcompacts) are pretty much designed for under 30', so if someone can get good groups at 25yds, that's icing on the cake.

I was at my agencies range facility last week with my Shield. Was shooting the Winchester frangible load. Not the most accurate load they make. I was still able to clear the pie plate racks from 25 yds. These are six 6" plates. If I missed one at 25 yds, it was due to me, not the gun. For a 3" barreled BUG, I'm ecstatic with the accuracy of my Shield.

My photo shows grouping achieved with the Shield. Alot of of dry firing, and when you're done practicing, practice some more.<wink>

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Bob

Posted this before on another Thread, but I love to brag so I'll post it again!

This was my wife's second magazine fired ever through her new Shield, shot at 15 yards off hand. She is an experienced shooter, but this still impressed me. It's a very accurate gun...keep practicing!

Very good shooting there. I can see this isn't her first rodeo with a handgun and not a girl to be messed with.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

If you are using your Shield as a self defense or backup gun, a 3" or 6" group @ 25 yds. will more than get the job done. The operative word in your post is "two handed rest position". If you get the opportunity for that luxury, you are probably not in a self defense situation. The real test is how many shots can you put in the center of mass at 20' while you are moving and your target is shooting back at you. Which probably goes back to making a good case for carrying a Sig 226 with a 18 round magazine, wearing depends, and a bible in your front pocket.

Wow! Post that target on the outside of your front door.

You'd be surprised at how many female shooter's can accomplish this. Let me tell about the time I took one to the range who never fired a gun before, she was turning out groups like this in less than a hundred rounds.

It is nice to take your time and try for close groups. But in a real SD situation you may not have the luxury of taking your time. Practice should also include 4-5 very fast shots, gripping with one and two hands. You have to be prepared and you may not have time to aim, just point and shoot.

How many news videos have you seen where the bad guy and good guy are blasting away and no one gets hit. This type of point and shoot practice might save a life. Dry firing with a laser really lets you test your point and shoot aim. At first you won't believe how far your aim is off. You can get very deep into this where you also practice with your weak hand. Accuracy is very important, but will you have time to fully aim?

Bob

Headshots at 15 meters on an IPSC target with either of my 9mm Shields using my carry load (124 standard pressure).
Perfectly happy with that.

And those are the reason's I will always practice at 25 yards.

I would guess that under pressure you might be at least 2.5 times off with aim. If so, then being able to get 6" groups at 25 yards might be able to get 6" groups at 10 yards when in a SD situation.

On the other hand, those that adhere to the, "it's only a SD gun made for less than 10 feet, so beyond that who cares", might be able to get 4" groups at 10 feet, but when the need to shoot under pressure at 15 feet, might be getting 18" groups and missing the bad guy altogether. Why take a chance? Practice for the worst and hope for the best. If you can't hit 25 yard targets with a little practice, get a different handgun or get a little training.

Some of the responders may have misunderstood my first post.

I always look to determine what is the accuracy capable of a any handgun that I shoot from a two handed rested position. My standard is a 5 inch group (or less) at 25yards for handguns with barrels greater then 2.5 inches. If I can not achieve that after testing different SD ammo then that particular handgun does not remain in my collection.

While I still have a few more brands/weight of SD ammo to test, so far only 115gr Hornady JHP ammo out of my 9mm Shield produces 5 inch groups.

I was just asking what other 9mm Shield owners are grouping at 25yards.

regards,

Your requirements seem well within reason. Sorry I do not have the 9, but if it did not meet that minimum of 5" group from a rest at 25 yards, it too would be gone.

Follow up to accuracy. I just put a LaserMax laser on my Shield 40. I took it to the range today for the first time. Once I got it sighted in I took some accuracy shots. I used a bean bag rest and took my time. 10 shots inside a 2 inch circle at 15 yards. The gun is accurate and consistent. It took almost 2 minutes to take the 10 shots. Anyone that has used a laser knows the laser shows even the slightest movement of the gun. That's what took the longest, getting the laser as still as possible and holding on the traget as I squeezed the trigger.

Not a real world test except it shows the Shield 40 is accurate and consistent. This shooting group could be duplicated by almost anyone, shooting slow and using a rest. I 'm sure some could get the grouping even closer.

Bob