Hello all, new to the forum and got my gun early august. This is my first handgun but have grown up shooting and hunting my whole life. Have not had much luck with accuracy with the pistol no center ring shots with approx. 500 rounds through. Would normally attest to being new to handguns but was shooting with my father in law last weekend and I shoot the .22 and his .357 Magnus very well with about a 4" group with the .357 @15 yes. I've read the thread about th FS .9mm issues just wondering if anyone is seeing this with the .40. Thanks love the gun and the forum!

What is your accuracy...or lack there of? Are you new to a double action only semi auto? What type of ammo? Some more info and I'm sure someone can help you out

Are you shooting low left?

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Jorge

To clarify the previous posts a bit there are accuracy results that are EXTREMELY TYPICAL for those new to handguns or a particular platform.

One of these is for a right hander to shoot low and left and a left hander shooting low and right. If you are shooting shows this typical response you are having problems with the trigger. The "fix" for this is Practice and concentration on proper technique. Specifically slow down your firing rate, concentrate on relaxing fully through the trigger break, and use a slow steady trigger press WITHOUT ANTICIPATING the gun firing.

The second most comon problem is FLINCHING. BTW, don't even attempt trying to say you don't flinch, because anyone who's shot handguns for a long time knows darned well that everyone grows a flinch at some point. Personally I believe that the difference between a good handgun shooter and someone who shoots poorly is that the good shooters have learned how to feel it when they flinch and will slow down and practice for a good clean release until they conquer that flinch. Bottomline, centerfire handguns have enough recoil and muzzle blast to cause anyone to flinch, how you deal with it when you are flinching will determine how good a handgun shooter you'll become.

Finally, in closing I'll tell you that hanguns are so well made today that accuracy problems due to a defect is exremely rare. The simple truth is that 99% of the time accuracy probelms are caused by the shooter, not a defect in the gun. As for your better results with a 22 caliber pistol they have so little recoil or blast that anyone can shoot them without flinching. As for your success with that 357 Magnum, I have a pretty strong hunch that you were shooting in Single Action, which pretty much takes Trigger Management out of the picture.

My FS M&P .40 is my second most accurate pistol, behind only my 1911.

Thanks everyone! This is why I posted here. Information i cannot get from just anywhere. I will continue to practice practice practice. And yes I am a righty shooting low left but also straight left at 9 oclock. And also first experience with semi auto but love it and everyone else loves the gun too. Gonna treat myself to the storm lake 9 mm conversion barrel too. Easy for my wife!!!

Had the problem when I first got my M&P 40 and after some serious reading and getting used to it it's now one of my favorite guns....super accurate.

Was shooting low left for a bit as well at first!

There ya go. I have the same issue, especially if switching from SA only to DA only.

Gotta get used to all kinds of diff. triggers via practice, practice and more practice...

But never forget to have fun while doing it

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Jorge

Let me save you almost $100 with this tidbit:

Use the stock M&P 9mm barrel. It actually works BETTER than the Storm because a lot of the Storm barrels have to be sent back or machined to work. So far (and I've been tracking this ever since I joined this forum) I haven't heard of a single problem with the stock, factory S&W 9mm barrel.

You can pick one up at Midway on sale for $59, but they are normally $65. Other vendors have them also, or you can order one right from S&W.

Your .40 mags will work, but may lock the action open with one round remaining as the follower comes up around the smaller 9mm round in the mag. You can use 9mm mags for better reliability, but they aren't required if you don't want them.

Good luck, and BTW, my .40FS is very accurate.

I would practice the "wall drill" to help with any trigger problems. It will help diagnose and cure trigger problems.
Wall Drill Dry Practice - YouTube
Of course you will have to reset the trigger by racking the slide because the M&P uses a striker.

Im right handed... Im shooting LOW and to the RIGHT .. now a lot but I want to be better... if the target is center im 2 inches low and 2 inches to the right same results at 5 yards to 20 yards..

I shoot 7 yards, 2 inch targets. 9/10 times im 0.75 inches within bullseye. Stock FS .40 shooting lead. Lead is the key