New shield .40 and CHL class

[M4tank]

I have a CHL scheduled this Saturday and I plan to fire the shield for the first time there.

My question is I have never fired a compact .40 before and I have some fiocchi 180 gr FMJ and Winchester 165 gr. FMJ.

Those with shield .40's... Can you tell much recoil difference in the 165 vs 180?

I have a Sig 229 .40 and HK USP .40, so I'm used to the round. All I have ever fired is 180 gr.

[dullh]

While CHL qualification does not require National Match precision, I would suggest that is NOT the time to break in a new/unfamiliar handgun.

I would use a handgun I am already familiar with for the CHL qualification and then get to know my new gun later.

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I've read that, in some states, you have to qualify with the gun you plan to carry. Not sure if that's the case here.

As to the ammo, Fiocchi is the ONLY ammo my SD40VE didn't like. 1-2 FTF's in every mag. I stick with Remington Golden Sabers.


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[OKFC05]

Due to numerous problems, one of the questions I ask of any student is "Have you fired the gun you intend to use?"
No is the wrong answer. Texas does not require you to fire the exact gun you intend to carry, so IMHO use a familiar gun.

[B0308]

Starting cold with an unfired pistol and no idea how it functions with untried ammo does not look like a path to success.

As advised above, I'd shoot the course with a reliable pistol/ammo combo and give the Shield a workout later. YMMV

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Originally Posted by fbcmrjrtykr

I've read that, in some states, you have to qualify with the gun you plan to carry. Not sure if that's the case here.


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I should add that I wasn't meaning to suggest you not fire and learn your shield before the class. I would echo what others have said before an after me.


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[M4tank]

Thanks for the suggestions... I plan to bring my Sig 229 .40 along also incase I have any problems. The Texas CHL firing course is super easy so I'm not worried about passing it with anything.

I guess I was really wondering if anyone could tell the difference in 180 gr and 165 gr loads in their shield.

Thanks.

[M4tank]

Passed the CHL with the new shield and no problems in the 50 rd course of fire. Weird though as all of my rounds were a little to the left. My groupings were good and I only dropped one out of the 8 ring at 15 yards.

Anyone else have an issue with your shield firing a little to the left? I used WWB 100 rd value pack 165 grain and the recoil was not bad at all.

I have kind of small hands and didn't notice much advantage with the 7 rd mag over the 6... So I'll most likely have it loaded with the 6.

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I've read a lot of complaints about that on various forms. Most have suggest finger placement on the trigger (tip, pad, 1st knuckle) as a likely culprit.

Congrats on passing your CHL. Sounds like pretty good shooting.

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[Norm66]

Chances are good it's you. Could be too much trigger finger as mentioned.

[Texas40]

Originally Posted by M4tank

Passed the CHL with the new shield and no problems in the 50 rd course of fire. Weird though as all of my rounds were a little to the left. My groupings were good and I only dropped one out of the 8 ring at 15 yards.

Anyone else have an issue with your shield firing a little to the left? I used WWB 100 rd value pack 165 grain and the recoil was not bad at all.

I have kind of small hands and didn't notice much advantage with the 7 rd mag over the 6... So I'll most likely have it loaded with the 6.

Youll notice the difference in 165 vs 180 rounds
Low left seems to be common on new to shield shooters it seems a lot of folks have to learn a new trigger finger position as most seem to pull the gun that way (low/left) with their standard finger position. I used my shield for my Tx CHL class as well but Id shot about 500 thru it before the class date. Congrats and youll learn to love that lil buger the more you carry it

[k80clay]

If you're shooting 50 rounds to qualify or something, go for it.

If you're shooting 300 or something, you're going to wear yourself shooting a sub-40.

[SemperFiGuy]

Originally Posted by M4tank

Passed the CHL with the new shield and no problems in the 50 rd course of fire. Weird though as all of my rounds were a little to the left. My groupings were good and I only dropped one out of the 8 ring at 15 yards.

Anyone else have an issue with your shield firing a little to the left? I used WWB 100 rd value pack 165 grain and the recoil was not bad at all.

I have kind of small hands and didn't notice much advantage with the 7 rd mag over the 6... So I'll most likely have it loaded with the 6.

Tank,

Sorry I missed your post. As you've figured out by now, there isn't really any significant difference in recoil between the 165 and 180 grain. The bigger variant is the powder type and amount. It can make a difference but, you figured it out.

Kudos on your CHL. Sounds like you found the mark. Regarding low left, I am right handed, but shoot a rifle off of my left shoulder as I am left eye dominant. You can image the looks I got at Parris Island when I was shouldering an M14 on the left shoulder while the rounds were ejecting across my face. What a hoot.

In any event, I shoot my .40 Shield, again, left eye dominant, but from my right hand, Isosceles stance, left hand assisting. My first 50 shots or so were way low and way left. I've learned how to compensate with the stock sights now so that I can figure out how much to the right I have to put the front sight and at what angle with the rear sights in order to be smack dab in the middle of the bullseye every squeeze.

That was another thing, trigger squeeze. I am big with a big hand. Had to really re-teach a gentler squeeze on the stock trigger. Got that down also, but with about 200 rounds to figure it out.

Like all new guns, the more you shoot, the quicker you'll figure out all of the little nuances. I try to follow Miculek's advice and use the Isosceles and bring the gun to the dominant eye. No head leaning, no modified Weaver, nothing fancy. Simple and effective. Bring the gun to the dominant eye and squeeze, don't jerk. In the $$ everytime.

All the best and Semper Fi !
Gil

[M4tank]

My rounds we just hitting to the left - a few inches, they were not low at all.

I am right handed, right eye dominate. So its not that.

It just me not being used to a smaller gun like that. All the handguns I have fired in the past have all been wider grip double stack magazines, so it's gotta be my trigger control/placement.

Need more trigger time with it.

Thanks for all your reply's/suggestions.

[lhump1961]

Originally Posted by M4tank

My rounds we just hitting to the left - a few inches, they were not low at all.

I am right handed, right eye dominate. So its not that.

It just me not being used to a smaller gun like that. All the handguns I have fired in the past have all been wider grip double stack magazines, so it's gotta be my trigger control/placement.

Need more trigger time with it.

Thanks for all your reply's/suggestions.

I tend to hit left as well and for me it was (is) not using equal support with both hands. When I use the support hand properly I shoot POA. JMHO.

[Fastbolt]

Originally Posted by lhump1961

I tend to hit left as well and for me it was (is) not using equal support with both hands. When I use the support hand properly I shoot POA. JMHO.

Being able to consistently hit POA when using a 2-handed grip is great. Usually considered more stable than a 1-handed grip.

However, if you start hitting left of POA when shooting 1-handed, that may mean that you've been compensating for a trigger control/press problem by relying upon your support hand.

Might be a good idea to have whatever trigger control/press problem that may exist be identified and corrected, because there may come a time when the only grip you might be able to use is your 1-handed grip.

I've worked with a number of guys who lean toward the competition type "60/40" 2-handed grip technique, and don't ever plan to have to shoot 1-handed where accuracy may be critical (think "precision shot", or "head shot") for more than points in a competition.

Once they were required to make consistently accurate hits shooting strong-hand/1-handed, it sometimes fell apart for them. (Now imagine weak-hand/1-handed )

Granted, shooting from the most stable 2-handed position is encouraged, whenever possible ... but relying upon the support hand to compensate for a strong-hand (or dominant hand, for those of you who don't have a "weak hand") technique problem may not ultimately be an ideal goal.

Like other less-than-ideal habits which have become ingrained, though, it can take some time (and lots of trigger time with corrected technique) to adopt a new technique to the point that it's performed properly & unconsciously.

[SidearmSam]

Your Shield chambered in .40 Smith & Wesson was built to fire 180 grain chunks of lead. I recommend shooting the intended weight of lead outta any sidearm for a number of obvious reasons... but that's just me.

[M4tank]

Originally Posted by SidearmSam

Your Shield chambered in .40 Smith & Wesson was built to fire 180 grain chunks of lead. I recommend shooting the intended weight of lead outta any sidearm for a number of obvious reasons... but that's just me.

I carry 180 gr. gold dot (non-SB version) in the gun.

But I'd feel just fine with the speer 165 version.

Why don't you point out these "obvious" reasons for us?

[SidearmSam]

Originally Posted by M4tank

I carry 180 gr. gold dot (non-SB version) in the gun.

But I'd feel just fine with the speer 165 version.

Why don't you point out these "obvious" reasons for us?

The point in saying they were obvious was so as not to have to get into them, assuming folks in this forum would already know... but sighting and proper slide function would top the list. Then we could wade into issues of consistency...