I am new to this forum thing so please bare with me. I took my Shield to the range for the first time today and I am hitting 6-8" left of center at about 10yds. I had a friend shoot it, our groups were identical. I used a bag from a seated position. I can say with certain it is not the shooter. I have been shooting for 35 years. I have my small arms instructor certification and I have shot bullseye for years. The only reason I tell you this is so you can understand i understand grip and problems with right hand shooters shooting left and I feel a can save a few "you're holding it wrong" posts I'm not a new be to the sport. Just a new be to a M & P Shield. Have you heard of anyone else with this problem? If so did S&W fix it?

Hahaha I see after I posted this a few people have had this problem

Its the trigger . Triggers r anywhere from 6.5 to 8.6 lbs. Mine was at 8.6. I had the same iisue till I got my apex kit in. If u try fire it ull notice at the time is goes click the muzzle moves to the left. I had the issue where it goes to the right. Im a left.

What did u prefer to shoot before ?

For a compact carry pistol I used a LCR .38, a LC9 or Sig 938 I hated the trigger on the LC9(how ironic) at work I carry a Sig 229 DAK

Upon further inspection i see the rear sight is off centered about 1/64 or 1/32 to the left let me wack it on over and see what she does

And check the trigger pull.

If shooter has been ruled out, go to the sights next.

"It's the trigger weight" - no, no it's not. It's that's the problem, it's the shooter. Standing still on a square range with a static target you should be able to hit accurately with a 15lb trigger at 10 yards.

Get an Apex trigger kit. I was all over the place with the Shield first time out. It's the trigger break that causes this for sure

+1 A shooter having a problem with trigger pull poundage or the break has a problem, not the firearm. That's similar to moving the sights to "correct" a shooting problem of consistently shooting off center. Better to correct the shooter's technique.

How many Types of ammo have you tried?, before anything else I would buy two or three brands of ammo and see if the issue remains. I have had handguns that did not like a certain brand and was putting the rounds way left.

I thought hitting left of center for a right handed shooter was too little finger on the trigger. Unless your shooting at around 25 yrds or greater, 1/64" off center sights does not equal 6-8"

Mines a little left and smith said they would fix it if I sent it in. 14 day turnaround. I didn't send it back though, I plan to do the apex guts and new sights anyway so I'll just take care of it myself.
So to answer your question yes, they told me they would fix it.

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Casey

same prob. Apex took care of it mine was 10.5 avg. on a lyman ga. with Apex installed avg. was 4.8 lbs. and now shoots POA.

What APEX parts did you install?

I just put another post up about the same thing and I am having the same problem with my shield as well.

But why should we have to spend more money to fix the trigger? That kinda upsets me as well. I shouldn't have to spend more money to make my gun shoot better out of the box.

I have to agree with the post above saying if switching the trigger out with a lighter one like the APEX kit solves the issue, it's an issue that can be corrected with a different stance handling. I have a M1895 nagant revolver that has a 38 billion pound DA pull and a 22lb SA pull. Shot all over the place with it when I got it until I learned how to change my handling.

It could be qualitatively how the trigger breaks that causes the issue rather than the actual weight of the trigger pull, that seems more likely to me than the weight. I also wouldn't expect a trigger issue to be reproducible or the shots be so off consistently even from bench. Check the sights, give it a good cleaning, check everything.

Google search handgun diagnostic targets. The first link is for images. Look at any of the images for a right handed shooter. If you are constantly grouping to the left, it is usually a trigger finger issue, and not a gun problem. Adjusting the placement of your trigger finger and the angle of trigger pull will take care of this. I had the same issue when switching from my M&P to my Kimber.

Wingnuut: I'm assuming you have a Massachusetts trigger in your Shield. A long heavy pull will upset the front sight if you do not pull straight back on the trigger. The slightest bit of diagonal pressure will move the muzzle. I understand that a lot of people use APEX parts in the M&Ps. I am not one of them, but have been seriously considering a DCAEK for my 40c. I would heavily caution you to having such a drastically reduced trigger on a carry gun in the state of Mass. where the heavy trigger is a law. If you ever need to use your gun, you may have a hard time in court with the modifications.

None of the posters have stated at what distance their Shield is shooting left. Keep in mind it is not a target gun.

I'm not trying to sound flippant at all, just trying to offer suggestions that may save you some time dealing with S&W