I read threads that claim that the M&P 9 Shield was accurate. What does that really mean? Does that mean a five shot 1.5" group from 7 yards? Does that mean that you hit five shots somewhere in the siloette? Does that mean you can hit the paper with five shots?

For me it means it's accurate off a rest. Standing, rapid fire from a draw, for me and my big hands is more of a problem past 10 yards.

I can do the 5 shots in 1 1/2" at 7 yards but every shooter has different capabilities... The shield is not a target gun but does well for it's intended purpose.

If I do my part, my 9mm Shield will shoot 3" - 4" groups at 15 yards.

Depends mostly on the quality of the light, and how many cups of coffee I've had prior to the detonations.

Not as good as my 6906, but OK.

__________________
Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

I ask this because I am having a difficult time with my M&P 9 Shield. I can shoot 1.5" groups with both of my CZs, both of my Barettas, both of my 1911s and all three of my Sigs. I can not do it with my Shield. I can not get my left hand hold good enough to keep the muzzle flip down. I have resided my self to shooting the Shield single handed. I can get three inch groups at 7 yards using either my right or left hand but the groups are three inches high. Anyone else having this problem?

Nope. Mine was accurate right from the box (after a quick cleaning). I'd work on my grip if I were you, or use the pinky extension on the 7 round mags....or both.

At what distance?

A Shield is not in the same class as a FS pistol, it's a compact Self Defense pistol. My Shields (both 9 & 40) are quite accurate out to 10 yards, which for ME is fine. At 3 yards/10 feet, my 40 Shield will drop 13 rounds into a 1/2" C-C group; 40 cal. bullet dia. is .400, so I think it's plenty accurate! My thoughts are, SD distances will be from arms length to 7-10 yards. If you can consistently keep groups center of mass you're doing well for what the gun was intended to do.

I shoot FS 4" revolver, have 3-FS M&P's and a FS 1911; the Shield IS NOT the same as these. I had to make only slight adjustments to my grip for my Shields to be accurate/comfortable, but I DID have to make some adjustment. You need to spend more time getting comfortable with your Shield; working on grip and dry firing will help. With correct sight picture/sight alignment, all my guns shoot centered groups on target. Most shooters have problem with low/left so I'm not sure why you are shooting 3" high @ 7 yards. My Shields shoot dead center and did right out of the box-again know how to use the sights with correct picture/alignment.

Leave the FS guns at home and work with the Shield, concentrate on the basics, adjust your grip and work on sight picture/alignment and you'll be fine. Also, pick up some 124 gr. ammo and see if that helps. :-)

Definitely a grip issue, not the gun's, yours.

Had the Sheild at the range yesterday.. Grip does matter...Finally found the grip needed to center my groups up from the low left (maybe 3 inches low and left), that I had been shooting...I don't have any trouble shooting under 2 inch groups at 7-10 yards with it... Does exactly what I expect a SD gun to do.. (as long as I do my job!)

When I want to shoot very small groups at extended ranges, I use a rifle...That pistol is for fighting your way back to the rifle you should have never set down!

73
Semper Fi
Ed

This was with a brand new Shield last week at 7 and 15 yards with Gold Dot G2 147. Center of mass group at 15 and head group at 7 were fired from a two hand hold. The lower group was fired support hand only. This was a brand new gun, and I was also trying to get used to a slimmer grip and slightly stuffer trigger than what I'm used to with my M&Ps. I didn't try it at 25, but it seemed accurate enough to hit a torso sized target from further back.

Attached Images

image.jpg (34.9 KB, 526 views)

Just to put my 2 cents in...................I'm VERY happy with my Shield. I have however, always had trouble maintaining tight groups while using the 7 round mag because, my pinky finger has nothing to grip and it throws me off. My solution to this was quite simplw. I just bought another 8 round mag.

I took two of my single stack compact pistols to the range. One a Sig P239 and the other a S&W9 Shield. The P239 shot 1.5" groups at 7 yards into a bulls eye using "Point of Aim". The S&W9 Shield shot 3" high with a 3" group while using the 8 round mags. I tried using the "6 o'clock hold" but the group was still high above the bulls eye. The groups for the M&P9 Shield was high even when holding the pistol with one hand. My concern is with bulls eye shooting to determine accuracy for me. Without a bulls eye, I have no idea what you good people were aiming towards. I am a big dude and "breaking wrist up" was never ever a problem for me. Let me put it this way. I shoot my S&W 627 PC one handed and make 2" groups at 7 yards using magnum loads. I do notice that the Shield's barrel tilts quite high when locked back. I'm not expecting a "blow back" alignment but I'm wondering if this plays heavily into the muzzle flip? Could my rear sight be too high? Think I will measure the sights.

Bought this for cc an don't like it. I feel better with the Glock 19 or the 42 or xds. in 45.

The height of the Shield's slide is 22mm across the slide. So, the top of the Shield slide appears to be flat across the slide like a Glock. It was difficult measuring the rear sight since it molded rearward. I measured the front sight and got 5.6mm. The rear sight was ~7.4mm for a difference of 1.8mm between the from and rear sights.
I used the sight correction calculator from Brownells WEB sight. The formula for sight correction needed is ((Amount of Error[3"] X Sight Radius[5.25"]) / Distance to Target[252"]). If I'm getting groups 3" above bulls eye, the correction IS 0.063" OR 1.6mm. The 1.6mm is awfully close to the 1.8mm difference in sight height.

My Shield is as accurate as I can shoot it.

This was the first target I ever shot when I first bought my Shield.
I can't remember now if it was 7 or 10 yards, but this was 100 rounds of WWB.
You can see it took me a few shots to learn the trigger, but then I shot out the bullseye easily.

Plenty accurate for a carry gun.

EdN: Can you give me the specific "adjustment" that resulted in your bringing them up from low left - or isn't it that simple. Just curious as to what magic you discovered as I often start off in that same low/left area. thanx and Merry Christmas. hugh

My 9mm Shield wasn't very accurate to POA for me either (low left groups) and a big part of the blame was the trigger. The rest was me. My other handguns have far better trigger pulls so I wanted to improve the Shield. I replaced the sear only with one from APEX. Instantly better with improved groups. I also discovered trigger finger placement is very important with this pistol. It's no target gun for sure and you won't find many people taking head shots in a hostage situation with it LOL.

When the sight dots fell out, I replaced the sights with Tru-Glo TFO night sights and I think that helped some too. If you want to shoot a pistol that really, really takes practice to shoot well - try the Ruger LCP. Love it and the Shield for their intended purpose - CCW. Good luck!

__________________
Webfarmer

I think the biggest problem is that you're comparing the Shield to full size pistols with different types of triggers. This would be especially true if the Shield is your first striker fired trigger after extensive experience with SA and DA/SA triggers. The striker fired trigger has that wall before the break which makes it easy (at least for me) to introduce a flinch or push or some type of movement that impacts group size significantly. A shorter barrel and lighter weight also makes a difference.

Try shooting your Shield from a rest, if you can, and I think you'll find the accuracy is fine. Probably not 1911 accuracy though. It's just a matter of practice and learning the Shield and its trigger.

I agree completely. The trigger on my Shield 9 is nearly as good as the excellent trigger on my SIG P320 Compact 9. I often practice at 15 yards. When I first got my Shield, I could only hit a 4"x4" square at that distance about 25% of the time. Now I consistently hit the square better than 50% of the time. That's plenty accurate for a self-defense gun for me. At closer ranges, it's even better. The attached photo shows my entry in Rastoff's Challenge--Dropping the Gauntlet, in the Concealed Carry section of the Forum. It requires 4 shots from 3 yards, 6 shots from 5 yards, 6 shots from 7 yards and 4 shots from 10 yards. The shots must be taken "cold" -- no warm-ups. I'd had my Shield for two months at the time.

Keep working at it, and it (and you) will get better!

Attached Images

DSCN0484.jpg (40.2 KB, 215 views)

Accuracy is a subjective matter unless defined. Keep in mind that this is a small carry gun with a seven pound trigger and lots of over travel after trigger releases the sear. The end result is the muzzle twitches to the side. This can be managed with a strong two hand grip. For me, perhaps good accuracy would be hitting a small pie plate at 10yards. Accuracy potential would be determined by using a Random Rest or sand bags.

Are you comparing your Shield to a service pistol?

I am breaking in a 9mm Shield. The range I'm using has fixed firing line and target frames, 25 yards only, offhand two hand hold, slow fire. Longer distance than self defense. I get tired after 50 rounds or so... lose my focus somewhat. First trip with the Shield got about ten rounds in the bullseye, the rest all over target. I'm at 250 rounds and now it's 50% in the bullseye, the rest close. By the end of break in I should be around 75% in the bullseye. The Shield is more accurate than most of us can hold it. There's folks that say I'm nuts for shooting a ccwbpistol at bullseye distances but guess what, confidence is a big part of handgun shooting and when you can confidently make hits at 25 yards the 7-10 yard stuff is real easy. Find target, look at front sight, press trigger, with both eyes open.....Mike

It is published on the last page of the operation manual that comes with the pistol. I cant find it right now but it says something like 4" at 25 yards . Doesn't say anything about how achieved, what ammo or anything that means something.

__________________
Regards from THE Old Fart

Page 39 of the Shield Safety & Instruction Manual: http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore...al_10-2015.pdf
(Adjusted font, spacing & alignment to make sense in a quote box.)

Quote:

The certification below is required only for handguns sold in the United States with a barrel length shorter than 3”. Smith & Wesson Corp. hereby certifies average accuracy test results for all new handguns with a barrel shorter than 3” as follows: 7 yards - 1.7" 14 yards - 3.9" 21 yards - 6.3" This certification is based on tests conducted by Smith & Wesson Corp. using a fixed handgun, rest and firing ammunition manufactured by a member of the Shooting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) as defined in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-1993. This certification represents actual tests based on several handguns, selected at random. Your particular handgun may have accuracy better than the results stated in this certification.

I thought I remember hearing that this was originally included because of short-barreled revolvers. It's the same info listed in the Metal Frame Pistol manual (3rd gen's).

Anyway, the last Shield pistols I tried on our range (early Shield 9 owned by another instructor, and a Shield 40 T&E loaner) both seemed to have acceptably decent practical accuracy.

I was shooting whatever the standard duty/qual loads were on hand for the particular day involved. Each seemed easily capable of making called hits on small wooden clothespins at 5-7yds (positioned on the edges of the cardboard target backboards) when I did my part, shooting 2-handed, unsupported. Nothing out of the ordinary for the guns or their triggers, either. Just as they came from the box.

That ought to be good enough for government work, so to speak. Might be better in the hands of a better shooter, using ammo cheery-picked for best accuracy in each particular gun.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

To Pre-qualify for NRA Pistol instructor, one needs to put 4 sets of 5 shots each, onto an 8" target at 45', with a grouping of 6". I can do <6" groups at 45' with my Shield, although, through no fault of the pistol, I usually end up with 1 'flyer' .

I think its all in how much you practice, practice an practice.

I do ok with the seven rounders but it takes a little longer to get the proper grip.I've only bought seven rounders as spares but adding the NDZ base plates was a considerable improvement for me. Working from the holster I get a near perfect grip every time with these.The stipple texturing I did helps too,especially in rapid one hand shooting.

__________________
Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

It appears other shield owners have found that their shields shoot to high. see thereShield sight problem

I was doing pretty good with the stock Shield and then I decided to make a few changes:

Screen Shot 2015-12-19 at 10.44.06 PM by brenodo, on Flickr


Cerakote Stainless slide color change. Shield Duty/Carry FLAT FACED Action Enhancement Trigger and Kit by Apex Tactical Specialties with color change on the trigger safety. Mag Guts spring kit (allows 1 extra round in either 7rd or 8rd magazine). And it's a vast improvement over the stock trigger, a pleasure to shoot.

Also been comparing the Performance Center Shield to the standard Shield and with the above modifications I much prefer my standard Shield. The weight alone, for me, is enough to continue to carry the above pictured firearm over the PC Shield. I did not notice much, if any, difference between muzzle flash between the two. I'm getting sub 2" groups out to 10 yards indoors using PPU 115gr FMJ 9mm rounds.

Edit: I failed to mention the Tallon grips (rubber). All my pistols have the rubber grips, awesome grips, inexpensive, easy to install and comfortable.

I started off shooting my new Shield 40 low/left. I didn't have that problem with all my full size guns so asked my friend who is the manager at the indoor range to shoot it at 7yds. He shot out the 1" bulls eye out of the target and handed be the gun back. He said "The bullets will exit the barrel just fine on their own you don't need to push them out when you pull the trigger" With proper grip, proper trigger pull I can now almost shoot it that well but it I get lax it's back to low/left on that shot. I don't like shooting 40 S&W in that gun but it carries well and shoots good. I will be first in line for a 9mm conversion barrel.

__________________
USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

That's shooting at seven yards, and about 2," fired standing unsupported. I have an $800 compact 1911 that shoots a little better and a little smoother, but it's certainly not twice the gun. The Shield ran perfectly out of the box.

It's not a match shooter, but does plenty well enough.

Maybe it is just me....and my lack of range time...I am sure a lot of folks have more rounds down range than I.....the biggest thing I have noticed is the "quality" of ammo really has an influence on my groupings. The cheap stuff I am "fair"......but If I run some Hornady or something recommended by the Gun Range/ Dealer where I bought my Shield, groups are MUCH tighter and closer to where I want to be. FWIW (bad eyes) at 45' I am doing good to make out the sillhoutte, at 20' I can "see the numbers" on the target but can't read them, groupings at either distance are not "great", but acceptable for my level of experience. At 7' I can clear the Bulls eye with my shield.

Others experience may vary but for me, I struggled to get better than 12" groups at 7 yards with my 9mm shield. Even with an Apex sear installed. (That's two hand hold coming from a holster but not rushed). I don't believe it to be in the quality of the gun itself but in the (overly) thin, non adjustable grips. I just struggled with getting a solid and consistent grip and on the gun. It didn't take me long to figure out that the M&Pc and 360PD that I already carried gave me better grip options and much tighter groups in practical use. To be honest, I think both carried just as well too. In the end, I didn't feel it grouped well enough for me to make a safe /viable carry option and I sold it off. I still carry the other two S&W's and am completely content.

__________________
Dave

I've never put either of my Shields on paper. However, both the 9 and the .40 will consistantly knock down 8" steel plates at about 10 yards. That's firing two handed fairly rapidly. I have never used the 7 round mag. Don't like the way the gun feels in my hand with it installed. The Shield is not a target pistol or even a range toy. It is plenty accurate for SD if you do your part.