At the range first time? Well that is the learning curve with any new gun
If you are shooting with gun firmly rested and you have good trigger control then this sounds bad, if you are shooting free handed then it more likely you then the gun.
The short sighting distance on the Shield is going to take a little more dedication on your part to shoot more consistently.
Suggestion, half the distance and see how you do. See if you can begin to get tighter groupings or try other ammo or let a known good target shooter shoot your gun to evaluate the results. From all the threads I read here the 9mm Shield is shooting very well as is the 45 Shield of which I own
Karl