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Old 02-07-2020, 03:46 PM
donhov donhov is offline
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Haven't shot the Shield 9mm Ver1 for a while but took out today. Not thrilled with accuracy. Mostly to the right and a little high over all. Have over 400 rounds through it but it has sat for a bit. Put the Talon grip on it a few weeks ago and it defiantly helps with control of the pistol, just think that the accuracy just isn't there. Also took my Para 3" elite and mostly in the X, if it wasn't it was me but that has a match barrel, Also took my AR9 5" barrel and with 32 rounds cut out the center of the target. Extractor broke after 125 rounds so that ended my day. Sent part in and will have to wait for new extractor to finish setting up weapon. Oh well at least I finally got time to get to the range and do some shooting. Better than sitting home doing nothing.

Last edited by donhov; 02-09-2020 at 03:22 PM.
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Old 02-07-2020, 04:43 PM
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Groo here
You are comparing a $400 shield against a $900+ para.
The shield is "good enough" is simple and runs.
The para is a 1911 ,had some hand work ,and flat shoots.
[Mine is an Expert Carry]
A palm size group at 7yds fired quickly will do OK.
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Old 02-07-2020, 05:02 PM
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I have the Shield 9mm 1.0 version. I put on a talon grip, Trijicon HD night sights and a Apex Duty Trigger Kit. It’s a tack driver, zero malfunctions for years. I love Sigs too, bought a P365, which has also been 100% reliable, but revert back to my Shield if I’m carrying a subcompact.
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Old 02-07-2020, 05:03 PM
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You didn't say what caliber your Shield is, but I'm assuming it is 9mm. I have a 9mm Shield 1.0 with nearly 6,000 rounds through it, and the accuracy is OK, (but just OK), out to 15 yards, and poor beyond that. I have found that I get about a 20-25% increase in accuracy using Winchester NATO 124g rounds for target practice, so that's all I use.

If you otherwise like the Shield, here's my suggestion to go way, way up in accuracy: Get a Shield 45. With my Shield 9, using Win NATO ammo, I can place 45-50% of my shots into a 4"x4" square at 15 yards. With my Shield 45, it's 70-80%. If you don't mind giving up a round in favor of a huge increase in accuracy, go for the Shield 45.
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Old 02-07-2020, 05:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by donhov View Post
Haven't shot the Shield for a while but took out today. Not thrilled with accuracy.
What ammo are you using? I would say find the right ammo, drift your sights if necessary and you'll see the Shield the best it can be.

I've never been overly thrilled with most factory range ammo. When the Shield 9 was my EDC, I initially started using Hornady 124 XTPs which were much better than range ammo. Then I decided to give Speer 124gn Gold Dots a try and haven't bought another XTP since. The Speer grouped so much tighter with hardly a flier ever. Comparing the two shows the GD bullet is .3564" in diameter and the XTP is .3552". Haven't measured any factory ball ammo in awhile but I recall it was somewhere around .353"-.354". My guess is that range ammo is made to function more than perform.
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Old 02-07-2020, 07:04 PM
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I load 124gr Precision Delta for my 9mm range loads, and have no trouble hitting the head on an IDPA target at 15yds with a Shield. Be sure you do not move the gun as you are pressing the trigger, which is often the problem with a light gun and long trigger pull
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Old 02-07-2020, 09:25 PM
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I was getting 3 to 3 1/2" groups at 25 yards with my PC .40 Shield.
I recently got a Remsport conversion barrel for it so I can shoot 9mm.
My first time out using W-W 124 grain NATO, Sig 124 grain NATO V-Crown, and Remington 124 grain Golden Saber had all 3 loads putting 4 shots almost touching, and one of the 5 would be a flyer.

donhov, if you are consistently shooting right, drift your rear sight to the left a bit. Lighter grain loads will hit lower to take care of the elevation.
My 40 to 9mm Shield was hitting 4-5 inches low with all the various 124 grain loads I tried., so I'm going to try some 147 grain loads, which should hit higher on the target.
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Old 02-07-2020, 11:06 PM
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Guess I should have stated 9mm. Forgot they made many 40 and 45 also. Also had Triton sights installed some time ago and adjusted by the gunsmith. Have as I said over 400 rounds thru it. I didn't mean to imply that I was comparing it to the Para, just that I had the Para Elite Carry 3" 45 caliber with match barrel out also. Also had an AR9 and completely cut out the center of the target with it. Also had my Taurus 605 357 mag 2" and it even was more on target then the Shield. As far as pistols I also have a Sig 365, 938 and a 238, a couple of Ruger revolvers, a Heritage RR 22 mag and a few others. Also I'm well over 75 so eyesight probably isn't as good as it once was and defiantly shake a little. Those issues aside my comment was directed on the Shield just over all not being the most accurate pistol I own and comment was meant to point to that issue. As far as a carry pistol it is great and probably at 5 to 7 yards it would be more than adequate just not as accurate at it's price point as many others.

Last edited by donhov; 02-07-2020 at 11:11 PM.
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Old 02-08-2020, 08:31 AM
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I find my Shield (1.0 PC 9) to be quite accurate in the 6-8 yard area that I usually shoot it at. Well guess accurate for my skill level, pic was a 6-7 yd example. I can usually get decent groups out if it, and have 2500 rounds thru it now, near all have been 115 gn. I have taken mine out to 25 yards and the group obviously was larger but considering the 3” barrel and frankly its hard for my eyes at that distance lol, i was satisfied.

OP, what was your accuracy with it before the stock sights were changed out? Perhaps they need to be adjusted for you.
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Old 02-08-2020, 01:08 PM
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The Shield 9 V1 is no target gun. It's plenty accurate for it's intended purpose. And the accuracy is fine for it's price point which is and has been in the $250 range or even less on sale for several years.

I like mine just fine for what it is. Plenty good enough for normal everyday personal protection. If any other obligations are involved, like church security team, LEO off duty, or even shepherding a family other than just us two old people, I would not consider it adequate. That's why I have other options. But being thin and small like it is it's a great motorcycle jacket pocket gun that's subject to the abusive conditions that entails.
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Old 02-08-2020, 01:46 PM
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Over 30,000 rounds through my 1stGen Shield9 and found that it's just fine for Defense and IDPA use, using 124gr rounds.
The only work done to it has been the BurwellGuns DIY polishing.

Have someone watch your hands when you shoot, to see if you may be twisting the pistol at the last fraction of a second before trigger break. More often than not, with the Shield's small size and thin grip, that is the problem. You've seen that the grip tape helps, but if you (or others reading this) notice the need to readjust your grip every couple shots, either your grip on the pistol, or the pistol's grip (width/texture) needs modification.
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Old 02-09-2020, 10:23 AM
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It's not that I think my Shield is inaccurate but I've found the 4" Compact I got later is more accurate, at least for me. Part of that is probably the longer barrel and part of it is the bigger grip. The Shield is fine, the Compact is just better. I'm comfortable with either for EDC.

I can put every round center mass from 10 yds which is what I normally shoot with either gun but the groups will be tighter with the Compact.

Now if I go longer range the Compact is clearly better. I shot both from 25 yds and at that distance the Compact still gets the job done but with the Shield some of my shots miss the target completely.
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Old 02-09-2020, 01:12 PM
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donhov. Are you shooting a Shield 1.0 or the 2.0? I "thought" I understood that the bore twist is different between the 2 versions. Please correct me if Im wrong.

Im a new Shield owner and not really a pistol shooter. Had my Shield out the 1st time a week or so ago. I shot 115 gn Brass Blazer ammo thru it at 25 FEET with a 2 hand hold and the gun grouped OK. I switched to my "standard 147gn Handload" and shot at 25 FEET. again the gun shot OK. Had to make a windage adjustment to get the poi centered up. Shot the gun with the same handload at 50 FEET...... not really to impressed.

The Firestorm (Bersa) .380 and the S&W 3'' 65 both shot to my satisfaction at 50 FEET.

I "think" I read somewhere on the web that there is a aftermarket barrel that offers "better" accuracy than the S&W barrel. Do I have this correct?
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Old 02-09-2020, 01:28 PM
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My 9mm. gen. 1 Shield is accurate enough for it's purpose but to my amazement I came up with a Kahr CW40 a few months ago, hey they're practically giving 40s away, and it blows the Shield out of the water as far as accuracy goes. It also weighs 4 ounces less, is far more comfortable a carry, hasn't missed a beat once I got past the 200 round break in Kahr stresses and for a 40 I can handle it's recoil easily. I sacrifice a few rounds but if I can't get it done with 7 40s in the pistol and another 6 in my pocket I don't need to be carrying.
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Old 02-09-2020, 02:12 PM
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I hate to break the news to some of you but its not the gun, it is the shooter. Small guns like the shield are not less accurate than full size guns. They are just much harder to shoot accurately. If it is accurate at 7yds it is accurate at 25yds if the shooter does their part.


I just want to clarify it is not inaccuracy. It is difficulty in shooting it accurately.
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Old 02-09-2020, 03:36 PM
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Ok, let me correct my statement, Maybe consistency would be a better word, keeping shots within a reasonable distance of each other rather on target, rather than point on for aim. All my pistols seem to group fairly well except the Shield, it scatters for lack of a better work more than the other pistols. My Para 45 shoots (for me) slightly to the left but height on otherwise. My Sig 365 is just a little low and to the left. Hopefully you can understand what I mean. The pistols all are somewhat consistent but not the same point of impact. The Shield is no where as consistent an my others.

OK, somewhat of an argument on Aus's statement. I shot my Taurus 2" 605 revolver (very cheap pistol) with much better accuracy at the same distance. I shoot (past tense) my Sig 365 with to me very good accuracy, again much better than the Shield. I'm not knocking the Shield per say just questioning it's potential for accuracy. I also shoot my GP100, Sig 938 and various other handguns all reasonably well for my age, just not the Shield. The original reason for the post was to see if it was just my weapon or if most are a little off in the accuracy department. I had just installed the Talon permanent grips and wanted to see if that helped in any way with accuracy and overall feel of the pistol. I would not consider using it much beyond 7 yards as far as accuracy goes but most of my other pistols are good to at least 15 if not more yards.

Last edited by donhov; 02-09-2020 at 04:14 PM.
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Old 02-10-2020, 10:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AUG View Post
I hate to break the news to some of you but its not the gun, it is the shooter. Small guns like the shield are not less accurate than full size guns. They are just much harder to shoot accurately. If it is accurate at 7yds it is accurate at 25yds if the shooter does their part.


I just want to clarify it is not inaccuracy. It is difficulty in shooting it accurately.
If you are saying that the length of the barrel has no effect on accuracy then I will dispute that statement.

If that were the case why would anybody even make pistols with longer barrels?

It's only logical that any small deviation from the targeted area at 7 yds will be magnified at longer distances like 25 yds. I don't see that as open to argument either.
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Old 02-11-2020, 09:47 PM
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(I just came here looking for some info and opinions on some 9C stuff and now I feel like a "new trigger" commercial)

Had the same issues with my Shields - All of them. Sold them all except for 1 (the most consistent one). It's okay - "combat effective" and what not. Shot someone else's with an upgraded trigger and found it to be much easier to hit where I was aiming. Went back and forth between the two and realized how "gritty and draggy" my trigger felt by comparison. SO, I decided to upgrade the trigger. Changed everything. First shot, bull. Second shot made the hole bigger. Groups tightened up dramatically and suddenly, my sights were just fine.

That all out of the way so I don't sound like a "get a new trigger" commercial --

I was watching an installation video after I got the new trigger (Okay, it's a Hyve Monarch and the video is easy to find on YouTube). One of the things he was sort of hard-core on was 1k grit to polish down several surfaces. The slot in the frame comes to mind. Never had my trigger out before and that surface wasn't exactly smooth (but it sure is now).

Find that video, pop a few parts and polish some surfaces. It'll cost you one piece of 1000 grit and about 10 minutes of time. See if that doesn't help. Short sight radius pistols are rough enough to aim on their own. Add the *tiniest* bit of unexpected last-millimeter friction somewhere and it can easily cause a gun to seem inconsistent when everything else seems fine.

I wish I still had my old Shields to try that on. One was terribly inconsistent. Just shot everywhere. Now I wonder whether if it was just a rough surface causing some last-millisecond deflection during the break. Granted - I still think polished metal against polished polymer is going to always have a smoother feel over poly-to-poly. But again - 10 minutes and a piece of sandpaper is a small investment. If it helps, big payoff. If it doesn't, no harm.

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Old 02-11-2020, 09:54 PM
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Drift the sights.............Change your loads........Worked for me.
Long barrels are NOT inherently more accurate than short barrels (from a machine rest). Longer barrels show your wobble & wiggle more allowing to correct for that. Longer =heavier=allow you to hold it steadier.
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Old 02-11-2020, 10:19 PM
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I have never believed in modifying critical components of a pistol (sandpaper, dremel, etc), particularly a self-defense pistol. Numerous reasons for this, but one should be particularly mindful.

Also not a trigger snob, it is a bit of snake oil if you ask me, however, 400 rounds is a pistol in its infancy. Put rounds through it, dry-fire, allow it to smooth itself out-- it is not a race gun.

What is that statistic? 95% of self-defense shootings occur within 7 yards? Get shots on target, do not see the real world application of wanting to group a bad guy sub-MOA with a 9mm at 5 yards, that is one small hole assuming he isn't moving.

Going from a 1911 to a Shield is only going to upset you, you knew what it was when you bought it
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Old 02-12-2020, 01:14 PM
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I will post this because I think it applies here.

I have trained a lot of people with Glock pistols. Every time I have ever been on the range with this certain group of personnel someone either told me "something is wrong with my gun" or "my sights are off".

So far I have not encountered a single Glock pistol that had something wrong with it nor have I ever came across one that needed a sight drifted.

Every single one of those guns complained about shot just fine in the instructors hands.
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Old 02-22-2020, 12:21 PM
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Own a Shield 1.0 original trigger & Hogue hand all for better grip; so after reading this thread decided to test accuracy again from a rest over off hand as most do. First string @ 10' with Federal 124 gr metal case from a rest, point of aim @ 10X, hits 3"+ low and 2" left of center. Second string same ammo @ 20' 4" + low and 3" left of center while both grouping were good. The 115 gr Remington metal case @ 10' from same rest 3" low and 2" left of center then 20' @ rest 3 1/2" left of 10X and 2" left and groupings were good. Then @ 10' Horandy 115 gr Critical Defense @ 10' still low @ 2" and 2" left but better and groupings tighter.
I know most would think the Hornady 115 C.D. right load for this Shield?
Maybe so, I'm shocked it would shoot so low with either loads @ 10'.

Now I don't have a problem with the break and wall of the factory 1.0 trigger as even though it shot low the groups were fine so its not me or the trigger. I've watched You Tube and read Forum comments on the Shield seems all of them are low shooters? So now best solution might be with your help is drop in lower front sight to raise the POI ? If others have been there done that what sights did you choose ????????????

I like the Shield, don't know nor seen discussion of after market barrels or if there are drop in or have to be fitted ????? Then is the additional expense worth it or like I have read on this Forum others now own the Sig P 365.
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Old 02-22-2020, 02:15 PM
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I would venture that the best small 9mm pistol for Shield V1 money ($250-350) is the Walther PPS M2.

I bought mine on a whim after my buddy had raved about his, even though I was not convinced by the grips texture. It has shot dead on from minute one, and it has a more controllable recoil impulse than a Ruger LC9s, at least in my hands. Oh, and the trigger is also easier to master than on a Kahr CW9. Can you tell I've done some searching in this area?
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Old 02-22-2020, 02:22 PM
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The Shield 9 is what it is. Put 4 rounds quick from a reasonably fast draw into a 6 inch target, then put that target up against your chest. It'll do for civilian SD, which is what the Shield is designed for.
This is coming from one who has been in real combat (albeit many years ago). And no, I'm not particularly interested in any snide comments about that.

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Old 02-22-2020, 06:57 PM
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Quote:
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Own a Shield 1.0 original trigger & Hogue hand all for better grip; so after reading this thread decided to test accuracy again from a rest over off hand as most do. First string @ 10' with Federal 124 gr metal case from a rest, point of aim @ 10X, hits 3"+ low and 2" left of center. Second string same ammo @ 20' 4" + low and 3" left of center while both grouping were good. The 115 gr Remington metal case @ 10' from same rest 3" low and 2" left of center then 20' @ rest 3 1/2" left of 10X and 2" left and groupings were good. Then @ 10' Horandy 115 gr Critical Defense @ 10' still low @ 2" and 2" left but better and groupings tighter.
I know most would think the Hornady 115 C.D. right load for this Shield?

Maybe so, I'm shocked it would shoot so low with either loads @ 10'.

Now I don't have a problem with the break and wall of the factory 1.0 trigger as even though it shot low the groups were fine so its not me or the trigger. I've watched You Tube and read Forum comments on the Shield seems all of them are low shooters? So now best solution might be with your help is drop in lower front sight to raise the POI ? If others have been there done that what sights did you choose ????????????

I like the Shield, don't know nor seen discussion of after market barrels or if there are drop in or have to be fitted ????? Then is the additional expense worth it or like I have read on this Forum others now own the Sig P 365.
If you are hitting low with 115 and 124 grain, try some 147 grain ammo. They'll impact higher on the target.
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Old 02-24-2020, 03:35 PM
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My Shield 1.0 has about a 5-1/2 or 6lb trigger and a bit heavy but totally adequate for a tiny defensive handgun. I hardly ever shoot at paper, my club has steel plates at 25 yards that pop up when you pull a rope and plates very in size from 10" to 6". The 10" plates I can hit nearly every time and maybe 1/3 of the time on 6" plates but I can see in the dirt backstop that I come close and would easily hit a humanoid target every time at that range. I'm 60 years old and my eyes and hands are not as good as they use to be and I can't do much better than that with my Springfield full size 1911 .45 or my 9m/m Browning HP.

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Old 03-16-2020, 06:56 PM
AUG AUG is offline
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Own a Shield 1.0 original trigger & Hogue hand all for better grip; so after reading this thread decided to test accuracy again from a rest over off hand as most do. First string @ 10' with Federal 124 gr metal case from a rest, point of aim @ 10X, hits 3"+ low and 2" left of center. Second string same ammo @ 20' 4" + low and 3" left of center while both grouping were good. The 115 gr Remington metal case @ 10' from same rest 3" low and 2" left of center then 20' @ rest 3 1/2" left of 10X and 2" left and groupings were good. Then @ 10' Horandy 115 gr Critical Defense @ 10' still low @ 2" and 2" left but better and groupings tighter.
I know most would think the Hornady 115 C.D. right load for this Shield?
Maybe so, I'm shocked it would shoot so low with either loads @ 10'.

Now I don't have a problem with the break and wall of the factory 1.0 trigger as even though it shot low the groups were fine so its not me or the trigger. I've watched You Tube and read Forum comments on the Shield seems all of them are low shooters? So now best solution might be with your help is drop in lower front sight to raise the POI ? If others have been there done that what sights did you choose ????????????

I like the Shield, don't know nor seen discussion of after market barrels or if there are drop in or have to be fitted ????? Then is the additional expense worth it or like I have read on this Forum others now own the Sig P 365.

Low and left with everything? It's you.

My shield does NOT shoot low or left. Neither do the two shields that other members of my shooting tribe carry.

I mentioned it above but the vast majority of polymer pistol "accuracy" problems are low and left. It is trigger manipulation.

Last edited by AUG; 03-16-2020 at 07:00 PM.
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Old 03-16-2020, 08:50 PM
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Low and left with everything? It's you.

My shield does NOT shoot low or left. Neither do the two shields that other members of my shooting tribe carry.

I mentioned it above but the vast majority of polymer pistol "accuracy" problems are low and left. It is trigger manipulation.
Or . . . Grip. Especially on guns with narrow and/or short grips. The involuntary squeezing and relaxing of your fingers during trigger manipulation often causes low-left.

Trigger finger not far enough into the trigger can push the gun left.

Ammo can (but usually does not) make a difference.

The ONLY way to tell if sights are off is to shoot from a solid rest with perfect trigger manipulation at 5, 8, then 10 yards. At least 5-round groups.

Shields and other (subcompact) guns as a family of guns do not shoot low and left when they leave the factory. They shoot to point of aim usually at ~10 yards. S&W really does know how to assemble components so their guns shoot to point of aim. Really.

Last edited by CB3; 03-20-2020 at 08:54 PM.
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Old 03-16-2020, 09:50 PM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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I will post this because I think it applies here.

I have trained a lot of people with Glock pistols. Every time I have ever been on the range with this certain group of personnel someone either told me "something is wrong with my gun" or "my sights are off".

So far I have not encountered a single Glock pistol that had something wrong with it nor have I ever came across one that needed a sight drifted.

Every single one of those guns complained about shot just fine in the instructors hands.
Had a young guy ask me if the LGS adjusted sights on Glocks. We were at the local indoor range. I asked what the problem was, and he was shooting low/left. Asked if I could shoot a few rounds. first shot was in the X of a reduced B-27; 2 more shots close to first. He said "guess it's not the sights". Gave him a few pointers and by the end of his session, he was doing much better. Not the first time this has happened.

I have 3 Shields-9, 40, 45. I don't shoot them much past 7 yards. Mine shoot acceptably accurate for me, I carry 147 gr. Hornady CUSTOM XTP JHP; 115/124 gr. FMJ for practice.
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Old 03-16-2020, 10:05 PM
MyDads38 MyDads38 is offline
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Originally Posted by song dog View Post
Own a Shield 1.0 original trigger & Hogue hand all for better grip; so after reading this thread decided to test accuracy again from a rest over off hand as most do. First string @ 10' with Federal 124 gr metal case from a rest, point of aim @ 10X, hits 3"+ low and 2" left of center. Second string same ammo @ 20' 4" + low and 3" left of center while both grouping were good. The 115 gr Remington metal case @ 10' from same rest 3" low and 2" left of center then 20' @ rest 3 1/2" left of 10X and 2" left and groupings were good. Then @ 10' Horandy 115 gr Critical Defense @ 10' still low @ 2" and 2" left but better and groupings tighter.
I know most would think the Hornady 115 C.D. right load for this Shield?
Maybe so, I'm shocked it would shoot so low with either loads @ 10'.

Now I don't have a problem with the break and wall of the factory 1.0 trigger as even though it shot low the groups were fine so its not me or the trigger. I've watched You Tube and read Forum comments on the Shield seems all of them are low shooters? So now best solution might be with your help is drop in lower front sight to raise the POI ? If others have been there done that what sights did you choose ????????????

I like the Shield, don't know nor seen discussion of after market barrels or if there are drop in or have to be fitted ????? Then is the additional expense worth it or like I have read on this Forum others now own the Sig P 365.
None of my Shields shoot "low". Sight picture-front dot should cover the center of the target. If you use a 6 o'clock hold, it will shoot low. Just purchased a new 2.0 compact w/4" barrel. The tritium night sights are great, but lining up the 3 dots; the top of the front sight is low in the rear sight. Lining up the 3 dots, my shots are about 1"-2" low. Not sure what I'll do (if anything) to correct this. Bugs me, but can't complain about accuracy/grouping. Mine are all stock, no complaints, no issues.
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Old 03-16-2020, 11:33 PM
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The winter of 2017-2018 I dry fired my V1 for 100 shots
at a 2x2 inch post-it 55 feet away every other day. When
it warmed up I took it out and could easily cover a mag
load with my hand at 20 yards.

2 things occured. I had done a trigger job by snapping
it all those times and my body had the hold and sight
picture down.

Maybe jarheads have something with "snapping in".
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Last edited by serger; 03-16-2020 at 11:34 PM. Reason: edit for clarity
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Old 03-18-2020, 05:08 PM
jnichols2 jnichols2 is offline
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Neither of my Shields, my J-Frame snubby, or any other tiny gun is easy to place accurate shots with. In fact, they demand a lot more practice than larger duty size pistols or 1911s.

I got to where I can put a 4" to 5" group center mass at 15 yards. That is sufficient for a carry or backup gun. In fact, the larger group spreads the damage instead of all rounds in the same hole.

I have other pistols for more accurate shooting, but they are harder to carry. Life requires compromise.
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Old 03-18-2020, 05:58 PM
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Neither of my Shields, my J-Frame snubby, or any other tiny gun is easy to place accurate shots with. In fact, they demand a lot more practice than larger duty size pistols or 1911s.

I got to where I can put a 4" to 5" group center mass at 15 yards. That is sufficient for a carry or backup gun. In fact, the larger group spreads the damage instead of all rounds in the same hole.

I have other pistols for more accurate shooting, but they are harder to carry. Life requires compromise.
That’s good shooting, and at that range it probably translates to smaller groups at closer ranges.

However, when one adds speed and life threatening circumstances into the mix, and possibly one handed shooting, range groups can increase by 300-400% under real life circumstances, so a 5” x 15yrd group can expand to 15-20”, meaning misses. Even at closer ranges shooting range “groups” often translates to peripheral hits or misses.

If one does not have the fundamentals of grip and trigger manipulation down pat, when speed and stress are added to shooting, groups open up.

So, for me I’m careful with the explanation that “groups” are either acceptable or desirable for defensive handgun shooting. If those acceptable groups are on target from the draw, at speed, with strings of three to five shots, while moving, you bet.

No one, and I really mean no one, is going to shoot <2” 4-round groups at 6 yards from the draw while moving. One will automatically have the effective spread wanted under combat conditions. The fear that combat groups will be small and less effective than a spread group is probably unfounded for almost all shooters.

The question is not so much group size under artificial conditions as it is whether one has had realistic combat training and checked the likely effectiveness of those group sizes. Being able to take a precision shot for a fight ender is also a desirable skill.
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Old 03-18-2020, 06:39 PM
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The Lady and I practice a accuracy drill we learned from watching Ernest Langdon videos.

Draw some 2” round circles on a sheet of paper. I cheat a little and use a pickle lid jar lid to draw around which is a little larger than 2”. I draw four circles on a sheet of paper and post two sheets on the target frame. Then starting at 3 yards try to put two shots inside each circle. No time pressure, no movement, one or two hand grip. Just two shots inside each circle.

So when you can consistently do that back-up a yard or two and repeat the exercise. When you are really proficient step back to seven yards and repeat the drill. Just two shots at each circle. I like to do this drill at 10 yards with my Beretta 92.

This drill is good for shooters of all ages. It is surprisingly difficult and a lot of fun.

I know you say you are a excellent shot. Aren’t we all on the Internet? Be prepared to be humiliated. This is a surprising difficult drill. Those holes in the paper tell no lies. For the record the Shield 9mm is capable of that level of accuracy. The shooter, well, that is what practice is for. As for The Lady and myself we will be humiliated plenty when we resume shooting this Spring.

Last edited by BSA1; 03-18-2020 at 06:52 PM.
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Old 03-20-2020, 03:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by serger View Post
The winter of 2017-2018 I dry fired my V1 for 100 shots
at a 2x2 inch post-it 55 feet away every other day. When
it warmed up I took it out and could easily cover a mag
load with my hand at 20 yards.

2 things occured. I had done a trigger job by snapping
it all those times and my body had the hold and sight
picture down.

Maybe jarheads have something with "snapping in".
Maybe a trigger job in "yo mind" hommie lol

Dry fire practice has that effect on people.
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Old 03-20-2020, 04:00 PM
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Get a Ruger 9mm

james deen size

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Old 03-20-2020, 08:53 PM
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Get a Ruger 9mm
That’s right. It’s always the gun; never the shooter. 😉
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