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Old 07-20-2020, 12:43 PM
blarg456 blarg456 is offline
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New gun seems to be shooting left badly. I have to put the front sight completely behind the rear right sight to get it to shoot straight at my target. Been to the range with it twice now and put about 750 rounds through it.

Should I look into adjusting the front or rear sights myself or send the gun into S&W?

Appreciate any feedback.
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Old 07-20-2020, 12:52 PM
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You don't indicate the distance you were shooting, but if it's shooting left you can always move the front sight to the left a bit (or the rear sight to the right) in the dovetail to correct. Be sure you have someone else shoot the gun to verify that it's the gun, not you.
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Old 07-20-2020, 01:42 PM
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Think it was about 15 yards, around that distance. I did move it around. Was able to get good shots after figuring it out but as you can see from the target most went left.

I will try and see if I can find someone else to shoot it. Till then I'll hold off doing anything.
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Old 07-20-2020, 02:00 PM
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Check your finger placement, makes a big difference

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Old 07-20-2020, 02:05 PM
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No offense, but if that's a 15 yard target... it's not the gun. In nearly 30 years of instructing, it's almost never the gun (but it does sometimes happen).

Are you right handed? Most right handed shooters will shoot low and left if they're having trigger control/ anticipation issues. Your target is exactly what is typically seen.

I strongly recommend seeking out some professional instruction. Shooting is like any other sport... it's not always intuitive, and best results are reached with some coaching.
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Old 07-20-2020, 02:33 PM
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I agree it's probably something I'm doing and my technique needs some adjusting. Going to try out some of the different grip sizes that came with the gun to see if that helps.
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Old 07-20-2020, 03:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Rodan View Post
No offense, but if that's a 15 yard target... it's not the gun. In nearly 30 years of instructing, it's almost never the gun (but it does sometimes happen).

Are you right handed? Most right handed shooters will shoot low and left if they're having trigger control/ anticipation issues. Your target is exactly what is typically seen.

I strongly recommend seeking out some professional instruction. Shooting is like any other sport... it's not always intuitive, and best results are reached with some coaching.
Yes, for a 15 yard target, it looks like you were lucky to hit the target at all. Looks more like a 150 yard target.
Get some instruction.
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Old 07-20-2020, 10:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodan View Post
No offense, but if that's a 15 yard target... it's not the gun. In nearly 30 years of instructing, it's almost never the gun (but it does sometimes happen).

Are you right handed? Most right handed shooters will shoot low and left if they're having trigger control/ anticipation issues. Your target is exactly what is typically seen.

I strongly recommend seeking out some professional instruction. Shooting is like any other sport... it's not always intuitive, and best results are reached with some coaching.
This is good advice.

I once heard an instructor say, "I don't care if you pull the trigger, squeeze the trigger, press the trigger, yank the trigger or jerk the trigger. Just don't move the gun when you do it!"
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Old 07-20-2020, 11:29 PM
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Just saw Hickock45 mention this, that the M&P 2.0 .45 has such a thin grip and with big hands he was pulling his shots to the left. He suggests thickening the grips with a wrap of some sort.
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Old 07-21-2020, 08:41 AM
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I would also suggest shooting it off sandbags or rest. First establish how well the firearm groups with the ammunition being used, to include where it is hitting on the target. That will at least establish a baseline of expectations for the firearm and mostly take the human factor out of the equation.


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Think it was about 15 yards, around that distance. I did move it around. Was able to get good shots after figuring it out but as you can see from the target most went left.

I will try and see if I can find someone else to shoot it. Till then I'll hold off doing anything.
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Old 07-21-2020, 09:18 AM
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How were you shooting? One hand or two? I have 2.0 Compacts in both 9mm and .45 and at 15 yds the .45 is the more accurate of the two. If I find my shots going left it's because I'm not gripping tight enough. Concentrating on grip fixes the problem.

If I'm not sure whether a shot placement problem is me or the gun I like to shoot from a good rest which takes a lot of me out of the equation.
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Old 07-21-2020, 09:38 AM
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I agree with above posts, trigger finger placement, trigger squeeze, and how well the gun fits your hand are all issues; especially if you are a new shooter. Shooting from a stable rest will also help. Maybe start at 4-5 yards and work your way back to 10-15 yards. Grip, stance, trigger control, breath control, sight picture and sight alignment; all the basics that you need to work on to be a "good" pistol shooter.

A good instructor will help get you started, watch and listen, then practice, practice, practice. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress :-)
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Old 07-21-2020, 12:07 PM
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Dry firing is your friend -- one of the best training tools available, and the easiest to use. Unload your gun. Check to be sure it's unloaded. Check again. Then carry the magazines and all ammo out of the room and store them somewhere else.

Now, pick a small target 8 or 10 feet away. Aim as you normally would. While concentrating your eyes on the front sight, smoothly press the trigger to the rear and watch where the front sight goes as the trigger breaks. Modify your grip and/or trigger finger placement as needed to make that front sight stay right where it belongs throughout the shot.

If you do this exercise until you've achieved a dead-still front sight, you will be astounded at the improvement the next time you go shooting.
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Old 07-22-2020, 01:35 AM
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Thanks for the tips guys. This gives me some things to look at and work on.

What would be the ideal distance to be shooting at to work out these issues. Not sure if I should have it relatively close or keep it at some distance.
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Old 07-22-2020, 09:20 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blarg456 View Post
Thanks for the tips guys. This gives me some things to look at and work on.

What would be the ideal distance to be shooting at to work out these issues. Not sure if I should have it relatively close or keep it at some distance.
Personally I begin every range visit in the 5-7 yard distance. And I make sure I am confident and happy with the results there before moving further back. I am sure everyone has their own practice plan they follow.
As if I cant hit my target well at 6 yards I sure cant expect to hit it at 15-25 yards. And some days are better than others, but I will say that if I am having trouble or am inconsistent I try to resolve it before leaving.
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Old 07-22-2020, 10:10 AM
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Begin and end each range session with some slow fire precision work, 7-15 yards. It's easy to get a little wild and crazy with shooting fast at big targets, and that creates bad habits, so beginning and ending with a focus on fundamentals can help keep you on track.

Try using a reduced size target if you are going to use combat silhouette targets close up. This will force you to work a little harder.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

Shorter training sessions at higher frequency have been proven to be more beneficial to hand/eye coordination skill development than long, infrequent training. I.E., it's better to shoot 50 rounds 3 times a week than 200 rounds once a week.

Again, I strongly suggest some professional instruction. It will give you more ROI than anything else you can spend money on for improving your shooting skills.

Last edited by Rodan; 07-22-2020 at 10:12 AM.
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Old 07-23-2020, 12:01 AM
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The answer to what range is best is -- as close as it takes. When you begin live fire, you need immediate positive reinforcement, and that's something you won't get unless you're hitting your target. If you need to be 3 yards from your target in order to hit it, or 5, or 7 -- whatever. But start hitting up close and then gradually increase your range.
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Old 07-23-2020, 10:51 AM
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Thanks for the tips guys. This gives me some things to look at and work on.

What would be the ideal distance to be shooting at to work out these issues. Not sure if I should have it relatively close or keep it at some distance.
My indoor range goes to 70 feet, and you can shoot at any distance from 1 to 70 feet. Pick a target size, what's your requirement for accuracy? You can start with something like an 11" white paper plate. Maybe put a 3" target dot in the center for aiming.
Start at 3 yds (9 feet). 3-5 rounds slow fire. If all rounds are on target, move to 4 yds (12 feet). Another 3-5 rounds. Continue moving back 1 yard until your shots are off target. Now you need to work on the basics to get your shots back on target.

I use 5 rounds per distance, whether revolver or semi-auto. 50 rounds gets me to 10 yards (30 feet). I usually use a full size B-27 silhouette target. I can keep 50 rounds in the 10 ring. If not, then I'm doing something wrong! Just a suggestion.
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Old 07-23-2020, 12:00 PM
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Without reading all the responses, make sure the front & rear sights are centered on the slide. I bought a new 2.0 Compact .40 last year & the front sight was drifted noticeably to one side. Took me a few range trips of aggravation before I noticed it. Something I didn't really suspect would be the case on a brand new gun. Once I got it centered, I got my shooting back on track.
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Old 07-23-2020, 01:44 PM
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Quote:
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My indoor range goes to 70 feet, and you can shoot at any distance from 1 to 70 feet. Pick a target size, what's your requirement for accuracy? You can start with something like an 11" white paper plate. Maybe put a 3" target dot in the center for aiming.
Start at 3 yds (9 feet). 3-5 rounds slow fire. If all rounds are on target, move to 4 yds (12 feet). Another 3-5 rounds. Continue moving back 1 yard until your shots are off target. Now you need to work on the basics to get your shots back on target.

I use 5 rounds per distance, whether revolver or semi-auto. 50 rounds gets me to 10 yards (30 feet). I usually use a full size B-27 silhouette target. I can keep 50 rounds in the 10 ring. If not, then I'm doing something wrong! Just a suggestion.
Yup, this drill is great. Paper plates are cheap, and a good enough rough approximation of vitals. Bring a marker to put a center dot or circle on each one. By starting close and working out, you get to practice close range shooting, as well as seeing e your limitations, and specificly work at that range. Also gives you a good metric to compare to previous and subsequent shooting sessions
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Old 07-24-2020, 11:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567 View Post
Without reading all the responses, make sure the front & rear sights are centered on the slide. I bought a new 2.0 Compact .40 last year & the front sight was drifted noticeably to one side. Took me a few range trips of aggravation before I noticed it. Something I didn't really suspect would be the case on a brand new gun. Once I got it centered, I got my shooting back on track.
Good suggestion here. I've only had this happen on 3 pistols-FS M&P 40 (Police trade in from Bud's), Used M&P 9c and Ruger Security 9. All were easy fixes. At short distances, not a huge deal; but at farther distances it can be the difference between a hit or a miss!
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Old 07-25-2020, 07:14 AM
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Quote:
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No offense, but if that's a 15 yard target... it's not the gun. In nearly 30 years of instructing, it's almost never the gun (but it does sometimes happen).
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Old 07-25-2020, 07:20 AM
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Borrow or rent a Ransom Rest ( or similar bench rest). Then you'll know for sure if it is the gun.
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Old 07-26-2020, 05:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dump1567 View Post
Without reading all the responses, make sure the front & rear sights are centered on the slide.
This is very good advice. But dead center is a starting point on some guns.

I have four different M&P's and none of them came home with the front and/or rear sights centered. They all shot left or right of center by 3"-6" at 15 yds. Some needed a rear sight adjustment, some a front.

Good news: They are drift adjustable. You will have to back off on the set screw on the rear sight on some M&P's, and the fronts will surely need a bit of penetrating oil to "drift", but fear not, you CAN correct for the difference. And it doesn't take much to get that short sight radius to correct, or even over correct.

I make my brass drifts from 3/16" brass rod from Home Depot. I pound the end flatter, and true it square on a disk sander. Then use a light hammer to drift the sight. A couple needed a few sessions of oil to get the sight to move without excessive hammering.

S&W can certainly take care of that for you, but who wants to send their toy off in the Covid mail environment.

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