New M&P Shield not accurate

[MyDads38]

You're a "new" shooter and only get 50 rounds per monthly range trip. That's not a lot of rounds or time spent to get familiar with any platform. Don't know what your shooting regiment is (slow fire, rapid fire, draw/fire) but unless under time constraint at the range, take it slow/steady. It's not a race, work on the basics and dry fire at home; this will help when you do get to the range.

Unless there is something amiss with the pistol; I bet you'll see things get better with each range trip. And when you sight in on the target, put your front dot center of target and see if that helps; NOT a 6 o'clock hold like most of us were taught.

 

[RobzGuns]

I get finger placement but what do you mean being sure that your forearm is aligned with the barrel?

When holding the pistol, can you draw a straight line down your Radius (top forearm bone) and through the slide of the pistol? If not, this can cause your shots to be off. With the Shield being so slim, it would be easy to not be aligned.

 

[Shield9mm]

New M&P Shield not accurate

Most of the time is shooter technique. I used to anticipate the recoil causing to shoot left n low, also could be too much finger on the trigger or a heavy pull trigger. I love the shield very impressed with it.

 

[rojasj]

Most of the time is shooter technique. I used to anticipate the recoil causing to shoot left n low, also could be too much finger on the trigger or a heavy pull trigger. I love the shield very impressed with it.

I will say that I was surprised at how heavy the trigger pull is once I take up the slack on the trigger. I did have my wife video tape me as I shot and I didn't drop the muzzle forward or move the gun during the trigger pull. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't do it the few times before.

I don't think it's the pistol per say, i just wish I had not been as off as I had been.

 

[Trons]

I, too, had the same problem with low/left shooting. I had my son load, or not load the gun, then hand it to me so when I shot it, I didn't know if there was a round in it or not and it was obvious when I pulled the trigger on an empty chamber, the gun was dipping from me anticipating the recoil. Lots of practice and I'm pretty accurate now.

 

[rojasj]

I, too, had the same problem with low/left shooting. I had my son load, or not load the gun, then hand it to me so when I shot it, I didn't know if there was a round in it or not and it was obvious when I pulled the trigger on an empty chamber, the gun was dipping from me anticipating the recoil. Lots of practice and I'm pretty accurate now.

I thought about using this technique. The only issue is that when I go I'm usually the only one at the range. So, if I load the snap caps I'll know when they are coming up.

I doubt it the pistol. I'm 99% sure it's me.

 

[rojasj]

I'm curious. At what distance are the 9mm M&P Shield's "zeroed" at?

 

[Trons]

I thought about using this technique. The only issue is that when I go I'm usually the only one at the range. So, if I load the snap caps I'll know when they are coming up.

I doubt it the pistol. I'm 99% sure it's me.

Yeah, I eventually bought snap caps, because it makes the exercise a lot quicker and more effective, in my opinion. Maybe get the snap caps and have somebody load them before you go?

 

[rojasj]

I'm curious. COuld it be possible that I'm just not aiming correctly?

 

[chele519]

I rented a shield a week ago and shot great with it. I bought a new shield and used it a few days ago and did not do as well initially as with the rental. I was used to a SW 442 and was not using enough finger on the trigger, once I was more conscious of that, I improved. I put 150 rounds through it last Saturday and the first 1/2 was kind of crappy but got better. Maybe it could also be the trigger is not as smooth because it is new?

 

[CROSSROPE]

Try rapid fire.

Maybe weak hands. Work your grip?

 

[rojasj]

Range update: I took a trip to the range today and set my target a 15 feet. I had the something happen very low and left and at 15 feet I can hit my target with either my GP100 or Sr1911. I asked another fellow to shoot my M&P Shield and he had the same results. However, after he shot it he told me that we was a lousy shot . I then asked two other guys to try it, one being one of the RSO's. From the bench position the RSO was just about dead nuts on the target ad 15 feet and the other fellow hit just where he was aiming from a standing position. They watched me shoot and noticed I was using my first knuckle to press the trigger. I moved my finger until just the tip of it was on the trigger and this helped. The second thing that helped was that I stopped using the sights and started using the silhouette of my M&P against the target. By the silhouette of the M&P and not the sights and only using the tip of my index finger I landed each and every shot on the target. Not a perfect centered shot but much better than before.

 

[JMichaelTX]

Best to Use Finger Pad on Trigger

Although I did pretty well in my first shooting of my Shield 40, my instructor quickly advised me to pull the trigger with my finger pad, not with my finger fully extended through the trigger guard as I was doing.

That did not feel natural to me, so it is taking practice/repetition/dry firing to make it become "natural", second nature.

 

[oldafsp]

My advise is to get some professional instruction.

The Shield is more than capable of combat accuracy or better in well trained hands. You might find that you will learn or should I say "Unlearn" some bad habits that you have aqquired over the course of time.

I bought my 9mm Shield to compete in the compact carry pistol class in IDPA. And I have not been disappointed in it's performance at all.

Smaller guns are harder to shoot and you have to train more with them.

The pics below show what the Shield is capable of being drawn from under a shooting vest against a Pocket Pro timer.

It's the Indian, not the arrow.

 

[rojasj]

Although I did pretty well in my first shooting of my Shield 40, my instructor quickly advised me to pull the trigger with my finger pad, not with my finger fully extended through the trigger guard as I was doing.

That did not feel natural to me, so it is taking practice/repetition/dry firing to make it become "natural", second nature.

Ironically, for me it feels much more natural to use just the tip of my finger rather than the near the first knuckle of my index finger. I probabaly won't be back at the range until sometime in October but I'll report back.

 

[rojasj]

My advise is to get some professional instruction.

The Shield is more than capable of combat accuracy or better in well trained hands. You might find that you will learn or should I say "Unlearn" some bad habits that you have aqquired over the course of time.

I bought my 9mm Shield to compete in the compact carry pistol class in IDPA. And I have not been disappointed in it's performance at all.

Smaller guns are harder to shoot and you have to train more with them.

The pics below show what the Shield is capable of being drawn from under a shooting vest against a Pocket Pro timer.

It's the Indian, not the arrow.

I agree, some professional instruction will be great. But my funds are very limited so I have to save up for the classes. I'm starting to dig my M&P Shield very much. Ironically once I stopped trying to use the sights and aimed the pistol instinctively as well as only used the tip of my finger to press the trigger I shot much better. Time to reload more ammo.....

 

[mike from st pete]

Same thing happened to me. I've shot my Shield a couple of times and was able to put my first shots on center and three thru 7/8 went down to the left. The RO says I'm squeezing too much with my middle finger. I'll see about this next range trip. Sooner than later hopefully.

 

[RobzGuns]

Contrary to popular belief, there is no one perfect trigger finger position that works for everyone... At least... Not with Subcompacts like the Shield, LC9 series and G43.

Everyone's hand size and length of their fingers are different. Everyone needs to experiment with trigger finger placement, to see which part (tip, mid pad, or knuckle crease) achieves a straight rearward trigger press. With my larger Double-Stacks, Mid Pad works, but with the smaller Shield, I needed to switch to the 1st crease. Others, who use the 1st crease with their other pistols needed to switch to Mid to achieve the straight rearward press.

Everyone needs to experiment, to find their own 'Sweet Spot' with their Shield.

 

[McE]

For the tiny guns, the finger pad thing doesn't work for me. All of your other fingers are too closed around the significantly smaller diameter grip that the wisdom from larger guns just doesn't carry over as your fingers are all shifted.

 

[Rastoff]

I get finger placement but what do you mean being sure that your forearm is aligned with the barrel?

This:

See how the barrel/bore is lined up with my forearm?

I agree, some professional instruction will be great. But my funds are very limited...

Quality instruction is expensive. No doubt about it. Where do you live? I will be more than happy to help you.

I became an instructor because of what I saw all the time at the range. On the internet we hear guys talk all the time about shooting 2" groups at long distances. However, the targets I see a the range are rarely anywhere close to that. So, it is my goal to help in anyway I can. If you're near by, you're welcome at one of my classes.