shield 9mm accuracy

[truedge]

I love my Shield in 9mm to carry or conceal. I hate the way it shoots. Or I should say it's POI. At 10 yards it is 4 to 6 inches low consistently. This is from a stable rest so I am not milking it. Not left or right just plain 6 o'clock low. I am going to try and correct it with sights but can't seem to find much reasonable available. Anybody have any suggestions?

I would rather not send it off to Smith but am willing to if that is the only solution.

Thanks in advance.

 

[epj]

If you are using a 6 o'clock target hold, that's why you're shooting low. Cover the target with the front sight.

 

[truedge]

Thanks but that is not it. I should have clarified that it is shooting that low below POA.

 

[rwsmith]

Does it shoot low.....

Does it shoot low with different ammo? What kind of ammo are you using in it now??? Light, fast bullets tend to shoot lower. If you are using 115 grains you may want to try 124 grns.

 

[oldfart64]

Thanks but that is not it. I should have clarified that it is shooting that low below POA.

me too,

I also throw some of mine low and to the right (I'm a lefty) but those are that I have not learned the S&W trigger yet.

 

[MyDads38]

Try holding the front dot center of your target. Both my Shields shoot POA/POI back to 10 yards. But 3 dot sights are usually for combat hold-front dot Center of Mass. Also try some 124 & 147 gr. ammo. My Shield 9 is a tack driver with heavier bullets; and no slouch with 115 gr.!

 

[RobzGuns]

It doesn't happen often, but if you're shooting from a rest, with front dot covering the bull and it's hitting low, it COULD be a product of tolerance stacking and should go back to the factory.

 

[DamnYankee]

I am having this exact same problem. I have shot multiple brands of ammo including 124gr self defense ammo. I cover the target with the front sight and impact is 6-8 inches low. I think I am going to send it to S&W tomorrow.

 

[truedge]

It doesn't happen often, but if you're shooting from a rest, with front dot covering the bull and it's hitting low, it COULD be a product of tolerance stacking and should go back to the factory.

What is tolerance stacking?

 

[rwsmith]

I found this in the owner's manual.....

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 14 yards 21 yards
1.7” 3.9” 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 Z299.31993.
This certification represents actual tests based on several hand-
guns, selected at random. Your particular handgun may have accuracy better than the results stated in this certification.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

What is tolerance stacking?

Tolerance is "an allowable amount of variation of a specified quantity, especially in the dimensions of a machine or part." Tolerance stacking is when the individual tolerances add up (i.e. the majority are in the high or low end of acceptable) to a final assembly that isn't acceptable.

 

[hstrawn]

If you are using a 6 o'clock target hold, that's why you're shooting low. Cover the target with the front sight.

Worked for me with the shield......(and the full sized 9--still working with the Bodyguard (darned hard to see the front sight on a black target)

 

[DamnYankee]

I have to hold over about 6 inches to hit the bullseye with my Shield. I sent her back to the factory yesterday to see what they could find. I have full faith that Smith and Wesson will make it right.

 

[Artful Dodger]

Well, I'm very happy to report I was thrilled to get my new M&P Performance Center shield.

Today I shot it 100 rounds and I'm happy to report it does not shoot 8" low! IT SHOOTS 8" HIGH! (from 20 and 30')

I have never been so disappointed in a firearm in 50 years.

I would be better off shooting straight up and hoping the bullet would hit the target coming down. (very sad).

It seems to be a well built firearm, but if you can only use it to hit someone over the head, Harbor Freight has hammers that will do the same thing for about $4.

 

[Magload]

Wow from 20 feet I don't think I could miss by 8" with no sights. Have someone else shoot it and shoot it off a rest if it is still high it time to call CS. Don

 

[martybee]

Worked for me with the shield......(and the full sized 9--still working with the Bodyguard (darned hard to see the front sight on a black target)

I have the BG and I have put a small white dot on the top of the front sight. It worked beautifully for picking up the front sight in low light! Testor's white acrylic model paint works great.

mb

 

[Motorsporting]

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 14 yards 21 yards
1.7” 3.9” 6.3”

Why would they put this in the manual when the Shield is just slightly bigger than 3"? FWIW, my Shield is accurate and precise. I am able to get a 5" group, where I'm aiming (center hold), at 7 yards, shooting rapidly (about 1 round/second).

 

[redwing57]

I'm no marksman, but with practice I can put 95+% of my rounds inside an 8" circle at 25 yards, 75 feet. There's still the occasional flyer due to my imperfect grip and trigger management. But, this pistol is more than accurate enough for any SD use.

No comment about OPs issue, but mine and my wife's Shields are both plenty accurate.

 

[BigDog48]

I have the unmodified (except for Talon Grips) Shield 9 and there is nothing wrong with its accuracy. Shooting from 10 yards, fairly quickly I can put the entire magazine (7+1) in the center of my target and can cover them all with my hand. Mine is fine, as I suspect most are.

 

[Mal Cap]

I suspect you are correct that most are. I use a Green Laserguard on mine and at 21 feet it shoots where the green goes. The iron sights are "on" at that distance as well. This is a carry gun for me. I wouldn't want to shoot past 50 feet for any reason I can think of.