M&P 9 Consistently Shoots Low

[kzaske]

I have a strange and very frustrating problem with my M&P 9. First a little background. Back in 1990 (while I was AGR) I carried an H&K 9mm, loved that pistol. I normally practiced at 20 yards and I could keep an entire mag within 6 inches. In 1992 I departed my AGR position (due to what turned out to be medical reasons) and sold the pistol. That was the last time I fired a weapon for many years. Fast forward to 2014 I picked up an M&P 9 VTEC and started shooting it. As expected I started out with a spread of about 30 inches at 20 yards. After several hundred round and a few months I got my groups back down to about 10 inches (given what diabetes has done to me I think that is quite good). I sold the VTEC in December of 2015, no reason other than I needed the money. If February of 2016 I picked up an SD9VE, it shot very much like the VTEC but was more accurate (I was able to get my spread down to about 10 inches). The SD became my everyday carry for a few months until I was able to pick up an M&P 9. I took the M&P 9 to the range and consistently hit about two feet low, at 10 yards, with the M&P. I tried my SD, dead on. I tried a Taurus 9mm, again dead on. I tried my friend's M&P 9 Pro – dead on. My friend tried the M&P 9; about three feet low at 15 yards. OK, I thought something was wrong with the sights, so I had them replaced with a set of TruGlows.
I took the M&P 9 to the range (with a bunch of friends) and my target at 20 yards. The target is a 4 inch target ball about 30 inches off the ground. Every one of us never hit the target (a first for me). All of us hit the dirt in front of or behind the target but all hits were within three feet of my target stand. I have put more than a five hundred rounds through the M&P 9, I have learned how to compensate for the strange drop, but I need to get this fixed. I have tried a wide range of ammo, no real difference.

Does anyone have any ideas what I can do or did I just get a lemon?

 

[anbuyoshi]

What sight picture are you using? 6:00? Combat?

Side Note: I'll gladly take the factory sights off of your hands if you don't want them.

 

[kzaske]

What sight picture are you using? 6:00? Combat?

Side Note: I'll gladly take the factory sights off of your hands if you don't want them.

I have tried the 6:00 and the Combat. I personally prefer to use the Combat sight picture. As for the factory sights, they are sitting in the box and will go with the weapon if I need to send it in to get it checked or sell it.

 

[Bkreutz]

I have a strange and very frustrating problem with my M&P 9. First a little background. Back in 1990 (while I was AGR) I carried an H&K 9mm, loved that pistol. I normally practiced at 20 yards and I could keep an entire mag within 6 inches. In 1992 I departed my AGR position (due to what turned out to be medical reasons) and sold the pistol. That was the last time I fired a weapon for many years. Fast forward to 2014 I picked up an M&P 9 VTEC and started shooting it. As expected I started out with a spread of about 30 inches at 20 yards. After several hundred round and a few months I got my groups back down to about 10 inches (given what diabetes has done to me I think that is quite good). I sold the VTEC in December of 2015, no reason other than I needed the money. If February of 2016 I picked up an SD9VE, it shot very much like the VTEC but was more accurate (I was able to get my spread down to about 10 inches). The SD became my everyday carry for a few months until I was able to pick up an M&P 9. I took the M&P 9 to the range and consistently hit about two feet low, at 10 yards, with the M&P. I tried my SD, dead on. I tried a Taurus 9mm, again dead on. I tried my friend's M&P 9 Pro – dead on. My friend tried the M&P 9; about three feet low at 15 yards. OK, I thought something was wrong with the sights, so I had them replaced with a set of TruGlows.
I took the M&P 9 to the range (with a bunch of friends) and my target at 20 yards. The target is a 4 inch target ball about 30 inches off the ground. Every one of us never hit the target (a first for me). All of us hit the dirt in front of or behind the target but all hits were within three feet of my target stand. I have put more than a five hundred rounds through the M&P 9, I have learned how to compensate for the strange drop, but I need to get this fixed. I have tried a wide range of ammo, no real difference.

Does anyone have any ideas what I can do or did I just get a lemon?

I'm guessing the dovetail is cut wrong (either the front or the rear). The fact that changing your sights didn't change the impact point indicates this. You could send it back to Smith (call them and they will send you a call tag for FedEx) or....... you could file down the front sight, that will raise your point of impact, just don't take off too much.

 

[kzaske]

I'm guessing the dovetail is cut wrong (either the front or the rear). The fact that changing your sights didn't change the impact point indicates this. You could send it back to Smith (call them and they will send you a call tag for FedEx) or....... you could file down the front sight, that will raise your point of impact, just don't take off too much.

I thought of filing down the front sight, but I would also need to build up the rear sight. To hit my target at 15 yards I have to hold the front green dot about two milometers above the rear two dots. I think a phone call is in order...
PS: I had everyone that has ever fired my M&P read my post here. All agree that it accurately describes what is happening. Thank you for the reply.

 

[kzaske]

Just a quick update. The pistol has been to service and is now home safe and sound. According to the worksheet they replaced the sights. It went to service with rear TruGlow and the original front sight, it came back the same sights, they did not even adjust them. What they replaced was the barrel. The new barrel has no wobble at all, the old one did. I should have noticed that.

 

[triemferent]

Did you shoot it yet to see if the new barrel fix the problem? I have a similar problem but I just assumed it was me. Just wondering, how long did it take them to service your gun.

 

[Rastoff]

The new barrel has no wobble at all, the old one did. I should have noticed that.

That will account for the shooting low.


A side note:
Allow me to congratulate you on accurate reporting of your skill. Usually people come here and complain that their gun is shooting bad. They tell us that they usually shoot 2" groups at 50 yards and the gun must be broken. You're the first in memory that has reported shooting a 10" group at 20 yards.

Shooting 10" at 20 yards is still better than most of the shooters I see. More than that, it's a realistic report. 6" groups at 20 yards is very good shooting and still believable too.

I hope the repaired gun works well for you. The M&P is a good gun.

 

[Ande]

I purchased the M&P Shield 9mm for self defense at close range. I finally had the opportunity to go to the range with it today. I found it consistently shot 4" low and 6" to the left at about 15 yards. I can adjust for the left/right. But, I do not relish the idea of trying to accurately file down the front sight. Is there an adjustable rear sight for the 9mm Shield?
Thanks

 

[Rastoff]

Is there an adjustable rear sight for the 9mm Shield?
Thanks

There is not.

There is also a 90% chance it's you and not the gun. What you're seeing is common for a right hand shooter.

Did you shoot the gun from a rest?

 

[RobzGuns]

There is also a 90% chance it's you and not the gun. What you're seeing is common for a right hand shooter.
Did you shoot the gun from a rest?

This ^^^
Also, are you restricted to shooting from 15Yds out, or can you shoot from a closer distance (to start with)? When getting used to a new pistol, it's often better to start Close-In (like 3Yds) and work your way out.

And... What sight picture are you using? With the Shield (and many other Subcompacts), many find that they need to put the front dot on the bulls-eye, rather than using the 'Pumpkin on a Post' sight picture that's used with larger Target Pistols.