New M&P with Crimson Trace issues

32_d3gr33s · #1 12-02-2012, 04:27 PM

Hey everybody! I am just getting into guns, so I picked up my first handgun on Friday. I got myself the M&P 9mm compact, with the crimson trace grip. So far I absolutely LOVE the gun. I took it out Saturday and put 100 rounds of the Federal 115 grain bullets from wally world through it. Had absolutely no issues with it at all, and accuracy was spot on! Both me and my fiancee shot it, and having never really shot handguns before, we were a little leery. within a few shots of practice off the get go, both of us were grouping the shots in about a 4 or 5 inch circle at about 6 yards. What is the normal shooting distance people practice at? I feel very comfortable with this gun. I was a little nervous reading about how the trigger feels heavy and such, but I think it feels great!

I did have one issue though. I did a little searching and didn't seem to find anything. The crimson trace grip doesn't seem to stay calibrated. I lined it all up perfectly and within 2 or 3 shots, the laser would be about 2 inches high, and about 3 inches to the left on the target compared to the sights on the gun. then a couple shots later, it would be left and low... and so on. Since the grip came on the gun, should i just bring it back to the shop i bought it at? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

bottom 2 are first shots, rest are remaining 8 rounds...

not bad for a first timer outside in windy 30 degree weather

nickn10 · #2 12-02-2012, 04:39 PM

The laser should be adjusted by you to coincide with the iron sights. The group looks fine, just make sure your trigger pull and grip is consistent. I found shooting with a lazer tends to make you focus on the dot at the expense of proper trigger and grip. I like to practice defensive shooting at 10 yds and perfecting sight and trigger control at 20 yds. Mistakes are easy to see and correct at the longer distance.

32_d3gr33s · #3 12-02-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickn10

The laser should be adjusted by you to coincide with the iron sights. The group looks fine, just make sure your trigger pull and grip is consistent. I found shooting with a lazer tends to make you focus on the dot at the expense of proper trigger and grip. I like to practice defensive shooting at 10 yds and perfecting sight and trigger control at 20 yds. Mistakes are easy to see and correct at the longer distance.

Thanks for that. I guess what i was saying is that no matter how i adjusted the laser, within a few shots it would be way out of adjustment... So say I aim at the bullseye, and dial the laser in, it would hit perfect. after 1 or 2 shots, gun sights are still on bullseye, but laser is on the target way high, and way left. didnt matter how many times i adjusted, it would always be out of whack within a few shots.

robkarrob · #4 12-02-2012, 07:01 PM

First make sure the laser is installed correctly and fastened on tight. If all seems good, then since it is new you should have the Crimson Trace warranty. Call CT and explain that it will not stay sighted in. I know they will send you a replacement and have you send the defective sight back to them. I had a problem with the on/off button on my CT laser, and they sent a replacement right away.

I have a CT and a Laserlyte laser. Sight them in at the distance you want, so that the point of impact is exactly on the laser point. Use a sandbag/pillow rest and take your time sighting the laser in. Move the set screw only a few clicks at a time. Over moving the sight adjustments can screw up the laser. Don't sight them to the open iron sights. The laser is much more accurate than you can ever be with the stock open sights. I think you can tell this by how much the laser point jumps around, when you think you are holding the gun still.

Once you get your POI hitting the laser point, do the same for the open sights. You will probably find the open sights off by several inches. You can't adjust the stock sights for elevation, but can move them for windage.

Bob

32_d3gr33s · #5 12-02-2012, 07:18 PM

Ill have to give it another try in the next few days. we were switching out the backstraps a few times, so maybe it didnt get seated properly.
Thanks

turbo38gn · #6 12-02-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32_d3gr33s

Ill have to give it another try in the next few days. we were switching out the backstraps a few times, so maybe it didnt get seated properly.
Thanks

I thought the CT was the back strap... how were you changing out backstraps?

sharpshooterassassin · #7 12-03-2012, 12:06 AM

I've got the S&W M&P 9mm Compact with the Crimson Trace Rail Master laser on it. I've zeroed it in 1 time and it has held there so far through 400+ rounds. Love it!

mlapaglia · #8 12-03-2012, 12:20 AM

I have the same model with Laser. Every time I take the laser grip off to try another grip without laser then put the laser back on I have to recalibrate the laser. The laser grip is not set up to be able to remove and replace and have the calibration stay correct. It always moves a little. Just something you have to get used to. Every time you put it on you have to recalibrate. Once you get used to the grip with the laser you probably wont take it off again.

joestacey06 · #9 12-03-2012, 09:49 AM

For you guys with the laser, what size are the backstraps? I use the medium ones on my 9c. Are they that size?

32_d3gr33s · #10 12-03-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turbo38gn

I thought the CT was the back strap... how were you changing out backstraps?

Because my fiancée likes the small backstrap, so we switched it every time she shot

32_d3gr33s · #11 12-03-2012, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlapaglia

I have the same model with Laser. Every time I take the laser grip off to try another grip without laser then put the laser back on I have to recalibrate the laser. The laser grip is not set up to be able to remove and replace and have the calibration stay correct. It always moves a little. Just something you have to get used to. Every time you put it on you have to recalibrate. Once you get used to the grip with the laser you probably wont take it off again.

That makes sense. I probably won't be removing it much because i plan on getting the old lady a gun in the near future. She's got pretty small hands so even the small grip was a little big for her. I have no problem at all with the grip at all. Very comfortable and can't even tell that it's got a laser built in

!!

rock doc · #12 12-03-2012, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joestacey06

For you guys with the laser, what size are the backstraps? I use the medium ones on my 9c. Are they that size?

Yes, the CT grips are close in size to the medium backstraps.

mlapaglia · #13 12-03-2012, 02:27 PM

Its between the Med and the Large. With the batterys it swells a little like the old Coke grips on a 27. TO be honest I do not care for it and considering selling the laser and getting the one that sits on the trigger guard for my shield instead. The 9C is my HD firearm so a laser is nice but its just not comfortable for me to shoot anymore.

team sidewinder · #14 12-03-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 32_d3gr33s

Because my fiancée likes the small backstrap, so we switched it every time she shot

Better get that girl her own pistol for a wedding present. Problem solved. " Happy wife, Happy life " words to stay married by.

Tom Goodrick · #15 12-03-2012, 06:06 PM

Here's another idea that does not require a proposal of marriage: Get yourself an M&P 40 without the laser. I found that perfect for an HD gun. You can learn to shoot the 40 with iron sights in an HD environment where you have to bring up the gun quickly, put the clear front sight on the Bad Guy and shoot. I have tried a laser and see some potential there but I think the iron sight is a lot more intuitive and better in a gunfight in your home. That brings up the matter of accuracy and distance in a Home Defense environment. I practice at 25 ft because I would never shoot a longer distance inside my house. The group size you showed is good enough to stop an intruder though some of use think a .40 is more likely to stop a Bad Guy with just a shot or two than a 9.

This might be a good place to discuss irons sights versus laser sights. I'll let someone with more experience start that.

joestacey06 · #16 12-03-2012, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock doc

Yes, the CT grips are close in size to the medium backstraps.

Thank you.

32_d3gr33s · #17 12-03-2012, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Goodrick

This might be a good place to discuss irons sights versus laser sights. I'll let someone with more experience start that.

I actually prefer the iron sights to the laser, but I feel the laser could be extremely valuable to have. Such instances are if I have to fire from the hip, or something of the sort. Or even if one of my children needed to use it all they have to do is put dot on bad guy and squeeze. Hopefully it never comes down to either of those situations but its a valuable tool to have. Added insurance

32_d3gr33s · #18 12-11-2012, 02:59 AM

Little update... Picked up a FS mag. and got my x-grip in the mail today. Also called S&W on friday and told them i didnt enjoy shooting with the magazine that came without the pinky extension. Sent me a free one and that also showed up in the mail today! Havent had another chance to shoot it yet, but hopefully ill be able to get out this weekend and put a few more rounds through it.