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My Shield 9mm is shooting VERY LOW

zork52

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Joined
Jan 7, 2013
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Hey guys,

New owner here.

After shooting the **** of out of target at a rental range with a Shield 9 recently, I finally got mine (on waiting list for months). Im' in Mass and the rental did not have the "Mass trigger".

I went to range today with my brother and the gun was shooting about 2 - 3 inches low. I had my brother try it with the same result so it wasn't just me.

I live in Mass with Mass trigger (10lbs) but I didn't find trigger that bad.

Today, I only shot a few mags as I didn't even want to waste ammo because I knew something was very wrong here............

There is a set screw on the rear sight but the manual says rear sight is NOT adjustable??????

I'd hate to have to send it back for this but the accuracy on this gun is WAY OFF of what I just shot a few days ago with a Shield 9 at the range. MY groups were impressive up to 24 ft with the rental.

I had to tilt the front site up OVER the bullseye just to hit LOW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm assuming if I raised the rear sight UP by turning that set screw Counter Clockwise, I could remedy this problem???? My brother got the same result.

Does anyone know the size of allen wrench that fits the set screw on the rear sight if I can adjust it?

Any thoughts??

Thanks

Brian
 
Hmmmmm, before talking about the gun (And i'm not trying to be a jerk so please don't take it that way). What are you use to shooting?

This can also happen sometimes if you over compensating too much for the recoil, do you think you might be dipping the barrel down a little when you shoot it? I caught myself doing this once or twice and ran into that issue (Shooting low).

Being that it's the Shield maybe it's the size of the gun being small than what you are use too? (Just throwing out ideas as I don't know what you normally shoot)
 
The rear sight has a set screw in it. Loosen the screw to remove the sight or move it side to side, tighten the screw to lock the sight in place. The sights on a Shield are not adjustable for elevation.
 
There is no adjustment for elevation, up/down. If the accuracy is off for windage. left/right, the sights can be moved (drifted) to correct that. The S&W manual advised to drift the front sight, but the rear sight can also be moved. What distance are you shooting from? The sights are factory sighted in for a particular distance. Closer or further is going to vary the point of impact (POI) in regards to elevation. Two inches is not much, but if you are sure of the distance from the target that you want the elevation corrected to, you can grind/file the top of the front sight vertical post down. The more you remove, the higher the POI will be.

Sight image has a lot to do with POI. I shoot #2. Your point of aim (POA) may be different.

Bob

sightimages_zpsa89665a4.jpg
 
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Mass. requires a 10lb trigger pull? maybe i read it wrong, but if i didnt, why is a 10lb trigger required? what does that do? except give you a little bulky muscle on your trigger finger like a little bicep? ok now this is getting silly.

I totally hope I got this wrong.

Well apparently I am not wrong. They must have a horrible problem in Mass with 5 year olds breaking in and stealing weapons from Gun stores! That is why, when you buy a weapon in Mass it has to have a 10lb trigger that a 5 year old cannot pull. You can then take it home, reduce it to a useable pull like 5.5lbs or what ever.

How does that help those who need Mental Health from getting the help they so desperately need?

chuck
 
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zork,

From the pictures on the S&W web-site it appears that the front sight is dovetailed into the slide as were the earlier 2nd & 3rd generation automatics. Different heights of front sights were available, and I have to assume still are. Call S&W Customer Service at 800-331-0852 and ask!

Remember that bullet weight affects point-of-impact too, both elevation and, often, windage. Decide what load you want to have shoot to point-of-aim with before worrying about getting it adjusted.
 
Have you tried shooting using sight image #3 (I think the entire M&P line is set to use the combat image) and from a rest to confirm it's the Shield?
 
Are you a new shooter as well as being a new owner? Sounds like classic over compensating to me. This can be especially true with very stiff triggers
 
After shooting the **** of out of target at a rental range with a Shield 9 recently, I finally got mine (on waiting list for months). Im' in Mass and the rental did not have the "Mass trigger".

He is not a new shooter and not new to the Shield as per his post he has shot the Shield a bunch.

The only thing that is new to him would be the heavier trigger.
 
1. Please check with S&W. I believe you do NOT move the rear sight to change point of impact on the Shield. I think they will tell you to move the front sight. Someone please correct me if I am incorrect on this matter.
2. Have someone else shoot your firearm and confirm it is the gun and not you.
 
Hey guys,

New owner here.

After shooting the **** of out of target at a rental range with a Shield 9 recently, I finally got mine (on waiting list for months). Im' in Mass and the rental did not have the "Mass trigger".

I went to range today with my brother and the gun was shooting about 2 - 3 inches low. I had my brother try it with the same result so it wasn't just me.

I live in Mass with Mass trigger (10lbs) but I didn't find trigger that bad.

Today, I only shot a few mags as I didn't even want to waste ammo because I knew something was very wrong here............

There is a set screw on the rear sight but the manual says rear sight is NOT adjustable??????

I'd hate to have to send it back for this but the accuracy on this gun is WAY OFF of what I just shot a few days ago with a Shield 9 at the range. MY groups were impressive up to 24 ft with the rental.

I had to tilt the front site up OVER the bullseye just to hit LOW,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I'm assuming if I raised the rear sight UP by turning that set screw Counter Clockwise, I could remedy this problem???? My brother got the same result.

Does anyone know the size of allen wrench that fits the set screw on the rear sight if I can adjust it?

Any thoughts??

Thanks

Brian

Get rid of it. It's junk. Total **** firearm. I'll take it for you. I'll probably just scrap it. But you should give it to me
 
As with any gun, do some shots with a bench rest before assuming it is the gun. I had put in my Apex trigger kit and had to remove the rear sight to do so. When going out the first time afterwards, I noticed that I was shooting way low left. So I put it on the bench and fired a few rounds. It hit quite well where I was aiming. Problem solved - it was me.
 
Took it to a range and let an instructor try it.


He shot 4 out of 4 bulls at 20 ft………………….


I’m going to get the trigger done…………..

I'm used to Sig Sauer pistols............

Thanks for the responses.

The "Dunce"
 
When I got back into guns 6 months ago I had the same problem and it was me pushing the muzzle down just before the recoil. I loosened my grip and shot alot and now I can shoot small groups with all my guns
 
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