Having trouble getting on target at 20yds wh my 9c. Only fired 2x but it seems to shoot low and to the left. Can't seem to figure out point of hold to point of impact. As far as I know sights do not adjust. Could be me I guess. Any others having problems with 9c sights??

I have a 9c and I have no problems at all with it. It is a very soft shooting pistol in my opinion.

Did you mean 20 yds or 20 ft? The other question is how experienced as a shooter are you?

Something you can and should do is have someone else shoot it to determine whether or not they have the same problems. If a seasoned shooter has the problem that you are describing then you may have a problem with the sights or the barrel.

Just from what you wrote, it sounds like you might be tightening your fingers or jerking the trigger.

My 9c is very accurate, even at 20 yards. I rarely practice at that distance because; quite frankly, it is doubtful that a defensive situation would take place at much over 20 feet.

Your sights are adjustable for windage but not elevation.
If you are shooting low and left, I'll almost 100% guarantee that it is you and not the gun. I had the same problem learning to shoot my first M&P. The problem is that you are unconsciously flinching and pushing against the gun and pushing the muzzle downward.
You will probably find that dry firing practice will help your trigger control, etc.

Try these charts for pointers:

Right handed shooter:


Left handed shooter:

When I was young I spent 6 years in a Marine rifle co during the Vietnam war, qualified with the 45 auto, M14 and m60 machine gun. Not young anymore (67). Am still pretty good with a rifle but not so much on a pistol. I think you guys are right, its shooter error, need more practise

The problem is you qualified with a .45 auto. You are used to that single action break.

The last little bit of movement of the M&P trigger throws off your shot. You are probably pushing the pistol with either your little finger or dragging your trigger finger on the frame.

Concentrate on your sight picture and follow through. Your groups will become centered. Low left is very common with these pistols when people first get them.

Try sticking your little finger out when you pull the trigger (kinda like you're drinking fancy champagne ) You might be surprised. It feels strange but it does work if you're pulling low left.

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Some good advice has been given by the guys here.

You should also know that when many people make the transition to a polymer frame, striker-fired pistol, they too have the same problems you are describing. It's just a different beast than the 1911 you are familiar with.

One poster said it best when he said you were experienced but just rusty. That is what it sounds like to me.

Keep at and revert back to that USMC training. My bet is that you will start drilling those rounds where ever you want to put them.

Sempre Fi!

P.S. My old man was a USMC drill sergeant at Paris Island back in the mid 60's. Hard man to live with but one I admire more than anyone today. Thank you for your service to this country!

You are right handed and have not owned a striker fired pistol before. Am I right?

The 1911 has the best trigger system for a semi-auto on the planet. Sorry, but it does. The trigger movement is very short and crisp. Even the worst 1911 is better than most striker fired guns.

Yes, it's you. Not to worry, this is fixable. First, 20 yards is too far. The M&P 9C is a defensive pistol. As such it is not intended to be used at great distance. 60 feet is further than a normal person will take a defensive shot. So, bring that target in a little to 10 yards.

Now, work on the "three secrets" of pistol shooting. They are not really secrets, but it seems that they are when you look at most shooters at the range.

They are:

1. Sight Alignment
2. Sight Picture
3. Trigger Control

The M&P can be dry fired (or dry trigger presses) as much as you like without damage. Try this...

Put up a small target. A sticky note will do fine. Unload your gun. Double check that it's unloaded. Now, point at that target and take a dry press. Did your sights move? Did you lose the sight alignment as you pressed? Keep doing this until you can get a dry press and maintain your sight alignment perfectly. OK, with as little movement as possible; we all move a little.

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Thanks for the great tips. Yes I am rt handed and never owned a striker fired pistol. Going to follow your tips and get some more range time. By the way my user name(Thump-boom) is what we use to call the guys using the M79 grenade launcher, they also had the 45 auto

I find myself doing the same, low and left. I've been dry firing a coupe times a week now taking my time and going a little slower. I sit at one end of the room and sight on the knob of my safe.

Just a note about dry practice:

When doing dry practice, there are some simple rules that will help you maintain a safe environment.

1. Always use a special target; no permanent fixtures in the home.
2. Set a special area. NEVER take any ammo into that area.
3. Never say, "One more time."

The target can be anything and a sticky note works great. The reason for this is mental. By using a special target you are never tempted to point in at a "target" that is always there.

By designating a place and never taking ammo in there, you eliminate the remote possibility of a negligent discharge.

By ending your practice definitively, you are never tempted to take just one more practice shot. This "just one more" could be with a loaded gun.

True story:
A guy was doing dry practice by pointing at the people on his TV. He finished and loaded up his gun. He was getting ready to go out. As he passed the TV, he said to himself, "Just one more time." It was a good shot and resulted in a dead TV.

If he had used a special target, that he took down when done, this never would have happened.
If he had a designated place, it never would have happened.
If he had not said, "Just one more time" it never would have happened.

Take it or leave it. This is just a suggestion. I don't take chances with my firearms. Also, it doesn't matter how long you've been handling firearms. It only takes a moment of complacency to ruin a TV or shoot a friend.

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Freedom isn't free.