9mm shield shoots to the left

[critterhorse]

My new 9mm shield shoots to the left.
FACTS: I am an expericed shooter, retired Deputy Sheriff, I'm good enough to take myself out of the problem. I know how to make corrections to the sights.

What I'm asking is has anybody else experience out of the box same problems and how did they fix it. Took the weapon out and shot about 60 rounds. Grouped good but about 3 inches left of target at only 7 yards. The front and rear sights are aligned centered on the slide. YES I can move the front post but then it won't look right. Is this normal for it to be this far off at this close range. Is this just the way it is with a very short barred gun. Any comments would be a plus. Thanks to anyone who has some information

 

[ATF]

Try a little more finger you're probably more used to revolvers or 19111's

 

[John R]

I found my Shield to shoot low left when I first started shooting it, after shooting it awhile I found the problem was the way I was holding the small handle gun.

Try some more and I think you'll find the sweet spot.

 

[qkarl]

I found my Shield to shoot low left when I first started shooting it, after shooting it awhile I found the problem was the way I was holding the small handle gun.

Try some more and I think you'll find the sweet spot.

Care to elaborate? I'm shooting low left too when I fully wrapped my hand around the grip. I shifted my hands back so instead of having the second joints on my fingers at the front of the grip I now have the most extreme joints of my fingers at the front. This leaves a lot of grip surface untouched by my palm but I seem to shoot more accurately like this. I'm pretty sure this grip is wrong and would like to hear how others grip the shield.

 

[team sidewinder]

Same here. Have had my shield since they first came out and I am really disappointed in how it shoots or how I shoot it. It doesn't really matter. It gets very little use as I don't want to have be over thinking of how I need to hold the shield a special way in a high stress self defence situation. I have no confidence in this gun as I have several other guns I can pick up and hit POA with my natural grip. I agree it is probably just me but i never have any such issues with any of my other handguns. Only handgun I regret ever purchasing.

 

[B3500]

If you don't want to try and work on your shooting style, you should sell it rather than continue regretting that it is not a good gun for you. Life is too short for regrets that are easy to make go away.

 

[MichiganScott]

Try a little more finger you're probably more used to revolvers or 19111's

I've shot revolvers double action since 1974 and had no problems transitioning to M&P pistols.

The issue is the movement of the muzzle because there is a infinitesimal movement of the trigger as the striker releases. In a rifle, you would call it creep. The fact that the M&P line is light weight make the movement even worse. You will not detect the movement during live fire because it is masked by recoil.

Dry firing practice will usually cure the problem. It will definitely show that the issue is the shooter, not the gun. The shooter needs the proper hold with both thumbs forward and contacting the frame. Wrapping the thumbs down on each other like most people shoot a revolver does not work well.

Too much finger through the guard and on the trigger exacerbates the problem. You need to use the pad of the finger like you would on a single action revolver or 1911.

 

[ussoldier1984]

So where about should your trigger finger go on the M&P? I was shooting left as well when I first got my 40c after the apex fss trigger kit it got better. I am retired military so I am used to using the meaty part of the tip of my finger just after the joint. I used to practice dry firing with a penny ontop of the barrel on my m-16. if it fell I knew it was not a smooth trigger pull. Wonder if that would apply to a handgun???

 

[team sidewinder]

If you don't want to try and work on your shooting style, you should sell it rather than continue regretting that it is not a good gun for you. Life is too short for regrets that are easy to make go away.

I agree. It is up for sale or trade in my local area for half of what I originally paid for it.

 

[webfarmer]

My 2 cents worth to the OP - the Shield is definitely not a target pistol. It never will be (you know that). It is a good carry weapon. I've seen more good shooters complain about their Shield shooting low left than anything on these forums. It is a small frame pistol and requires practice to get the rounds in the center of the target. I've run close to 900 rounds through mine (9 mm) and I still mostly pull them a little left. That's how it is. My other pistols shoot POA because they're all larger hand filling firearms.

My only use for this pistol is self defense. I won't be the person doing the head shot in a hostage situation and neither should anyone else with the Shield. It is perfect for what it was designed for - pulling from concealment to engage a threat at center mass. That inch or two won't make a difference at 7 yards or even 15 yards. You might consider improving the trigger. Look to Apex. Their hard sear improved mine considerably. Good luck!

 

[cracker57]

not trying to hi jack this thread but I shoot my shield to the left also. I have a 40 compact that has been the main gun at the range and my EDC, I love it and shoot it well. I bought the shield in 9mm and it was to be my summer EDC, I have shot about 600 rnds thru it and have gotten to be better but still to the left. The 40c has the apex duty carry in it and I would like to know from those who have installed this kit in their shield, how much did that help with the accuracy of the shield.

 

[RobzGuns]

So where about should your trigger finger go on the M&P? I was shooting left as well when I first got my 40c after the apex fss trigger kit it got better. I am retired military so I am used to using the meaty part of the tip of my finger just after the joint. I used to practice dry firing with a penny ontop of the barrel on my m-16. if it fell I knew it was not a smooth trigger pull. Wonder if that would apply to a handgun???

What you're dealing with on a subcompact pistol is the distance difference between the trigger and the back strap, which can mess up one's usual trigger pull and causes the pistol to slightly twist (to the left, if right handed).

Since everyone's fingers are different, there's no 1 finger placement that works for everyone. Everyone needs to experiment (usually by dry fire practice) to see which part of their finger achieves the magic straight rearward pull. When I got the Shield, I needed to switch from Center Pad, to 1st knuckle Crease. Others here needed to change from 1st crease, to center pad.

Shooting Low, is usually caused by 'anticipating recoil' (however mild, or strong it may be) and unconsciously pushing the muzzle down just before (or at) trigger break.

The best way to check this is to place a Snap-Cap/Dummy round somewhere in the middle of the mag and see what happens when you hit the 'dud'. If the gun 'dips' when you hit the Snap-Cap, Guess what... You're flinching downward, in anticipation of the recoil.

 

[ussoldier1984]

I always qualified expert with the M-16 and am better with a 1911 then my M&P. I am still accurate and it was better with the apex fss trigger kit it will just take time and more practice to dial in my technique with this weapon.

 

[OKFC05]

I get to watch a lot of new shooters, and it somewhat amuses me that "the gun shoots left" never "I shoot left with this gun"

I played around with the Shield when it came out, and I personally own one now. I noticed right away that the trigger must be pressed STRAIGHT BACK or the shot will go to the side, to left for right handers. Careful dry firing soon identified the sweet spot for the gun, and it feels different than FS M&Ps because of the grip size. I have watched people that could not keep it on a paper plate at 5 yards, and KNEW it was the gun: needed lighter trigger, new sights, FIX IT!!
Never mind that I can put them all in the same hole that close with the same gun........

Unfortunately, a lighter trigger and heavier gun mask shooting technique problems, but small guns with service triggers exacerbate them.

 

[PHolster]

Have you shot this from a rest? The first thing I do when I get any gun is shoot it from a rest like a bean bag. I figure by doing so I will better know where the sights are aimed and will truly know whether it is me or the gun.

 

[Pisgah]

It seems the more experienced a shooter is the harder it is for him to accept the fact that he may be the problem.

Try this simple test. Pick a small target, say a light switch. Dryfire at it and watch the front sight closely as you do. I will bet you ten bucks that you'll see the sight move down and left, and I will win the bet 90+% of the time. Adjust your trigger technique and grip accordingly. (Absolutely the worst offenders in this are the folks who try to shoot a DA-only like a single action, "staging" the trigger in some fashion. The gun is simply not designed to be shot like that, and for most of us it will not work. A smooth, steady stroke with the pad of the trigger finger's first joint, not the tip or the joint crease itself, is the ticket.)

 

[BlackTalonJHP]

Once, just once, I would like to see a thread titled 'My new gun is shooting to the right'. I'm not saying that S&W doesn't sent out guns with sights that are off from time to time, but I think it has to do with the majority of the population being right handed/right eye dominant.

 

[MichiganScott]

Once, just once, I would like to see a thread titled 'My new gun is shooting to the right'. I'm not saying that S&W doesn't sent out guns with sights that are off from time to time, but I think it has to do with the majority of the population being right handed/right eye dominant.

We've had a couple of them. If it's more than a couple of inches, the poster is always left handed.

 

[326MOD10]

I would agree with it being the shooter. No offense to anyone but I also had the same issue with my Shield and with the new Glock 43.

I shot the Shield more and dry fired some and have self corrected the issue and shot a perfect on my qualification with it. This includes 10 shots at 25 yards, where the "ME" really comes out in the mistake game.

When I picked up the Glock 43 I was once again shooting to the left. Took it to someone who I know is a much better shooter than I will ever be to see if it was the gun.

Found out pretty quick it was "ME" again and he suggested that I shoot it like a revolver to compensate for the short grip and small handle. Should have taken the Shield to him right away as well because I could have saved some time and money on ammo. But then again that wouldn't have been as much fun.

Work with it and give it some practice and you will find that the Shield is a very accurate self defense shooter.

 

[LAA]

First post here, after reading for a few months.

I recently purchased a 9mm Shield, as well as the Glock 43. My other semi-autos include a M&P 40 Core (Burris III red dot), and XDM 45 5.25 for the larger caliber semi's. My wife has a Nano, S&W model 60, in which she uses 38 specials, and a Ruger LCP. Also have numerous revolvers from a 22 to 44.

For me, the Shield is just getting right close center of target from the beginning. And it continues to do so. My Glock 43 is low and left, but it's my problem. I get it back on target, only to shoot low & left again at the next shooting outing. I'm an older guy, but I'll persist on getting it to do what I want. The S&W 40 CORE & Springfield XDM 45 have also done very well from the first shot.

The Shield & Glock has run every 9mm cartridge I've tried, without fail. At least 400 through the Shield, and 700 on the Glock. We have a Beretta Nano, that insist's on 124's as a minimum.

Just wanted to make note, that I'm very pleased with the Shield.