Frustrated with My new Shield 9

[SMR]

Ok guys. So I bought a new Shield 9 last week. I love everything about this gun and its my EDC... except I went to the range last week and put a 100 rnds down range and everything was low and left. Figured ok, I just need to get used to it. I have an XD9 that I am very accurate with, so I figured the shield has an inch shorter barrel, I just needed to adjust or get used to it. Well, I went to the range again today and everything again was low and left. I am very frustrated with how it is shooting. My grouping was pretty good, but again, everything low and left. I mean I know I had the sites center mass, the same way I always shoot. Could my sights be off? Do I need to make an adjustment? Love the gun, but not happy if this is going to be my EDC and I can't hit the broad side of the barn with it.

I did see in some other threads that people were having the same issues with their shields shooting low and left. For some reason I couldn't find the thread again to see if there was a resolution so I am looking to anyone here to see if you can help me with this situation. Thanks for your time.

 

[RobzGuns]

Almost everyone starts out low-left with subcompacts.
Try adjusting your grip and trigger finger position.
If you're resting your support hand trigger finger on the front of the trigger guard, stop. All 4 of your support hand fingers should be below the trigger guard, covering your shooting hand.
At least... That's what helped me.
http://www.1bad69.com/gallery/GunStuff/wheel.jpg

I love everything about this gun and its my EDC... except...[Snip]

I would suggest NOT making it your EDC until it has proven itself and you've mastered it.

 

[SMR]

Thanks for that image. With that said, I was in the Infantry and know finger placement and trigger squeeze. I was making sure I was very conscious about everything from breathing to how I was holding the gun, to finger placement and trigger squeeze. So, again, just very frustrated with how this gun is shooting right now. Not saying its not me, but I made sure I did everything I was taught and it was al the same, low and left every time.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Sounds to me like a classic case of anticipating the shot and bracing against recoil. Some call this "flinching," although that is more of a generic term. If you are grouping well, but low and left, take heart that at least you are doing the same amount of "flinching" each time.

 

[SMR]

Shawn, I will even take that I am "twitching," but how do you explain that my shots with my XD9 are right on the money center mass? Thats whats puzzling me.

 

[blackxpress]

It took me a lot of practice to ever get to where I could shoot my M&P respectably. I came close to selling it because I was getting so frustrated. I was jerking it low and left consistently. I attribute my problem to the M&P trigger. It was my first pistol with an integrated trigger safety. Before that every pistol I ever owned was DA/SA. Oddly enough I was still struggling a little with it when I bought my first Glock and didn't have any trouble at all with that gun. The Glock trigger is easier for me because the travel is so much shorter and the break and reset feel more precise. The M&P trigger is squishy by comparison, at least to me. I shoot the M&P really well now but I've practiced with it enough to get a good feel for the trigger break and reset. One thing that helped me was a lot of dry fire practice with a dime balanced on the front sight. Anyway, if I had to guess I'd say there's nothing wrong with your gun and you haven't shot it enough to get really comfortable with an M&P trigger. Do you think that's possible?

 

[jeffnles1]

Shawn, I will even take that I am "twitching," but how do you explain that my shots with my XD9 are right on the money center mass? Thats whats puzzling me.

Shoot it off a rest and see where it's hitting taking you out of the equation.

Mine shoots a little left (~1" at 30') but not enough to be overly concerned about. The front sight came from the factory a little off center (to the right a touch) and I tried to move it but that critter is in there tight.

I'm going to shoot it more and rule out me before trying to move the sights again.

To answer your question as to why one pistol and not the other.

XD9 is a slightly bigger pistol
The trigger pull on the Shield is pretty stiff (good no creep but stiff)
The Shield is a fairly short barrel which magnifies any "shooter error".

How far left are you shooting?

Jeff

 

[jagular]

I'd heed the advice above and practice more and be cognoscente of the how you are shooting the gun from trigger control, grip, breathing, etc. No gun is that same and expecting to perform the same with one gun compared to another, without practice, is like expecting the same capability and handling characteristics between a Pinto and Porsche.

If I remember correctly, I was about 500 rounds in when I was comfortably with the gun and shot placement.

 

[BDTeacher]

I did the same thing when I first got my Shield. The final click on the trigger is very sudden compared to the P226 and XDm I am used to. It took me a lot of practice, but I have it down now. I too was worried my gun was off.

 

[RobzGuns]

Thanks for that image. With that said, I was in the Infantry and know finger placement and trigger squeeze. I was making sure I was very conscious about everything from breathing to how I was holding the gun, to finger placement and trigger squeeze. So, again, just very frustrated with how this gun is shooting right now. Not saying its not me, but I made sure I did everything I was taught and it was al the same, low and left every time.

Any time someone switches from one platform to another, Like Full-Size to Compact, or Subcompact, no matter how long they've been shooting, each platform is different and it's best to start from scratch. Just as each car's Accelerator/Brakes and Steering are slightly different to drive and require getting used to, Grip and Finger placement that works perfectly for one pistol, may not work for another Brand/Model. Speaking from experience here. I used to shoot the XD Service and had to readjust everything when I switched to shooting/carrying Subcompacts (1st the PF-9... a true shock, now the Shield).

The XD (4" Service or larger?) is different from 3" barreled Subcompacts (PF-9, LC9, Nano, Shield, whatever). Visit any forum and you'll see threads where Career Military/LEO members who've been shooting all their lives state having the same predicament (and initially blame the pistol). (For example, since you're an XD owner, go to the XD-Talk Forum, in the XD-M Discussion room, there's a thread titled 'Shooting left' So it looks like 46% of us have this problem.
"XDM Shooting Left" So It Looks Like About 46% Of Us Have This Problem

If you're SURE it's Not You... Shoot from a Sand Bag, Shooting Rest, or Bench and see where it's hitting. If it's hitting left from a rest, THEN either adjust the Front Sight, or send it in.

Edit: Looks like others have written pretty much the same thing while I was composing my reply.

 

[SMR]

I came close to selling it because I was getting so frustrated.

One thing that helped me was a lot of dry fire practice with a dime balanced on the front sight. Anyway, if I had to guess I'd say there's nothing wrong with your gun and you haven't shot it enough to get really comfortable with an M&P trigger. Do you think that's possible?

That is how I feel now, is so frustrated that I want to sell it, but I do love the gun a lot.

And, Ive heard its ok to dry fire, but also its not good for the gun to dry fire. I do like the idea of using a dime on the front site. I will give that a try.

So is dry firing the shield ok? Or no?

 

[RobzGuns]

Dry Firing is ok, but I've always used an A-Zoom snap cap to buffer the striker pin.

 

[SMR]

Thanks everyone. I am going to assume its me so I will just keep practicing with it and putting rounds down range till I get comfortable with it. I figured it would be an adjustment going to the compact with the shorter barrel from the FS XD. Thanks for everyones advice. I feel a little better. I will keep plugging away at it. Anything else to help me get used to it please keep it coming.

 

[oldillini]

SMR ... Hope it works out for you.

I can only go by expeprience and say that I did not have that issues with my Shield 9. I love the gun. For me has been very accurate for a small gun. I do agree with "blackexpress" in that the trigger takes getting used to.

 

[shakyshoot]

I've improved my trigger control with the Shield a lot by dry firing with the Lasermax and a snap cap. The laser works a lot better for dry firing than it does for the actual shooting, I must say.

 

[ACR1010]

i had the same issue with my .40 shield. i was told on here that its cause im use to shooting my glock 23. the glock has a lighter and smoother trigger. i dry fired it at the house a bunch of times at home and notice when the trigger went bang i was slightly going to the left. i just kept dry firing it till i learned how it correct it.

im on my way to the range right now to see if dry firing and concentrating on the sights helped.

 

[Nickinil]

Had the same issue here on my 9mm Shield. An instructor was watching me shoot and enlightened me. He told me to aim for the target and keep my finger off the trigger...then he reached over and squeezed the trigger. The shot hit dead center on the target. Convinced me it was my problem which he said was trigger flinch. Remember...slow and steady to begin with 'til you get the hang of it.

 

[snakeye]

Had the same issue here on my 9mm Shield. An instructor was watching me shoot and enlightened me. He told me to aim for the target and keep my finger off the trigger...then he reached over and squeezed the trigger. The shot hit dead center on the target. Convinced me it was my problem which he said was trigger flinch. Remember...slow and steady to begin with 'til you get the hang of it.

If you carrying as an EDC and have to draw the gun the last thing you will want to have to remember is "slow and steady"

 

[red dragon]

took about 300rds for me to get comfortable with my shield9.now(1500rds+) i can hit center mass at 25yds with it.It's my favorite ccw(642 a close second). practice and patience.let us know how things are going after a couple hundred more rounds.

 

[scott9mm]

Sub compact guns are just hard to shoot accurately. The low mass, short sight radius, and quirky trigger all combine to degrade accuracy. Sometimes using the pad of the trigger finger (vs the first knuckle) on the trigger helps.