M&P .40 Full Size

[rustyshooter88]

Hey guys, I've had my m&p .40 full size for almost 2 years now. I was wondering if anyone had any tips or help as to why I can't ever hit my target. I know I'm a bad shot lol. But my buddy has every size of the Springfield XD series and I can hit a small milk carton from 50 feet with his pistols. Is it my sights? I shoot the same way with his weapons as I do my m&p. Also he can't ever hit anything with my pistol but with his he is dead on. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[poru_desu]

Stock trigger and everything? Install an apex kit, any of them (DCAEK, FSS, ETC.) - you'll get better groups.

 

[drew-67]

I had a hard time myself for almost two years too with my M&P 40 fs..mainly shooting groups low and left. It took a lot of practice, but for the past year I've been steadily improving. I am now confident on keeping all shots in a 2" bullseye at 21' while doing slow fire. Now I am working at developing speed and still trying to keep acceptable combat groups.
Anyway, I am not sure why it took so long to get descent grouping with my M&P..I've been shooting revolvers for a while so I attributed it to the transition.
What seem to help me the most is a good strong thumbs forward grip, concentrating on keeping my support wrist locked. I grip is tight as I can until tremble and then let off slightly. And lots of dry fire to develop a good trigger control.
Good luck!

 

[rustyshooter88]

Stock trigger and everything? Install an apex kit, any of them (DCAEK, FSS, ETC.) - you'll get better groups.

Yep, everything is stock. I just don't understand. My uncle bought some ghost ring sights for his flock and I've never been good with a glock but after using that sight I shot very consistent tight groups. Do you know if they make them for the m&p? Thanks

 

[rustyshooter88]

I had a hard time myself for almost two years too with my M&P 40 fs..mainly shooting groups low and left. It took a lot of practice, but for the past year I've been steadily improving. I am now confident on keeping all shots in a 2" bullseye at 21' while doing slow fire. Now I am working at developing speed and still trying to keep acceptable combat groups.
Anyway, I am not sure why it took so long to get descent grouping with my M&P..I've been shooting revolvers for a while so I attributed it to the transition.
What seem to help me the most is a good strong thumbs forward grip, concentrating on keeping my support wrist locked. I grip is tight as I can until tremble and then let off slightly. And lots of dry fire to develop a good trigger control.
Good luck!

Yea I wish I could get better but I just can't figure mine out. I was thinking about new sights. I heard people say they had to get rid of the stock sights but I was wondering if it was the gun or me and not the sights. Thanks.

 

[bstirling]

I sometimes don't have good groups with my M&P 40 FS. Yet I have the Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel and I shoot that much better, much tighter groups. I think it is just that I expect more recoil with the 40.

 

[drachen]

Sorry, it is not a good product. Mass produced and there are other much better products at the same price point.

 

[fdw]

I sometimes don't have good groups with my M&P 40 FS. Yet I have the Storm Lake 9mm conversion barrel and I shoot that much better, much tighter groups. I think it is just that I expect more recoil with the 40.

I have same setup and shoot the conversion much better. I've also been comparing the 40 with Storm Lake conversion to my regular FS and I shoot the conversion better. For defensive fire it all ok but for more precise stuff the conversion always wins.

 

[MyDads38]

I've been hesitant to post a response to this thread, mainly because I don't have an M&P 40; or any other 40 caliber handgun. I do own a FS M&P 9 and FS M&P 45.

In my opinion, what I see is that you are flinching and anticipating the recoil of the pistol. Trust me, you're NOT the only shooter to do this!

I also see from this thread that folks with a conversion barrel for 9mm, shoot it better than the 40 caliber. Part of this, I feel, is psychological-you don't expect the recoil to be as bad/snappy from the 9mm; so there's less of a flinch when you fire.

I just had the opportunity a few weeks ago to shoot a Beretta PX4 in 40 caliber. In this compact gun, I was expecting some pretty snappy recoil; I was surprised when it didn't feel much different than my 9mm. Not sure there was any more recoil than from my M&P 45, as I think the 45 is a pretty soft recoiling gun (to me).

I would suggest shooting your gun from a stable rest, concentrating on your sights/sight alignment and your trigger squeeze. If you control as much of the gun movement (downward from anticipating the recoil) I think you'll see the gun print closer to center of target. Once you see the gun will shoot to P.O.A. then you can concentrate on controlling your flinch when shooting off hand. Knowing what you need to work on will enable you to overcome them, and you will see positive improvements with each range trip. I am by no means an expert, but I know what I've had to do to overcome some of the same issues. I shoot 2" - 3" groups out to 15 yards with both M&P's and my SD9VE. When I have a "flyer" or rounds from the main group; it's NOT the gun and I know this.

I hope this helps, it's frustrating when you don't hit what you're shooting at. I know from experience!

 

[fdw]

I also see from this thread that folks with a conversion barrel for 9mm, shoot it better than the 40 caliber. Part of this, I feel, is psychological-you don't expect the recoil to be as bad/snappy from the 9mm; so there's less of a flinch when you fire.

Don't mind the recoil from the 40. I actually like the 40. I can just put more on target rapid firing with the conversion barrel, which is why I prefer the 9 and the 9mm in general.

PS- I also like the 45 and 44 mag.

edit: there's actually not much I don't like....

 

[bigdaddybluesman]

Mindset.....don't think about the gun, think about putting the round on target. Clear your mind, focus on your sights and squeezing that trigger.

It's kind of like hitting a heavy bag and hurting you hand because you hit it wrong. It's technique, work on technique and don't worry about anything else. Use the proper grip push or punch that gun out and kill that paper, it's mindset.

These are combat guns not target guns and you must shoot them like a combat gun. It has a combat trigger and was designed for combat either military or police, M&P. Don't treat it like a .22 cal target pistol, treat it like a tough girl and don't be afraid to hurt it. It's tough and can take abuse it was designed for it like the Glock is. These guns are designed for the abuse of duty carry.

 

[WR Moore]

I expect the OPs problem is poor trigger control. The fairly long trigger stroke (compared to XD & G$%^*) causes a great many people to lose patience and finish the stroke off with a hefty yank. While some folks gripe about it, it's really much like the DA trigger stroke on a very well tuned revolver.

Dry fire is your friend here. You might also try balancing a dime on the front sight while doing it. If the dime doesn't stay on the sight, you're definately yanking the trigger.

You might also benefit from one of those widgets that build grip strength.

 

[bstirling]

MyDads38 and WR Moore,
I think you are both right. Friday I took my 40 to the range and had the best day with the 40. I didn't rush and didn't have other firearms to switch to or think about. And no conversion barrel. The groups were tight and on target. I changed my trigger finger position and that helped a ton. I do think that an Apex trigger will help and will be looking to install that next week!
Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[MyDads38]

MyDads38 and WR Moore,
I think you are both right. Friday I took my 40 to the range and had the best day with the 40. I didn't rush and didn't have other firearms to switch to or think about. And no conversion barrel. The groups were tight and on target. I changed my trigger finger position and that helped a ton. I do think that an Apex trigger will help and will be looking to install that next week!
Thanks for the advice!!!

Glad to hear! I think you've got a good start and it should get better from here on out. Knowing what you need to work on and having positive ways to work on them will help tremendously.

Keep us posted on your progress