M&P 9 EZ sights

[MDillon]

Does S&W zero sights on their new guns before shipping? Most of my shots are a bit low left. Always thought it was a defective trigger finger and more practice would improve my group. Yesterday I noticed the front sight is just slightly off center of the slide to the right. Maybe I need to zero in. What do you think?
What's your preference to equipment? Cartridge laser or bore laser? Best manufacture? I'm not a competition shooter. Just a retired plinker having fun. Thanks in advance!

 

[Alk8944]

Does S&W zero sights on their new guns before shipping? Most of my shots are a bit low left. Always thought it was a defective trigger finger and more practice would improve my group. Yesterday I noticed the front sight is just slightly off center of the slide to the right. Maybe I need to zero in. What do you think?
What's your preference to equipment? Cartridge laser or bore laser? Best manufacture? I'm not a competition shooter. Just a retired plinker having fun. Thanks in advance!

Basically, no. All S&W firearms are test-fired for function by an individual who shoots them off-handed. As long as they shoot within a specified distance of the point of aim and function properly they pass the test-fire and go to final inspection. If they shoot too far from POA they go back to production for adjustment. When I was at the S&W Armorers School for Automatics for my PD I worked 2 weeks in the assembly department doing range repairs on any guns that did not function correctly. None were returned because of shooting too far off target!

 

[MikeNV]

If you suspect the sights are off, I would zero it. Especially with the 9EZ since the rear sight is adjustable with the included allen wrench.

I would recommend checking the zero with the gun supported. You want to remove as much of the human induced error as possible. Some use a bag, but I like a small tripod with a V yoke. Check Amazon or ebay, you can get a reasonably good one fairly cheap.

I use a laser as a starting point. Accurate bore sights are hard to find. I bought (and returned) about a dozen before I found a fairly accurate one giving them the roll test. My preferred method is with a Quantum laser cartridge from G-Sight. They are pretty accurate and easy to use.

Once sighted in and adjusted, I head to the range with my tripod. Final zeroing usually isn't too far off from the laser adjustment.

Good luck!

 

[MDillon]

Thanks much for the reply and the info! Going to check out that cartridge laser and maybe it will prove a defective trigger finger

 

[CB3]

First, most factory sight alignment is adequate to shoot a centered group within 1.5” of point of aim at 7-10 yards—from a stable rest with good sight alignment and smooth, consistent trigger pulls. Sometimes it’s helpful to have another shooter also try to zero the gun. Have someone center both front and rear sights before you start.

Always shoot five shot groups with perfect trigger pulls. Bring a whole 50-round box of ammunition. Different bullet weights may shoot to different points of impact. Even the same bullet from different manufacturers will have some variation. Try to standardize on one bullet weight from quality manufacturers.

Use a real printed paper target with a number of small aiming points to provide multiple groups.

Don’t adjust sights until you have fired three groups—all small (<2”) and the same distance and angle from the aiming points. If your gun cannot shoot consistent groups smaller than 2 inches from a rest at 7 yards, you may have mechanical issues with your gun and/or barrel. This is VERY unlikely.

To adjust sights, move only the rear sight to bring the point of aim to the middle of a vertical line running through the off-center groups. Shoot again to verify that the groups are centered.

If your new groups are centered but consistently more than 1.5” high or low, try different ammo and bullet weights.

Otherwise, replace your front sight with a shorter or taller one. Dawson Precision has a sight height calculator and sells the sight you will need.

 

[MDillon]

Good information. Much appreciated. My groups are not that small yet. Getting better, but I need a lot more practice. Like I said before, most likely a wayward trigger finger. Thanks again!