M&P 9 Shield accuracy?

[Mountain Walker]

I read threads that claim that the M&P 9 Shield was accurate. What does that really mean? Does that mean a five shot 1.5" group from 7 yards? Does that mean that you hit five shots somewhere in the siloette? Does that mean you can hit the paper with five shots?

Accuracy is a subjective matter unless defined. Keep in mind that this is a small carry gun with a seven pound trigger and lots of over travel after trigger releases the sear. The end result is the muzzle twitches to the side. This can be managed with a strong two hand grip. For me, perhaps good accuracy would be hitting a small pie plate at 10yards. Accuracy potential would be determined by using a Random Rest or sand bags.

 

[Mountain Walker]

I ask this because I am having a difficult time with my M&P 9 Shield. I can shoot 1.5" groups with both of my CZs, both of my Barettas, both of my 1911s and all three of my Sigs. I can not do it with my Shield. I can not get my left hand hold good enough to keep the muzzle flip down. I have resided my self to shooting the Shield single handed. I can get three inch groups at 7 yards using either my right or left hand but the groups are three inches high. Anyone else having this problem?

Are you comparing your Shield to a service pistol?

 

[Zoner]

I am breaking in a 9mm Shield. The range I'm using has fixed firing line and target frames, 25 yards only, offhand two hand hold, slow fire. Longer distance than self defense. I get tired after 50 rounds or so... lose my focus somewhat. First trip with the Shield got about ten rounds in the bullseye, the rest all over target. I'm at 250 rounds and now it's 50% in the bullseye, the rest close. By the end of break in I should be around 75% in the bullseye. The Shield is more accurate than most of us can hold it. There's folks that say I'm nuts for shooting a ccwbpistol at bullseye distances but guess what, confidence is a big part of handgun shooting and when you can confidently make hits at 25 yards the 7-10 yard stuff is real easy. Find target, look at front sight, press trigger, with both eyes open.....Mike

 

[oldfart64]

I read threads that claim that the M&P 9 Shield was accurate. What does that really mean? Does that mean a five shot 1.5" group from 7 yards? Does that mean that you hit five shots somewhere in the siloette? Does that mean you can hit the paper with five shots?

It is published on the last page of the operation manual that comes with the pistol. I cant find it right now but it says something like 4" at 25 yards . Doesn't say anything about how achieved, what ammo or anything that means something.

 

[Fastbolt]

Page 39 of the Shield Safety & Instruction Manual: http://www.smith-wesson.com/wcsstore/SmWesson2/upload/other/M&P_Shield_Manual_10-2015.pdf
(Adjusted font, spacing & alignment to make sense in a quote box.)

The certification below is required only for handguns sold in the United States with a barrel length shorter than 3".
Smith & Wesson Corp. hereby certifies average accuracy test results for all new handguns with a barrel shorter than 3" as follows:

7 yards - 1.7" 14 yards - 3.9" 21 yards - 6.3"

This certification is based on tests conducted by Smith & Wesson Corp. using a fixed handgun, rest and firing ammunition manufactured by a member of the Shooting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute (SAAMI) as defined in ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3-1993.

This certification represents actual tests based on several handguns, selected at random. Your particular handgun may have accuracy better than the results stated in this certification.

I thought I remember hearing that this was originally included because of short-barreled revolvers. It's the same info listed in the Metal Frame Pistol manual (3rd gen's).

Anyway, the last Shield pistols I tried on our range (early Shield 9 owned by another instructor, and a Shield 40 T&E loaner) both seemed to have acceptably decent practical accuracy.

I was shooting whatever the standard duty/qual loads were on hand for the particular day involved. Each seemed easily capable of making called hits on small wooden clothespins at 5-7yds (positioned on the edges of the cardboard target backboards) when I did my part, shooting 2-handed, unsupported. Nothing out of the ordinary for the guns or their triggers, either. Just as they came from the box.

That ought to be good enough for government work, so to speak. Might be better in the hands of a better shooter, using ammo cheery-picked for best accuracy in each particular gun.

 

[RobzGuns]

To Pre-qualify for NRA Pistol instructor, one needs to put 4 sets of 5 shots each, onto an 8" target at 45', with a grouping of 6". I can do <6" groups at 45' with my Shield, although, through no fault of the pistol, I usually end up with 1 'flyer' .

 

[edslow]

I think its all in how much you practice, practice an practice.

 

[Stu Honea]

Just to put my 2 cents in...................I'm VERY happy with my Shield. I have however, always had trouble maintaining tight groups while using the 7 round mag because, my pinky finger has nothing to grip and it throws me off. My solution to this was quite simplw. I just bought another 8 round mag.

I do ok with the seven rounders but it takes a little longer to get the proper grip.I've only bought seven rounders as spares but adding the NDZ base plates was a considerable improvement for me. Working from the holster I get a near perfect grip every time with these.The stipple texturing I did helps too,especially in rapid one hand shooting.

 

[gsparesa]

It appears other shield owners have found that their shields shoot to high. see therehttp://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/286450-shield-sight-problem.html

 

[brenodo]

I was doing pretty good with the stock Shield and then I decided to make a few changes:

Screen Shot 2015-12-19 at 10.44.06 PM by brenodo, on Flickr


Cerakote Stainless slide color change. Shield Duty/Carry FLAT FACED Action Enhancement Trigger and Kit by Apex Tactical Specialties with color change on the trigger safety. Mag Guts spring kit (allows 1 extra round in either 7rd or 8rd magazine). And it's a vast improvement over the stock trigger, a pleasure to shoot.

Also been comparing the Performance Center Shield to the standard Shield and with the above modifications I much prefer my standard Shield. The weight alone, for me, is enough to continue to carry the above pictured firearm over the PC Shield. I did not notice much, if any, difference between muzzle flash between the two. I'm getting sub 2" groups out to 10 yards indoors using PPU 115gr FMJ 9mm rounds.

Edit: I failed to mention the Tallon grips (rubber). All my pistols have the rubber grips, awesome grips, inexpensive, easy to install and comfortable.

 

[Magload]

EdN: Can you give me the specific "adjustment" that resulted in your bringing them up from low left - or isn't it that simple. Just curious as to what magic you discovered as I often start off in that same low/left area. thanx and Merry Christmas. hugh

I started off shooting my new Shield 40 low/left. I didn't have that problem with all my full size guns so asked my friend who is the manager at the indoor range to shoot it at 7yds. He shot out the 1" bulls eye out of the target and handed be the gun back. He said "The bullets will exit the barrel just fine on their own you don't need to push them out when you pull the trigger" With proper grip, proper trigger pull I can now almost shoot it that well but it I get lax it's back to low/left on that shot. I don't like shooting 40 S&W in that gun but it carries well and shoots good. I will be first in line for a 9mm conversion barrel.

 

[Rick_A]

Combat, not match accurate

That's shooting at seven yards, and about 2," fired standing unsupported. I have an $800 compact 1911 that shoots a little better and a little smoother, but it's certainly not twice the gun. The Shield ran perfectly out of the box.

It's not a match shooter, but does plenty well enough.

 

[GUNs and JEEPS]

Maybe it is just me....and my lack of range time...I am sure a lot of folks have more rounds down range than I.....the biggest thing I have noticed is the "quality" of ammo really has an influence on my groupings. The cheap stuff I am "fair"......but If I run some Hornady or something recommended by the Gun Range/ Dealer where I bought my Shield, groups are MUCH tighter and closer to where I want to be. FWIW (bad eyes) at 45' I am doing good to make out the sillhoutte, at 20' I can "see the numbers" on the target but can't read them, groupings at either distance are not "great", but acceptable for my level of experience. At 7' I can clear the Bulls eye with my shield.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Others experience may vary but for me, I struggled to get better than 12" groups at 7 yards with my 9mm shield. Even with an Apex sear installed. (That's two hand hold coming from a holster but not rushed). I don't believe it to be in the quality of the gun itself but in the (overly) thin, non adjustable grips. I just struggled with getting a solid and consistent grip and on the gun. It didn't take me long to figure out that the M&Pc and 360PD that I already carried gave me better grip options and much tighter groups in practical use. To be honest, I think both carried just as well too. In the end, I didn't feel it grouped well enough for me to make a safe /viable carry option and I sold it off. I still carry the other two S&W's and am completely content.

 

[epj]

I've never put either of my Shields on paper. However, both the 9 and the .40 will consistantly knock down 8" steel plates at about 10 yards. That's firing two handed fairly rapidly. I have never used the 7 round mag. Don't like the way the gun feels in my hand with it installed. The Shield is not a target pistol or even a range toy. It is plenty accurate for SD if you do your part.