M&P 9mm inherent accuracy problems?

[Smug Monkey]

I was surfing around and found some internet chatter about the M&P regarding accuracy. Supposedly, it has been well documented that M&P 9mm accuracy is unacceptable at 25 yards when comparing it with similar handguns.

I have a FS M&P 9mm with frame safety and enjoy shooting it. I am no marksman by any stretch of the imagination and tend to shoot at 10 yards or less, but I was just wondering what everyone thought about this information as it is the first I have heard about such problems.

Skim through the threads that I have posted below and let me know your thoughts. There is some heated discussion below and at the very least makes for some interesting reading...get your popcorn!

Recent manufacture M&P 9 accuracy - M4Carbine.net Forums

The S&W M&P problem thread - M4Carbine.net Forums

Thanks,
Mark

 

[rilkil23]

Every gun I own has bad press on the internet. Not sure about the accuracy of the pistol you're talking about but the LC9 reviewers claim it is a piece of junk, my SR9 is a FTE nightmare, and my LCP will fall apart if I try to use it. My real world experience with them is that they have been trouble free for years and have had thousands of rounds fired through them. I wouldn't worry too much about what the "experts" think and decide for yourself what weapon meets your needs.

 

[Grinder]

Mark,
I have a few and talk to a lot of guys who shoot them in competition. First time I've hear of it. After reading some of the thread, that was one of the most unscientific tests I have ever seen. Plus, WWB is known poor quality ammo. Well documented . Actually, most owners I know think they shoot better than expected. Good luck.

 

[mbnatt]

I have a M&P9c, that astounds me with it's accuracy. I don't care what it does at 25yds. It will double tap all day long into fist size groups at 15yds.

 

[SEIndSAM]

It seems to me that when a shooter goes to the range the first time with a new MP9, they tend to shoot low & left. I have seen several people do it. It happened to me. I have used a 5906 for years and there is a big difference between the trigger on the 5906 & MP9.

Once I got used to the trigger on the MP9 after 500 rounds or so, at 25 yards the black area of the target is just one fist sized ragged hole. There is nothing wrong with the accuracy of these handguns.

And I'm not an expert marksman and have 50 year old eyes, if I can do it, anyone can with practice.

 

[jaykellogg]

Mine shot dead nuts on at 7 yards right out oof the box. I use a 6:00 o'clock hold, but the target bulls are only 3/4" orange dots.

I am pleased with the accuracy. I have a KelTec PF-9, M&P22, and M&P9. They are all fun to shoot and more accurate than I can shoot with my old eyes. However, if I was competing, I would use a 1911.

 

[Titegroups]

Nothing but internet bullshi*. The M&P is just as accurate as other guns in it class. By now most people know to take what they read on the net with a grain of salt. Put your hands on the equipment and see for yourself.

 

[Old cop]

My 9c is more accurate than I am. Like others here I take the Internet stuff w/a grain of salt.

 

[MichiganScott]

It seems to me that when a shooter goes to the range the first time with a new MP9, they tend to shoot low & left. I have seen several people do it. It happened to me. I have used a 5906 for years and there is a big difference between the trigger on the 5906 & MP9.

Once I got used to the trigger on the MP9 after 500 rounds or so, at 25 yards the black area of the target is just one fist sized ragged hole. There is nothing wrong with the accuracy of these handguns.

And I'm not an expert marksman and have 50 year old eyes, if I can do it, anyone can with practice.

Low/left is caused by jerking a single action trigger. I suspect it happens with an M&P because of the transition to the non-single action trigger.

 

[insomniac]

my 9c and 5" 9pro are both accurate, even compared to some nice 1911's i have.

i don't shoot at 25 yards.......more like 25 feet.

if the front sight moves 3/100ths of an inch you will be off 8" at 25 yards!! my eyes aren't good enough to see 0.03" anyhow, especially if i'm shooting rapidly.

 

[cometpx4]

Accuracy of M&P 9mm

My 2 shoot one ragged little hole at 10 yards right to the point of aim, all day and when i go outside i can hit the 12 inch steel gong with little effort. If you want more accuracy than that, then consider getting a scoped rifle and shoot everything from the bench.
The internet is a blessing and a curse. In this case me thinks curse.

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I find the M&P pistols to be inherently accurate, the 9, .40 and .45. I know because I have each. Shoot where I point, that is "inherent" is it not?

 

[Smug Monkey]

I appreciate the comments by everyone. I have never heard of such a "widespread" problem with the M&P series of guns and wanted to get it straight from the people who shoot them regularly.

Believe me, I take everything on the net with a grain of salt. I was just really curious if anyone has heard of such problems, or experienced them.

I strongly doubt there would be so many LE organizations not only in the USA, but throughout the world, switching to the M&P for their carry weapons if there were such problems.

As I said, I really enjoy shooting mine, and it is the only poly gun I own as I tend to prefer metal framed firearms. Striker fire is definitely an "acquired taste", so to speak.

Again, thanks for the wonderful testimony on these fantastic pistols!

Mark

 

[dougb1946]

People with problems tend to post. People without problems are shooting. I started my 9mm shooting low left. Apex sear cut the left lean in half. Put the large strap on the grip and turned into a real shooter. The gun was fine, had some operator malfunctions that I had to work through.

 

[mrbort]

People with problems tend to post. People without problems are shooting. I started my 9mm shooting low left. Apex sear cut the left lean in half. Put the large strap on the grip and turned into a real shooter. The gun was fine, had some operator malfunctions that I had to work through.

I think this is a really important point that people with problems are going to be the ones to report them.

I had the same problem as dougb and decided to trust my gun guru and invest in the Apex trigger & sear kit & some new sights. He spent actually quite a while figuring out that there was a little burr on a part that I'm not sure where but when I got the gun back it was just amazing to shoot, impressing my glock- and 1911-favoring buddies. Also have operator malfunctions (not the greatest shot in the world!) but POA/POI is spot on when I'm doing it right; the gun is a dream to shoot now!

 

[Fishinfool]

Boy am I angry. Just read on the internet that Ford trucks are garbage. I feel like I have been ripped off. If my 89 F-150 didn't have 230,000 miles on it, I would trade it in for a much superior Chevy.....

Larry

 

[compshootfl]

My most accurate gun...Hmmm...don't tell anybody.

 

[cshoff]

I think this is a really important point that people with problems are going to be the ones to report them....<snip>

I agree. That is what people do. For every, "this gun is great" thread you find out there, you can also find at least one "this gun is a piece of junk" thread as well, regardless of brand or model.

There are a few guys that have posted in those threads over on M4C.net that I know from another forum and I trust them to be honest in their reporting of any problems they might encounter with any gun, regardless of make/model. Firearms are simply a mechanical device. It's not reasonable to believe that everyone that leaves the factory will be problem-free forever. So while I don't doubt that there have been a few folks that have experienced some type of problem with their M&P, I think there is also plenty of quantifiable evidence that proves that there are many folks out there who have not.

My general rule is to never trust the worst reviews, in addition to never trusting the best reviews, for any product. Reality usually falls somewhere in between the two extremes.

 

[oldrsk8r]

dougb1946, why did switching to the large grip help you? I'm a new shooter with the M&P 9mm as my first handgun. I shoot low left. (The gun shoots what it's aimed at.) I'm working on the basics (grip and trigger management at the moment) and had not given any consideration to grip size.

 

[colt3374]

Most accurate gun I've ever shot, right out of the box!!