M&P Shield .40 Potential target issue

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ukrgun

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Hello everyone, this is my first post at this forum. I bought a .40 Shield about 6 months ago from a gun store (NIB). I've put about 500-600 rounds through it and I am having issues with either the gun or myself shooting the gun. At the range, the gun shoots lower left. I noticed (from reading a couple of the forums here) that others have experienced the same issue. Is this a known issue with this type of a gun? I know the recoil is huge and maybe that has something to do with it, or maybe I am just a bad shot. I use standard 180 grain Federal ammo. I just bought 155 grain CCI Blazer ammo to see if lower grain will be better.

After several hundred rounds, I am a bit stressed out that it's not shooting correctly.

Any advice? Adjust sights? Different ammo?

Thanks

Ukr
 
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You are anticipating that snappy recoil and thus jerking the trigger at the last second. You may not even know you're doing it. Safe dry fire practice will help you a lot. Get used to the trigger and recoil and those groups should improve. Welcome to the forum.
 
hi OP. Are you new or newer to handguns or compact handguns of this type of caliber?
Low/left often seems to fall on the shooter, their grip and how they manage (or predict) the recoil/trigger. I was guilty when i got my 9c at first, some knowledgeable assistance corrected it for me. Now it can happen but it's a rare shot, one i'm not really thinking about when at the range.

Has anyone else tried the gun to see what their results would be?

Lastly though i have no experience with the 40, seems others note it is a snappy rounds which can add to issues for a new to it shooter.

Welcome to the forum!
 
DeathF.above, thanks for the welcome and a suggestion. When you say practice dry fire, do you mean I need to get used to the trigger, pressing it without moving the gun?
 
Ranger17, I have been shooting for several years but only 9mm (in handguns). I am by far not a professional shooter or even a good shooter. I own a gun for home/self defense, not sport. I don't go shooting as much as I want to but I am a decent shot with the 9mm from my Taurus 24/7 pro full length gun. However, I've only shot around 500-600 from my Shield .40, which I bought less than a year ago. I have a friend who is also not a seasoned shooter but has shot a lot of 45's and 9mm (not so much .40) and he too had the same exact issue, lower left at 7 yards.
 
Most right handers will miss low and left when they're learning. Try different finger placement on the trigger and alter your grip pressure until you find what works for you.
 
M&P Shield .40 Potential target issue

ukrgun said:
DeathF.above, thanks for the welcome and a suggestion. When you say practice dry fire, do you mean I need to get used to the trigger, pressing it without moving the gun?
Click to expand...


Yes.. Using common sense obviously with no ammo around you, practice a nice smooth trigger press with a wall behind your sight picture. This will allow you to work on your grip and getting a nice clean, crisp trigger break without any muzzle movement. Some put a penny or an empty round on their front sight post. Do it a few times a day and you will see huge improvements in your shooting. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
Labradford said:
Most right handers will miss low and left when they're learning. Try different finger placement on the trigger and alter your grip pressure until you find what works for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. Am I supposed to have more pressure from my right arm or my left arm (I am right sided)?
 
DeathF.above said:
Yes.. Using common sense obviously with no ammo around you, practice a nice smooth trigger press with a wall behind your sight picture. This will allow you to work on your grip and getting a nice clean, crisp trigger break without any muzzle movement. Some put a penny or an empty round on their front sight post. Do it a few times a day and you will see huge improvements in your shooting. Good luck.
Click to expand...

Will it damage the gun if I do so much dry firing? I heard some say yes and some say no...
 
i did some dry-firing initially, not just to watch for muzzle movement but just to get a better feel for the trigger itself. As my only other experience was with my .22's and i've only been shooting a couple years (new Buckmark and old Colt) it did take a bit to get used to the MP trigger on my 9c.
That said, and this is of no help to a Shield owner, but i spent more time using a full size mag in my compact to mimic the grip 'feel' i was more used to in my Buckmark. Then as i got better and more comfortable i started mixing in using a std compact mag each range visit. Point being if one is used to a full size grip it could take some time getting used to a compact. Just my .02 of course.
Practice time helps, i've ran thru 1500 rounds in a year with my 9c, at least 50-100 rounds each range visit. But if the gun is off, practice isnt gonna make that better.
 
Dry-firing a centerfire will wear a bit on the springs, so you'll want to include it in your round counts, but it generally would not damage the gun. I'l always avoided heavy slingshots on my 1911's, as the slide slamming down on an empty chamber is said to be bad for the gun.

This is of course different from rimfires, where dry firing is rarely a good idea.
 
DeathF.above said:
Get snap caps if it makes you feel better but no I never do. I've dry fired mine thousands of times
Click to expand...

Thanks, I am going to get some snap caps and give it a try. I know everyone is different but on average, with daily practice, should I see results in weeks? months?
 
ukrgun said:
Will it damage the gun if I do so much dry firing? I heard some say yes and some say no...
Click to expand...
From Smith & Wesson's FAQ's

Can I dry fire my S&W handgun?

Q: Can I dry fire my Smith & Wesson?

A: Yes, except for the .22 caliber pistols which includes models 22A, 22S, 422, 2206, 2214, 2213 and 41.

.22 caliber revolvers such as models 17, 43, 63, 317 and 617 also should not be dry fired.

Q: Why can't I dry fire my .22 pistol or revolver?

A: Dry firing a S&W .22 pistol or revolver will cause damage to the firing pin.
 
The Shield is slim so you'll have to watch your grip. You may have to adjust your finger on the trigger as well to get a straight back pull. Some people use the pad of their finger tip, I had to move to the first joint.

Being a .40 in a small gun gives you a pretty good "kick", and you may well be anticipating the recoil. If possible try to shoot from a rest, or have another experienced shooter give it a try.

I've got over 700 rounds through my Shield, and probably as many dry fires. That's not a huge amount by any means, but the trigger has smoothed out dramatically, and my shooting has improved.
 

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ukrgun said:
Hello everyone, this is my first post at this forum. I bought a .40 Shield about 6 months ago from a gun store (NIB). I've put about 500-600 rounds through it and I am having issues with either the gun or myself shooting the gun. At the range, the gun shoots lower left. I noticed (from reading a couple of the forums here) that others have experienced the same issue. Is this a known issue with this type of a gun? I know the recoil is huge and maybe that has something to do with it, or maybe I am just a bad shot. I use standard 180 grain Federal ammo. I just bought 155 grain CCI Blazer ammo to see if lower grain will be better.

After several hundred rounds, I am a bit stressed out that it's not shooting correctly.

Any advice? Adjust sights? Different ammo?

Thanks

Ukr
Click to expand...


Advice? Sure, Leave the pistol alone and keep it clean.
Download & print up this target & keep practicing.... :D
 

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