M&P Shield 9 Shooting Way Low Left

[setxwarrior]

Hello Boys and Girls, believe me the last thing I wanted to do was start another Shield thread, however wanted to get opinions before I reached out to S&W CS.

Yesterday was my 3rd trip to the range with the new shield, with consistent results each time. I finished my drills with my M&P 9fs 100 rounds. Then 5 mins dry firing the shield, then 50 live rounds. Changed targets and got the following 3 round groupings, left was @ 3yds, right @ 7 yards. I think 15yds would be off paper. Sending Remington UMC 115g.

I asked the range owner to put a few mags through it with consistent results, so fairly confident it's the weapon. There appears to be moderate sight upset when the trigger breaks while dry firing, however it appears to upset to the right not left. I'm thinking of pulling the DCAEK out of my 9fs to see what happens, however want S&W to check it out as is. The sights appear to be centered, however with no adjustment for elevation I'm really concerned.

 

[shipwreck]

I took mine to the range for the first time yesterday. I had the same problem until I tried using different parts of my trigger finger on the trigger.

If I put the trigger up against the first joint of my trigger finger - it shoots dead on. If I use the pad or tip of my finger, it is low/left.

Go try that.

 

[kris7047th]

It's you, not the gun. How are you holding it, both thumbs along the slide or *cup & saucer* style ?

 

[Titegroups]

Recoil anticipation. Common with small guns. Whats the heaviest recoiling gun you shoot regularly?

 

[YuDanJa]

I had the same issue when I first shot mine, too.
I believe it was because I was not used to the trigger pull weight. I was used to shooting at 3.5 lbs. Plus, the slim grip took a little getting used to.
I say just give it time.

 

[xICEMANx]

Mine is dead on. It could be your grip or trigger control.

Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2

 

[tgmorris99]

Shoot it from a rest to confirm it is the gun and not a trigger control issue.

 

[OldFencer]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/240093-new-m-p-9-shooting-low-options.html

Seems to be a common malady.

 

[blkpitbull]

Well he said, if I understood correctly, that he has had the shield to the range 3 times before this with good consistent results, until now.
I find it hard to believe he is at fault IF he has been better before now with this gun.
I suggest shooting it on a rest to be sure....it is the gun, sometimes....

 

[setxwarrior]

Well he said, if I understood correctly, that he has had the shield to the range 3 times before this with good consistent results, until now.
I find it hard to believe he is at fault IF he has been better before now with this gun.
I suggest shooting it on a rest to be sure....it is the gun, sometimes....

Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions. Actually the results on all three sessions have bee consistent and as in the example picture.

As noted, I had just finished 100 rounds with my M&P 9FS, dry firing the Shield and 50 rounds of live fire with the Shield, so extremely confident it is not my anticipation. I consistently put the rounds through the same hole (both weapons), which further helps me think it is not trigger control. If the groups were not so tight and consistent with distance, I would think otherwise. Also having someone else shoot the weapon with the same results means something.

I acknowledge that it does take some time to get acquainted with a new weapons system, and am willing to do it, just stating that unfortunately in this case I think it has more to do with my Shield than with my capabilities.

I just ordered a DCAEK, as well as a set of XS Big Dot's. I'll make one install at a time so I can see which/either helps the situation.

Until they come in, I'll keep sending them in order to get this dialed in. I will definitely try switching to the first finger joint instead of the pad of my finger and see what happens.

 

[ponchsox]

Recoil anticipation. Common with small guns. Whats the heaviest recoiling gun you shoot regularly?

This. I was doing the same thing at first. I had someone else shoot it and they were hitting the bulls eye. Maybe you have your sight adjusted slightly to the right if you don't improve your trigger control.

 

[setxwarrior]

Recoil anticipation. Common with small guns. Whats the heaviest recoiling gun you shoot regularly?

M&P 15OR (AR 15), M&P 9FS, S&W 39-2, Remington 1911R1 Enhanced, weekly.

 

[Stu Honea]

I think shipwreck is probably correct in his assessment.
I usually use the pad of the finger with semi autos and the first joint with wheelguns.
Taking into consideration the fact that the Shield is a small pistol,with a short trigger each,using the first joint of the trigger finger may help to solve the problem.

 

[setxwarrior]

It's you, not the gun. How are you holding it, both thumbs along the slide or *cup & saucer* style ?

Fist on fist.

 

[kris7047th]

Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions. Actually the results on all three sessions have bee consistent and as in the example picture.

As noted, I had just finished 100 rounds with my M&P 9FS, dry firing the Shield and 50 rounds of live fire with the Shield, so extremely confident it is not my anticipation. I consistently put the rounds through the same hole (both weapons), which further helps me think it is not trigger control. If the groups were not so tight and consistent with distance, I would think otherwise. Also having someone else shoot the weapon with the same results means something.

I acknowledge that it does take some time to get acquainted with a new weapons system, and am willing to do it, just stating that unfortunately in this case I think it has more to do with my Shield than with my capabilities.

I just ordered a DCAEK, as well as a set of XS Big Dot's. I'll make one install at a time so I can see which/either helps the situation.

Until they come in, I'll keep sending them in order to get this dialed in. I will definitely try switching to the first finger joint instead of the pad of my finger and see what happens.

I used to do the same ting. I have a damaged idex finger, missing the tip from a childhood injury. If the grip is too fat/big, I can't reach the trigger properly and will *mash* the trigger causing me to shoot low left. Same thing when I get tired if I don't focus. Is there someone who is a good shooter in your area (trainer) who can teach you fundamentals ? Once you have someone who can identify what you are doing, then you can fix the issue (why I have sold other guns in the past and buy/use the type that will serve me best. I started with a S&W 638, then Ruger LCP & LCR, Glock 19 and G26 .. moved to M&P9c (small back strap) and the Shield. I Sold all of the others except the G19.

 

[setxwarrior]

I used to do the same ting. I have a damaged idex finger, missing the tip from a childhood injury. If the grip is too fat/big, I can't reach the trigger properly and will *mash* the trigger causing me to shoot low left. Same thing when I get tired if I don't focus. Is there someone who is a good shooter in your area (trainer) who can teach you fundamentals ? Once you have someone who can identify what you are doing, then you can fix the issue (why I have sold other guns in the past and buy/use the type that will serve me best. I started with a S&W 638, then Ruger LCP & LCR, Glock 19 and G26 .. moved to M&P9c (small back strap) and the Shield. I Sold all of the others except the G19.

Kris,
Thanks for the input, and glad you were able to overcome the injury and identify how to manage it.

I am a very experienced shooter, train diligently on a variety of weapon systems, and compete regularly. So a little beyond needing to be shown fundamentals. With that being said, I am always learning and reaching out for help and advice when I have an opportunity.

 

[setxwarrior]

Just a thought,,,If you shoot it with your other hand and the results are reversed,,that would seem to indicate grip/trigger control as the cause. If the results are the same shooting left or right handed that would seem to indicate a gun issue?

Thoughts?

Very good suggestion I will try tomorrow. Some of the drills I run for IDPA are support hand, and support hand only, and have not run them with the Shield.

BTW, just rec'd an e-mail fromXS Sights, and they are already back ordered on the Big Dot's, and are 2-3 weeks out.

 

[blujax01]

Maybe the barrel's clocked?
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[blkpitbull]

Maybe, just maybe its not him and, heaven forbid, it may be a problem with his shield....yes I said it.
Everyone automatically pointed to the shooter as the problem, and sometimes it is, but the man said he can shoot similar weapons correctly. So I would say call s&w.

I say this cause I got the same, "your not shooting it correctly" when I asked about why my sw9ve was shooting low. I knew it wasn't me, cause I shot it from a sandbag and got the exact results but people still told me it was me. I got new meprolight night sights, hoping maybe it would help, but mainly for the night sights.
The gun still shot low so I filed down the front sight and the gun now hits POA, off hand and from a rest.
Just sayin...

 

[cracker57]

I just had the same problem with a 5"40 pro. Had me beating me head against the wall, had my buddy shoot it and low left same as me. drifted the front site a little to the left and went to 180 grain ammo the site adjustment took care of the left and the heaver bullets took care of the low. I was shooting 155 grain bullets. try some different ammo.
Cracker57