- Joined
- Feb 17, 2017
- Messages
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My solution to the M&P Shield shooting left,
Apology first, for reviving an old thread. I felt compelled to register and leave a post on this particular post and a few others where people posted the shooting left problem (in case their search brings them to another similar thread) I found my answer buried in the echo chamber of replies stating the same thing "user error." Google returns MANY threads with this same issue, and everyone literally ignored the actual problem, me and many other people have.
STORY:
YES, some of you shooting left MAY be squeezing your thumb too tight, or using TOO much trigger finger. If fixing these things (or you weren't doing them in the first place,) didn't work, I offer you the solution I found:
Brand new shield 9mm (no mag disconnect, no safety,) been breaking it in over the last year. Stock sights from factory, shoots dead nuts. No problems. Want to start carrying this as CPL, decide to upgrade sights.
Gunsmith down the street installs TruGlo TFX Pro's (so far awesome btw.) Take the pistol out a couple months later and it shoots left 3" at 7 yards, wont hit my small target at further distances.
A shield rear sight is un-adjustable for windage or drift (per owners manual.) It should be perfectly centered and set screwed into place. I think there may be .002" adjustment but that will not effect shot that much. You should be able to eyeball your rear sight and see it perfectly centered. You should also technically use a straightedge and a caliper.
Front sight is completely adjustable for windage (drift.)
SOLUTION:
Check your front sight post. Its completely adjustable for drift. Mine was aligned slightly to the right. In order to get the pistol to bullseye, assuming you are using correct shooting technique, you will need to move that front sight post LEFT.
If you shoot left, you need to check if your sight is aligned to the right. If it is, you will need to have a gunsmith adjust your front sight post.
Personally, I did it myself, carefully. I took a pencil and drew an outline of the sight on the frame. This way, when it starts moving I can see if it adjusts past the pencil mark. I used doubled electrical tape as a barrier between a wide punch and the post and I tapped the post LEFT. Start out with a few short put followed through taps. See if it adjusts. Admittedly, I did have to tap it pretty hard to move it. It will start moving. Don't over adjust.
I hope this helps clear up some confusion on another possible problem instead of the cop-out "its your fault." If you google M&P warranty issues you'll see the slew of **** they do. Their customer service sucks. That said, we do trust our lives to their products. So we need to hold them to some standard.
Also, some argument that I saw people make, "Oh if it shoots left 4" you'll still hit your target and put down the threat." Another one: "just aim right, and deal with it" - These are both false. Even hitting center mass with a 9mm or .40 there have been plenty of real world situations where the threat was still able to engage. IMO, practice an accurate double tap center mass with accurate follow up double taps until the treat is eliminated. Your pistol should shoot on target 100% of the time if you do your job. This way, in a situation, if you miss, only you are to blame. Also, if you are in a situation that doesn't allow you to aim properly for whatever reason, you know that pistol will shoot straight if you aim in the right direction. You dont have to account for that extra few inches. Confidence is also important.
Anyway, end rant. Sorry again for reviving an old threat.
Apology first, for reviving an old thread. I felt compelled to register and leave a post on this particular post and a few others where people posted the shooting left problem (in case their search brings them to another similar thread) I found my answer buried in the echo chamber of replies stating the same thing "user error." Google returns MANY threads with this same issue, and everyone literally ignored the actual problem, me and many other people have.
STORY:
YES, some of you shooting left MAY be squeezing your thumb too tight, or using TOO much trigger finger. If fixing these things (or you weren't doing them in the first place,) didn't work, I offer you the solution I found:
Brand new shield 9mm (no mag disconnect, no safety,) been breaking it in over the last year. Stock sights from factory, shoots dead nuts. No problems. Want to start carrying this as CPL, decide to upgrade sights.
Gunsmith down the street installs TruGlo TFX Pro's (so far awesome btw.) Take the pistol out a couple months later and it shoots left 3" at 7 yards, wont hit my small target at further distances.
A shield rear sight is un-adjustable for windage or drift (per owners manual.) It should be perfectly centered and set screwed into place. I think there may be .002" adjustment but that will not effect shot that much. You should be able to eyeball your rear sight and see it perfectly centered. You should also technically use a straightedge and a caliper.
Front sight is completely adjustable for windage (drift.)
SOLUTION:
Check your front sight post. Its completely adjustable for drift. Mine was aligned slightly to the right. In order to get the pistol to bullseye, assuming you are using correct shooting technique, you will need to move that front sight post LEFT.
If you shoot left, you need to check if your sight is aligned to the right. If it is, you will need to have a gunsmith adjust your front sight post.
Personally, I did it myself, carefully. I took a pencil and drew an outline of the sight on the frame. This way, when it starts moving I can see if it adjusts past the pencil mark. I used doubled electrical tape as a barrier between a wide punch and the post and I tapped the post LEFT. Start out with a few short put followed through taps. See if it adjusts. Admittedly, I did have to tap it pretty hard to move it. It will start moving. Don't over adjust.
I hope this helps clear up some confusion on another possible problem instead of the cop-out "its your fault." If you google M&P warranty issues you'll see the slew of **** they do. Their customer service sucks. That said, we do trust our lives to their products. So we need to hold them to some standard.
Also, some argument that I saw people make, "Oh if it shoots left 4" you'll still hit your target and put down the threat." Another one: "just aim right, and deal with it" - These are both false. Even hitting center mass with a 9mm or .40 there have been plenty of real world situations where the threat was still able to engage. IMO, practice an accurate double tap center mass with accurate follow up double taps until the treat is eliminated. Your pistol should shoot on target 100% of the time if you do your job. This way, in a situation, if you miss, only you are to blame. Also, if you are in a situation that doesn't allow you to aim properly for whatever reason, you know that pistol will shoot straight if you aim in the right direction. You dont have to account for that extra few inches. Confidence is also important.
Anyway, end rant. Sorry again for reviving an old threat.
