My hand hurts! - M&P Shield 9mm

[ivanwi11iams]

Morning all -

I've owned a Glock 19, 4th Gen since April 2011. I'm not sure the amount of rounds I've shot through it, but, lets presume it is over 1000. During that time, my right hand NEVER hurt when using it.

I bought a M&P Shield 9mm on Saturday (brand new). I went through about 75 rounds at the range on Saturday afternoon. While using the M&P Shield, and even more so when I got home, I realized how much right hand hurts! In particular between my thumb and index finger. It is hurting even more today. I wonder if it would have been worst if I'd shot more rounds. Hmm, interesting.

Is it just me, or is this a common thing?

Thanks in advance

Ivan

 

[robertwhite]

Sorry, but it is you.

The Shield is much thinner than the Glock and you are likely not gripping the weapon tight enough or are not placing your hand high enough on the back strap to maintain the proper grip.

Try to concentrate on the above and I bet your feelings will change. The Shield in 9mm is a very soft shooting pistol.

 

[Starwalker]

I have owned my Shield for over a year and most likely shot well over a 1,000 rounds through it. I have not experienced any pain or soreness from shooting the Shield.

I have not heard of anyone else that has experienced pain from shooting a Shield, so I would guess the problem may be with your grip.

 

[Bozz10mm]

It could be a problem for the more recoil sensitive shooter. It is a small hand gun with a pretty potent punch. The first time I took mine out, I did notice the recoil seemed a bit stout, but I have shot about 650 rounds thru it now, and it no longer bothers me at all.

Take a look at your grip, that may have something to do with felt recoil. Grasp it up high with the firing hand, and use the thumbs forward grip with your support hand. If you are using a tea cup grip, that will transfer all the recoil to the firing hand, resulting in more felt recoil.

 

[RobzGuns]

Haven't had any hand pain with my Shield. My shield is as comfortable to shoot as my G26. It's an All-Day Shooter... Even single-handed, both strong and weak hand.

If you think the Shield is a pain to shoot, you definitely want to steer clear of the PF-9, LC9, XD-S9 and some of the other Subcompact 9s out there.
My hand does start to hurt like you describe after about 25-30 rounds out of those I listed above.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Thank's for the information thus far, keep em' coming. And, don't be sorry either

I like the tea cup grip expression, too - LOL


I will certainly try holding it better.

 

[STRONGNUFF]

Just for giggles, what rounds were you using?

 

[agksimon]

Try putting a Pachmyer grip made for the Shield on it. It will spread out and cushion the recoil. My wife loves it that way.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Winchester 124 grain 9mm (only 25 rounds); then 50 Federal 115 grain 9mm

Just for giggles, what rounds were you using?

 

[hbaird]

I have one on my 40 Shield and it takes the sharp part of the recoil out and helps to hold on to gun.

Try putting a Pachmyer grip made for the Shield on it. It will spread out and cushion the recoil. My wife loves it that way.

 

[Rastoff]

This is not unique to the Shield. It can be a problem with any small gun. Grip is certainly a concern. Can you post a pic of your grip?

Here's what I recommend for the grip-

Start with your firing hand as high in the grip as possible:

Bring your support hand up with fingers on fingers, ensuring full contact with the gun:

Ensure the gun is in line with your firearm:

Your gun should not hurt to shoot. Alas, we are all different. What I've posted above will help, but may not be the whole answer. Some people will just have trouble with the small/thin grip on smaller guns like the Shield.

Sure, the 124gr will have more recoil than the 115gr, but the difference is insignificant. I don't believe your problem is load related.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Thanks for taking the time to post images, etc. Much appreciated.

This is rather weird. I felt like I was holding the gun properly. It is not like this is my first time shooting, another reason I found it weird that my hand was/is hurting. I could hardly pick up a 15lbs box today.

I'll do some dry pulls later this evening.

 

[CatSnipah]

Thank's for the information thus far, keep em' coming. And, don't be sorry either

I like the tea cup grip expression, too - LOL


I will certainly try holding it better.

See, this is what this forum is all about. People helping each other.

I, too, noticed a bit of a difference when I shot my first 150 or so rounds through it - it's the slimmest gun I've ever shot, and I was coming off of shooting a Sig P229, a Glock 19 and my wife's 686-6. So, I was used to wider grips and heavier guns. However, no real "pain", as you indicate. More of a feeling of "snappiness" or not quite feeling like I have total control over the recoil.

Now, after 700+ rounds though, it's no problem at all. I bet I got a "handle" on it (pun intended) after my second range session and 300 or so rounds.

I also found that adding some Foxx Grips (similar to Talon grips, which are popular with the Glock crowd, and others) really helped keep it more stable in my hands, especially when shooting in warmer climes, like here in South Carolina.

Good luck. I am sure you'll get it figured out.

 

[CatSnipah]

Thanks for taking the time to post images, etc. Much appreciated.

This is rather weird. I felt like I was holding the gun properly. It is not like this is my first time shooting, another reason I found it weird that my hand was/is hurting. I could hardly pick up a 15lbs box today.

I'll do some dry pulls later this evening.

Interesting, regarding the grip strength on a box today. Have you had any issues like this in past? Grip-related, I mean.

Idiot question - you weren't "over" gripping were you? i.e., putting on the death grip?

I ask because I'm an idiot. No, haha - I ask because my wife had an over-gripping issue with the G19 when she first got into shooting. She had the Vulcan Neck Pinch Grip of Death on the darn thing, and she was complaining how it hurt her hands. We got her relaxed a bit, and everything improved, from the pain to her recoil management to her accuracy.

 

[Dave329]

Haven't had any hand pain with my Shield. My shield is as comfortable to shoot as my G26. It's an All-Day Shooter... Even single-handed, both strong and weak hand.

If you think the Shield is a pain to shoot, you definitely want to steer clear of the PF-9, LC9, XD-S9 and some of the other Subcompact 9s out there.
My hand does start to hurt like you describe after about 25-30 rounds out of those I listed above.

I personally have a Springfield xds 9mm and in my opinion it's also a light shooter. Easily controllable one handed .. Just my 2 cents

 

[Navy74]

Holy Ice Bucket, Batman. I had the S&W 360PD that weighed in at 11.4 oz. empty. .357 magnum round, 5 shot. I dare anybody to shoot 10 consecutive rounds as fast as possible without having to go to the emergency room. Might as well just drive over your hand with your 1 ton pickup. I sold it and bought the .40 Shield. Best thing I ever did. To Naviwilliams, "I feel your pain".

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I'm beginning to think since I've gone from a Glock 19, to a M&P Shield, I may have simply been holding it too tight. The Shield doesn't need as much to hold it as my Glock did. Albeit, with my Glock, I knew I was holding something.

I guess we will see over the coming days.

I've never had an issue with gripping anything. So, this is weird.

Interesting, regarding the grip strength on a box today. Have you had any issues like this in past? Grip-related, I mean.

Idiot question - you weren't "over" gripping were you? i.e., putting on the death grip?

I ask because I'm an idiot. No, haha - I ask because my wife had an over-gripping issue with the G19 when she first got into shooting. She had the Vulcan Neck Pinch Grip of Death on the darn thing, and she was complaining how it hurt her hands. We got her relaxed a bit, and everything improved, from the pain to her recoil management to her accuracy.

 

[Starwalker]

naviwilliams,

Hang in there, and try different grips to find the one that works well for you.

I predict that the day will come when you are very happy you bought a Shield!

BTW: welcome to the forum.

 

[jonesy814]

I have had one for almost 2 years. I have fired up to 150 rounds in one session and have never had a problem with it hurting my hand.

 

[dullh]

Morning all -


Is it just me, or is this a common thing?

It's just you.

If a 9mm Shield hurts you definitely stay away from the .500 Magnum...