new front sight for my M&P pro 9?

[schmadt]

I've had it confirmed by an experienced instructor that my new M&P pro series 9mm has a POI that is 4-6" lower than the POA at 10 yards. It has always been this way but since I am the first owner, and quite a noob to handguns on top of that, I assumed it was my shooting technique (or lack thereof).
My question...is this something that could be considered warranty repair, such that sending it back to S&W would be the best option to correct it? Or should I just start looking for an armorer or smith to replace the front sight with one that is shorter? Current setup (as new) front sight is fiber optic and rear is solid. I like that setup but have to adjust my sight picture to make it work. I currently have to place the front sight round hole entirely on top of the horizontal line created by the top edge of the rear sight and place the target behind the round hole to get POI on target.

Your thoughts and suggestions? I'm in Indiana if you have armorer or smith recommendations.

 

[Tom Beavert]

Schmadt
Call them, and ask. They will try to help.
tb

 

[handgunner356]

I prefer a "Bullseye hold" on my guns so I installed a shorter Dawson front sight on my 9 Pro, the 40 Pro was right on for me. I doubt S&W has optional height FO front sights avavilable, all you can do is call and ask. Novaks or Dawson would have different ones but would probably need a 25yd POI and current sight height to get you where you need.

 

[schmadt]

Does anyone know off the top of their head what the sight is supposedly set to at the factory? Meaning...example: bullseye hold POI=POA at 25 yards?

 

[OKFC05]

My M&P Pro 9 5" is dead on at 10 yds using 124gr bullets at 130 PF, with a military sight picture.
Military sight picture is top of front sight level with top of the back sights, bullet hits at top of front sight.
The sights are factory stock.

 

[shotslow]

Does anyone know the front sight height of a stock M&P Pro 40?

Also, the sight height of the rear sight of a stock M&P Pro 40?

I have put a adjustable rear and new front sight on my 9mm Pro. I don't really want to put adjustable sights on the 40. It appears the 40 hit low.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Gary H.]

I had exactly the same issue with mine. I sent it back to S&W on their dime. They replaced the barrel and said they tested it. It then shot about an inch better, so only 5" low. I started using 147g reloads and it shoots about an inch low which is acceptable for me in IDPA. I just put a new adjustable rear and shortened the front sight up .050. I'm hoping my combination will allow me to shoot the snappier 124 and 115g stuff. It will be this weekend before I can give it a try.

 

[Unforgiven1]

Font Site Height

The stock site is .305. If you cover the target you need a .285If you float the target you need a .265. Hope that helps. I like to see the POI, so I use the .265

 

[crispy]

My M&P Pro 9 5" is dead on at 10 yds using 124gr bullets at 130 PF, with a military sight picture.
Military sight picture is top of front sight level with top of the back sights, bullet hits at top of front sight.
The sights are factory stock.

I don't think that's true.Bullet hits center of front sight.

If one is expecting what you said, they might indeed be 4"-6" low.

I cover my POA with the front sight and I'm always dead on.

 

[OKFC05]

I don't think that's true.Bullet hits center of front sight.
I cover my POA with the front sight and I'm always dead on.

Since you have never seen my gun "I don't think that's true" is a bit presumptious, don't you think?

Can't speak for your gun and technique(and you didn't specify what ammo), but what I posted is exactly how my Pro 9 shoots with the ammo I specified. YMMV

 

[crispy]

Sorry, I don't think that's how that gun is supposed to work from what I've read elsewhere.

I wasn't too keen on covering up my intended point of impact, but I did and it was dead on. I've tried other 5" Pro 9's and they worked the same.

Various brands of target ammo from Federal to Remington to S&B. All 115gr.

 

[schmadt]

I emailed S&W customer svc. and they are going to take a look at it. I'm waiting for the return email with the call tag and instructions to be able to ship it to them.

 

[OKFC05]

Sorry, I don't think that's how that gun is supposed to work from what I've read elsewhere.
Various brands of target ammo from Federal to Remington to S&B. All 115gr.

In case you're not familiar with the phenomenon, bullet weight affects POI. The 115gr hit the lowest, then the 124gr hits above that, and the 147gr hit the highest in 9mm.
That's why I use the 124gr with the M&P 9 Pro; that's how it is sighted from the factory.

I often get students who are consistently moving the gun down slightly when they shoot, and insist my trainer guns shoot low. No matter what tupperware gun they use, it always shoots low. They know it's the gun because all of them do it.
Some insist the gun is inaccurate because they string shots low and left.

Women will generally listen and correct their technique. With some guys, I have to shoot a group dead center to get them off the "gun needs fixing" nonsense. Amazing how much more accurate the gun becomes when the shooter learns proper grip and trigger control.

 

[schmadt]

I often get students who are consistently moving the gun down slightly when they shoot, and insist my trainer guns shoot low. No matter what tupperware gun they use, it always shoots low. They know it's the gun because all of them do it.
Some insist the gun is inaccurate because they string shots low and left.

Women will generally listen and correct their technique. With some guys, I have to shoot a group dead center to get them off the "gun needs fixing" nonsense. Amazing how much more accurate the gun becomes when the shooter learns proper grip and trigger control.

This is precisely why I owned the gun for as long as I did before pursuing a remedy. I assumed it was my shooting style or errors. I finally got it confirmed by having my shooting instructor and many other M&P shooters have a try with it. They all got the same result...groups at 4" minimum and sometimes up to 10 inches low at 10 yards.

 

[kend]

The stock site is .305. If you cover the target you need a .285If you float the target you need a .265. Hope that helps. I like to see the POI, so I use the .265

The factory sight height on the 9 Pro is .180, the .305 and .265 sights are from Dawson Precision for use with their adjustable rear sights.
You can use a factory front from a standard M&P 9, which is .160 high, to correct some of the poi problem but it may not get all of that. Here is an online sight correction calculator http://www.sdmfabricating.com/sightcalc.html

 

[aa7jc]

I have an M&P pro nine and I have exactly the same POI trouble.. My POI is about 4-6 inches below POA at 15 yards.. I use the shoot the dot (dot covers the target) sight picture. The "military" sight picture, lowers the muzzle even more, so I cant understand how that would help. I have shot with the 115 gr and the 124 gr bullets. The dealer insists that fixed sight guns are never at fault when it comes to vertical POI problems so he has suggested that I practice dry firing the weapon with a penny on the muzzle. He said if I were to buy an adjustable sight for the gun, I would just be putting a band aid on the real problem (muzzle drop). I agree that muzzle drop my problem at least some of the time but.. I would be amazed to discover that ALL of the problem can be defined as muzzle drop. I am thinking that I can scientifically lay this to rest by setting up a sand bag bench rest and see if I can completely resolve the problem that way since the supported muzzle can not drop. Hope to get to the range this weekend if there is no wind.. I will report what I find. Comments are welcome.. I just want to figure out what is going on.
Here is a picture of my sight picture... Trigger time | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[handgunner356]

You will want to rest your hands not the gun. The gun will never shoot the same when it's held down as compared to free standing. I find almost all combat handguns are going to have a "Holdover, Military or Combat" type hold @ 25yds. Anything else is going to require a change of sights or ammo.

 

[aa7jc]

Here is my range results.. I did as you mentioned and shot supported (arm was resting on a sandbag).. as you can see I am not a top shot (haha).. but clearly.. POI is roughly 3 inches below POA for me (I was aiming at the orange dot at the top of the target which is three inches above the target center)
9mm test target @ 15 yards | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[Shield9mm]

will the three dots standard M&P sights work on the m&p pro?

 

[Raiderse]

I've had it confirmed by an experienced instructor that my new M&P pro series 9mm has a POI that is 4-6" lower than the POA at 10 yards. It has always been this way but since I am the first owner, and quite a noob to handguns on top of that, I assumed it was my shooting technique (or lack thereof).
My question...is this something that could be considered warranty repair, such that sending it back to S&W would be the best option to correct it? Or should I just start looking for an armorer or smith to replace the front sight with one that is shorter? Current setup (as new) front sight is fiber optic and rear is solid. I like that setup but have to adjust my sight picture to make it work. I currently have to place the front sight round hole entirely on top of the horizontal line created by the top edge of the rear sight and place the target behind the round hole to get POI on target.

Your thoughts and suggestions? I'm in Indiana if you have armorer or smith recommendations.

The same issue with my Pro 9 5" but not as low as yours.
Send it back to Smith and Wesson they replaced my Barrel Slide and a totally different front sight and it hits right on now. But it took the second time of sending it back and a lot of noise.