New M&P 15-22 Shooting way right - should I send it to S&W?

[jlynchtx]

Just bought a new 15-22 for my son (and myself) and have just taken it to the range once. Really like this gun and I think we are going to have a lot of fun with it.

The problem is it is shooting way off. I adjusted the front sight post All the way down and the rear sight almost all the way up to get it to hit center of paper. It was still shooting way right, so adjusted the rear sight all the way to the left before it was even close to dead on. I still have to hold my sight picture slight left to get it to hit bulls eye. Is it normal to have to adjust the sights to the extremes? Should I send it in for warranty work? I have never had to send in a gun before.

I am shooting between 15-25 yards at indoor range using a table and bipod. I took off and reinstalled both sights to make sure they were seated correctly.

Not sure what check next. I have a couple handguns, but am pretty new to rifles. Any ideas? Bad sights? Gun?

 

[yugowego]

Did you let your son shoot it? I know when I shoot the boys rifle it shoots about 8" low and 8" right compared to him shooting it (which it hits dead on for him). Could just be your hold on the rifle. Give him a go at it and see what it does before you decide to send it back.

 

[RedNeck Jim]

I suggest getting a cheap red dot sight, such as maybe a TRS-25, and trying again. Some folks have trouble using iron sights.

 

[tomcatt51]

Not sure what check next. I have a couple handguns, but am pretty new to rifles. Any ideas? Bad sights? Gun?

Does it shoot to the same place shooting offhand as shooting off the bench with the bipod?

 

[jlynchtx]

Does it shoot to the same place shooting offhand as shooting off the bench with the bipod?

Shoots the same offhand or bench. My wife also shot it too and same result for her. My son is only 9 and shoots too erratic to gauge his shots.

 

[Vinney47]

There are a lot of variables, but if two different shooters give the same results it points in the direction of the rifle having problems. But (just making an assumption) neither you or your wife have much rifle experience from the sounds of it. Is there someone who has plenty of rifle experience you could get to put a few rounds through it? If not a friend, maybe an employee of the range you shoot at (ask how much experience they have, never assume that because they work there they know what they are doing). Having an experienced shooter will further help diagnose what's off with the aiming issue.

Sending it back into S&W is going to take time and possibly some money, but if all else fails having them take a look at it will get you a reliable answer. They may say nothing is wrong with it, and you'll just have to improve your shooting methods, or maybe they find it's way off and fix it up right for you.

Good luck, and happy shooting.

Edit:
Also, I guess it could be the sights themselves. Know anybody else with a 15-22 or AR-15 with any kind of iron sights that would let you try them on your rifle (they would have to be zeroed to your gun, still, and then re-zeroed on whatever rifle they came off of)? Could you rent some from the range? If it's the sights, that's an easier fix than it being you or the rifle.

 

[jlynchtx]

Good suggestions. I think I do have a friend or two I could get to shoot it and see what they think. I also will see if I can borrow some sights and try that before I send it back. I hate to send it back if I don't have to.

Thanks

There are a lot of variables, but if two different shooters give the same results it points in the direction of the rifle having problems. But (just making an assumption) neither you or your wife have much rifle experience from the sounds of it. Is there someone who has plenty of rifle experience you could get to put a few rounds through it? If not a friend, maybe an employee of the range you shoot at (ask how much experience they have, never assume that because they work there they know what they are doing). Having an experienced shooter will further help diagnose what's off with the aiming issue.

Sending it back into S&W is going to take time and possibly some money, but if all else fails having them take a look at it will get you a reliable answer. They may say nothing is wrong with it, and you'll just have to improve your shooting methods, or maybe they find it's way off and fix it up right for you.

Good luck, and happy shooting.

Edit:
Also, I guess it could be the sights themselves. Know anybody else with a 15-22 or AR-15 with any kind of iron sights that would let you try them on your rifle (they would have to be zeroed to your gun, still, and then re-zeroed on whatever rifle they came off of)? Could you rent some from the range? If it's the sights, that's an easier fix than it being you or the rifle.

 

[stavman11]

ya a simple Redot may help for sure....

As for sending it back to S&W... that wont cost ya a nickle... they will send ya a call tag... Hope ya kept the original box... makes life REAL easy....
Now it will take a couple weeks if ya send it back... But things do happen from time to time....

Hope a Redot solves yer issues


Stav

 

[BillyJack2012]

Was this purchased new or used? Another fairly common issue is the barrel nut coming loose. That will through off your POI but it would be more random. Doesn't sound like it's the same issue you are dealing with but something to consider.

If I had to adjust my sight all the way to one side, it would drive me nuts. Something sounds out of alignment.

 

[gdnagle]

Couldn't it also be a barrel problem. Think I've read that some have had lose barrel nuts and some with metal shavings around the nut. Very rare but maybe you just got unlucky. Sights are attached to the upper and forward hand guard so that could effect shot placement.

 

[StlBluesFan72]

I would say if your rifle will not do this from a rest with iron sights at 25 yards, then there is something wrong. My 16 yr. old twins shot these groups .. I was shocked when we rolled in the target