markerbeacon
Member
I have a similar "problem", low and to the right......because I'm left handed
It's US and our trigger control, not the gun.
Yep, same problem with this Lefty. Low and to the Right.
New Shield 40 shooting left
- Thread starter carld
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Yep, same problem with this Lefty. Low and to the Right.
Great news.
The only recommendation would be to fly me out and have me shoot her. If I can get the same placement the sights were the problem.
Russ
OpsMgr
US Veteran
You guys should really shoot your pistolas off a sandbag rest before you go moving your sights around. Low and left is an extremely common error for right handed shooters and as RussC posted, small pistolas amplify the error even more...
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My answer assumes you are right handed. If elevation is fine, then one potential cause is cranking the right hand around the pistol to get more leverage on the trigger, which causes the pistol to not be in direct alignment with the wrist and forearm. As the pistol recoils just a little while the bullet is still in the barrel, the pistol will recoil toward the place of least support, in this case to the left.
Without seeing you shoot, it is just a guess, but sit at a table, use a nice sandbag rest, put arm and hand directly behind the pistol, make sure you are not jerking or anticipating the shot (flinching) and test it in that fashion. Have someone else load a surprise dummy round somewhere in your magazine so you do not know when there will be a bang versus a click, and if you are bracing for the shot (flinching) it will become immediately apparent to you, assuming you are actually watching your front sight. Have a friend use a smart phone to video tape this exercise and you can watch yourself brace for the shot that goes click instead of bang.
One reason I think it is you instead of the sights is that to be that far off at only 15 yards, your rear sight would have to almost be "over in the next room."
Before you think anyone is making fun of you, understand that anticipating, bracing, flinching, whatever you want to call it, is a problem that almost every one of us have to guard against all the time. We are truly trying to help you and I am giving you some ideas that have helped me in the past.
If your shot is low left, instead of just left, then see attached target for diagnosis.
With all due respect to one poster, I advise against taking your pinky finger off the frame for shooting. Learn to shoot with a proper grip, which involves learning to move your trigger finger independently of squeezing your entire hand. For all sorts of reasons, you want a full powerful grip on the weapon, not the least of which is to fight off a grab attempt by someone who wants to take your pistol from you in an encounter.
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Bkreutz
US Veteran
My suggestion was intended to show the shooter that the cause of the low left shot was the shooter and not the firearm. I don't recommend shooting with the pinky extended as a normal grip. Sometimes the hardest part of correcting an error on the part of the shooter is having them accept the idea that the pistol is not the problem. Sorry if I didn't make that clear in my post.
I don't normally shoot with my pinky off the grip anymore cause I'm conscience of pulling the muzzle down with it. At first it was hard to believe. But, practice,practice, practice watch the front sight and when I miss now low left I know why. I used an overlap like golf for a few days but realized its not natural and if you get in trouble you can't be worrying where your pinky goes!
My shield front site was not alligned properly from the factory. I also had the magazine ejection issue. i sent the gun back to smith and recieved it back correct. Since then I have friends who have purchased new shilds recently and they both have front sites that are slighly off center. Both are getting night sites installed so it won't matter but both shot slightly left of center, the same as mine. If you look closely at the front site, you can see it is not centered on the slide.
I don't take any offense by any answers as I was looking for answers and that is all anyone has offered. Answers and possible fixes. I probably should have mentioned I've been shooting and ran a gun shop a long time, just usually had someone else take care of smithing issues. The front blade was slightly off-center to the right and by moving it left the problem was fixed. As someone said, the small/short site relation makes small movements (flinches) equal huge POI changes.
I also should have mentioned all the initial shots were from a rest and I watch the front site closely as this blade is slightly narrower that the rear site notch making it easy to have the dots aligned but still be off centered.
Ultimately moving the sight fixed my problem, confirmed by the laser, sight, & point of impact now being in-line. Continuing to put rounds down range with it will only make things better.
Thanks for all the help.
I also should have mentioned all the initial shots were from a rest and I watch the front site closely as this blade is slightly narrower that the rear site notch making it easy to have the dots aligned but still be off centered.
Ultimately moving the sight fixed my problem, confirmed by the laser, sight, & point of impact now being in-line. Continuing to put rounds down range with it will only make things better.
Thanks for all the help.
These issues can go both ways. After getting my NIB 9mm Shield back from Springfield for a new barrel due to chips on the end of the feed ramp of the original barrel, I took it to the range to put it through its paces. I was shooting 10+ inches very low and left from POA at 25 yards. I shot it for an hour and probably put 150 rounds through it. No change. Brought it back again the next week, and bench rested it. No change. Had others shoot it. No change. I've been shooting for many years and had a CZ 75B with me that day that was shooting tight groups center mass, same distance.
Called the factory, and they requested I send it in immediately, as they wanted to spend some more time with it. That was in early April.
Just spoke with the S&W technician today, and he indicated they had to adjust the sights for height among other things, and he was including a target in the return package that I would be pleased with. I'll receive the full report tomorrow when I receive my Shield. And so it goes . . .
Called the factory, and they requested I send it in immediately, as they wanted to spend some more time with it. That was in early April.
Just spoke with the S&W technician today, and he indicated they had to adjust the sights for height among other things, and he was including a target in the return package that I would be pleased with. I'll receive the full report tomorrow when I receive my Shield. And so it goes . . .
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My suggestion was intended to show the shooter that the cause of the low left shot was the shooter and not the firearm. I don't recommend shooting with the pinky extended as a normal grip. Sometimes the hardest part of correcting an error on the part of the shooter is having them accept the idea that the pistol is not the problem. Sorry if I didn't make that clear in my post.
No, I am sorry for misunderstanding your post. I agree with everything you said!
Shawn
The problem is you're using your first knuckle crease wrapped around the trigger and you're right handed.
You need to back out and use the pad of your trigger finger only. Also, don't anticipate the shot. do these two things and get back with me about how your shooting has improved dramatically
You need to back out and use the pad of your trigger finger only. Also, don't anticipate the shot. do these two things and get back with me about how your shooting has improved dramatically
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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.
