New Shield owner sight question

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Just purchased a Shield 9MM last week and went to the range for break-in and familiarization. My first goal was to check sight alignment so I set up a target at 7 yards and fired 2 mags slow and steady, concentrating on sight picture and trigger control, two handed, rested on my range bag. All 15 rounds went into a nice group about 3 inches in diameter, but the group was centered about 4 inches left of center or my aim point. This indicates to me to need to drift my front sight to the left. When I got home from the range I tried to use a punch and small hammer to move the sight slightly but it wouldn't budge. I was afraid of hitting it any harder than I did and I was apprehensive about putting the slide in a vise. My question then is what is the best way to drift the front sight?

 

[sschrick]

before immediately jumping to moving the sights, did you try to alternate your trigger finger position to see if that moved your grouping. I have to use a little more trigger finger on my shield compared to other guns. but it shoots dead on.

 

[redwood0_7]

Believe I read on this forum that Shield sights are very tight. Someone should be along soon to give advice.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Good point sschrick, and yes I did change finger positions. Didn't seem to make any difference. I used to shoot a Taurus 809 that was SA/DA so I am used to a light trigger pull like the Shield has. I did notice the front sight on the Shield doesn't look to be dead center in the dovetail, it's slightly to the right about .005 or so.

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Anyway, to finish my range report, I put about 170 round through the Shield, a mix of Blazer and Remington 115rg FMJ and WWB 115gr HP with zero problems. The pistol was straight out of the box except for a quick field strip to make sure is wasn't over lubed. I was really impressed with the trigger which I would estimate at 5 pounds and the short distinct reset.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

Have someone else shoot it. It is common for new Shield shooters to hit low-left. I expect the rest would minimize the low while having less effect on the left.

Shield sights are notoriously tight. I replaced the sights on mine and it was a serious battle.

A sight pusher is better than a hammer and punch. MGW makes a Shield-specific model, but they are expensive. I used a universal sight pusher from Fisher Solutions. It worked, but was difficult to use and I would not recommend it.

 

[Stilltrying]

This is not a joke put the slide in the freezer over night. Then put it in a vise use the biggest aluminum or brass punch you can. It seems you are the forth person I am aware of whose gun shoots to the left. I messed my front sight up with a steel punch, called S&W they sent me a new one which I had to fit to the gun. Those sight pusher will not work until you loosen the sight with a punch. You can also go to HomeDepot and buy a pack of Brass flat heat bolts 1/4 X 3 they are cheaper them brass punches!

 

[epj]

Check this out.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/363455-shield-sight-change-picture-heavy.html

 

[HarryD]

Check this out.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/363455-shield-sight-change-picture-heavy.html

^^^ Check that out, I bought one of his sight tools and it made it easy.

 

[CB3]

I was afraid of hitting it any harder than I did and I was apprehensive about putting the slide in a vise. My question then is what is the best way to drift the front sight?

Good post. Moving your front sight is probably a good solution, especially if you have measured that it is not centered.

Never be afraid to put a gun part, especially a slide, in a vise, as long as you pad it and apply appropriate pressure for the material (steel, aluminum, pot metal, polymer). That "third hand" stability is critical to tougher jobs. Moving Shield sights is a tougher job.

I tried "drifting" my rear Shield sight out to install an Apex trigger. Very frustrating. I ruined 2 brass punches and marred the sight. I broke down and bought a $100+ universal sight pusher. I have used it many times on many guns and would never suggest using a punch again.

That may seem to be an expensive fix for your small problem. A formal trip to a gunsmith would probably set you back a minimum charge unless you are buddies. You might find that your local gun store would do this minor adjustment for you with a sight pusher for free, especially if you bought the gun there. Otherwise, ask your shooter buddies if they know of anyone who has a sight pusher. With the right tool, this is a simple, quick fix. Without the right tool, you will be hating life.

 

[LarrynKy]

I had new sights put on my Shield the other day (as well as the Apex kit) and the armorer told me the the rear sight is not too bad to remove with a Shield specific pusher but that the front sight is one of the most difficult of any pistol to change. He had to use a different pusher that was industrial strength. Not sure I would recommend trying to to do with a punch and risk damaging your slide.