new shield

[NACHOM22SHIELD]

just picked up a new shield 9MM , and the damn thing is all over the place, its like shooting a stupid paintball gun, shots going left about two feet and sometimes too high. i know i'm not a bad shot but this is just frustrating. anyone have any suggestions? I've been reading a lot of the same complaints, has anyone taken it to a gun smith or just doing it yourself. I have about 250 rounds of fmj i could sight it in with.

 

[ctkenc]

just picked up a new shield 9MM , and the damn thing is all over the place, its like shooting a stupid paintball gun, shots going left about two feet and sometimes too high. i know i'm not a bad shot but this is just frustrating. anyone have any suggestions? I've been reading a lot of the same complaints, has anyone taken it to a gun smith or just doing it yourself. I have about 250 rounds of fmj i could sight it in with.

Mine was consistently 9 inches low and left. Sent it back to SW via the Dealer.
SW replaced the Sights, the Barrell and the Extractor snow it works OK but still shoots low so that I have to cover the center of the target instead of a six o'clock or POA center mass hold ..... Annoying but until I replace the sights that is the way it is.

 

[Smitty357]

Not to point any fingers in any general directions. But this has been discussed on several occasions.

It seems that most people are use to shooting FS and compact pistols. They dont take into consideration how small the grip is on the sub compact pistols (especially the Shield and XDS).

On many occasions people have found that their accuracy is more consistant after they get to know the weapon better. You will likely have to adjust ur shooting for ur grip. You cant expect to jump into a Nascar and expect to do 200mph around the track and feel comfortable while doing so. It will take practice, and u will get better with it over time.

As with any SD pistol. If u dont practice with it and get familiar with the weapon. Then honestly there is no point in u owning it. Because IF ever comes a time that u need it for SD, u will be dumb founded and lost. Lack of practice and knowledge of the weapon will likely cost u ur life in a situation like that.

 

[bandj524]

yep when I got my 40 shield I shot the worst I ever have with any handgun. but 500 or so rounds later it is an accurate little gun. it is different than shooting a FS pistol. try readjusting your grip and take your time or have someone else shoot it and see how they do. it could be the gun.

 

[Rpg]

I think these pistols are easier to carry than they are to shoot.

I don't know how much shooting you've done, so you may be way past the following suggestions. No offence intended.

These triggers are tough to master. Lots of dry fire work is necessary unless you have a Federal grant for unlimited ammo.

Focus on the front sight. Seeing more of it will bring the POI up.

When you are shooting, worry about a tight group, not the placement of the group - at least until you consistently group 6 shots under the size of a teacup at 7 yards.

Limit your live fire sessions to about 25 rounds. For every 25 round live fire session, do 10 dry fire sessions of 25 each. Handle your pistol a lot.

Low - left often has roots in trigger control and grip.

All that being said, I wouldn't be shocked to find that your pistol has some intrinsic issues.

If things don't get better after you've used up the 250 rounds you have on the schedule above, if you know a competent gunsmith (probably not the guy at the big box store) you might have him look at it - not to fix, to diagnose.

Then send it back to S&W. your problems aren't unique with this pistol

Or, call S&W and nicely ask them what problems they've seen with this pistol. You may be surprised at the list they give you.

 

[Starwalker]

Find another experienced shooter and take that person to the range with you. Have the person shoot your Shield. If the person has the same problem with accuracy, then it is probably a problem with the Shield.
If no problem, then it is probably you, and practice may indeed resolve the problem.
Easy way to tell if the gun is the actual problem.

I hope it works out well for you.

 

[drinva]

Spend $15 and order a set of Talon Grips in tbe granulate black. Install them. You will think they are way too rough, but dont alter them, just put them on and go shoot. Ill bet your accuracy will make you very happy.

I did this to mine before I ever shot it. After application I hated it!!! But, I swallowed that hate and went to the range. Boy, Im glad I did!!! I walked a can from 10ft out to 50 YARDS with my first clip. I fell in love with the grip and the gun.

DR

 

[NACHOM22SHIELD]

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

 

[Atticaz]

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

NICE! Glad to hear it wasn't the Shield. My first 25 shots, or so, were all left fliers. I really started concentrating after them. Shots are starting to land where I want them. I need to get back to the range, big time.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

This is precisely the problem with the "errornet" as Larry Vickers likes to call it. The ability to "shout to the rooftops" about how awful your gun is and how the sights are way off, only then to say, "oops, my bad. Sorry." S&W gets unfairly beaten up on these forums all too often.

 

[ColbyBruce]

We all must learn to give something "time" to work correctly, or give ourselves time to do something correctly before we complain.

For example, I have given these things a try THREE different times, so I can honestly say they are terrible and I do not know why so many people like them.

 

[Starwalker]

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

I looked at your target and it looks okay to me if most shots were shot at 25-yards. I rarely shoot at 25-yard range with my Shield as the Shield is designed as a close range weapon with combat accuracy, and is not a target pistol.

I am not a particularly good shot so others may be much more accurate then I am. I think with a bit of practice you can close up those shots some.

JMHO

 

[haris1]

I got a new shield today and it shoots way left!!

I think these pistols are easier to carry than they are to shoot.

I don't know how much shooting you've done, so you may be way past the following suggestions. No offence intended.

These triggers are tough to master. Lots of dry fire work is necessary unless you have a Federal grant for unlimited ammo.

Focus on the front sight. Seeing more of it will bring the POI up.

When you are shooting, worry about a tight group, not the placement of the group - at least until you consistently group 6 shots under the size of a teacup at 7 yards.

Limit your live fire sessions to about 25 rounds. For every 25 round live fire session, do 10 dry fire sessions of 25 each. Handle your pistol a lot.

Low - left often has roots in trigger control and grip.

All that being said, I wouldn't be shocked to find that your pistol has some intrinsic issues.

If things don't get better after you've used up the 250 rounds you have on the schedule above, if you know a competent gunsmith (probably not the guy at the big box store) you might have him look at it - not to fix, to diagnose.

Then send it back to S&W. your problems aren't unique with this pistol

Or, call S&W and nicely ask them what problems they've seen with this pistol. You may be surprised at the list they give you.

I received a new 9mm shield today and shot 20 slow rounds at 10 yards on a IDPA target. I could not put any in the head as they were 5 inches to the left.
I aimed at one spot on the body and had a 1 inch group but all
were 5 inches left. Elevation was perfect. If its not me and the gun, if i make that extreme of a windage adjustment so its on at 10 yards, maybe the sights and bullet bisect at that point and then diverge. If I can get a one inch group, I am betting its not me and probably the gun. I have had perfect groups with 3 inch paras and kimbers
that shot to the sights. I wonder if the previous post pertains to me that i should get used to this gun. Or maybe it needs a better trigger-horrible trigger pull!!

 

[haris1]

first time at 15-25 yards

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

For a little gun to do what you did at 15-25 yards, all your rounds will be into the target in zones that will put down an adversary. Closing those groups would have the same effect. You are fine!!!!

 

[nocents]

Spend $15 and order a set of Talon Grips in tbe granulate black. Install them. You will think they are way too rough, but dont alter them, just put them on and go shoot. Ill bet your accuracy will make you very happy.

I did this to mine before I ever shot it. After application I hated it!!! But, I swallowed that hate and went to the range. Boy, Im glad I did!!! I walked a can from 10ft out to 50 YARDS with my first clip. I fell in love with the grip and the gun.

DR

I installed Talon rubber grips on my Shield 9 and it is the cure for what I think are too smooth a grip for being as small as they are ......

 

[Rpg]

Never mind ladies and gentleman I was just having a horrible first time.
Today from 15-25yrds

Good for you!

 

[Rpg]

I received a new 9mm shield today and shot 20 slow rounds at 10 yards on a IDPA target. I could not put any in the head as they were 5 inches to the left.
I aimed at one spot on the body and had a 1 inch group but all
were 5 inches left. Elevation was perfect. If its not me and the gun, if i make that extreme of a windage adjustment so its on at 10 yards, maybe the sights and bullet bisect at that point and then diverge. If I can get a one inch group, I am betting its not me and probably the gun. I have had perfect groups with 3 inch paras and kimbers
that shot to the sights. I wonder if the previous post pertains to me that i should get used to this gun. Or maybe it needs a better trigger-horrible trigger pull!!

1' groups at 10 yards are great!

That's awfull consistent to be just trigger - but it could be (maybe). If you can repeat that performance once or twice then maybe your sight picture ?

I hate to suggest altering a gun under warranty, but opening up the rear sight might be helpful More light on either side of the front sight might help.

You might also try using shoe polish to get rid of the white dots. They seem like they should help, but they don't.

Or you could get a brass punch and drift the rear sight just a bit (a tap or two )

I'm reluctant to suggest you send it back just yet. Beleve it or not, S&W is quite capable of making things worse. Your pistol seems like its good enough not to risk giving them a chance.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Roger S&W]

Now we're talking. you're getting to know your Shield.

 

[haris1]

shield accuracy problem- and possible solutions

Thanks for the suggestions,guys. I just ordered the Talon granulate grips and I was dry firing the pistol at a quarter sized spot on my ceiling and if I pulled very slowly the sight stayed on the spot. Pulling the trigger too fast pulled point of impact down. But in live firing the elevation was perfect. I will work with it and put 100 rounds thru it. Thanks again

 

[xodondum]

any time I get a handgun w/a heavy (& long) trigger (to me) it makes me hit low. 1st time out I hit low. the stock trigger is not long but the break is heavier than I would like. I just installed Apex hard sear, seems lighter now, will try again soon.