S&W Equalizer Shoots Low

[MSD2343]

As others have said, make sure you’re using the center-hold sight picture. Also, I’ve found with my Shield Plus, I get a much better point of aim impact with 124 grain whereas 115 grain typically hits a few inches lower for me.

 

[BE Mike]

My EZ9 shoots low. S&W said don't care, you bought it it's yours. Granted, it'll hit a human body, may in the nuts. Combat sight my red rump. Poor quality. A gun should shoot to the sights.

If handgun manufacturers took in every handgun for repair that the customers said shot too low or was inaccurate, the industry would collapse. They've learned, over the years, that the problem is overwhelmingly the "loose nut behind the trigger".

 

[Mike-AK]

If handgun manufacturers took in every handgun for repair that the customers said shot too low or was inaccurate, the industry would collapse. They've learned, over the years, that the problem is overwhelmingly the "loose nut behind the trigger".

Easy enough to determine. Put a laser sighting cartridge in the chamber and compare the dot to the sight picture.

 

[LVSteve]

Easy enough to determine. Put a laser sighting cartridge in the chamber and compare the dot to the sight picture.

That only works if the laser device is of sufficient quality and has never been dropped. You may guess how I know.

 

[coltle6920]

Cheapest solution....Get help! No offense to those smarter than me but what you get here is advice.

I had a similar issue with my Hellcat. I fought it for awhile to the point of not shooting it anymore. My gunshop has a few knowledgeable guys that I've become good friends with. One day I told one of them of my issue and they said to bring the gun in and they would check it out.

On my next visit to the range I brought the Hellcat with me. After I got set up on a lane one of my friends came back and asked to watch me fire a few rounds. The shots were all low at 7yds. He then fired a few rounds himself and they were all on target. We then compared our grips on an unloaded gun and he noticed that my trigger finger wasn't placed properly or at least could've been better. Now I know what to do and it only took 5 minutes for a friend to show me proper technique. Needless to say I now enjoy shooting the Hellcat except for those few times when old habits pop up. They will disappear in time.

Good advice is great but nothing beats hands-on help if you can get it.

 

[Mike-AK]

That only works if the laser device is of sufficient quality and has never been dropped. You may guess how I know.

File that one under “duh.”

You could also use one of those laser bore sighters that slip in the bore.

 

[WR Moore]

Sig's FAQ states:

All SIG SAUER production duty/combat pistols are set up to use a “combat” sight picture. This is where the front sight completely covers the bullseye of the target. Using a six o’clock (“pumpkin on a post”) or center mass (“half’n’half”) sight picture will result in low impact. SIG SAUER, Inc sights in all non-sporting and non-target pistols for 2 inch groupings @ 10 yards. <snip>"

OK, learned something. Must admit my first (and SFAIK) only experience with Sig products was way back around 1992 during our service pistol trials and wasn't positive.

 

[GFetteplace]

Problem solved. Thanks for the tips everyone. I was able to go to the range today again. Used Geco 124 gr fmj. Took an MTM front rifle rest. Squeezed the trigger slowly. Shot well with the combat sight picture. Once I got the trigger squeeze down using the rest, went off-hand and squeezed slowly, and again shot point-of-aim. If I ever had to use the pistol for self defense, I doubt that I could squeeze that slowly though.

As an aside, I have the model with the thumb safety and whatever grip I am now using, the thumb safety digs into my thumb. It would be uncomfortable to shoot much more than 100 rounds.

 

[BE Mike]

Problem solved. Thanks for the tips everyone. I was able to go to the range today again. Used Geco 124 gr fmj. Took an MTM front rifle rest. Squeezed the trigger slowly. Shot well with the combat sight picture. Once I got the trigger squeeze down using the rest, went off-hand and squeezed slowly, and again shot point-of-aim. If I ever had to use the pistol for self defense, I doubt that I could squeeze that slowly though.

As an aside, I have the model with the thumb safety and whatever grip I am now using, the thumb safety digs into my thumb. It would be uncomfortable to shoot much more than 100 rounds.

Don't underestimate the value of training. If you want to badly enough, you can shrink groups and eliminate anticipation of recoil. It does take some time and effort.

 

[rct269]

It seems to me the concepts of short range combat shooting and aiming are mutually exclusive. The mere mention of aiming is almost comical!

Then there's pointing.

Ralph Tremaine

 

[LVSteve]

As an aside, I have the model with the thumb safety and whatever grip I am now using, the thumb safety digs into my thumb. It would be uncomfortable to shoot much more than 100 rounds.

That is a common complaint with the EZ and its derivatives.

 

[Execpro]

To pistolpete10:
I have posted this info on other post, but to address your comment about your EZ 9 shooting low.
If you align the 3 dots evenly, my EZ 9 shot low. This is the only gun out of many owned that did this. If you align the top of the front sight with the top of the rear sight, it shots poa/poi.
The front sight is miss drilled.
Picture 1 dots aligned.
Picture 2 top of front sight even with top of rear sight.
I painted front sight and used flat black testers model paint to cover the rear dots (see picture).
First pic was with a rest, second was free hand. Both at 10 yards.

I’m well over 70 and not as steady as I used to be. Just Sayen,

 

[kelljor]

I ride the safety. Have to grip the gun a little tighter, though, because the first couple of times I tried it I wasn't depressing the backstrap safety. It helps, though, because now my grip on the gun is a little tighter. Also transferred that method to my 1911 and it helps there, too. Also helps because you get instant feedback if the safety off or on. It's easy under rapid fire to flick the safety on with the recoil. Done that a couple times, too, that's when I started riding it.

 

[cracker57]

when someone asks someone else to shoot their gun because it shoots off point of aim, that person more often than not will make a perfect shot.
I believe this is do to the fact that they will do everything right, trigger control, grip, and follow thru. They want to show that they can hit the target with any gun you hand them. one shot is different than a mag full.
when one has a problem with where their holes show up its always a very good idea to have someone else shoot their gun!
this answers all the questions, is it the gun, the ammo or me, my money bets on the me

 

[pistolpete10]

About half the new guns I buy shoot low. Replace the sight if you can get one, file the front sight to zero it. The socalled combat sight picture is a cop out the gun companies use so they won't have to repair their rejects.

 

[NickoftheNorth]

Its the Factory sights! My niece & I both bought Equalizers and they both shoot 10 inches low when bench rested at 10 yards. Switching from 124 Gr, +P loads to 147 Gr. Std. velocity loads brought the impact up to about 5" low. The rear sight is twice as high as the front sight! What this gun needs is either a higher front sight or new adjustable sights.
This is a frequent complaint of the Equalizer.
Does anyone know of aftermarket sights for this gun. or optional front sights from S & W?