Shield .40 shooting left

[x260Truesnipes]

I am fairly new to the sub-compact handgun side of shooting, but I have been shooting full size for years. When I got my M&P Shield .40, I noticed that I am consistently shooting left of where I am aiming. I do not do this with full-size handguns of any caliber. Is it something to do with my trigger pull on a smaller frame, or is it something I do not know about. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks! EDIT: after I posted this, I saw that there were already some posted for the 9mm. I am new to forums and was not sure how to search!

 

[cahotshoe]

Takes a bit to get used to the small size. Try different finger positions on the trigger. I was used to all single action work, pistols and revolvers. Always just used the pad of my finger. Now on my shield, it's more twoards the joint crease. Pretty sure an experienced shooter will get it dialed in quickly. Once you are familiar, you will find out how accurate these little guys can be.

 

[x260Truesnipes]

Yea. I hope so! I used to carry a beretta 92 (a little large... I know...) but I practiced a lot with the single action as well as working smooth through the almost 12-pound double-action trigger and was able to get it pretty smooth and consistently shoot quarter sized groups at 10 yards. The shield is a little spitfire!

 

[Bayoutalker]

I just returned from the range with my new Shield 9mm for a second outing. The first time I was hitting left of my aim point. I came home and did a little dry fire to figure out what I was doing but I didn't see much pull at all. This time I paid attention to how the gun felt when I fired it and where the round hit. I started hitting left again but after changing my grip slightly to wrap my fingers a bit farther around the grip and the hits started getting closer to center. I think my problem was not so much pulling the trigger but grip twisting in my hand when the round went off. I have big hands and the grip is a bit smaller than I am used to so I think I will try some sort of grip sleeve to fatten it up a bit.

 

[x260Truesnipes]

What do you mean you twisted your grip a little? like you physically forced yourself to rotate your hand around the grip?

 

[Bayoutalker]

I tried to take a couple of pics but you really can't see the difference and it's hard to explain but let me try.

My natural grip when picking up the gun puts my 2nd knuckle (the big one) directly on the front of the grip and the trigger in the first knuckle. This allows the gun to easily be deflected to the left. A slight pull on the muzzle to the left and the gun moves left.

After noticing this I moved my right hand farther around the grip and the front of the grip is now between the 2nd knuckle and the 3rd. In this position when I tighten my grip it puts a little right pressure on the muzzle. Now when I try to pull the muzzle left it is much harder to deflect it due to the tension from my right hand.

I know this may sound a bit difficult to understand but if you play with it a while I hope you will see what I mean. If not, pm me and I'll send you my phone number.

 

[sschrick]

adjust grip on the smaller frame. adjust trigger finger placement.

ensure proper trigger press straight back.

 

[Bayoutalker]

I tried to take a couple of pics but you really can't see the difference and it's hard to explain but let me try.

My natural grip when picking up the gun puts my 2nd knuckle (the big one) directly on the front of the grip and the trigger in the first knuckle. This allows the gun to easily be deflected to the left. A slight pull on the muzzle to the left and the gun moves left.

After noticing this I moved my right hand farther around the grip and the front of the grip is now between the 2nd knuckle and the 3rd. In this position when I tighten my grip it puts a little right pressure on the muzzle. Now when I try to pull the muzzle left it is much harder to deflect it due to the tension from my right hand.

I know this may sound a bit difficult to understand but if you play with it a while I hope you will see what I mean. If not, pm me and I'll send you my phone number.

Here are a couple of pictures.

 

[x260Truesnipes]

It certainly is a different feel when you move your hand even that much. I have not made it to the range yet, but I will try this as well as ensuring that my trigger pull on the small frame is straight back and not sideways. Thanks!

 

[Bayoutalker]

I made a video showing what I was talking about with the amount of motion in both grips but I don't know how top upload it. I may have to put it on YouTube and link to it I guess.

 

[tazzracing1]

This seems to be a common issue as I did the same thing. I cured mine by changing my grip.

 

[JeffsJeep04]

Seems like I always need to get a handful of grip on mine too.
Once I quit worrying about "doing it right" with the tip of my finger on the trigger and wrapped my hand around the thing, I was hitting dead center. Now just need to work out that consistently low thing...

 

[Bayoutalker]

I made a video showing what I was talking about with the amount of motion in both grips but I don't know how top upload it. I may have to put it on YouTube and link to it I guess.

Ok here is the video I was talking about. I know it is not professional but I hope it gets the job done.

https://youtu.be/Bzl64bIY4oI

 

[x260Truesnipes]

Seems like I always need to get a handful of grip on mine too.
Once I quit worrying about "doing it right" with the tip of my finger on the trigger and wrapped my hand around the thing, I was hitting dead center. Now just need to work out that consistently low thing...

Could that just be from anticipating the recoil and dropping the barrel?

 

[Bayoutalker]

Check out that video I posted and try it for your self. Getting a deep grip really helps controlling the muzzle.

Cliff

 

[MMT]

Shooting to the left is usually indicative of gripping too little with your weak hand (or consequently too much with your strong hand). You shouldn't have to change your grip for the Shield from a full-size handgun; my grip is the same on a Glock 34, 19, and 43. Are you utilizing a modern thumbs-forward grip with your left wrist 'locked' or rotated forwards? A small gun will twist in your hands if you are not holding it correctly, full size guns do it to but it is more noticeable with single stacks since they are so slim.