Shield 40mm Shooting low/left

[Well Armed]

I just shot my M&P Shield 40s&w at the range today, and I noticed that it was shooting low to the left. I was shoot at around 20-25 feet. Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong and/or how to correct this problem?

 

[AR-Getsome]

Check the similar threads at the very bottom of this thread. There are several threads about this issue. It's easily corrected with practice.

 

[ironhead7544]

Fixed sights are often fixed in the wrong place. First, check that the sights are centered in their slots. To correct the windage, move the rear sight a little bit to the right in the slot. Elevation can be corrected with a different front sight height. Shorter if the pistol shoots high. Or a change in ammo. The front sight can also be filed down but go real slow on this.

There is a reason for adjustable sights. Not everyone can hold a pistol the same way.

For me. a lot of pistols/revolvers shoot low left. However, I have noticed that the older revolvers, pre-1960 or so hit at my point of aim. I have fired numerous HE in 44 Special and 38 Special from the period that are right on the money. Sometimes I get a modern one that is on but it is rare. I had two EAA single action 44 Magnum Bounty Hunters and factory 44 Magnum 240 gr could not have been zeroed better for me.

Some fixed sight models are zeroed for a specific load. Check on that.

 

[MichiganScott]

Do not mess with the sights until you read the threads at the bottom of this page and work on your form and trigger control. Moving the sights won't help if it's the shooter.

I suggest lots of dry firing to correct the problem. You can actually see your sights move low-left if your trigger control is poor.

 

[Florida J Frame]

I had the same problem with my Shield. It was not the sights, it was the shooter. I worked on correcting my grip on the pistol and the amount of finger on the trigger and the "sights" magically corrected themselves.

 

[RobzGuns]

Once you've read the other threads, if you DO need to adjust the sights, with the Shield, you adjust the FRONT Sight... NOT the Rear.

 

[prairie]

Fixed sights are often fixed in the wrong place. First, check that the sights are centered in their slots. To correct the windage, move the rear sight a little bit to the right in the slot. Elevation can be corrected with a different front sight height. Shorter if the pistol shoots high. Or a change in ammo. The front sight can also be filed down but go real slow on this.

There is a reason for adjustable sights. Not everyone can hold a pistol the same way.

For me. a lot of pistols/revolvers shoot low left. However, I have noticed that the older revolvers, pre-1960 or so hit at my point of aim. I have fired numerous HE in 44 Special and 38 Special from the period that are right on the money. Sometimes I get a modern one that is on but it is rare. I had two EAA single action 44 Magnum Bounty Hunters and factory 44 Magnum 240 gr could not have been zeroed better for me.

Some fixed sight models are zeroed for a specific load. Check on that.

A lot of common sense in this post!
I used to work as a gunsmith, and being the new hire my job was sighting in all types of firearms up 460 caliber rifles, .45 caliber handguns and 10 gauge shotguns. When we were busy I would sight in guns up to 12 hours per day, 6 days a week, and 4-5 hours on Sunday. could usually get 6-7 sight ins per hour if there were no gun/mount/sight problems.
The first thing to know is if you can shoot consistent groups of an acceptable size, doesn't matter if they are in the bullseye or not. To many times people have holes scattered all over the target, and say the gun isn't sighted in!
If you can shoot acceptable groups and they are not in the bullseye, you need to look at your shooting style and habits, or adjusting the sights.
If you are comfortable with your shooting style, and have no major habits or errors, I would adjust the sights to suite you and the particular load you are shooting.
The biggest thing I learned in sighting in thousands of guns for others, is that we don't all shoot the same firearm/ammo/sight combination to the same point of impact. Especially when it comes to handguns and shotguns. You can have all combinations of hand/finger sizes, fat/skinny, long/short, big small, etc.. And to expect everyone to grip and pull the trigger the same is not practical.

 

[-db-]

 

[Houser52]

As Ironhead suggested, make sure your sights are centered. The front sight on mine was not centered. Easy fix by tapping it back straight. I also had to get familiar with the trigger but the sight being off center was my main problem.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Have somebody else shoot it . . . .

 

[mustangman]

Here's some info I found a while back. Most attribute it to the shooter, not the gun.

 

[federali]

40mm?

If your Shield is a 40mm, you are indeed well-armed.

 

[uechikid]

Here's some info I found a while back. Most attribute it to the shooter, not the gun.

This is good info.

 

[Well Armed]

I'm no expert, but let me ask you all this.... Why would it be that the Shield shoots low and to the left for several people, but my (and their) other handguns shoot spot on? I shoot 357 LCR out of a 2in barrel which has way more recoil with no problem at all.

The "breaking of the risk" I can understand, but where my finger is at on the trigger?

 

[Well Armed]

Fixed sights are often fixed in the wrong place. First, check that the sights are centered in their slots. To correct the windage, move the rear sight a little bit to the right in the slot. Elevation can be corrected with a different front sight height. Shorter if the pistol shoots high. Or a change in ammo. The front sight can also be filed down but go real slow on this.

There is a reason for adjustable sights. Not everyone can hold a pistol the same way.

For me. a lot of pistols/revolvers shoot low left. However, I have noticed that the older revolvers, pre-1960 or so hit at my point of aim. I have fired numerous HE in 44 Special and 38 Special from the period that are right on the money. Sometimes I get a modern one that is on but it is rare. I had two EAA single action 44 Magnum Bounty Hunters and factory 44 Magnum 240 gr could not have been zeroed better for me.

Some fixed sight models are zeroed for a specific load. Check on that.

A lot of common sense in this post!
I used to work as a gunsmith, and being the new hire my job was sighting in all types of firearms up 460 caliber rifles, .45 caliber handguns and 10 gauge shotguns. When we were busy I would sight in guns up to 12 hours per day, 6 days a week, and 4-5 hours on Sunday. could usually get 6-7 sight ins per hour if there were no gun/mount/sight problems.
The first thing to know is if you can shoot consistent groups of an acceptable size, doesn't matter if they are in the bullseye or not. To many times people have holes scattered all over the target, and say the gun isn't sighted in!
If you can shoot acceptable groups and they are not in the bullseye, you need to look at your shooting style and habits, or adjusting the sights.
If you are comfortable with your shooting style, and have no major habits or errors, I would adjust the sights to suite you and the particular load you are shooting.
The biggest thing I learned in sighting in thousands of guns for others, is that we don't all shoot the same firearm/ammo/sight combination to the same point of impact. Especially when it comes to handguns and shotguns. You can have all combinations of hand/finger sizes, fat/skinny, long/short, big small, etc.. And to expect everyone to grip and pull the trigger the same is not practical.

I agree... It maybe me and it maybe correctable if I change my finger position, etc... I still rather adjust the gun to fit me instead of, in a self defense situation, having to worry about where my finger is placed or how tight i'm holding the grip.

I will prob. have to try new sights.

 

[federali]

First Things First

Before adjusting the sights, you need to analyze your shooting technique. For a right handed shooter, too much finger on the trigger moves the group to the right while too little finger moves it to the left.

Shooting low may indicate that you are anticipating the shot and sub-consciously flinching. With shot anticipation, the natural tendency is to pull the gun down rather than up.

If the gun shoots to the sights for other shooters, then the problem lies in your shooting technique.

 

[Lycan]

If your Shield is a 40mm, you are indeed well-armed.

I guess grenades can be difficult to aim.

 

[Well Armed]

I guess grenades can be difficult to aim.

Before I fired the gun for the first time, I have to admit all of the talk had me nervous to pull the trigger. I didn't feel much different compared to any of the 9mm I've fired before actually. I wouldn't say it is a gun I'd enjoy firing all day at the range, but it wasn't anything to really talk about IMHO.

 

[Jiman]

If others shoot your gun and it's POA/POI, than IMO it's you.

If you go shooting with someone who is a pretty good shooter try this...Aim in on a target (7-15 yrd) with both hands on the gun. When you're on target, have your friend standing next to you (Strong side) put his strong hand on yours, his trigger finger over yours. You just relax your trigger finger but keep it on the trigger. Keep your support hand on the gun also. Talk to each other, confirming your sight picture. He's not looking down the sights, only you are. His job is to just press the trigger when you're on target. The hard part for you is going to be keeping your trigger finger relaxed. The tendancy is to pull as he is...don't.

Take about 5 shots. See where your hits are. If it's still low/left you may have to mess with the sights, but I think you'll find your hits will be where you aimed.

I've been a firearms instructor for a while and we use this technique to help shooters understand/feel issues with trigger pull, reset, taking out the slack, etc... Since the trigger is about 85% of most peoples issues. Lining up the sights is relatively easy. Not disturbing them until the round hits the target is hard.

In my case, the instructor is always the one pulling the trigger for range safety. It goes without saying that you should be careful if you decide to try this...preferably with a skilled shooter/instructor.

I hope this helps and you get it figured out.

 

[Trons]

I had this problem with my Shield 9, and it was me. It wasn't just me that was shooting it low or low/left, it was several other people and it seemed my son was the only one who could shoot it dead on. After a lot of practice (Fun), I started realizing it was me. I got some snap caps and had them mixed in with regular rounds which was the big tell for me.

Once I knew I was anticipating the recoil, which I don't seem to do with any other guns, I was able to correct it and now it shoots dead on. No adjustment to the gun needed.