Shield 9mm accuracy?

[Magload]

Ha, I tried to accuse the guy of holding 2 inches to the right just to make me look bad. He did out shoot me on the BE challenge the range had going this week but that was only because he was shooting his Buckmark and me a M&P 22. Well I would like to think that was the reason. Don

 

[Donn]

My Shield's as good as I am on any given day.

 

[Pef]

I've put over 500 rounds of various brands of 115gr 9mm ammo (no +P or +P+) through my Shield and I am not particularly impressed with the accuracy at 7 to 10 yard distances. No recognizable groups were noted on a 12" square target. I can then fire the same brands of ammunition through my 9mm Glock or Walther PPS and can cover the resulting 50 holes with a 3 inch disc.
Trigger pull on the Shield remains at > 8 lbs (that's as high as my Wheeler trigger pull scale goes).
I've called S&W and am waiting to receive a shipping label to return the pistol to the factory for evaluation.
What kind of accuracy should I expect on return of the pistol?

Have you let anyone else shoot it to see if the results repeat?

 

[MyDads38]

My Shield's as good as I am on any given day.

LOL-Same for all the guns I own!

 

[dinooch]

I just hapened to have Federal 115 gr. 9mm that day. I've shot probably around 1k rounds of Freedom munitions 124 gr. FMJ's with better results. 147 gr. Win. Train & defend is what I now use for practice & IDPA, their "Defend" in the train & defend series is what I carry.

I found the 147's to be the best just shot it for the first time today. 124's were 2nd 115's weren't bad the heavier the better in my Shield I love it!

 

[CaptRon956]

I found the 147's to be the best just shot it for the first time today. 124's were 2nd 115's weren't bad the heavier the better in my Shield I love it!

I too came to the same conclusion, that the M&P shield likes the heavier 147 gr. bullets better than the 124's. 115 gr. ammo was "all over the target" in comparison. You're not the first person that said that the Shield performs better with the heavier loads.

 

[sschrick]

My first outing with my new shield, I was knocking down steel plates at 12 yards with 124gr 9mm ammo. Missed a few, but definitely hit more than missed. I was pretty happy. No real learning curve on the trigger.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Virtually all modern pistols are more accurate than virtually any shooter. Exceptions do occur, but they are exceptions.

 

[Lead Pipe]

I was very impressed with my accuracy and grouping with my brand new shield. It took a few rounds to get comfortable but then to my surprise my accuracy was better than my M&P 9 FS at 5-7 yards. Both targets had 17 rounds shot.

M&P 9

Shield

 

[RobzGuns]

Nice shooting, Lead Pipe... Were you 'covering' the X with the front dot, or were you putting the X just above the Front sight (pumpkin on a post)?

If you were covering the X, it looks like you started anticipating the recoil and twisting downward. I'm guessing that the first few were dead-on and the low shots were after anticipation set in.

If you were using pumpkin on a post aim, start covering the X.

 

[Elliot45]

Accuracy

I believe my accuracy with my Shield is fine up to 21" or so. I shoot Freedom Munitions 124 grain bullets and I think I have better results with them than most of the 115 gr. ammo I shoot. I installed an Apex trigger kit in my M&P 9mm Pro and my accuracy definitely improved afterwards. However, the trigger pull in my Shield is at 6.5 lbs. and even though my accuracy might improved with the Apex kit, I really don't want lighter in a CCW gun. Also, the trigger breaks very clean and it's fine like it is. I'm really not worried about precision shooting past 30' and when I practice double tap rapid firing between 15' to 21', I'm more concerned about placing the shots in the torso of the target and the Shield performs just fine. BTW, I didn't see where you mentioned what Glock model you have, only that it is a 9mm. The Shield is no comparison for my 9mm Pro that has a 5" barrel. Your Glock might be a model 19 or 17 and then you're comparing apples to oranges for the Shield. Anyway, I know the trigger on the Shield will get better with the more rounds I put through it so I suggest to keep practicing and give it some time. I have large hands so I admit it does take getting use to. On my Pro I have the largest back-strap installed and that also helps me with my accuracy. Regards, Elliot45

 

[Magload]

I believe my accuracy with my Shield is fine up to 21" or so. I shoot Freedom Munitions 124 grain bullets and I think I have better results with them than most of the 115 gr. ammo I shoot. I installed an Apex trigger kit in my M&P 9mm Pro and my accuracy definitely improved afterwards. However, the trigger pull in my Shield is at 6.5 lbs. and even though my accuracy might improved with the Apex kit, I really don't want lighter in a CCW gun. Also, the trigger breaks very clean and it's fine like it is. I'm really not worried about precision shooting past 30' and when I practice double tap rapid firing between 15' to 21', I'm more concerned about placing the shots in the torso of the target and the Shield performs just fine. BTW, I didn't see where you mentioned what Glock model you have, only that it is a 9mm. The Shield is no comparison for my 9mm Pro that has a 5" barrel. Your Glock might be a model 19 or 17 and then you're comparing apples to oranges for the Shield. Anyway, I know the trigger on the Shield will get better with the more rounds I put through it so I suggest to keep practicing and give it some time. I have large hands so I admit it does take getting use to. On my Pro I have the largest back-strap installed and that also helps me with my accuracy. Regards, Elliot45

Yep at 21 inches it is petty easy to shoot one hole groups even with out sites. Just kidding I know it was a typo. Well I hope so. Don

 

[mike from st pete]

The first few shots, shooting my new M&P Shield, were on center and then drifted down and left. I'm right handed. This little pistol gets a mind of its own on the last couple of shots in a magazine.
Either that or it is me. Most likely me.

 

[Four T5]

The first few shots, shooting my new M&P Shield, were on center and then drifted down and left. I'm right handed. This little pistol gets a mind of its own on the last couple of shots in a magazine.
Either that or it is me. Most likely me.

I'm pretty sure that would be you. Unless the sights adjust themselves while you're shooting, it seems pretty unlikely it's the fault of the gun.

 

[martybee]

I find the 9mm Shield to be very difficult to shoot with any accuracy. I have a lot of fly-away's and many drop down and some are wide left at 21'. My FS9 consistently groups at 3". I am about to get rid of the Shield!

mb

 

[Bob O]

Try Rastoff's Challenge, it should improve your accuracy after a few attempts.

I thought I was a good shot until I tried it. My initial results made me want to improve on the basic principles, which made me a better shot.

I will go back to that challenge occasionally to gauge my accuracy.

 

[Echo47]

Shield 9mm accuracy

Thanks to all of you who replied. Clearly, there is a problem with my Shield and it has been FedEx'd off to S&W for evaluation once they return from their summer break (next week).
I didn't think it was the operator, and to confirm, I took my 1970's vintage Hi-Power to the range with the same ammo I fired through the Shield and was able to keep all hits (multiple 13-round magazines) at 25 feet within the 9-ring of a repair center target (100-yd rifle).
Other than the Prvi Partizan 115gr FMJs, all ammo fired was as recommended by S. Camp in his Browning Hi-Power book, so I was confident the ammunition fired was 'reasonably' accurate and consistent.
This will be my first warranty repair from the factory. The last time I sent in an out-of-warranty repair, it was about six weeks before the pistol was returned to me, but it was fully repaired and functioning as intended on receipt.
Patiently waiting..........

 

[RobzGuns]

I didn't think it was the operator, and to confirm, I took my 1970's vintage Hi-Power to the range with the same ammo I fired through the Shield and was able to keep all hits (multiple 13-round magazines) at 25 feet within the 9-ring of a repair center target (100-yd rifle).

You're convinced it's the pistol, because a larger heavier Full Size pistol shoots the same ammo more accurately than a lightweight Subcompact pistol? okay.....

 

[Magload]

I don't think the Mother Ship is going to be able to fix the way you shoot the gun but good luck let us know haw that works out for you.

 

[Radco]

In my case I was drifting several shots at first. Worked on my trigger control and now a lot better! At 25 ft I am in a 6" group with a couple floaters! I would like to be 4" at 25 ft I do have 1000 rounds of 9mm I do need to burn so I am foeced to go shooting a lot