Shield 9's Second Range Trip

[Atticaz]

My first range trip was with the bone stock pistol. I since installed rubberized Talon Grips and the Apex sear (not the whole trigger kit - just the sear.) All I had was 50 rounds. The first 20-25 were all over the place and to the left, at 7 yards. Rounds 25-50, I was getting the shots closer to where I wanted them. Then I was out of ammo. This was with the pad of the finger on the trigger.

This trip was surprisingly better. I brought 100 rounds of Fed Champ along and experimented with trigger finger placement and came to the conclusion that placing the first joint of my finger on the trigger works best. All shots were at 7 yards again. The following targets are in order of use. After the last pic, I continued to shoot pretty consistent. Had a couple fliers in the beginning, but I am confident in this pistol. I still can't keep this thing from shooting a bit left.

 

[drinva]

Nice! Noticed your paper looks just like mine, meaning your bullet holes look keyholed. I noticed this about my shield last weekend. Wonder why?

DR

 

[Atticaz]

I actually never noticed until you pointed it out. Yes. Why is that? Out of spec, is my guess. Afterall, it is Fed Champ.

 

[Roger S&W]

Nice! Noticed your paper looks just like mine, meaning your bullet holes look keyholed. I noticed this about my shield last weekend. Wonder why?

DR

Good observation. Let's hope it's not the case as this would render his pistol severely more INEFFECTIVE as a self defense weapon.
Keyholing was seen with the 5.45x39mm rounds when fired out of rifles that had the incorrect chambering and twist rate.
Not good.
Hope he goes back to the range and purposefully looks for keyholing and then reports back here.
It would surprise me though at such short pistol distances. But then again, I'm not a ballistics expert or firearms engineer.

 

[Starwalker]

Next time you go to the range try a target with thicker paper and good target support and see if that cures the way the holes look.

All the best!

 

[drinva]

We were shooting my PT92 ans the 9mm Shield. It was obvious which bullet holes the shield had laid. The 92 were clean round holes, the shield were exactly like his target above. Our paper targets were bought at the range and I'm guessing they are sold at every range in the country.
Again, the 92 had clean holes. The Shield holes were always keyholed. Both running the same mix of ammo. We took 3 brands and each gun shot all three. The keyholing was not the ammo.
If it was the target paper then why did the 92 cut clean holes?

DR

 

[Atticaz]

Next time you go to the range try a target with thicker paper and good target support and see if that cures the way the holes look.

All the best!

Shooter's World only has the clip at the top target carriers. I will get my hands on the stick on targets. That oughta thinken it up, next time. I will bring my 92FS along as well. Thanks

 

[str8liner]

Shooter's World only has the clip at the top target carriers. I will get my hands on the stick on targets. That oughta thinken it up, next time. I will bring my 92FS along as well. Thanks

I just ran about 40 rounds of WWB through my shield today and went back and looked at the targets over just now and not one hole looks like yours does. I have shot federal through it several times and never had that.

I would look into that asap.

 

[Starwalker]

Shooter's World only has the clip at the top target carriers. I will get my hands on the stick on targets. That oughta thinken it up, next time. I will bring my 92FS along as well. Thanks

Just seemed to be somewhat easy to eliminate this possibility. You might even try a piece of cardboard if that meets range rules. Please give us an update once you have tried this.

Thanks

 

[checkmyswag]

This is my Shield 9mm target 6 mags and 7 yards. Target stapled on plastic backer. I think your thin paper targets just held by the clip are the culprit not the gun or even ammo.

 

[Smitty357]

It just amazes me that in situations like this there could me numerous things that cause this.

Yet every single time they always blame the Shield =-)

I love how the comparisons always end up with the other weapon having a longer barrel.

 

[TJHuxley]

This is my Shield 9mm target 6 mags and 7 yards. Target stapled on plastic backer. I think your thin paper targets just held by the clip are the culprit not the gun or even ammo.

This was my thought to trouble shoot the symptom. I've had folks tell me key-holing can be simply a matter of dirty barrel.

 

[moxie]

And, I wouldn't recommend that ammo for SD. The Shield will certainly be "effective" with quality SD ammo. Comparing this issue to keyholing of AK-74 ammo (5.45) is apples to rutabagas.

 

[drinva]

No one was blaming or comparing the Shield for anything or claiming anything, it was merely an OBSERVATION on his targets that I seen on my own. I own the Shield and LOVE IT. Good now? Happy?

Ok....the hanging paper makes sense. My local range is set up the same way with the two clips at the top and ZERO back support.

Personally I think my Shield shoots so darn well that there is no way anything could be wrong with it. The keyholes were again, just an observation.

We cant learn if we don't question now can we?

DR

 

[ACP230]

That looks, to me, like it could be the paper tearing rather than the
bullets keyholing. I had some .38 reloads that were too light keyhole and
it was more obvious than what appears to have happened on your
target.

 

[gnystrom]

First, make sure your barrel is totally clean, and there is a nice even crown on the muzzle. These issues can cause a misshapen hole in the target. I have seen heavily leaded barrels keyhole at 30'. At our range we provide out customers with a cardboard backer. Today, most targets are not printed on what is actual target grade paper. I sold this stuff for 45 years. It is designed with a very low burst strength in order to give the shooter a clean hole. Today they are printed off on regular offset stock and are horrible for scoring. Try shooting at a heavier thicker sheet, or better yet, a blank sheet of cardboard. That will tell you if you have a problem or not.

 

[Atticaz]

I am a clean gun nazi and the barrel crown is good. The targets ARE very flimsy at my range. I would not doubt that paper weight is the case. We'll see on the trip.

 

[MikeyB]

We see this a lot using the B-27 targets on the range. Really thin paper.

 

[digitalexplr]

My target is the black. No keyholing.

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[Atticaz]

Nice, digitalexplr. Tore that target UP!

Small FYI. The Fobus paddle holster for the PPS works for the Shield. It fits the shape perfectly and the Shield locks in perfectly.

Yes. I put the Hogue grip over talon grips. I want to see if by thickening up the grip a bit will cure my issue with shooting left a bit. If it works, the Talons are coming off. I have 100 rounds waiting for the next trip. Hopefully tomorrow.