Shield Sights

[sherwood49]

I finally got to the range today to shoot my Shield that I picked up over a week ago. Very, very nice! My only problem is that it shot low and to the left. How do I adjust the sights? Thanks. Oh, and BTW, shot 80 rounds and it never hiccuped at all. Day after tomorrow I can pick up mt full sized M&P. Now I have to find some mag loaders for both.

 

[Bohica793]

No offense, but are you sure it is the sights? Low left is a classic sign of trigger slapping.

 

[Mumbleypeg1]

Seems like low left complaints appear on this forum about 2 times a week. Probably 99+ % of the time the problem is not the gun. Do a search on the forum for "shield shooting left" or similar and you can get all the advice you need and then some regarding how to fix, whether it's you or the gun. Hope this helps.

 

[Rastoff]

This is extremely common, especially with M&P guns. Let me fire up the crystal ball; you're right handed and were shooting off hand(standing, unsupported). Am I correct?

Shoot the gun again, but this time use a rest. Here is a shooter demonstrating the proper technique:

 

[checkmyswag]

Mine shoots low and left too...when I anticipate and jerk the trigger. Otherwise when I do my part it shoots great.

 

[checkmyswag]

This is extremely common, especially with M&P guns. Let me fire up the crystal ball; you're right handed and were shooting off hand(standing, unsupported). Am I correct?

Shoot the gun again, but this time use a rest. Here is a shooter demonstrating the proper technique:

Particular issue with M&P? First I've heard that but know their triggers aren't popular. Also M&P full/compact and Shield have different triggers.

 

[OKFC05]

have to find some mag loaders for both.

UpLula loaders is all you need to look for.

All instructors hear the "low and left" complaint over and over from new combat tupperware shooters. It is almost never the gun.
Had one student who shot a foot low and KNEW it was the gun. Had them aim the GLOCK while I pulled the trigger and it hit dead center.

 

[Rastoff]

Particular issue with M&P? First I've heard that but know their triggers aren't popular. Also M&P full/compact and Shield have different triggers.

It's not unique to the M&P. However, until recently, the M&P has universally had a mediocre trigger.

Also, the M&P line comes with a heavy trigger. The pull is between 6-7lbs. This is OK, but a little heavy for most shooters.

Here's what happens...
The shooter goes to the range with his new gun. Because it's the first shot(s) he takes his time. Gun pointed in, finger on the trigger, hard focus on the front sight, pressssss...bang! The very first round hit's almost dead center. Ah, the gun works.

Next shot, same thing only this time it's low and left. Next time, low-left. Slow down and still low-left. By the end of the magazine we feel like the gun is malfunctioning. It's not, but we can't hit in the center.

Because the trigger is heavy, and we're trying to press the trigger evenly, we tend to flinch ever so slightly just before it fires.

So, try the rest first, but then try this: Press the trigger a little quicker. Don't slap at it, but keep an even press straight back. Just don't try to do it too slowly; just faster than you were before. I'm not guaranteeing this will work, it's just something to try.

Also, do you have the right grip? Without that, you're just spinning your wheels.

 

[SpringGunTunes]

Also, do you have the right grip? Without that, you're just spinning your wheels.

And what does that look like?

 

[Rastoff]

And what does that look like?

An excellent question. I'm remiss by not stating what it is.

The proper grip, shooting hand:

• Place the back strap of the gun in the middle of the web between your thumb and index finger of the shooting hand. This should put the barrel in line with your forearm.
• Get your hand as high into the grip as it will go. This keeps the barrel as low as possible and helps with recoil control.
• Your thumb should be high and relaxed.
• Grip the stock/handle/grip with your middle and ring finger. The pinky should be relaxed.
• Trigger finger goes along the side of the frame outside of the trigger guard when not shooting.

Like this:

My thumb is not relaxed here. This pic was actually taken by accident. Nevertheless, the positioning is correct. I still struggle with relaxing my pinky.

Note that you cannot see my trigger finger. This is how to be safe when not in the act of shooting. Keep that trigger finger off the trigger, out of the trigger guard and up on the frame. This is called the reference point.


Support hand:

• The support hand comes up as high as it can go under the trigger guard. The fingers go on the fingers of the shooting hand. Resist the urge to put your index finger on the trigger guard.
• The thumb is relaxed and in line with or just under the shooting hand thumb.
• Do not cross the thumbs.
• Keep the pinky relaxed.

Here is the full grip from the right:

Once the hands are positioned correctly, push lightly with the shooting hand and pull lightly with the support hand. This will help with recoil and to stabilize the gun as you aim.


As with all things shooting, this is the generally preferred method. It is not set in stone. If you can hit the center of the target every time with a different grip, by all means keep doing what your doing (as long as it's safe). However, don't use that as an excuse to keep shooting poorly. We can all get better.

This grip was uncomfortable for me at first. Even so, my shooting improved dramatically when I adopted it.

Does that answer your question?

 

[RobzGuns]

I4Tactical has a pretty good YouTube video showing the grip shown above and how it works, illustrating what happens, as far as 'weak points'.
Google 'Thumb position for pistol shooting'
(IIRC, the mods don't like direct links to YouTube vids)

 

[SpringGunTunes]

An excellent question. I'm remiss by not stating what it is.

Does that answer your question?

Yes, thank you. You just helped a lot of new shooters. Great job.
Rob