Shield Trigger - Hard Wall?

[pritch]

So today I had the chance to take my brand new Shield 40 to the range for the first time. After reading and watching all the glowing reviews I had high expectations.

I shot like ****.

At five and seven yards I was getting sub 2" groups with my P229, and even with my Bodyguard 380 and its loooonnngg trigger. But with the Shield I was all over the place. It seems that with a round in the chamber, the "wall" is not just crisp, but downright rigid. As a result, I must have really been anticipating the break, because my groups were about 6" at five yards!

I shoot the SIG and my Glock a lot and am happy with my accuracy and consistency. Any suggestions what's going on? Anybody else run into a particularly solid trigger?

 

[baccusboy]

Just have to get used to it. Keep practicing.

I am happy the trigger on it is not too light. In a real-life situation, it will be a blessing as the adrenaline is pumping. You don't want to shoot someone accidentally if they're not a threat.

The Shield is not a range gun. Although some are able to make it shoot at a distance, it was not created for such a role. It's a close-up defense gun.

 

[RobzGuns]

Yup... For you, it's a new Platform, with a new trigger to get used to. While the size is similar to your bodyguard, the trigger is not... and while people have reported not much recoil difference between the 9mm & .40, the difference between .380 and .40 is (and the 229 is a bit larger than the Shield ).

Heck... My 1st mag or two was at 3 Yards, so I could spot my trigger issues and work on my grouping before I moved out to 5 yards, then eventually 7 yards. Next time out, reel the target in to 3 Yards and work on grouping... Then crank it out.

 

[pritch]

This was untimed, relaxed shooting. Point of Aim was centered, not 6 O'Clock. Shots were all over, not clustered anywhere in particular in relation to point of aim. I'm not passing judgment, nor am I ready to say it was the Shield. I am suprised, though. I'm planning to shoot again tomorrow, this time just with the Shield.

 

[alfanator]

No issues. I am getting groups where all the holes touch at 7yards.

 

[MaxdOut]

No issue with mine either, 7-10 yards I was getting 1 to 1.5 in groups and I suck!

 

[Fulton722]

This was untimed, relaxed shooting. Point of Aim was centered, not 6 O'Clock. Shots were all over, not clustered anywhere in particular in relation to point of aim. I'm not passing judgment, nor am I ready to say it was the Shield. I am suprised, though. I'm planning to shoot again tomorrow, this time just with the Shield.

Come back tomorrow and tell us how it went.

I suspect you are going to see vast improvements in accuracy since your original groups were "all over". That normally indicates a shooter issue, not a gun issue ... no offense on your shooting ability ... it's just a new gun, and you are just learning how it shoots.

 

[CJ.]

I feel the same way about the trigger....I have about 600 rounds thru mine and I can not get used to it. I think the worst part, for me, is the over-travel after the break. I know I am jerking the hell out of the gun. To try to fix the situation, I just ordered an Apex Tactical trigger kit (DCAEK). Its "supposed" to lower the pull to a Glock-like 5.5lbs, smooth out the grittyness, improve the reset and shorten the over-travel.

I guess only time will tell.

 

[Silversmok3]

Here is an exercise which may help;place your shooting hand in a mock firing position.Looking "down" at the top of your fingers,accomplish a mock trigger pull.If we draw an imaginary line at the first joint of your finger,identify the shape your finger assumes when the tip of your index finger crosses that line.

The goal here is to identify the exact point your trigger finger ceases moving straight back and begins to pull inwards.That's the easy part.

The hard part is figuring out how to hold your firearms so that you don't put too much trigger finger into the well.Don't be suprised if you discover that the shape of the Sig's trigger results in using a grip and stance which is completely unworkable in the Shield.You will need to devote some quality dry fire time to figure out which stance and grip allows you to shoot everything in your collection well.

 

[GRP17]

Just have to get used to it. Keep practicing.
........................................
The Shield is not a range gun. Although some are able to make it shoot at a distance, it was not created for such a role. It's a close-up defense gun.

I agree with this

 

[kris7047th]

I know some guys who shoot it accurately beyond 35 yds. As for a range gun .. you can shoot the Shield 9 all day with no discomfort.

 

[almondg]

I was also all over the place when I first got my shield. I did what the other responder stated and started close up and worked my way out. I also dry fired the gun dozens of times per night. The last time out I was shooting a 8" gong consistently at 95 ft. I also took my LC9 out and did a side by side comparison. I found out that my accuracy is about the same with each gun.

 

[pritch]

Day 2

Shot again tody, at 3, 5 & 7 yards. Groups tightened up a little, but I'm shooting low an to the left. This was more exaggerated at 5 and 7 yards.

Here are my first four groups at three yards. Aimed, untimed fire. Covered the orange spot with my front sight dot.

 

[ponchsox]

I shoot mine consistently about 2" left of center.

 

[SevenMaryThree]

My 9 throws buckshot like patterns with everything except 147 gr. bullets. I have a call tag but want to shoot it a little more before I sentence it to be returned.

 

[jfd]

Agree with advice to start at short ranges and work your way out as your accuracy increases. Patience and lots of range time always helps me when getting used to a new gun.

 

[GnarlyTwoTrack]

Hhhmm I like this thread. I only have about 500 rounds through mine. This is my first handgun. I'm used to rifle shooting. I took a ccw class to learn grip and defensive shooting. I noticed that I was shooting down and to the left like people are saying. I figured it was just me so I had a buddy try it and he did the same thing. Then I had a CCW instructor try it and he did the same thing. Though the instructor is a primary revolver guy. Maybe no one that has tried my pistol is used to that trigger pull. So maybe it's not my gun like I was worried about and just me or them for that matter.

 

[Moonman]

pritch,

Google "The Wheel Of Misfortune" to check for shooting answers. The Wheel shows results for shooting "TARGET HITS" and the usual causes of the shooters problem. Right and Left hand wheels as the results are opposite for Right and Left handed shooters.

 

[pritch]

Shot again today and my groups are tightening, but I still come to a full stop at the wall and have to increase pressure for the trigger to break. I'm used to prepping the trigger but this is so hard that I do catch myself moving the gun a lot at this point.

I've worked on isolating the weapon in my hand and pressing the trigger, not introducing movement by squeezing the grip. I pulled off 1.2" to 1.8" groups today at five and seven yards, the amount of time devoted to each shot was redonkulous! (This is to be a carry gun, not a range toy!)

I'll be at the outdoor range action bays tomorrow, so I'll see how I do from holster and in a timed environment.

I think at this point I will definitely be putting the Apex kit on my Shield.

 

[robkarrob]

Got a Shield 40 last week. Trigger still needs some reworking. Getting the "gritty" feeling from the trigger bar raising the striker safety. My measured pull is 7 pounds. Too much and I am working on getting the weight down to around 4 pounds. I've figured how I am going to minimize the trigger pretravel and overtravel. Will post a video of the finished gun.

Bob