Smith Shield Plus optic issue

[357 shooter]

Always been a fan of my 1st Gen 9mm Shield and last week finally got around to picking up a Shield Plus with the optics ready slide and decided to installed my Romeo Zero for now as it attaches with no adapter plate needed.

Loved the trigger , the grip and the relatively soft recoil but I was not able to zero the Romeo Zero. The elevation adjustment is maxed out and at 25 feet the group was about 4" high and at 25 yards about 12" high.

The same sight has been used on a P365X and Glock 43X MOS and was able to zero the red dot to the point of impact. Has anyone else had any issues zeroing a red dot on a Shield Plus?

 

[coltle6920]

Not a red dot but a laser that I had issues with. The book didn't say how much each turn of the screw would affect the POA. I was so far off that I unscrewed the set screw to the point where I removed it.

Call customer service and see if there is a way to reset it.

 

[Ethang]

yes, although yours is much worse than mine.

There is an issue on some pistols because of how the optic cut is machined that will not allow a POA/POI zero at realistic ranges. Have heard several explanations for why this is, and not sure what the exact reason is. I am either scrapping the whole idea of the Shield Plus, or getting mine machined flat and set up for a 507K footprint.

 

[Tu_S]

Only thing I can think of is you over torqued the screws and distorted the plastic housing.

 

[Saudade]

Remember, adjusting the red dot moves the point of impact (POI). Keep the same point of aim (POA) and adjust accordingly. Since you're shooting high (assuming you've aligned properly), you need to adjust the elevation to lower your POI. You may want to try shooting from a rest (range bag or some other "platform").


ADJUSTING ELEVATION:
To raise your point of impact, use the included .050” Allen wrench to turn the elevation screw
clockwise. To lower your point of impact, turn the adjustment screw counter-clockwise.

ADJUSTING WINDAGE:
To move your point of impact left, use the included .050” Allen wrench to turn the windage screw
clockwise. To move your point of impact right, turn the adjustment screw counter-clockwise.

 

[lkabug]

Red dot on my Shield Plus is zeroed just right at 25 yards.
However, I have to readjust at 10 yards.

 

[357 shooter]

yes, although yours is much worse than mine.

There is an issue on some pistols because of how the optic cut is machined that will not allow a POA/POI zero at realistic ranges. Have heard several explanations for why this is, and not sure what the exact reason is. I am either scrapping the whole idea of the Shield Plus, or getting mine machined flat and set up for a 507K footprint.

Yeah sounds like I would have been better off having the slide milled on my old gen 1 Shield. But I liked some of the Plus features and having the factory optic ready slide really made me want one.

Took the Romeo Zero off already and will put it on another pistol to make absolutely certain the sight is not at fault. Like I mentioned in the first post I was able to adjust the Zero in 3 separate handguns with no issues.

 

[jschmidt]

There is probably a plate that will correct this. Did it come with a set of plates like the full size?

Also, based on this discussion I looked at pics of the Sig 365. Same angled cut.

 

[357 shooter]

There is probably a plate that will correct this. Did it come with a set of plates like the full size?

Also, based on this discussion I looked at pics of the Sig 365. Same angled cut.

Did not come with plates. The same 2 optics I used on the Shield Plus adjusted fine on 2 other compact 9mms and even a Sig P322 22lr. One 9mm was also Sig P365X so at least on mine the optic cut is not the same as the Shield Plus.

Smith & Wesson e-mailed me and said this yesterday:

    "Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. With the Iron sights being on. We would recommend checking in with Holosun or Sig to see what they may recommend."

I really don't know how the iron sights being regulated has anything to do with an optics cut? To imply the optics manufacturer is at fault is beyond absurd. I'll call them next.

Most likely if Smith won't stand behind their product I'll have to have the optics cut re-milled or have the slide on my original Shield milled for a direct fit. In any case I am done with buying any new Smith & Wesson handguns.