Windage screw on .380 Shield EZ

[oldiesradio1560]

My .380 Shield EZ no safety has been shooting about two inches lower and about one inch to the left when I've shot it at the range. I'd like go to the range tomorrow 5/1 to adjust the windage and correct this. The problem I'm having is the rear sight lock screw is in so tight I can't loosen it at all. It's a 3/32" hex screw so would you guys suggest maybe WD-40 or 3 in 1 oil dropped on the screw to loosen it or should I call Smith and ask them what to do?

 

[RobzGuns]

It probably has Blue Lock-Tite on it.
Try Heating it.

Is it visibly off-center?
Hitting Low-Left is a common problem with people adjusting to Subcompacts. Are you sure it's the pistol and not shooter related trigger control?

 

[oldiesradio1560]

Can't really say since this is my first automatic. I've owned only .357 Smith revolvers J-frames, K-frames and N frames. Those sight adjustments were easy.

 

[jnichols2]

Shooting a semiauto low and left in the beginning is very common. It usually corrects itself as you get used to the gun.

If it is still off after the third range visit, the suggestion to use a little heat (not too much) is a good one.

 

[swsig]

Shoot it from a stable bench rest. If it still shoots low-left, it's the sights. If it shoots on-center, it's you.

 

[PHolster]

Shoot it from a stable bench rest. If it still shoots low-left, it's the sights. If it shoots on-center, it's you.

I generally shoot any new gun from a rest during my first range visit with the gun. To me, it simply makes sense.

 

[jim46ok]

If you do try heat, do this: Heat an allen wrench to red hot and place it in the setscrew......hold for about 10 seconds, then remove and take a cold (and stronger) allen wrench and torque on it. The hot one softens the thread locker.

 

[RobzGuns]

I don't have an EZ, so I don't know what the manual says about windage adjustment, but with the Shield9/40/.45, the manual says if you need to adjust the sights, to adjust the Front sight, not the rear.

 

[christak]

The rear sight is adjustable on the EZ...I had to adjust mine as well. The allen wrench that came with my EZ did the job without any need for heat etc.

 

[Grpthrpy]

I was having the exact same issue with my 380 EZ Shield the day I unboxed it. I verified that it was not my grip or trigger pull by having two experts fire the gun and they verified my findings. I sent it back to S&W and they sent it back to me with a new barrel. It worked better but it's still about 3" low at 5 yards. It's not like I'll be competing with it, but I would like some confidence that I could make a head shot from 10-12 yards.

I'm going to call S&W again to find out if there's a chance that their front sight might be a little too high.

I see that people are suggesting that an adjustment to the rear sight may be necessary, but according to the Owners Manual, adjusting for elevation is not possible on this gun:

The rear sight (FIGURE 89) is
adjustable for windage only.
Windage is the side to side adjustment
of where your bullet hits in
relation to where you are aiming.
To adjust, move the rear sight in the
direction you wish the group to
move on the target. For example, if
the group should move to the right,
move the rear sight to the right.

The word "elevation" does not appear anywhere in the manual, nor does any reference to the front sight being adjustable. I think I'll need to send it back to S&W again.

 

[Maddmax]

For height adjustment you might try changing ammo brands or different bullet weight.

 

[windhampensacola]

My new 380EZ shot lower left also by me and two other range folks. The first one was told about that it most likely would shot left and low about 2 inches. Out of the 8 shots he had 6 in the bull with most low by a inch from center and two left just out of 5 inch bull. After two mags aiming slightly high about 2 inch and to the right about 2 inches all rounds in the bull and then took another target and all rounds in the head a couple to right and two more or less center but high and the rest left and low...All shots at 7 yards. It shot as good as the XD9mod2 SC for me, but the XD9MOD2SC was more comfortable in my hand and liked the grip safety better on the XD9MOD2SC most likely because of bigger grip. Still the 380EZ worked fine and would be a nice carry for several reasons: my old hands, lighter weight/size overall, and not giving up much over the 9mm kill compared to my XD9MOD2SC. Oh, like the sights better on the XD9MOD2SC.