New M&P shield -- Observations and questions..

[CCreyeder]

Just picked up a new shield, in 9mm over the weekend. (I checked the trigger, and it was fine). Took it to the range, and put 100 rounds through it. Love the way it feels in the hand and shoots. However, I was having the same issues as a lot of shield shooters with shooting low and left. Not terrible, just about 1'' low and 2'' left. I shoot right handed, combat stance, both eyes open. I shot one of my other pistols that I had brought with me and punched the middle out of the bullseye.

I know it's me and not the gun. To verify, went back the next day and shot another 200 rounds. To start with, shot left handed, and the shots were centered to right of center (actually shot a few mags better with my off hand lol). So, I know it's me. As I said, I am not a new shooter, shoot dead on with my other pistols. Dry fired it to verify that I wasnt "pushing", had others load the mag with random number of rounds to make sure I wasnt flinching, etc. Worked on my grip, tried more finger, less finger, etc.

For me, it came down to I had gotten lazy with my stance. I have slipped into a kind of 1/2 combat, 1/2 weaver.. when I made sure I was squared up and both hands perfectly middle of my body, I shot it much better. Still a tad left, but no longer low. All definitely in the "kill zone" Even the day before, when I was shooting low and left, I was still inside the big 6" ring 90% of the time.

Any other suggestions? I think it is a combination of my big ol' hands and that nice and slim grip. It feels great in the hand and it feels as if I am balanced, but obviously I am pushing more with my right hand.

Also, after 300 rounds, the "extended" mag NEVER locks the slide back upon empty. The lower cap mag will lock the slide back most of the time. Should I break it in more before deciding if the mag is faulty and see if S & W will get me a different one?

Over all, I love the gun and am not too concerned. After all, it is not a "target" pistol, but a SD one and the vast majority of my shots were in the "kill zone" but, it is a point of pride you know lol..

The only REAL problem with it, is my daughter really likes it lol.. She has been talking about taking her CHL class and getting her own pistol and I was thinking I might surprise her and give it to her for Christmas. After I have had my enjoyment of course lol..

[Jumping Frog]

Slide lockback failure may be cause by your thumbs pressing against the slide, creating slide friction and impeding function.

One classic diagnostic target is:

[treeman]

Actually it may not be all you. I also have a shield and even with a lot of care in my hold, squeeze, & stance it tended to shoot slightly left - worse if I got sloppy. After about 1000 rounds the 2 rear white sight dots came out. I contacted S&W and after some back and forth about how long it would take, I sent it in. Received it back in 2 weeks with sights fixed. Noticed on the enclosed ticket that it mentioned adjusting the front sight and bringing the weapon to "with-in specs" at the range.

The front sight looked like they had shifted it slightly to the left and when I shot it the 1st time it seemed a little better but I wasn't totally convinced. The next time I took it out, it was obvious that they did indeed "tweek" the sights. When I finished the 60 or so shots, my target did not have the majority of the shots slightly to the left as before - the shots were evenly split on the right and left side of the center line.

I like it even better now.

[LAYGO]

I fired the one Shield I've got & my very first shot was bullseye. My OTHER Shield is on the way, will be here soon. I'll let you know . . .

[TexasGal]

Really like mine. No issues at all. I think it is a really good choice for women.

[CCreyeder]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. The last 2 weekends I've spent at the deer camp, so havent had a chance to shoot it again. I plan on going this weekend and giving it another go.

I guess I could try to drift the sights, but I wouldnt want to do that until I can confirm it is not me.

[LAYGO]

My Shield is here, headed to the range tomorrow. I'll report the results. I hate only having the 2 mags though. I left 3 extended with my girl as she had the only Shield. I'll get 2 of those back on Fri.

[iom]

I've been really happy with my Shield. After I ran a few hundred rounds through it, I decided to have some changes made. I ordered a set of Ameriglo i-Dot night sights for it. Sent the sights and slide to APWCogan and had them hard chrome the slide and put the sights on. I'm very happy with the results. I just put the crimson trace laser on it, but I'm not sure if I'm going to leave it on or not. I need more range time with it.

[carlson1]

Your slide looks excellent!

I've been really happy with my Shield. After I ran a few hundred rounds through it, I decided to have some changes made. I ordered a set of Ameriglo i-Dot night sights for it. Sent the sights and slide to APWCogan and had them hard chrome the slide and put the sights on. I'm very happy with the results. I just put the crimson trace laser on it, but I'm not sure if I'm going to leave it on or not. I need more range time with it.
[ Image ]
[ Image ][ Image ][ Image ]

[rentz]

I've been really happy with my Shield. After I ran a few hundred rounds through it, I decided to have some changes made. I ordered a set of Ameriglo i-Dot night sights for it. Sent the sights and slide to APWCogan and had them hard chrome the slide and put the sights on. I'm very happy with the results. I just put the crimson trace laser on it, but I'm not sure if I'm going to leave it on or not. I need more range time with it.

NICE!, i really need to get some nightsights for mine and have someone install them.

[LAYGO]

Well, I finally got my Sheild to the range & my 1st 16 shots were the defensive ammo & would've been 5 ring for CHL target. So easy to manage the recoil on this thing!

While I was in OKC, spent time with my girl's family & they all have M&Ps too. They also stippled them all & it was my first time gripping a stippled pistol. WOW, huge difference in grip. Then he showed me how he stippled it with a bolt head instead of a just a soldering tip. Made easy work of stippling all 3 of my pistols. The thing I didn't consider is the side that lays against my body. It's a lot less comfortable now, even with an undershirt. I will need to figure out a way to knock some of that down. Thinking about it, I'm not sure why I even needed to do that part (other than uniform look) as I don't really grip it there.

[jmra]

Well, I finally got my Sheild to the range & my 1st 16 shots were the defensive ammo & would've been 5 ring for CHL target. So easy to manage the recoil on this thing!

While I was in OKC, spent time with my girl's family & they all have M&Ps too. They also stippled them all & it was my first time gripping a stippled pistol. WOW, huge difference in grip. Then he showed me how he stippled it with a bolt head instead of a just a soldering tip. Made easy work of stippling all 3 of my pistols. The thing I didn't consider is the side that lays against my body. It's a lot less comfortable now, even with an undershirt. I will need to figure out a way to knock some of that down. Thinking about it, I'm not sure why I even needed to do that part (other than uniform look) as I don't really grip it there.

Pics!

[TBJK]

My wife & I shot the 9mm shield last Jan/Feb. She shot dead center on the bullseye within a few shots. We looked at the FTW gun show in Feb for one for her but they were too high 650$ range. So we settled on a PT145 for her, she didn't like it at all. We ended up trading it in & getting a Shield for retail price just a few months ago. It is in the 40 flavor, I like it but my wife has yet to be able to go to the range due to health issue(that is a real long story in itself) I'm hoping she can go to the range to shoot it soon because I want her to get used to it.

[LAYGO]

Well, I finally got my Sheild to the range & my 1st 16 shots were the defensive ammo & would've been 5 ring for CHL target. So easy to manage the recoil on this thing!

While I was in OKC, spent time with my girl's family & they all have M&Ps too. They also stippled them all & it was my first time gripping a stippled pistol. WOW, huge difference in grip. Then he showed me how he stippled it with a bolt head instead of a just a soldering tip. Made easy work of stippling all 3 of my pistols. The thing I didn't consider is the side that lays against my body. It's a lot less comfortable now, even with an undershirt. I will need to figure out a way to knock some of that down. Thinking about it, I'm not sure why I even needed to do that part (other than uniform look) as I don't really grip it there.

Pics!

Of my stippled pistol or of the stippling tool?

[jmra]

Well, I finally got my Sheild to the range & my 1st 16 shots were the defensive ammo & would've been 5 ring for CHL target. So easy to manage the recoil on this thing!

While I was in OKC, spent time with my girl's family & they all have M&Ps too. They also stippled them all & it was my first time gripping a stippled pistol. WOW, huge difference in grip. Then he showed me how he stippled it with a bolt head instead of a just a soldering tip. Made easy work of stippling all 3 of my pistols. The thing I didn't consider is the side that lays against my body. It's a lot less comfortable now, even with an undershirt. I will need to figure out a way to knock some of that down. Thinking about it, I'm not sure why I even needed to do that part (other than uniform look) as I don't really grip it there.

Pics!

Of my stippled pistol or of the stippling tool?

Both.