Hard to Control M&P 9 Shield

[cz74]

Bought my M&P 9 Shield earlier this year only got to shoot it first time past weekend, cleaned and lubed before the range day. Hard to control muzzle flip feels like the thing wanted to jump out of my hand even wearing gloves. Maybe technique? But I shot just fine with my CZ 75 P01 with heavy double action trigger. My M&P 9 shield has the HiViz sights, from 15 yards 12"x12" shoot-and-see target I couldn't hit anything, with my CZ I get good grouping from same distance. I also see primer drags with the Shield. Is it crappy gun?

[H3nchman]

Start closer in and get the feel for the gun. I can easily keep rounds on target at 15 yards with mine. Have shot it out to 25 and kept them all on target. Not bragging, but i think the guns are more accurate than I can be. Spend a lot of time dry firing with the shield. It does not have the best trigger.

[mikeyr]

Its a fine gun, take the gloves off and try again.

Also it is a small gun, of course recoil and muzzle flip will be worse along with the shorter barrel it will less accurate. But not inaccurate, get yourself a 1,000 rounds and shoot them, by then you will be hitting the target.

My Son-in-law got a HK compact and first time out had a hard time hitting the target, now he keeps a pretty small grouping and has no issues with it, I am used to full size guns and I do have issues with it, but getting better. Have to tighten up your grip, pay more attention to getting a proper grip and practice more with the little guns.

One more thing, remember the little guns are not meant for fun shooting, they are meant to be carried and used as self-defense, how tight a grouping do you want to do on a bad guy ? I think just a few hits in the torso is close enough.

[blkside]

Where are you located, I might be able to point you in the direction of someone that might be able to help.

[Handgunther]

No, it's not the gun. The Shield is very accurate for such a short barrel. Hold on tighter. You'll get used to it. It's not the same animal as a CZ75.

[vino68]

I also have the shield, it takes practice.....and training. Take a class. Also consider different ammo, something lighter. If I were to CCW the shield, I would use Critical Defense Lite. I do have one or two magazines ready with that load for my shield.

But not able to hit the target at the distance you describe, yeah major user error. That is OK, you can learn. Every gun takes practice, they are all a bit different.

[rodralig]

Bought my M&P 9 Shield earlier this year only got to shoot it first time past weekend, cleaned and lubed before the range day. Hard to control muzzle flip feels like the thing wanted to jump out of my hand even wearing gloves. Maybe technique? But I shot just fine with my CZ 75 P01 with heavy double action trigger. My M&P 9 shield has the HiViz sights, from 15 yards 12"x12" shoot-and-see target I couldn't hit anything, with my CZ I get good grouping from same distance. I also see primer drags with the Shield. Is it crappy gun?

It's your technique (NOT the gun)... Find a competent instructor for face-to-face diagnosis rather than going through the internet.

Here I am with my Shield at 7-yards right after breaking it out from jail - one year after I started with firearms:



And the 15-yards,




_

[Bastard]

it is not the gun - small guns are just harder to shoot.

I would start at 7 yards if your range allows it & take your time, concentrate on the fundamentals... just because you can shoot a full sized pistol with more than twice the weight, grip and sight radius doesn't mean you can automatically shoot this... and doesn't mean the the Shield is a POS either it's just different

[5.56Geo]

Bought my M&P 9 Shield earlier this year only got to shoot it first time past weekend, cleaned and lubed before the range day. Hard to control muzzle flip feels like the thing wanted to jump out of my hand even wearing gloves. Maybe technique? But I shot just fine with my CZ 75 P01 with heavy double action trigger. My M&P 9 shield has the HiViz sights, from 15 yards 12"x12" shoot-and-see target I couldn't hit anything, with my CZ I get good grouping from same distance. I also see primer drags with the Shield. Is it crappy gun?

I'll give you $100 and 400 rounds of 9mm ammo for that defective Shield.

Let me guess, You also drive your Prius with gloves on?

I'm joking...

[GlockN'Roll]

it is not the gun - small guns are just harder to shoot.

I would start at 7 yards if your range allows it & take your time, concentrate on the fundamentals...

just because you can shoot a full sized pistol with more than twice the weight, grip and sight radius

doesn't mean you can automatically shoot this...

and doesn't mean the the Shield is a POS either it's just different

The Shield is intended to be a CCW pistol.

It is smaller, lighter and thinner for this reason.

Smaller, lighter carry pistols are less forgiving than a full sized duty weapon.

Yes, they require a firm grip especially when shot with defense rounds.

Even I was a little surprised how much snappier my G43 (Shield size) was when compared with my G26.


OP, slow steady practice was getting you back in the X-ring.

My Shields are easily as accurate as I am at defensive distances...

[Motos&Guns]

The shield isn't a gun I can set down, come back to six months later and shoot well. It takes practice to shoot a subcompact well. It isn't the gun though, these things are very accurate and utterly reliable.

I usually take a buckmark, CZ and my shield to the range and shoot them in that order. Work on technique, build up confidence, stretch your distance, get frustrated then start over with the .22

[CWL]

Start your practice at 7-10 yards, the typical range of SD encounters. After you are able to shoot a fist-sized hole at this range every time, then try moving target farther out.

It sounds like you need to improve your grip/technique/control of gun.

[nedro]

Bought my M&P 9 Shield earlier this year only got to shoot it first time past weekend, cleaned and lubed before the range day. Hard to control muzzle flip feels like the thing wanted to jump out of my hand even wearing gloves. Maybe technique? But I shot just fine with my CZ 75 P01 with heavy double action trigger. My M&P 9 shield has the HiViz sights, from 15 yards 12"x12" shoot-and-see target I couldn't hit anything, with my CZ I get good grouping from same distance. I also see primer drags with the Shield. Is it crappy gun?

I personally hate M&P Shields. But from what I hear, they are good guns. Just don't try to convince me.

BTW, if you think that one is hard to control, try an XDS 45.

[Che762x39]

... Hard to control muzzle flip feels like the thing wanted to jump out of my hand even wearing gloves. Maybe technique? But I shot just fine with my CZ 75 P01 with heavy double action trigger.

It is a combination of things, grip, trigger, weight of the handgun.

I have been shooting handguns 50+ years and I still have problems with classic Single Action Army style revolvers. My wife shoots great with steel pistols like the Colt 1911 and Browning High Power but does not do well with Glock pistols.

[DanGunner]

I can sympathize with cz74 because I had similar experiencve with Shield, albeit not so extreme. I was used to saucer-sized groups at 7 yards with my other handguns, even better with some, and while I could keep all the shots within the targert with the Shield, it just wasn't a natural shooter to me. I sold it this year after finding a S&W 3914, which is virtually same size as Shield but all metal and DA/SA, which is my preference. I can shoot much better with the 3914 and its big brother, the Model 59. There's nothing wrong with the Shield per se but it just wasn't a good fit for me and I hope the buyer is enjoying it immensely.