M&P shield sight alignment

[Michael in California]

Brand new M&P shield 9mm. Anyone want to comment on whether the sights should be this far off center.

The front sight isn't too bad.



The rear is all the way right.



I'm not good enough to get a good enough group to see whether it actually shoots at point-of-aim yet. I probably should have someone else shoot it before moving the sights, but I'm probably moving the sights.

So, tips for moving the sights without scratching the slide?

[monk]

I've heard that the sights seem to be off on these guns. Not always but frequent enough. I know mine shoots left. Haven't checked the sights yet.

As far as what to drift it with; put some tape down and use a brass punch. Or maybe a plastic dowel of some kind. I think there's also a universal tool to drift sights.

[mjmagee67]

If your POA=POI then all is good in the world. So they are off to the right by a millimeter, some OCD people that would drive crazy, but to me can I hit what I am aiming at? If the answer is yes I am not messing with the gun. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[nickel plate]

You can find a lot of information here on the difficulty of Shield sight pushing, white paint sight dots falling out, new aftermarket sights added, etc. by searching the past threads and posts.
If you do conclude that there actually is an alignment problem, then weigh the options.
1. Send it back to the factory for adjustment.
2. Buy a (not cheap and pistol model limited) MGW or similar sight pusher.
3. Buy a new set of aftermarket sights and have a Shield experienced local gunsmith install them. Sometimes if you buy them from the LGS, they will install for free or a small fee. Go shoot it and if there is further need for an adjustment, call ahead and take your Shield and test targets back to the GS and get a while-you-wait courtesy sight nudge.
Good luck

[M&PLuV]

I have the same issue with my sheild and full size 9. The front sights seem to be pushed right and not center. Both guns shoot left. Hopefully I'll be upgrading to xs big dots soon. If you end up moving the sights please post your results.

[SonofWWIIDI]

A couple of videos on sight removal are on YouTube. And a sight pusher works quite well. Yes, a bit expensive, but if you decide to change/upgrade sights on some of your other guns, or your friends want to change theirs, it makes it really easy, you don't have to wait for the LGS to do it, and you don't have to send it to the factory. Additionally, if you have tritium night sights, and own the gun long enough (research suggests that tritium lifespan is about 10-12 years), they will eventually need to be changed. Especially as you get older and your eyes (and the sights) begin to dim...ask me how I know.

I have swapped out factory sights for night sights a few times, and have helped friends do the same. I would say it has pretty much paid for itself already.

[Malaprop14]

Mine seems shoot slightly left too, but I'll be upgrading the sights. After doing a few dry fire sessions over the last few days though, I can also see I'm dipping the nose slightly in anticipation of the trigger, which breaks differently than my full size, so there's some adjustment for me as well.

[madsend81]

Get a laser boresighter and see how barrel and sights line up. I found out my FS M&P40 was off by a bit by using my laser boresighter and aiming at a wall about 5 yds away. Loosened the rear sight screw and drifted it a bit by lightly tapping with a punch. Checked the alignment and repeated until the sights and the laser dot were in alignment.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Yes, my sights were WAY off. I ended up replacing them with some night sights, which have the front sight drifted about 2/3 of the way over to the left, while the rear sight is off to the right. It had really screwed me up before I had them fixed. Fortunately I had a lasermax laser sight on it, and I was able to use that to zero the gun, then drifted the sights to match that. Personally, it doesn't bother me that much. This is meant to be a working gun. I want the sights to be on target. The fact that they aren't centered on the slide isn't that big of a deal to me. I just have to keep telling myself that...

-Mb

[autoduel]

Looks like both the front and rear sights are off about the same amount.
Center the front sight and you might find the rear sight will also center when you get your shots on target.
Using a brass punch or a brass plumbing fitting(1/4" barb connector) from home depot works just as well.
You just need to clean up the brass marks with some solvent when you are done.

[funthea]

Mine were off slightly as well. But the trigger was so bad, I had to rework it. This requires removing the rear sight. Had to use a micro torch on the allen screw. Took quite an agressive amount of effort to remove the sight. After the trigger was cleaned up, I reasembled the sight back to the way it was (slightly off center). I then went and shot it for the first time... sights were spot on! Very happy with the gun too!

[rogervzv]

Guess I got lucky. My Shield sights are right on the money. I have found the Shield to be a very accurate and reliable gun to shoot, and overall just a very "friendly" gun. Now that my CCW process is complete it will be my primary carry piece.

[funthea]

Guess I got lucky. My Shield sights are right on the money. I have found the Shield to be a very accurate and reliable gun to shoot, and overall just a very "friendly" gun. Now that my CCW process is complete it will be my primary carry piece.

Yeah, I read ya. I just added my new shield to my CCW on Monday. It took the place from my Sig P239 as my primary. I was really surprised by the shield.

Not exactly the most strikingly high quality gun, but concealability, user friendly, good feel, and consistantly accurate. All make this gun a really good choice.

Don't care for or about the saftey and the "Califorina red chambered flag" thing, thou. Not that they are in the way, just don't care for them...

[PhillyGunner]

OP- on mine the front sight was visibly right of center and the rears may have been a hair to the right. I, too, shot to the left consistently on my first trip out with it.

I usually shoot full frame Glocks, am not a "dead eye", had not been shooting in a while and was working on 'fitting' my hand to the grip size.

Anticipating putting Night Sights on and reading some of the nightmares posted (mostly on S&W/M&P owner sites from 2012) about destroying brass punches, etc. I ordered the MGW Shield specific sight pusher. (Which is apparently out of stock this morning.)

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/128643/maryland-gun-works-front-and-rear-sight-tool-s-and-w-m-and-p-shield

MGW's literature warns not to push the stock sights if you meet significant resistance, as the slide's walls are not thick enough and may "crack".

S&W's Manual says not to adjust the rear, but that the front sight is adjustable and is a professional task. (pg 26)

I could not seem to drift the front sight with the tool (granted I was afraid to put put to much into it) and decided to just wait until the Trijicon HDs arrived.

I decided to just swap and had a heck of a time getting the front to move at all (I have pushed a lot of sights on my Glocks with a pusher but 1st time with serious resistance) until I soaked it in liquid wrench for a while. Then, with some deliberate 'whacks' I shot it out of there. Same with the rears.

The Trijicons, however, pushed fairly easily, just enough resistance I am not worried about them moving on their own.

Don't know if it was the liquid wrench or my frustration level reaching the point I surpassed caution. The factory sights both received a little marking, and I'm not sure if I was trying to gently drift them a couple thousandths for precise alignment how they would look or if could have gotten it done.

I would recommend trying the LGS and/or gunsmith route if you have the option. Beyond that... Good Luck.

Was hoping I might get out today for an 'after swap' range report. We'll see if I 'fixed' anything or need significant practice with this grip size.

[nvrpc]

I am thinking about buying an M&P Shield very soon. I can't decide if I should get a 40 or 9MM. Any suggestions and why. Thanks