Fixed my issue with shooting low M&P Shield

[skilletboy]

I saw a thread on this but it was too old to reply to.

I've had a similar issue and read others on the S&W forums say their 9mm M&P Shield shoots low. I thought it was anticipation at first as many diagnosed it to be, but just got back from the range and discovered it was something quite different. It was my trigger follow through.

The gun is small in my hand and I noticed I wasn't fully pulling the trigger back to the point it stops.

On my Glocks this isn't a problem... But for some reason when I press back firmly on my trigger follow through it totally fixed my shooting low at times. After a dozen or so rounds of fully following through with my trigger pull, I was dialed in. Went from 6" groupings at 7-10yds to 2" groupings.

I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts on why this might be. I thought maybe it was affecting my grip or my follow through kept the weapon steadier?

[350Bull]

Makes no sense to me as the break is way before back wall when Bullet is expelled. I think your adjusting by use and just seems that is it.

[bwhited]

It does sounds like changing the trigger pull fixed the flinch or at least a little bit of a flinch.
Sense your mind was concentrating on the trigger pull the flinch totally went away.

[billybob_jcv]

I have horrible trigger control - it is something I have struggled with for 30 years. I anticipate the recoil and flinch forward. At most shooting sessions, the more rounds I shoot, the longer my vertical stringing becomes. I suspect that by concentrating on a long smooth trigger pull, you are improving your accuracy. Good work!

[ElDub1950]

Probably simply because you were focusing on your trigger technique and that cause you to stop doing whatever you were doing wrong, like jerking the trigger.

[CK_32]

Probably simply because you were focusing on your trigger technique and that cause you to stop doing whatever you were doing wrong, like jerking the trigger.

This or flinching, I think you think or did figure out a solution and more than fixing the mechanics of your errors, you built confidence and stopped flinching or jerking the trigger.

Trust me our minds and instincts are one of the biggest factors to misses and pulled shots.

[skilletboy]

It does sounds like changing the trigger pull fixed the flinch or at least a little bit of a flinch.
Sense your mind was concentrating on the trigger pull the flinch totally went away.

I think this is right. When I'd shoot low I'd stop and dry fire a bit.

I think focusing on the follow through makes me hold that small grip more firmly.

Weird so any people had this problem. Solid little gun though, I love shooting it.

[meno377]

A good technique to try is get some snap caps and when you go to the range, in your hand mix up the live rounds with snap caps and either close your eyes when you load up the magazine or have someone load the mags without you looking. Then slowly point at your target and try to follow through. If you fire a snap cap, you will know right away if you're flinching. It really works well.

[skilletboy]

A good technique to try is get some snap caps and when you go to the range, in your hand mix up the live rounds with snap caps and either close your eyes when you load up the magazine or have someone load the mags without you looking. Then slowly point at your target and try to follow through. If you fire a snap cap, you will know right away if you're flinching. It really works well.

Yeah I do that somewhat. I practice at home of course and just dry fire in between mags sometimes. I'll try intermixing live rounds and snap caps next time, thanks.