New Pistol shoots low, looking for suggestions

[greener]

I purchased an M&P9 5-6 weeks ago. The pistol has shot consistently low. I'd appreciate any suggestions on attacking the problem. When I shoot consistently, it shoots consistently.

I thought, and probably correctly, that I had some problems with trigger control that showed up big time with a DAO pistol. By low, I mean 5-6 ring on a 25-yard slowfire target B-8 at 15 yards. Other shooters have had it do the same thing. I don't see this with my rimfires, but may well have used the adjustable sights to "fix" the problem. Today I fired a 9mm on a 1911 frame and put 3 rounds 12 o'clock in the top of the X ring at 10 yards. At 15 yards two rounds went in the 9-10 border at 1 O'clock and, after moving the aimpoint the third round was an X. The M&P has Novak low-mount sights with white dots on the front and rear sights. I can get the M&P to shoot around the 10-ring by putting the front sight dot on high-center and aligning it so that the bottom of the front dot is tangent to the tops of the rear dot.

My thoughts were to send it to S&W and tell them the problem or take a file to the front sight and see if I can find a replacement with the height I to raise the point of impact. I haven't seen anyone offering adjustable rear sights for the M&P. Any other suggestions?

[John fox]

If you reload, use a heavier bullet or less powder. This will cause the bullet to leave the barrel later or higher in recoil thus hitting higher. Other than this, file down the front sight a little at a time.

[greener]

Will give that a try the next time I go to the range. Seems strange that the ammo would make a 6" difference in POI at 15 yards.

[John fox]

Will give that a try the next time I go to the range. Seems strange that the ammo would make a 6" difference in POI at 15 yards.

Let us know how you make out. I've seen a difference like that but in 25 yards.

[bearandoldman]

Will give that a try the next time I go to the range. Seems strange that the ammo would make a 6" difference in POI at 15 yards.

Take a file and a felt pen to the range next time, did my SA Micro and V-10 that way and they now shoot POA is POI at 25 feet. Filed the night sight gloe tingie right off the front sight, but if they will not hit where i aim they are no good anyhow.

[Blindpig]

Greener, how's it going with that M&P 9mm of yours? I picked one up at the gun shop the other day and really liked the feel of it in my hand but the trigger had a distinct sponginess to it. I know I'm used to my two Kimbers with their 3.5 lb. trigger jobs but that M&P trigger seemed to be worse than most DA autos.
I've got a S&W M&P15A with a trigger pull that probably is measured in tons rather than pounds but then it's a combat rifle and I think eventually I'll change that.
Just wondered if you were planning to rework the trigger on your pistol.

[greener]

I've thought about improving the trigger. The trigger certainly isn't as crisp as a couple of Kimbers I've fired, but it isn't bad. My guess is that it is about 7lbs. I certainly like it better than some other DA Smith's I've fired. It still has a bit of a gritty feel just before it fires. (I'm sure that the pistol mechanics can describe what is going on). My only complaint with the M&P is that one of us shoots low with the ammunition I'm firing. Plan to check out higher bullet weights this weekend. I'll also be bringing a file to the range.

[bearandoldman]

I've thought about improving the trigger. The trigger certainly isn't as crisp as a couple of Kimbers I've fired, but it isn't bad. My guess is that it is about 7lbs. I certainly like it better than some other DA Smith's I've fired. It still has a bit of a gritty feel just before it fires. (I'm sure that the pistol mechanics can describe what is going on). My only complaint with the M&P is that one of us shoots low with the ammunition I'm firing. Plan to check out higher bullet weights this weekend. I'll also be bringing a file to the range.

Now you go thte right idea, keep at it until it shoots where you are looking or else you will have to look where it is shooting. The gun is going to shoot where it is built to shoot, you just have to make the sights look in the right place. Good Luck friend.

[Bud33]

You might want to check your grip and be sure you are not tightening it as you squeeze the trigger... It is not uncommon, especially with heavy trigger pulls.

[greener]

The worst that can happen is that I'll be in the market for a new front sight.

[bearandoldman]

The worst that can happen is that I'll be in the market for a new front sight.

You should see ths front sights on my SA V-10 and my Micro Compact. Look way too low and a little crude as a friend of min called thembut they shoot shere you point them now.

[greener]

Bud: You are right about that. It's one of the reasons I've waited a couple of months and have worked on technique. I don't see it with my rimfires, but they have adjustable sights and I may have moved the sights to correct for a consistent error. The thing that convinced me that it was the pistol was picking up a 9mm I had never fired and shooting darned consistently with POA=POI.

[J Miller]

greener,

I'm a bit late in this thread, but I have a suggestion.

If you haven't altered the front sight yet, call S&W and ask them what ammo they regulate these guns for. It may be something as simple as ball ammo that nobody but the military shoots. But at least then you'd have an idea of what weight and velocity to try.

Again, just an idea.

Joe

[greener]

I solved the problem by sending it back to S&W. The pistol was returned a week later with a new, shorter front sight. Also, the sight was centered. The original was slightly right of center. Seems to have fixed all the "low left." I became pretty convinced over Christmas that it was the pistol because I fired a variety of different fixed-sight pistols and none of them were 4-6" low and up to 2" left.

The positive side of this were that it forced me to concentrate on technique and I think I'm shooting more consistently. I was pretty impressed with S&W's service and turn-around. Thanks for all the advice, it didn't solve the problem with the pistol, but it helped with a couple of other problems.

[bearandoldman]

I solved the problem by sending it back to S&W. The pistol was returned a week later with a new, shorter front sight. Also, the sight was centered. The original was slightly right of center. Seems to have fixed all the "low left." I became pretty convinced over Christmas that it was the pistol because I fired a variety of different fixed-sight pistols and none of them were 4-6" low and up to 2" left.

The positive side of this were that it forced me to concentrate on technique and I think I'm shooting more consistently. I was pretty impressed with S&W's service and turn-around. Thanks for all the advice, it didn't solve the problem with the pistol, but it helped with a couple of other problems.

Glad to hear they got the gun shooting where you are looking. Guess I am just short on patience, I would have gone at the sight witha file and a punch and hammer long ago. Guises that is just a trait of us old men that worked as service techs, we just want to " get er dun" and get on with it. Had to file the front sight on my SA Micro Compact and my V-10 down a lot as they both wee shooting way low. The sight look a little funny now but the guns shoot where I am looking and do it repeatedly.