What kind of accuracy from the S&W Shield?

T

tipoc

New member
I've been thinking of picking up a Shield and at some point likely will. But what kinda accuracy have folks been getting from this gun? In particular if you have a pic of a target that would be helpful...well a target with holes in it made by bullets you fired from a Shield...I know what a blank target looks like and don't need a pic of that.

So any 7 yard pics? 10 yards? etc.

I know folks can say "It's great!" let me see that if you can.

Thanks.

tipoc
 
Almost every model handgun on the market is inherently accurate. It's the shooter, and his or her fit to the particular gun, that determines where the rounds hit.
 
Some of the early M&P guns in 9mm had a 1 in 18 rate of twist which caused the heavier 147 gr. bullets in my M&P9c to be woefully inaccurate compared to the 115 gr. and 124 gr. bullets. This twist rate was quite unlike other 9mm pistols on the market. S&W corrected the problem in their later guns so they have said to a 1-9 I think. Most 9mm pistols have a 1-9 or 1-10 rate of twist.

That's why I ask.

Almost every model handgun on the market is inherently accurate.
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It was the case that S&W was making barrels which were inherently inaccurate with 9mm bullets. At least in my gun. I have read that they corrected it, which is why I ask.

tipoc
 
Based on a sample of one, I would say that the Shield's mechanical accuracy is good. I was surprised by the difficulty I initially had with finger placement and the trigger hinge; I never experienced that problem with multiple full-size or compact M&Ps.
 
cant remember distance here 10 or 15 yards taking recovery time between shoots. It will group as good as you can shoot it though. do to the thinness of grip and trigger reach expect to shoot low and away from your firing hand until you can master the grip and trigger reach and get it sorted out to yourself.
 
Smith & Wesson's Sub-Compact Shield Accuracy

2036SWShieldShootingResults.jpg
http://www.americanrifleman.org/article.php?id=13509&cat=20&sub=21&q=2 There may be other models on the American Rifleman website.
 
Almost every model handgun on the market is inherently accurate. It's the shooter, and his or her fit to the particular gun, that determines where the rounds hit.
Click to expand...
It depends on what you consider "inherently accurate". The shooter is obviously a key factor. But look at results from the ransom rest and you will find a wide variation in accuracy at 25 yards (0.5 to 5.0") of different makes and models, as well as variation within a model type. I agree that often the shooter is the limiting factor. But in the hands of a good shooter, the ammunition is usually the biggest factor in that case and the gun comes in second (typically).
 
I've had extensive experience with the 9mm and .40 Shield. My range tests showed an average group size (both calibers, all loads tested) of 3.5 inches from a 15 yard sandbagged rest.

Considering the gun's logical role as a lightweight self defense handgun that's more than accurate enough.

On a trip to Gunsite the instructor set up a torso sized metal target at 20 yards to show all the students how 'difficult' it is to hit a torso at 20 yards with these compact semi-autos. Shooting freestyle I hit it five times out of five with the .40 S&W version we were handed. The lead splashes showed about a 4.5 inch group.

I have over 800 rounds downrange with the 9mm (3 to 25 yards) and about 200 rounds with the .40 (same ranges). The Shields will shoot more than well enough for their intended role.

I've also seen competent shooters use them in IDPA BUG matches and SMOKE the COFs.

The shoot well.
 
It depends on what you consider "inherently accurate". The shooter is obviously a key factor. But look at results from the ransom rest and you will find a wide variation in accuracy at 25 yards (0.5 to 5.0") of different makes and models, as well as variation within a model type. I agree that often the shooter is the limiting factor. But in the hands of a good shooter, the ammunition is usually the biggest factor in that case and the gun comes in second (typically).
Click to expand...

Inherently accurate means it specifically pertains to the gun, and nothing else. Like I said, almost all guns are more accurate than most people.

Hickok45 explains it well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVzSAm5VhfE
 
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It's a pretty unfriendly person that uses a political campaign sign, faces it forward for target practice, and posts it on the internet.
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Maybe subhuman doesn't think Jason Williams should be Sheriff. Someone else in Bear Creek, Al. might take offense that his candidate's poster was shot up or think it implied a threat.

On the other hand maybe the fella just used what was handy and didn't overthink it.

tipoc
 
I'm not very friendly but I don't discriminate either I shoot at anybody's campaign sign I pull up and use for a target backing. I neither like nor dislike Jason but the sign was convenient when I needed a new one
 
Thanks to everyone for their comments, pics, reviews, etc. Very helpful to me and I hope others.

tipoc
 
even though i get a huge spread I can keep the whole mag in the bad guy target at 25 yards with my shield, if you want one get it, it will serve you well:)
 
I had one, loved it......sold it.

Only to fund one without a safety! I really like the non-safety version. Great pistols.
 
I went plinking with a guy that had 2 of them (9 and 40).

They were "minute of bad guy" from 25 feet for all of the experienced shooters there.

Nobody present, including the guns' owner, could hit a water bottle at 50 feet with either of them, given a full magazine.

I had no problem killing the bottles with my EMP.
 
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