[varminter22_7401]

I recently bought two Shields Plus; one Peformance Center with 4" barrel and one with 3.1" barrel.
So far I've only tried: 3.3, 3.5, and 3.7 gr of Vihta Vuori N320 and Berry's 147 gr RN plated bullet.

Accuracy was dismal. At eight yards, 4" to 5" groups!

I thought maybe the problem was the shooter (me) so I switched to my Kimber 1911 9mm and the groups tightened up nicely. Next, I had a friend (a very competent competition shooter) try my load in my Shields and he too got 4" to 5" groups.

I have a bunch of Hornady 147 XTP bullets to try. I've ordered 147 FMJ bullets and I'll likely order some polymer coated bullets (as I've come to like them in my Model 627 USPSA and ICORE revolver); and will try to get some Speer Gold Dot bullets when available.

What is the consensus?

Are plated bullets known to be inaccurate in the Shield Plus? How about polymer coated bullets?

Are lighter bullets preferred?

 

[Marshal_3]

I've only shot 115s and 124s out of my 3 inch gun. CSX, not a shield. But better results than 4-5 inch groups at 8 yards. I might suggest trying that route (lighter, faster rounds). I would expect better accuracy than that as well.

 

[Red-Team-98]

Suggest the Federal short barreled factory loads and the shield was designed for shooting at close range in feet’s at room distance at most.

 

[varminter22_7401]

..... the shield was designed for shooting at close range in feet’s at room distance at most.

Really? Where does S&W say that? And what is different that makes it for "close range (in feet) to room distance at most"??

 

[Chowda]

Watch Hickok45's review of the Shield. He's hitting a 12" gong at 80yds with it and smaller targets at varying ranges too. It probably is considered by most to be a close range weapon but in the right hands can be accurate at farther distances.

 

[varminter22_7401]

That reinforces my point (above). I do NOT believe that S&W somehow designed the Shield Plus to be for shooting at close range in feet’s at room distance at most!

That said, my two Shields Plus don't seem to nearly that accurate. However, I've only tried 147 gr bullets so far.

 

[Chowda]

Hickok45 can just flat out shoot. He hits the 80yd gong and other targets with Lcp's.

 

[MWAG]

M&Ps are for made combat accuracy, not bullseye competition. My Shield Plus 4” makes lousy group sizes with factory ammo, but it’s a nice pistol.

3” groups at 10 yards gets boring fast.

 

[Argee]

My Shield Plus has been exceptionally accurate. It makes me look good.

 

[Dirty Dan]

I recently bought two Shields Plus; one Peformance Center with 4" barrel and one with 3.1" barrel.
So far I've only tried: 3.3, 3.5, and 3.7 gr of Vihta Vuori N320 and Berry's 147 gr RN plated bullet.

Accuracy was dismal. At eight yards, 4" to 5" groups!

I thought maybe the problem was the shooter (me) so I switched to my Kimber 1911 9mm and the groups tightened up nicely. Next, I had a friend (a very competent competition shooter) try my load in my Shields and he too got 4" to 5" groups.

I have a bunch of Hornady 147 XTP bullets to try. I've ordered 147 FMJ bullets and I'll likely order some polymer coated bullets (as I've come to like them in my Model 627 USPSA and ICORE revolver); and will try to get some Speer Gold Dot bullets when available.

What is the consensus?

Are plated bullets known to be inaccurate in the Shield Plus? How about polymer coated bullets?

Are lighter bullets preferred?

Ive been shooting reloads using 5.5 grains of 3n38 and 135 grain defensive hollowpoints from xtreme bullets and i can hit pins every time. 50 shots and i didnt miss a single time. I shot 115grn 124grn and 147grn factory ammo from freedom munitions and the heavier bullets are more accurate in mine. Lighter bullets tend to shoot too high so i just quit buying anything lighter than 135. I havent noticed a difference between 135 and 147. I also shot 135grn copper plated bullets with the same powder and load and its still accurate. Your using 2 grains less than me and im using a hotter powder, so maybe your not using enough powder. I also change my sights to those high profile low light sights and an adjustable rear sight which helps a lot

 

[varminter22_7401]

Ive been shooting reloads using 5.5 grains of 3n38 and 135 grain defensive hollowpoints from xtreme bullets and i can hit pins every time. 50 shots and i didnt miss a single time. I shot 115grn 124grn and 147grn factory ammo from freedom munitions and the heavier bullets are more accurate in mine. Lighter bullets tend to shoot too high so i just quit buying anything lighter than 135. I havent noticed a difference between 135 and 147. I also shot 135grn copper plated bullets with the same powder and load and its still accurate. Your using 2 grains less than me and im using a hotter powder, so maybe your not using enough powder. I also change my sights to those high profile low light sights and an adjustable rear sight which helps a lot

Interesting. Its long been said that heavier pistol bullets shoot to a higher POA than lighter bullets.

At what distance are you shooting pins? Speed shooting? Or slow, deliberate fire?

 

[Dirty Dan]

Interesting. Its long been said that heavier pistol bullets shoot to a higher POA than lighter bullets.

At what distance are you shooting pins? Speed shooting? Or slow, deliberate fire?

about 8 yards. I was shooting slow just to practice. The time before i was shooting fast and it was still 5-7 shots for 5 pins

 

[Dirty Dan]

If your interested in speer gold dot i found some a few weeks ago on ammoseek.com. i dont see them very often but they appear there sometimes

 

[varminter22_7401]

about 8 yards. I was shooting slow just to practice. The time before i was shooting fast and it was still 5-7 shots for 5 pins

Not bad.

Our shooter-vs-shooter pin matches are @ 25'. Gotta be fast!

 

[PabloContreras]

I have a shield plus performance center and I hit a 2”x2.5” target at 12 yards quite consistently….

 

[varminter22_7401]

I have a shield plus performance center and I hit a 2”x2.5” target at 12 yards quite consistently….

With what ammo or handload?

 

[PabloContreras]

With what ammo or handload?

Águila, 124 grain.

 

[varminter22_7401]

Águila, 124 grain.

Not bad. Perhaps I just need to try lighter bullets.

I used Hornady 147 XTP and Berry's 147 plated.

 

[PabloContreras]

Not bad. Perhaps I just need to try lighter bullets.

Could be. It could also be that I have the PC which has a ported barrel and improved trigger 🤷🏻‍♂️.

 

[Argee]

My Shield Plus was purchased from a store display case..had probably been fondled by countless others and it has shot flawlessly and to point of aim right out of the box.