I just cleaned my new M&P 5" Pro. I'm really liking this pistol but I see that the sights aren't aligned with the center of the slide. Both are to the right of center. Are these factory sighted? Is this a common malady? Shoot it and forget it or try to align the sights with center of bore?
I'm embarrassed to say I haven't shot it. It's a new gun in hand with nothing else that concerns me but the sights are both to the right of center. I expect when I go to the range tomorrow that it will be more accurate than I yet wonder if I could improve accuracy with sights pushed to center of bore axis?
Can't help but wonder if sights were centered it would be more accurate at 20 yards.
First of all, I was told, in person, by a S&W factory rep in May that M&P's are NOT sighted for POA or POI at the factory.
Now, I Don't know about the M&P FS models, but earlier this year at least one entire production run of Shields got through production, QC, and were shipped, with the front sight skewed left of the bore center line. The factory guy said it was caused by improper setup/programming of the automation machinery that pressed the sights onto the slide. I ended up with one of them and discovered the problem after my first trip to the range.
Just a heads up. You can't rely on your eye to accurately tell if the sight is cantered on the MP. I thought mine was off center for a long time too, however measuring it will prove otherwise. Mine shoots fine too.
Take it to the range first and see how you do. Low/left is somewhat normal for a new M&P owner. That would not necessarily be indicative of a sight problem.
I have three M&P's and they all shot POA/POI right out of the box. Hope this helps!
I didn't make it to the range today, will go tomorrow.
The sights are visually off center so I measured them. Front sight is 3/8" from right edge of sight channel and 7/16" from left edge of sight channel. Rear sight is to the right but off only about half that distance. Not sure what I need to measure with, micrometer? Measure from edge of slide or edge of sight channel?
I've had an M&P FS for 2 years and know how shooter can pull it low left. I've overcome the tendency for the most part and if I do my part it will shoot accurately.
I believe the 5" will shoot accurately for self defense purposes but I bought it for shooting steel at up to 20 yards and need all the accuracy I can muster. I know it is more of a mental than a physical need to center the sights.
I've been wanting a sight pusher for changing sights and adjusting for some time and this might be a good time to get one. I need one that will work with M&P, PPQ mainly. Any suggestions? One thing that nags me concerning the Novak rear is how the pusher tip unless able to ride and push in the sight channel will actually push on the rear offset portion. Any thoughts?
I appreciate everyone's input.
One other thing. This is unrelated but I recently started using aluminum case ammo and I'm getting cases to the head and face. Has anyone else experienced this?
I'm not disparaging these handguns I chose the M&P 5" over the PPQ 5" and I own both in the 4", 4.25" models.
Dawson Precision measures the front sight with calipers from each side of slide to front sight blade. Take half of the difference and move short side that much to center front sight.
I have a sight pusher, but IMO, you can get away with just a punch and ball peen hammer. To be honest, the front sights can be so tight sometimes, my sight pusher couldn't work, and I had to use a punch! But the pusher comes in handy for making minute adjustments to rear sight I guess. I still had to bash front sight. LOL.
I measured with micrometer and used a piece of flat steel, just like as instructed in 10-8 video.
I have 10-8 sights, so the above video is exactly how I installed and then checked my sights. I would measure them and adjust them if you need too. Most likely you will be limiting factor in gun so might as well make sure the sights aren't off and making things even worse!
Thanks guys for excellent advice. To the range tomorrow then if I still feel the need to center the sights I'll use a punch and small hammer and measure with calipers. The saved money may someday go for Apex trigger and new sights.
After watching the pros, Dawson and 10-8, that is the best approach. Trouble is now I want to replace the sights with theirs before I even shoot the thing. Only slightly kidding here.
Went to the range today, it was sad. All shots were low at 6 to 7 o'clock with a few bulls when everything clicked. I thought I'd overcome my flinch but it sure was evident. My FS has broken in and has a slightly reduced and smoother trigger weight, while overcoming the break of the new trigger all my bad habits took over, flinching and trigger jerking. Not sure where to go from here but dry fire dry fire some more. The new Pro may not be perfect but I am far far worse. I want to blame the hard break of the M&P and do an Apex but it would only mask my bad habits. I'll work on my grip and trigger squeeze what else can I do?
Dry fire drills will help. Your Pro will break in nicely after a few hundred rounds, at least my wife's did. It has the only stock trigger in any of my handguns. She won't let me modify it.
That being said, it has a nice, smooth trigger pull of about 5.5 lbs. hope this helps!
You are right about the trigger smoothing out. I have a Pro FS with close to 2000 rounds through it and did not realize how it it had worn in nicely until dry firing these two side by side.
Now for the bad news. While cleaning it I did a safety block check and discovered the safety block does not engage consistently. The striker tab which engages the sear is canted away from the block and will slide past it. If it is pushed toward the block it clicks into place. While it is going for service I might as well ask them to check the sight alignment.
Just perusing the threads and ran across mine here. I'm anticipating the return of my new Pro 9, it's been in the shop for close to three weeks now, and was reading up on MP-Pistol to pacify myself until it's return.
As a warranty return for the safety block issue I requested they look at the low impact accuracy and sight alignment. I'm hoping it comes back better than new.
I know that when I sent my FS in for a night sight replacement it came back with improved accuracy and now it will shoot 1-2 inch groups at 10 yards. Best I can do with my aging eyesight.
I've compared how I shoot it with how I shoot my worn-in FS but no one else has shot it. I admit it could be the way I interact with the trigger break and once it smooths out I will shoot it as well or better, 1000 rounds will tell. The M&P trigger when new tend to bring out all my bad habits as it seems like hitting a brick wall at the break. I considered adding some Apex parts but in the end the trigger makes me a better shooter and it does wear-in nicely.
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