POA/POI issues with M&P9c

Big D · May 18, 2021

Hey yall. I've been carrying a M&P9 2.0 compact (small grip and I believe 3.6" barrel) for approximately a year now. I have owned several M&P's, from the standard M&P9 (GEN 1) to the new 2.0 5 inch. I currently own the M&P9c and a full size M&P9. The 9c is my first compact size handgun that I have used for carry, and am extremely pleased with it. The only issue I have noticed, is that when shooting it, my groups are always consistently to the left of my POA, and the farther the target distance, the farther to the left the shots group (approximately 2-3 inches at 10-15 yards and 4-5 inches at 25 yards, give or take). I am using Ameriglo Hackathorn sights.

When I use the grip adapter and a full size magazine, providing a full size M&P grip, the groups move roughly back to center, but I carry the gun with the short 12 round magazine. Also, when shooting my standard M&P, my groups are always POA/POI. My trigger control/press is the same for the compact and full size. My only solution other than aiming slightly more to the right with the compact, is to drift the rear sight slightly to the right. Has anyone else had this sort of issue with there compact handguns that have smaller grips?

(Also, I am using the longer factory pinky extension)

Riomouse911 · May 18, 2021

Since we can’t see your shoot and have to guess based on the description you gave us...it’s either a flinch where your fingers are flexing with the trigger finger involuntarily, too much trigger finger pulling left or your eyes aren’t seeing the sights well and they’re “seeing 10 ring” but hitting 8-9 ring to the left.

The flinch may be because the compact bucks in your hands more than the duty sized gun. But...

I’ll vote for too much trigger finger, as it gets better when you increase the distance your finger reaches with the larger grip panels. Reduce your trigger finger in the guard and it shouldn’t shoot so far left.

My eyes (astigmatism and a 15 year old lasik procedure) always push my poi to the left with rifle or handgun. I have to adjust my sights (or poa with fixed sights) accordingly.

Just a couple of suggestions...

Stay safe.

WheelGunMan · May 19, 2021

Big D said:
When I use the grip adapter and a full size magazine, providing a full size M&P grip, the groups move roughly back to center, but I carry the gun with the short 12 round magazine. Also, when shooting my standard M&P, my groups are always POA/POI. My trigger control/press is the same for the compact and full size. My only solution other than aiming slightly more to the right with the compact, is to drift the rear sight slightly to the right. Has anyone else had this sort of issue with there compact handguns that have smaller grips?

(Also, I am using the longer factory pinky extension)

You pretty much identified your problem. "YOUR GRIP" I had a similar problem on my P365XL.. consistently shooting left. I installed a Hogue Handall and increased my grip pressure especially the left hand (I'm right handed). The gun feels better in my hand and the increased grip pressure has removed any drift.

Big D · May 19, 2021

Thanks for the input.....it also probably doesn't help that I'm right handed and left eye dominant, however that doesn't affect my POA/POI with full size handguns.

danez71 · May 21, 2021

Big D said:
Hey yall. I've been carrying a M&P9 2.0 compact (small grip and I believe 3.6" barrel) for approximately a year now. I have owned several M&P's, from the standard M&P9 (GEN 1) to the new 2.0 5 inch. I currently own the M&P9c and a full size M&P9. The 9c is my first compact size handgun that I have used for carry, and am extremely pleased with it. The only issue I have noticed, is that when shooting it, my groups are always consistently to the left of my POA, and the farther the target distance, the farther to the left the shots group (approximately 2-3 inches at 10-15 yards and 4-5 inches at 25 yards, give or take). I am using Ameriglo Hackathorn sights.

When I use the grip adapter and a full size magazine, providing a full size M&P grip, the groups move roughly back to center, but I carry the gun with the short 12 round magazine. Also, when shooting my standard M&P, my groups are always POA/POI. My trigger control/press is the same for the compact and full size. My only solution other than aiming slightly more to the right with the compact, is to drift the rear sight slightly to the right. Has anyone else had this sort of issue with there compact handguns that have smaller grips?

(Also, I am using the longer factory pinky extension)

I have an early M&P9c have used the small and med grip inserts.

I didn't do any scientific testing... just swapped back and forth and looked at the results.

What I noticed....

There isn't much difference in size between small & med with the main difference is that the medium has a little bigger palm swell.

I did get different results when firing quickisly or fast (for me). Slow methodical were shots were pretty much the same.

He large grip panel is too large for me.

For me, both the small and med feel ok in the hand but the large feels to big in comparison.

In short, the different grip panels give me different results in quick follow up shots but not slow deliberate firing.

Trey Veston · May 21, 2021

I remember fooling around with the different grip inserts on my Gen 5 G19 while watching TV one night.

I would use a certain grip panel, then bring the gun up on target without the sights, then check, and I would be right on target. Then change to a different grip panel, do the same drill a few times, and was amazed to see that I would be a few inches off. The grip insert that felt the best, was not the one that pointed the most naturally for me.

redneck · May 22, 2021

I have a 1st gen M&P9C that I had that problem with to a small extent, and a 1st gen shield that I had that problem with to a much more noticeable amount. The 9C I have been carrying and shooting for 12 years now and the trigger has worn in to be much better than it was from the factory, and I also added a talon grip as the gun has gotten pretty slick over the years. I really don't have any problems hitting POA with it now.

The shield I initially gave up and adjusted the rear sight. After adding a talon grip and getting more trigger time I eventually moved it back. The trigger is still not very good, seems to break hard with just enough over travel to make the gun jerk when you hit the back wall. I shoot the 9C significantly better. I should probably spend the money for an apex kit. I have pretty large hands and probably just can't get a good enough grip on the smaller gun to overcome the bad trigger. Slow deliberate fire I do fine with it but drawing from a holster, my first shot on target is much more consistent with the 9C.

I know the 2.0 have a more aggressive texture to them but you might try a talon grip and lots of dry fire to break the trigger in.

POA/POI issues with M&P9c

Big D

Member

Riomouse911

Member

WheelGunMan

Member

Big D

Member

danez71

Member

Trey Veston

Member

redneck

Member

Similar threads