I cannot recommend the Shield highly enough!
Yes, it can be a little tricky at first. They're tight and it can be difficult to get the slide locked back, for example.
But once you learn the gun and it's broken in, it works beautifully. It's easy to shoot, accurate, reliable and concealable.
I've been a confirmed Glock guy for years but liked the Shield from the first moment I saw and handled one. I'm glad I bought it. It's my primary carry gun now and fun to shoot. I plan on getting one for my wife and my son-in-law down the road.
When S&W introduced it, it was an immediate game changer. Everybody else has been forced to play catch up.