And possibly shot it with some heavy gr. wadcutters.

I have a shield 9, my wife has the S&W 637 Airweight. I secretly covet her 637. Beautiful weapon. I can't imagine any drawbacks.

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Hillbilly

I used to carry a shield 9, but when i started carrying aiwb, i switched to a j frame. After I bought a 2" 64, I started to carry it almost all the time. At first it seemed a little heavy, but I got quickly used to it. The shield and j frame are nice, and I still have them, but my k frame is way more fun to shoot.

I shoot a 9mm Shield in IDPA matches, which typically run 90-120 rounds over 5-6 fast-firing stages, with magazine changes. I don't know how they make a gun that small so painless to shoot, but I think I could shoot 2 matches in a row without a problem.

I have also shot those matches with steel K frame 38 Special revolvers. The 38 Special ammunition was LESS powerful than the 9mm ammo I use in the Shield. I tried using the stock Magna (wood) grips with a BK grip adapter (naturally) at first, but could not stand the recoil by the end of the second stage (40 shots max) and had to switch to rubber grips with cushioning over the backstrap.

The lesson for me is that the Shield is MUCH more comfortable for extended shooting sessions than a revolver unless the revolver has cushioned grips. But cushioned grips make the gun larger and so harder to conceal. So while I carry a revolver (lightweight J frame 32 H&R Magnum with +P ammunition) more often than the Shield, I have stock (small) grips on it for better concealment.

This means I cannot (comfortably) use the carry revolver for range sessions - I can tolerate a maximum of 12 rounds of the +P ammo before my hand hurts too much to go on. I can shoot more using a steel-frame 32 with cushioned grips and lower powered ammo. But with the Shield I can go all day with pretty much any ammo.

Check out the Model 60 and Model 66. My SW Shield is a primary weapon at Church (I'm on the security team). I also wanted a midsize revolver as well to add to the rotation.

Ordered a S&W 43C (.22lr 8shot) today as my answer to your question.
Sold a Kimber K6S because it hurt my 72 year old whist.
Have a Glock 19.5 and a Sig 365 SAS that i can fire fine now. Ordered the 43C for down the road.

I traded my Shield .45 for a 360 Airweight and first thing I did was swap out the grips with a Hogue monogrip, what a difference it made in felt recoil. I shoot 125 gr Gold Dot or Golden Saber and it is not as bad to shoot as you would think. I would not want to shoot it all day but have put a box of 20 through without any pain.


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Groo here
How much weight can you get by with?
How much size? Cost????
The J frames are nice but the grip / trigger reach may be to small.[with "Arther" showing up]
A K frame might be better but heavy.[ unless you find a Si one M-315]
L frames are usually out due to weight.
That leaves a light weight N frame [$$$$$}
They are 45 acp , 44 mag, 357-8shot ...
A 327Snub would work.
8shot 357 but due to weight [22oz] many shoot 38.
After that most of the larger revolvers are around 35oz to 40 oz range.
I would not go with a light weight J frame as the kick will be jaring.

I still shoot 44 magnums and FN45XTac at 70, but been doing it a long time, but my time is coming to mellow things out. When that time comes I have a S&W 624 J frame w/ larger grips.Very shootable even w/ 38+P. I also have the Colt King Cobra (larger than J frame and smaller than K frame) at 27oz that shoots 38’s and 357. - 3” with limited recoil. If these arent big enough I have a 686+ 3” at 35oz that handles 38’s for range duty or 357 for business. All are easy to conceal and you never are underpowered. Just my .02 worth. Good luck finding whats’s comfortable


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I carry a 38 Special LCR.

It's lighter than their 357 but handles +P rounds.

Mine has a factory installed red fiber optic front site.

Find a pre lock round butt 2 1/2” 19 or 66. You can run a couple hundred 38’s through them without being punished too much. Just check for end shake, push off and worn cylinder stop notches before you take it home.

Retrain yourself on how you release the slide.

For instance my off hand thumb is never used in the process of shooting a semi auto.


I don't think learning a new weapon is the best move here.

This is how I grip the slide to release it and this is the most widely taught method.

Attached Images

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My vote is a K frame snub. 10/64, 15, or 19/66. Easier to shoot than the J frames and an extra round. Not much harder to carry, unless pocket or ankle carry is what you want.

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Formerly know as Lucky Derby

OK I've been shooting 1911's for WAY over 40 years, I LOVE a .45!! So wanted something a bit smaller to EDC. Bought a Shield .45. Nice weapon and shots ALMOST as well as my 1911's.
I'm not as bad off as Ranger17 but I AM loosing strength in my hands and beginning to have problems racking the slide in my Shield - not so much on the 1911's but they are WELL broken in!! I'm 70! So this thread got me thinking about a wheel gun. Took all the good info in this thread and headed to my LGS. Had them get out a S&W M&P Bodygurad (revolver), the Taurus replacement for the 85 - had factory Laser Grips, a Ruger LCR, a Ruger SP101 (just because) and a Charter Arms Bull Pup. Having these lined up side by side I gripped each of them and pulled trigger on each of them 5 times. Then went for weight, unloaded, of each. The SP-101, the Charter Arms and the Taurus all got eliminated due to weight. The SP-101 was of course the heaviest, next the Charter Arms with the Taurus not far behind! That left the S&W and the Ruger LCR. I picked each up again for weight and feel, pulled the trigger on each a few more times and him and heed around trying to make a decision. Finally the young LADY that was assisting me, she is one of the OWNERS, asked if I was having trouble making a decision. Of course I was and said so. She stated she carries the LCR all day every day and has, she didn't know how many rounds, through it and never had an issue ever!
Well I figure she is one of the store owners and has her choice of ANY weapon in the store and this is what she carries, who was I to argue with that recommendation - besides I've known her for over 15 years and trust her opinions on weapons, and the LCR DID feel good in my little hands!
Walked out with the LCR. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet and due to my work schedule, yes I still work full-time not because I have to but because I WANT to!! won't for a week or so. I'll post my range session when I do get out.
So That's my 2 cents and that's just what it's worth!
Sarge

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SFC, US Army, Retired