Good Comparison of the M&P Shield and Ruger LC9.

__________________
M&P15,9MM,M66,22-A,Glock 30SF

I can see that if I had an Ruger LC9, getting a Shield might not be justified...

But the comparison I am waiting for is from people that have had the LC9 for sometime and how it actually compares out in the field with the Shield... right now I want to get a Shield but only because I would like to stay within Beretta or S&W... and based on the initial review it looks like the Shield is a very good alternative...

Sorry for the rambling... pretty sure I would pick a Shield if it was readily available locally... that would have been an impulse buy just based on the initial videos and feedback from folks... but in the back of my mind the question remains... Is the Shield a better alternative to the Ruger LC9? Looks like a a street price difference of about 80.00-100.00 between the two (Ruger being the less expensive of the two).

__________________
Stay safe, stay alert
Wachuko

Please do add some input, I have an LC9 and i am eyeing the Shield. The LC9 is very practical to carry but the trigger on it is terrible. A very long trigger pull. If that Shield has a snappier trigger i will buy it in a heartbeat. If i put anymore than 50 rounds through my LC9 at the range in one outing my finger is killing me from hitting the trigger gaurd due to the recoil.

waiting for more info too

__________________
911 never FORGET-never FORGIVE

Picking up a Shield this afternoon. I will let you know the details of the gun, i will do a photo review and post it to the board.
Anxious to shoot it!

__________________
Recovering Glockaholic!

Local shop has the LC9s on sale for $299. Never been a big fan of ruger semiautos other than maybe their 22s. I'm going to look at the Shield, but already have a Kahr CM9. If it's not much bigger than my Kahr, will be sorely tempted.

Just shot my LC9 today and my finger is fine. Trigger is a bit long, but it's a self defense piece, not a range toy. At 10 yards, all the shots are grouped in a fist size circle. If i didn't have it, I'd consider the Shield, but i carry my LC9 in a pocket, and it's JUST the right size for that. Any bigger, and i couldn't pull it off. And the Shield is bigger. And that pic isn't a fair comparison with that laser on it.

looks like the shield is about the same size as my kahr p9 which is a perfect fit for cc and a lifetime warranty with the smith

I wonder if Smith is producing it with an APEX type trigger or sticking with the gritty, soft reset of the M&P.
If not Apex might be gobbling up another gold mine market!

I think a road trip to Springfield might be in order. They always have product rentals and take off the range and ammo charge if you buy after you shoot it. I can't afford another gun right now but if it is that good..........

My wife has an LC9 and the recoil might be a little too much for her. I'd love to hear a comparison to see if the shield is more suitable.

__________________
Hold on. SWAT's at my door.

I really hate smith&wesson...They always come out with their products after the market is flooded with competition...I bought a Sig P290 a few months ago because I felt it was the best bang for the buck...I love that little gun but man now smith tempts me for another new pistol....I may have to break down and buy the shield or i can wait until the .45 version comes out...
Lo

__________________
M.J.Hanna

I like what I have read so far about the Shield. Looking for something striker fired in a slim configuration. Not sure if I want a 9mm or a .40 S&W but leaning toward the 9mm. Can't wait for some more info on this piece.

tom

It is indeed. I lined up my wifes CW9 with the new shield and it matches in every dimension. The Kahr may be a bit lighter.

Jim

Does anyone know what the availability is for the Shield? I'm in Illinois and want both the 40 and 9. The gun shops either haven't heard of it or their distributors don't have them yet.

picked up a Shield yesterday after messing endlessly with my PF-9 Keltec trying to make it reliable. The trigger on the Shield is short and crisp. nothing like the LC-9 or the PF-9. The felt recoil is less than half the PF-9. Odrered a Phantom OWB holster for the Shield today. The Shield is a solid smooth operating little gun. My impression is that it won't pocket carry well due to weight. Very favorable impression of the Shield thus far.

I have had my Shield for two weeks and it is a fantastic firearm. One friend has a PF9 and another the LC9. I also have a Taurus 740 slim. All are similar in size. I did not like the trigger on the PF9 or the LC9 and that is coming from a revolver guy. On my semi-auto's I prefer the traditional DA/SA if they have a hammer. The Shield has an nice trigger and reset. In order of preference of the four I would go with the the Taurus since it has been ultra reliable and I have carried in my pocket comfortably. Next would be the Shield then LC9 and the PF9 last. The PF9 batters my finger so its trigger is worse than the LC9.

I purchased a 9mm Shield and have fired just short of 200 rds throught it so far with no malfunctions. It has a really good trigger with a nice reset. I have read everything available about it on the net, Utube etc and have not found one negative comment other than those who wish that it didn't have a safely which you can elect to use or not. There are several posts from those who have gotten rid of the above mentioned firearms in favor of the Shield. Apex already has a kit to make the trigger even nicer as well.

tom

I measured and pocket tested all of them including the sig and nano, the lc9 is the only one that you can pocket carry. Moved up from lcp. It is still 3 or 4 ozs lighter that the shield and if you are looking for pocket carry, that is a deal breaker. The gun shoots to point of aim with laser, a good backup gun.

I finally got to hold a shield Nina and it felt much smoother to hold than my cs9d.

It did point a lil high when throwing it up on target compared to my cs9.

Sorry...no time behind a ruger 9.

From what I can tell based on the attached images, the ruger's trigger seems set further out than the shield.

I will get a shield when monies come available.

I am not holding my breath and it may be a Christmas present to myself.

I didn't care for a range session using another guy's LC9. Reminded me of a PM9. Of course, it didn't help that it experienced repeated light-strikes with 3-4 types of duty ammo. (The owner got rid of it after the problem persisted after being repaired by Ruger.)

I'm waiting to look at a Shield 9 when the LE distributor receives the LE models.

If it's smaller than my CS9, SW999c & G26's, it'll probably offer more of what I'd like to have in a diminutive 9mm belt gun and for pocket (holster) carry in some jackets ... and maybe some cargo shorts. Dunno.

I suspect it'll be a bit handier for those roles than a M&P 9c (I have the 40c), and will likely dull my desire to add a PPS 9 to my collection of smallish 9's.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Had my LC9 for 8 months. Had my Shield 40 one week. The Shield is the better of the two. I have fully modified the LC9 to improve trigger pull. I've installed a Galloway trigger kit and put many hours on internal modifications. I used the LC9 for pocket carry and I also pocket carry my Shield.

LC9 specs: The LC9 does not have a trigger safety. Trigger free play/takeup: stock 1/4 inch; mine 1/8 inch. Trigger pull to break: stock 3/4 inch; mine 5/16 inch. Break point: stock is back of trigger guard; mine is middle of trigger guard. Trigger pull in pounds: stock 8; mine 6 1/2.

The stock Shield has: 1/8 in trigger safety free play/takeup; 1/4 inch trigger free play/takeup; 3/32 inch trigger pull to break. Trigger pull in pounds: 6 1/2.

The big difference is the Shields trigger pull of 3/32 inch compared to 5/16 inch for my modified LC9. The trigger reset for the Shield is 1/8 inch and 3/8 inch for the LC9.

The LC9 is 1/8 inch shorter in height and 1/8 inch shorter in length, and 1/16 inch thinner. The LC9 weighs 16 ounces and the Shield weighs 19 ounces.

I've been on several Ruger forums and a lot of people have had problems and complaints about the LC9. Long trigger pull, too heavy of trigger pull, trigger pull stacking, too deep of break point, long reset of trigger, light hits, trigger reset problems, nylon recoil guiderod breaking, and more.

The LC9's bore axis is 3/16 higher than the Shield's, which relates to less felt recoil in the Shield 9mm. My Shield 40's felt recoil is about the same as my LC9.

The Shield does have a very short trigger pull and reset. The reset is very positive and can be heard and felt. The Shields trigger is not perfect. It has some "gritty feeling" in the pull, due to the way the trigger bar lifts the striker blocker. However there are many companies that can fix and improve the M&P trigger. Most trigger parts can be purchased and self installed.

I thought my modified LC9 was a perfect carry gun. However with some of the problems I have heard about the LC9, I question it's reliability, even though I have not had any problems with mine. Reliability is not a question in the M&P line. I have a trigger kit ordered and in the mail, for my Shield. The Shield might be the best subcompact gun on the market, especially for the price. The stock trigger is very good, but it will be great with the kit.

Bob

I live 10 miles from smith and in mass we can,t buy. One ,not approved for mass what BS

Original poster needs to take another picture of the two guns side by side NOT one on top of the other. Cannot get a fair comparison of size using the original picture.

I own both those guns. No matter what the camera angle is, you can not get the correct view the human eye sees. I tried and it would take 10 or more pictures to accurately show the differences. So the difference is:

The LC9 length is 1/8 inch shorter than the Shield
The LC9 height is 1/8 inch shorter than the Shield
The LC9 width is 1/16 inch more narrow than the Shield
The LC9 weighs 3 ounces less than the Shield.

This would favor the LC9, except for one thing. The Shield has so much of a better trigger, the Shield is the winner. I've shot them both. No comparison in the shooting contest. The Shield is more accurate, just because of the trigger. The Shield is more comfortable to shoot, just because of the trigger.

Anybody want to buy a super modified LC9 with Crimson Trace Lasersite? I have over $600 invested and all the original parts, plus many backup parts. My LC9's trigger pull length is less than half that of the stock LC9. The trigger breaks in the middle of the trigger guard. It has an improved shape trigger. It has a super smooth trigger pull.

But I like my Shield 40 much better. I've already made a good trigger better. Apex trigger kit is installed. My total trigger pull length is just under 1/4 inch, that includes pretravel, sear pull to break, and overtravel. Trigger pull weight is 4.25 pounds.

Anybody want to buy my LC9? I did say buy, not that I was going to give it away. I know no one is going to buy the LC9 after this post about my much better Shield. The LC9 will easily sell. I just have to take it to a gun show.

Bob

Good decision!

what he said but I pocket carry .40 in cargo shorts or Regular Jeans in a Galco PH286 horsehide. The .40 has less felt recoil than the PF-9.

__________________
'THE HYPNOTIZED NEVER LIE"

I also sold my LC9 when I got a Shield. I have a feeling many others have/will do this.

I have both and prefer the Shield totally. In fact, I have put my name on my local gun shop's list to get the forty as well. Will probably hold onto the LC9 as well, but sell the Nano. For pocket carry I'll stick with my PM9 as the Shield is a bit too big in my minds eye to pocket carry right not. I prefer it IWB. Concur with all that has been said in previous posts.,

I owned a Kahr CM9 and now a Shield. The Shield will max out your pocket for concealment. It is about the size of a Glock 26 only thinner.

I believe the trigger on the Shield is excellent and my targets show I can group my shots tight. When I owned my Kahr CM9 I could never get as tight of groups.

I pocket carry my Shield in Dockers (36x32) with no problem, but some have said it is not a pocket gun.

Russ

S&W Shield De Santis The Nemesis Holster.jpg

DSC_0001.jpg

A friend of mine had a pair of LC9s and kept trying to talk me in to buying one, but, they felt weird in MY hand.
He played with a Shield, bought one, and dumped the Rugers.

I held and shot the lc9 not to bash anybody but inthought it felt cheap. Its not a good gun by all means. I love my shield and i love my bodyguard 380. The lc9 is a hunk of ****

Interesting opinion. I hated the 380Bodyguard. I much prefer the LC9 over it.

I did a lot of comparing when getting ready to purchase a small 9mm. I wanted something that had more than my 380 auto and the 9mm fit the list. It came down to the LC9 or the Shield and because of the trigger and overall feel in my hand I purchased the Shield. I'll say this for it the trigger is great and it shoots very great groups. I'm very pleased with my choice.

__________________
M&P 9mm Shield
M&P40C, 686 6

Yup, I'm interested. Send me a msg or email.
Thanks, Kelly

I bought my LC9 last year and my Shield the first week in May. My LC9 has never given me any trouble and is malf free. I just can't stand the trigger. I have spent plenty of time and ammo with it at the range and shoot reasonably well with it BUT the Shield's trigger is hands down MUCH better. I have an Apex DCAEK inbound and will install it to make my Shield even better for my use. My Shield has taken my LC9's place as my EDC.

Here are some pics for those wanting a visual comparison:

Hi Bob,

I joined this forum to respond to your LC9 /shield information. I really liked the LC9 and put alot of $$$$ in it. I'm a Ruger junkie. But, i was cleaning mine after a range shoot to find my barrel cracked in the rear of the block under the feed ramp. just a hair line crack. sent it to Ruger who said the frame cracked somewhere. they were to replace it. I opted for a SS frame/barrel, striker fired sr9. Same as the Shield! i am going w/ a 9mm shield also. the LCP is a good little bug. But it also has it's issues. Ruger is great on service but their products are disappointing for reliability/fit and finish. Regards, kurtj58

kurtj58

Sorry to hear about your LC9 barrel. I've been on two Ruger forums for over a year, and I have heard a lot of problems, but never a cracked barrel. The LC9, with the Galloway trigger mods, is a fine gun. Since it is hammer fired, it would never have as good of trigger as the striker fired Shield. I do believe the LC9 is Ruger's upgraded copy of the KelTec PF9. Many parts are almost identical. The LC9 uses better parts, less plastic.

Anyone with a LC9 there is a new, improved trigger on the way. Galloway Precision (Galloway Precision) will sometime early next year have a new drop in kit that will reduce the length of pull by half and move the break point from the back of the trigger guard to near the middle of the trigger guard. Pull should drop from 1 full inch to 7/16 inch. Keep checking the Galloway Precision website for the announcement when these kits will be available. They are getting tooling ready for the manufacturing of the parts. Should be mid January to the end of February.

That being said the Shield is a better shooting gun, due to the much better trigger. In such a small sub-compact SD gun, I don't know of any similar sized gun with a trigger as good as the Shields.

Bob

One thing I like about the Shield IS the location and size of the safety. I know that sounds odd but think about it...

With the Shield it is out of the way so u never have to use it unless you want. I use it only when loading and unloading. I carry the Shield w/out the safety used at all. With several rounds down range and several shooter having fired the pistol, no one has flipped it on without wanting it on.

Thr LCR has the larger safety and is something that might get knocked on when don't want unless u practice with it.

Just something about.

I had a Lc9 when they first came out, had problems with the firing pin hole shaving and filling with primer metal. I sent it back to Ruger, they fixed it and sent it back. I sold it and bought one of the first Shield 9mm that came to my LGS. Great gun, had a problem with marks on the crown of the barrel, sent it back, they installed a new barrel, extractor, and returned it. Sold it and bought a Airweight snub. Have recently bought a new Lc9, while the trigger is long, I feel it is an advantage as it allows me some security of not firing off an unintended round which I did at the range with the Shield. Both guns are accurate but the Lc9 is more like a flat revolver in that respect.
I personally like the Lc9 for pocket and concealed carry and with much range work and applying the trigger control I have used with my Airweight, the Ruger works very well for me. Buy what works for you and practice, practice, practice.
Be safe, Frank.