I got my Shield on Saturday, but wasn't able to get to the range until today.

I shot over 300 rounds of mixed FMJ and JHP ammunition from several manufactures. I did not have a single malfunction of any type, the Shield fired flawlessly. I was producing 2 inch groups at seven yards right out of the box.

I also took my Kahr P9 to shoot both pistols side by side. I've carried my P9 for several years, and it works great, but the Shield was just an easier and more comfortable pistol to shoot. I like my Kahr, but I LOVE my Shield.

I did not use the thunb safety at all. At no time did the safety engage while I was firing the pistol. If the safety bothers you, then don't use it. As far as left handed shooters, I don't believe the safety will be an issue. I fired several magazines off hand, and the safety was a non issue.

The Shield is now my everyday carry gun!!!

Don't be confusd, I was just curious. And No, I'm not left handed. Go Bruins!!!

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Jack C

When you took your Shield apart, did you use the new take-down lever or just pull the trigger like other M&P pistols? I tried to use the lever like in the manual, but it wouldn,t come apart.

I put this report in another thread too.


Sorry I didn't get to shoot yesterday... I went this morning. I put 150 of my 147 grain reloads through the new shield and followed with 25 Speer Gold Dots 147 grain. It functioned perfectly.
I shot both magazines 1 after another until I ran out of ammo.
I tried strong hand ,weak hand and even tried to limp wrist with my strong hand,no problems at all.
The trigger is very nice, it seems a little heavy but breaks crisply and helps to keep shots on target. I'm no super shooter but could keep my shots in a fist sized cluster even shooting fast at 7 yards. Thats about as good as I can do with my 1911.
I really like this gun in case you couldn't tell
Oh, buy the way, recoil was milder than I expected. I think the grip shape has a lot to do with that.
I think my wife is gonna steal this one too!!

evnash, looks like you tore into yours pretty deeply. How big is the sear return spring? I.E., are they using a larger one like the fix for sear bounce in the earlier FS and C models?? Also, does it look like its using the same trigger return coil spring as the other bigger models?

Very nice.

Almost any lefty can learn to use a right-handed gun. However, they will be slower and sloppier. The mechanics are just different. It really is unfortunate to hear that this piece is not "lefty-adaptable." That's going to keep ME away from it- good reviews and all.

Do you think that S&W avoids this to keep the profile of the gun smaller, or does it just cost less to make? (you figure that if it costs 20% less to make, than they can afford to lose 16% of the gun-buying market...)

Full serrations will be done soon. Right now he has been so busy changing out sears and trigger work on all those who have been buying the Shield, he is probably lining up everyone who wants the serrations to do it at one time. I expect that I will have to wait a few weeks for it to get done.

I'm betting my two cents that it is. On the pistol itself, from the photos i've seen, the mag release button looks like those on every other (reversible) compact and full sized M&P. Also, all the pics I've seen of the magazines themselves have notches for the mag release cut on both sides. Apologies for beating a dead horse here but I am really curious about this and haven't seen a settled answer!

As noted elsewhere, the mag release is not reversible. The giveaway is there's no description in the owner's manual on how to swap it like there is for the rest of the M&P line. Also, if you look closely at the shape of the button area on each side you will see that it is not quite the same.

I'm not trying to be a wise guy, but if so many folks fear that the mechanical internal lock will malfunction at a critical moment (on most new S&W revolvers) , isn't it reasonable to assume that a mechanical safety on an M&P could also?

I would think there'd also be an even greater risk that the safety could be inadvertantly turned on (handling, holstering,etc.), because it's external.

My rule of thumb has been, if I don't need it, and can't remove it, it's a no go for a defensive handgun.

AMEN! One reason I've liked the M&P line is that you had a choice - external safety for those who want one, and NO external safety for those who feel the best safety is the one between your ears. Like I've said elsewhere, even if the odds are 1 in a million that it might go on 'safe', that one chance could get someone killed on the street. And, yes left-handed shooters can usually learn to disengage it, but it will be slower and more awkward. Slower is not better if it's not necessary.

there's at least a 1 in a million chance you'll pull the trigger on your carry gun and it won't go bang, guess you won't be carrying anymore...

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Jack C

Ditto to this too.. there is always the chance of a misfire, guess you better not carry either..

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Jack C

Anyone? I can't find this addressed anywhere.

Where did you actually see this? It seems to fit fine in #4 Blackhawk. Although I think it's a bit big for me to pocket carry the same as an LC9. At least it would really depend on the pants being worn at the time.

I can't find the other SW Forum thread, but here as well.

Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm review | Gun Nuts Media

Ok that article must have been edited after I read it. The "unless you have large pockets" part was not on the article right after it was posted.

I can certainly agree with the "large pockets" part. Plus, I don't think S&W is marketing it as a pocket gun based on all the promo material. This way they can't take any heat over the sizing.

I had my hands on one yesterday in my LGS. Went back to my truck and unloaded the LC9 and was able to compare them side by side. I was allowed to pocket the both and other than the poor fit in my Desantis pocket holster I couldn't tell the difference.

Now because of the poor holster fit I couldn't really test draw. That's the only area I might be able to see the M&P having a "from the pocket" disadvantage.

Well, my LC9, which is a bit more svelte than the Shield, will fit in a #3 Uncle Mike's whereas the Shield will not without really jamming it in. But then it doesn't want to come out

As noted earlier, the Shield fits fine in a #4 Blackhawk, as does the LC9. However I much prefer the handling and the feel of the Shield to the LC9.

How's the pocket draw with the shield w/ short mag in comparison to the LC9 w/ short mag?

Does the gun want to hang up from the tang area more?

No idea about the draw as the only pants I've tried it with are jeans - which is a definite no-go for me unless I leave part of it sticking out. I'm pretty sure dress khaki's are out as well. Pleated dress pants may be OK and certainly cargo shorts would be no problem.

In any event, I've ordered an IWB holster for the Shield. BTW - the Shield fits snugly in my MTAC for my 9C but it's a bit bulky for the smaller gun.

Leaping to a hysterical conclusion, may not be the answer.

As I indicated, my rule of thumb is if I don't need it (mechanical safety), I choose a different gun to buy.

It really has nothing to do with whether or not to carry.

not a wise guy... or hysterical here....

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Jack C

Picked up mine yesterday. Trust me when I say you won't accidentally engage it. It takes a very deliberate movement to engage/disengage the thumb safety with it being recessed. I've carried a variety of guns (1911s, Glocks, HKs) and have no problem whatsoever carrying this safety off. Obviously YMMV, but it's honestly a non-issue. If you haven't handled one, definitely do so. I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Stay safe.

Even if the chance of the safety engaging by accident is small, it's still just something else that could malfunction. On a DAO, striker pistol, an external safety is unnecessary solution to a non-existent problem.

Ok, Thanks for sharing that.

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Jack C

Walther PPS has this little problem solved.

If I misunderstood your suggestion that I give up concealed carry because I don't like mechanical thumb safeties, then I apologize.

Thanks. I absolutely will get hands on, before making a final decision. Other than the safety, I like it a lot.

Hello from Wisconsin.

By the way, Scott Walker is still our governor and the state needs to spend another $700K to deal with the large volume of CCW applications. Life is good!

I have had my name on a waiting list for a 9mm S&W Shield with no idea when it will arrive. About a week ago, at a different sporting goods store, I asked if they had a Shield. A Shield in 40 S&W just arrived and had been in the case for only 45 minutes. While I was interested in a 9mm, I bought it anyway. I generally shot 9mm, 45 ACP, 357Sig, 357Mag and 44Mag. I had very limited experience with 40 S&W. From a past experience I recall that the recoil was my issue. That seems odd since I like 44 mag.

On Sunday, I shot a box each of Am Eagle & Blazer Brass through the Shield. Wow, was I impressed. Recoil was very manageable in 40S&W, trigger was excellent and best of all accuracy was outstanding. I probably printed my best targets ever with a new pistol. It was the best overall experience I have ever had with a new handgun. I would never have considered 40S&W in such a small pistol. I guess I got lucky, 40S&W will now be a favorite round.

I wonder when I'm going to get the call that my 9mm Shield came in!

I own and carry both a Kahr PM9 and a Shield in 9mm. I have been reading these threads with interest. I think there are a few stark differences between these two pistols.

First off, my Kahr and Shield have fed everything I have put into them without failure. They are both exceedingly accurate guns. I did a couple of light mods to the Kahr magazines and I load both using the slingshot method without any failures of any kind.

Overall, the Kahr PM9 is smaller and lighter. With a Pearce grip extension on my Kahr the grips are about the same length. The extended mag on the Kahr is ugly but it works. The extended mag on the Shield is a beauty to look at and it works. The Shield's grips feel more natural in my hands.

The trigger guard in the Shield is slightly larger than the Kahr. For me, that is a good thing. The Kahr will pocket carry. In my opinion, neither the Kahr, or the Shield, pocket carry as well as my 340PD revolver. The "hump" or squareness in semi auto's is not on a 340PD so my nod goes to a hammerless revolver for ease of draw from a pocket. That is not to say I do not put the Kahr or Shield in my pocket, but they are far more noticeable in light wool pants.

The Shields extra weight over the Kahr is almost unnoticeable in a good IWB holster. The Shield carrys one extra round which is a big plus.

The triggers are the biggest difference. The Kahr is a very smooth, long stroked, DA pull with a great release, long reset, and you start over. If you carry, and practice, with DA revolvers the Kahr is very close to what you are now to doing. The Shield has a very deliberate trigger that is typical of striker fired guns only better. I think it is similar to what the most semi auto shooter are accustomed to shooting. I have fired only 250 live and probably another 250 dry fires and the Shield trigger is starting to smooth out into a thing of beauty. I personally will make no trigger alterations to my Shield until I have fired well over a thousand rounds.

My Kahr has TruDot night sights that are way better than the Shield. My Shield will get these as soon as they are available.

As for the safety on the Shield, I think it is a great addition. I cannot conceive how it can be accidentally activated. With the safety on, the Shield's slide will still fully function. It is easy to release if you need to, and it is not all that different of a 1911 safety except it is fitted in tighter to the gun. Leave it off and don't use it if you don't like it.

I am an instructor and RSO. I need to handle all types of firearms so I need to be familiar with all trigger platforms.. If I were a dedicated revolver person, I would take a close look at a Kahr PM/CM series as a alternate carry option. To all others, I think the Shield is the best thing to come along in years. Just my 2¢. Sorry for the long post.

Mine will field strip either way. If you use the yellow lever to remove the slide, upon reassembly, you will have to put a mag in the gun to move it back up or pull it up manually to make the gun function.