Should I avoid the Shield?

[Mdzcpa]

After much research I was settled on the Shield 40 as my daily carry. I recently acquired my CPL and chose the Shield as a good pistol for carry purposes. My first and only other pistol is a glock 23 that I like alot. It just seemed too large to carry for me as I'm of smaller frame. I thought Shield in 40 would compliment my glock well. I handle the 40 in glock well and I'm not too concerned about the recoil.

Now I see these forums and read about sight dot quality issues and out of battery issues. Very little mention of these issues on the general reviews on the Internet. I just bought the shield and it's currently shipping now. I know that it might be a little biased here, but I would like to know everybody's input. Should I wait for any issues to be corrected, or should I ignore some of these reports? I am a first-time carry And can use the advice.

[TheBest]

The front sight "problem" has been around for years, don't worry about it. It doesn't affect the function... Just put a drop of paint in the hole.

[jasserv]

The Shield 40 is a great gun. I personally own and carry one. There have been reported issues with the sights, and I had my front sight fall off during shooting as well. Prob had a couple hundred rounds through it. I contacted S&W and they shipped a new one, but I decided to just use white nail polish and just fill the hole. I haven't had any out of battery issues, but to me it seems like its mostly user error and people are holding the slide while racking it.

Either way enjoy the gun and make your own opinions on it once you have it. Worse case scenario, the gun is so hot right now someone will buy it from you.

[team sidewinder]

Very few minor problems with the shield and if you check other brand forums you will find there isn't a gun out there that doesn't have some problems. White paint in the sight IF it falls out and the OOB is a induced non problem IMHO.

[jajo]

I own and carry the 9mm Shield. My advice is to ignore these reported issues.

My Shield functions and fires every time, with any ammo - FMJ, JHP at all weights and shapes.

I've seen the reports of the sight dots falling out - hasn't happened to me, and I have over 500 rounds fired in mine. If it does, then I consider it a cosmetic issue and will fix it myself.

I don't understand the OOB reports. I guess what some people are saying is that if you try to induce an OOB condition in your Shield, you can. I don't do this, so no problem for me.


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[Jasonm43]

Yes u should avoid it don't ever shoot urs and sell it to someone else.
That way someone who has been wating for 6 months can get there...
Also the out of battery is only when press checking the 9mm the 40 don't do it

[catcus-jack]

The 40 is the one that drops mags on the ground isn't it?

[Dikinalaska]

Originally Posted by catcus-jack

The 40 is the one that drops mags on the ground isn't it?

Not anymore. Smith fixed that.

[kisportolt]

Like others have said, the Shield is a great gun, and it is excellent for CC. I carry a Shield 9 and have had no issues with the sights or out of battery. I haven't regretted buying mine at all, and I don't think there's a better semi-auto carry gun out there.

That said, if you are unsure and end up not wanting the gun, send me a PM

[RussC]

Originally Posted by Mdzcpa

After much research I was settled on the Shield 40 as my daily carry. I recently acquired my CPL and chose the Shield as a good pistol for carry purposes. My first and only other pistol is a glock 23 that I like alot. It just seemed too large to carry for me as I'm of smaller frame. I thought Shield in 40 would compliment my glock well. I handle the 40 in glock well and I'm not too concerned about the recoil.

Now I see these forums and read about sight dot quality issues and out of battery issues. Very little mention of these issues on the general reviews on the Internet. I just bought the shield and it's currently shipping now. I know that it might be a little biased here, but I would like to know everybody's input. Should I wait for any issues to be corrected, or should I ignore some of these reports? I am a first-time carry And can use the advice.

Don't shoot a round through her. You are making a serious mistake. PM me when she arrives and I'll pay you retail for the problem child.

Russ

[kisportolt]

Originally Posted by RussC

Don't shoot a round through her. You are making a serious mistake. PM me when she arrives and I'll pay you retail for the problem child.

Russ

Not fair, I called dibs first!

[RussC]

Originally Posted by kisportolt

Not fair, I called dibs first!

Ok if you insist you can take the problem child

[Mdzcpa]

LOL...you guys are a barrel of laughs

I hate to disappoint but based on feedback I'm sure this pistol will end up being my daily carry. It certainly is true that every firearm has some kind of fault or imperfection, and even then not everyone experiences the issues. I've had numerous people with a lot of experience recommend the Shield, including several LOEs that I trust. I will be staying put with my original choice and appreciate all those that chimed in here.

It arrives today at my LCS. I'm back to being pretty darn excited again

[shawn mccarver]

Originally Posted by Mdzcpa

After much research I was settled on the Shield 40 as my daily carry. I recently acquired my CPL and chose the Shield as a good pistol for carry purposes. My first and only other pistol is a glock 23 that I like alot. It just seemed too large to carry for me as I'm of smaller frame. I thought Shield in 40 would compliment my glock well. I handle the 40 in glock well and I'm not too concerned about the recoil.

Now I see these forums and read about sight dot quality issues and out of battery issues. Very little mention of these issues on the general reviews on the Internet. I just bought the shield and it's currently shipping now. I know that it might be a little biased here, but I would like to know everybody's input. Should I wait for any issues to be corrected, or should I ignore some of these reports? I am a first-time carry And can use the advice.

Shoot yours and if it works, then carry it. If it does not, then S&W will fix it. If by sight problem, you are talking about the white dot falling out, that is not a problem. That is an invitation to clean and degrease the front sight and to drop in some "glow in the dark" paint you get on the internet or at hobby stores - the kind activated by a light source after which it glows for hours. That "do it yourself" front night sight is fantastic and MUCH cheaper and less headache to "install." Enjoy your .40 caliber Shield.

[Maddmax]

Originally Posted by Mdzcpa

LOL...you guys are a barrel of laughs

I hate to disappoint but based on feedback I'm sure this pistol will end up being my daily carry. It certainly is true that every firearm has some kind of fault or imperfection, and even then not everyone experiences the issues. I've had numerous people with a lot of experience recommend the Shield, including several LOEs that I trust. I will be staying put with my original choice and appreciate all those that chimed in here.

It arrives today at my LCS. I'm back to being pretty darn excited again

Part of the problem,people don't read the manual first and follow the instructions.

If I were you,I'd be sitting at the LGS waiting.

[Smitty357]

Buy it and sell it to someone who doesnt want a Glock, LMAO.

We have been warned over and over again that the 9mm barrel wouldnt work in our Shield .40, but for some reason it performs flawlessly and has done so since around September or October of last year. So yes its safe to say that I wouldnt listen to much of the rumors running around. Best thing is the Shield 9mm owners have since learned how to make the Shield .40 barrel work into their 9mm Slide. Now they too also have a weapon that is capable of shooting both 9mm and .40 without any problems.

[KTM300RIDER]

AWESOME GUN IN MY OPINION> NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT!

[Starwalker]

Shield 9mm owner here.

Keep in mind that every (and I do mean every) major mass-produced gun type manufactured has the occasional problem.

My Shield has been perfect and is now my favorite among my herd of handguns.

When you get yours, read the manual, clean the gun and lube it, and I think you most likely be very happy with your purchase.

[earlmlasko]

got mine a week ago, put 50 rounds through it, no problems ,love it got rid of a glock 27

[Smitty357]

Originally Posted by earlmlasko

love it got rid of a glock 27

Amen to that.

I'll buy another m&p before i even walk in the store and look at another Block. I traded mine for another AR awhile back. I can only imagine how dumb that guy felt after he got home.

[Tundra5.7]

Originally Posted by Smitty357

Buy it and sell it to someone who doesnt want a Glock, LMAO.

We have been warned over and over again that the 9mm barrel wouldnt work in our Shield .40, but for some reason it performs flawlessly and has done so since around September or October of last year. So yes its safe to say that I wouldnt listen to much of the rumors running around. Best thing is the Shield 9mm owners have since learned how to make the Shield .40 barrel work into their 9mm Slide. Now they too also have a weapon that is capable of shooting both 9mm and .40 without any problems.

I'd be interested in finding out how the 40S&W Shield barrel works with the 9mm? Do you just have to buy a 40 barrel and magazines?

[Smitty357]

Originally Posted by Tundra5.7

I'd be interested in finding out how the 40S&W Shield barrel works with the 9mm? Do you just have to buy a 40 barrel and magazines?

Yep, and u have to shave a little metal from the .40 barrel to make it fit into the 9mm slide. Other then that, everything is the same.

Check Page 3, Post number 10.

Converted my Shield .40 to 9mm

[DocSunShine]

Don't let Internet hype steer you away, my EDC is a 40 shield, I've convinced 4 others to buy the shield, all 4 are EDC's not one complaint, nothing but proud and happy owners. They have found THE carry pistol to retire all other carry pistols.

[Dikinalaska]

Originally Posted by Tundra5.7

I'd be interested in finding out how the 40S&W Shield barrel works with the 9mm? Do you just have to buy a 40 barrel and magazines?

You won't find a .40 barrel anywhere til supposedly next year

[Tundra5.7]

Originally Posted by Smitty357

Yep, and u have to shave a little metal from the .40 barrel to make it fit into the 9mm slide. Other then that, everything is the same.

Check Page 3, Post number 10.

Converted my Shield .40 to 9mm

Interesting. Maybe an aftermarket barrel will be offered in the near future.

[Mdzcpa]

Well I picked up my new Shield 40 yesterday. I took it home, read the manual, gave it a field strip inspection and light cleaning, then messed around a short while with some snap caps to get the feel.

Today I took it to the range after work and ran 100 rounds through it without a hiccup! No mag drops, no sights flying off, no FTF or FTE. Nothing but buttery goodness. I ran a few mags to get warmed up, then concentrated on the 6 round shorter mag as that is what will be my carry configuration. Practiced mostly two handed grip but through a little single strong hand in as well.

Groupings were not great, but darn good. Better than I had hoped. The 40 certainly has a bit of flip but not much more than my G23. I am so pleased with this pistol right now!!

Thanks for the encouragement guys. After another session or two at the range and some draw training at home I think this Shield 40 will be perfect for my EDC.

[Denversteve]

Good. Remember a target pistol or competition pistol needs sights. A CC pistol for close quarter self-defense carry is a point and shoot. Train to shoot it from 5-10 feet accurately without the sights.