Shield Safety

jeepmcd · #1 03-08-2013, 09:22 AM

I have actually never owned a handgun with a manual safety. I carry this IWB, but I guess my question is how many of you out there carry with the safety OFF? The safety will be nice for when ever I hand the firearm to another person (range) but I don't like having an extra step when drawing from my holster.

Thoughts, dangers, tips?

JNewell · #2 03-08-2013, 09:25 AM

The Shield, like Glocks and many other similar pistols, is perfectly safe without any manual safety as long as proper trigger discipline is observed.

I leave it off at all times and would have preferred having no manual safety that Murphy could accidentally engage (although that risk appears to be minimal). So, my thoughts: no danger, leave it "off" and practice good gun safety habits.

RussC · #3 03-08-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepmcd

I have actually never owned a handgun with a manual safety. I carry this IWB, but I guess my question is how many of you out there carry with the safety OFF? The safety will be nice for when ever I hand the firearm to another person (range) but I don't like having an extra step when drawing from my holster.

Thoughts, dangers, tips?

Jeep

At first I didn't care for the manual safety but after practicing pocket drawing sweeping safety and squeezing the trigger I wouldn't have it any other way. (Always practice drawing with an empty weapon!)

I pocket hot and with an excellent holster (Desantis) I cannot make contact with the trigger while properly holstered and the manual safety adds that extra safety and when I pocket hot I want that added level of security especially when I sit at a desk all day and muzzle point.

I considered a Sig 938 for pocket conceal which is a little lighter and smaller than the Shield and shoots just as well but I cannot bring myself to pocket packing a weapon with a hammer locked in the firing position. I know many will argue it is safe but I like the design for safety of the striker fire Shield with multiple safety features including the manual safety.

Russ

jeepmcd · #4 03-08-2013, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the info. I also carry hot in a Desantis holster with little if no chance of reaching the trigger. I am practicing with the safety on, but it just fowls up the speed and accuracy of the draw when I would need that most.

Years of hunting has trained me to disengage the safety upon shouldering a long gun, so I think with practice I can reach the same level of speed with my Shield.

I was curious how other people handled a manual safety on their carry choice.

Is there a Shield on the horizon that will not have a safety? I know there are many choices on the market, but I though S&W would fall in line with the options of the other handguns in the M&P line.

gnystrom · #5 03-08-2013, 12:05 PM

I have had the most training with the 1911 platform so "cocked and locked" was normal for me.
I was comfortable without the safety on my Kahr PM9 and 340PD revolver. Even short stroke striker fired pistols never bothered me until our chief of police sent us a e-mail about an officer that was qualifying in the rain and while re-holstering his Glock, the little plastic toggle that adjusts the drawstring on his rain gear went into the trigger guard, and as the gun slid into his holster the trigger moved rearward, and you know the rest of the story. The manual safety does not bother me at all and the fact the slide functions with the safety on, I now use it every time.

zotzer · #6 03-08-2013, 12:21 PM

It depends what holster I am using. Right now, in the N82 pro, safety is off. You have to twist to release in this holster, and I don't want the added step of having to disengage the safety (although I always practice my draw with a sweep of the safety, just to be in the habit....it's actually a quite natural motion while bringing up to sights).

In a Remora or Pistol Wear, safety is always on. I didn't think I would like having the safety on the Shield and would leave it in the "off" position, but find myself using it more often than not.

Tracy

checkmyswag · #7 03-08-2013, 12:36 PM

I like the safety. Its all about what you train for. Its automatic to me.

I carry with the safety ON. I see that some carry with it off. Whatever you're comfortable with I suppose.

Old cop · #8 03-08-2013, 01:31 PM

I've never really understood the concern when carrying a modern DA semi and using a safety. Revolvers do not have these gizmos and are safely carried IWB fully loaded. If it was me I'd ignore the safety on a Shield.

checkmyswag · #9 03-08-2013, 03:19 PM

Do people have more NDs with guns with manual safeties or without? I do like the backstrap only safety on the XD. But I don't think you can cycle the slide without using it.

Get ready for all the super masculine posts to criticize anyone who prefers a safety. Of course don't be sloppy with any gun. Safeties are kind of like the rules of gun safety. There are multiple ones so if you break one rule...no one gets shot. But of course follow all the rules.

Local police officer just shot himself in the foot with a...Glock. you know, with the safe action trigger. It would be statistically feasible to study NDs by pistol type. Would be interesting to see the outcome.

And before the "the safety is between my ears" crowd shows up...of course we cannot get complacent with any firearm. Follow the rules. Finger off the trigger, watch while reholstering and on and on. And no, if you train with a safety its not going to be an issue when you need the gun to work. Train.

OldLawman · #10 03-08-2013, 04:09 PM

I carry mine holstered (not in the pocket, with or without a pocket holster), so I carry with the safety in the "off" position.

I carried/still carry a 1911 frequently, so cocked and locked is second nature to me. That having been said, the safety lever on the Shield is too small for me. I would prefer one of two things: either a larger safety lever, like those on the larger M&P guns with the manual safety; or no safety. The gun, as far as guns go, is perfectly "safe" without the manual safety engaged.

I know a no-safety M&P can be converted to have a safety. Wish I could go in the other direction with my Shields !

Dino1 · #11 03-08-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussC

Jeep

At first I didn't care for the manual safety but after practicing pocket drawing sweeping safety and squeezing the trigger I wouldn't have it any other way. (Always practice drawing with an empty weapon!)

I pocket hot and with an excellent holster (Desantis) I cannot make contact with the trigger while properly holstered and the manual safety adds that extra safety and when I pocket hot I want that added level of security especially when I sit at a desk all day and muzzle point.

Practice with the safety on, then it becomes second nature, you don't even think about it. You just naturaly sweep it off. I always carry with mine on, always have. I even find myself sweeping it when picking it off the bench at the range. I would rather be safe than haveing a bad moment reholstering. Picture yourself explaining why you have a hole in you butt or thigh in the Emergency room. Another thing to consider is your weapon is on your desk, and someone picks it up. Safety on, even the most inexperienced person can not pull trigger. And if they do, at least you tried to stop the accidental discharge. My wife handed me my 1911 one day with one in the chamber and cocked, we had a discharge, shot out the tire on my dolly. Good thing I practice always treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Gun has a hair trigger, and that is why I don't carry it.

I considered a Sig 938 for pocket conceal which is a little lighter and smaller than the Shield and shoots just as well but I cannot bring myself to pocket packing a weapon with a hammer locked in the firing position. I know many will argue it is safe but I like the design for safety of the striker fire Shield with multiple safety features including the manual safety.

Russ

Practice with the safety on, then it becomes second nature, you don't even think about it. You just naturaly sweep it off. I always carry with mine on, always have. I even find myself sweeping it when picking it off the bench at the range. I would rather be safe than haveing a bad moment reholstering. Picture yourself explaining why you have a hole in you butt or thigh in the Emergency room. Another thing to consider is your weapon is on your desk, and someone picks it up. Safety on, even the most inexperienced person can not pull trigger. And if they do, at least you tried to stop the accidental discharge. My wife handed me my 1911 one day with one in the chamber and cocked, we had a discharge, shot out the tire on my dolly. Good thing I practice always treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Gun has a hair trigger, and that is why I don't carry it.

I considered a Sig 938 for pocket conceal which is a little lighter and smaller than the Shield and shoots just as well but I cannot bring myself to pocket packing a weapon with a hammer locked in the firing position. I know many will argue it is safe but I like the design for safety of the striker fire Shield with multiple safety features including the manual safety.

timn8er · #12 03-08-2013, 04:44 PM

I pocket carry my 40 Shield with the safety on. Its just not that big a deal to me to thumb sweep the safety as I'm bringing the gun up to target.

jasserv · #13 03-08-2013, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timn8er

I pocket carry my 40 Shield with the safety on. Its just not that big a deal to me to thumb sweep the safety as I'm bringing the gun up to target.

Thats exactly how I carry and practice drawing.

RobzGuns · #14 03-08-2013, 08:37 PM

The Shield is the only pistol I own that has a manual safety.
I simply leave the thumb safety in the Off position and my finger up on the side of the slide until I'm on target.
It ain't gonna go off on its own.

JNewell · #15 03-08-2013, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by checkmyswag

Do people have more NDs with guns with manual safeties or without? I do like the backstrap only safety on the XD. But I don't think you can cycle the slide without using it.

Get ready for all the super masculine posts to criticize anyone who prefers a safety. Of course don't be sloppy with any gun. Safeties are kind of like the rules of gun safety. There are multiple ones so if you break one rule...no one gets shot. But of course follow all the rules.

Local police officer just shot himself in the foot with a...Glock. you know, with the safe action trigger. It would be statistically feasible to study NDs by pistol type. Would be interesting to see the outcome.

And before the "the safety is between my ears" crowd shows up...of course we cannot get complacent with any firearm. Follow the rules. Finger off the trigger, watch while reholstering and on and on. And no, if you train with a safety its not going to be an issue when you need the gun to work. Train.

But you said it yourself..._N_D. Safeties don't protect fools, nor even the forgetful.

robkarrob · #16 03-08-2013, 09:09 PM

This video shows how to eliminate the Shield safety, for those of you that worry about the safety getting accidentally bumped on. I personally carry with the safety on. It is an easy discipline to train to swipe the safety off as the gun is drawn up.

Bob

M&P Shield Manual Safety Removal - YouTube

JMike · #17 03-08-2013, 09:19 PM

I wholeheartedly agree with your logic and thinking here!

I just picked up a M&P Shield 9mm today. My M&P 9c does not have the thumb safety and so my plan is to carry the Shield in the same manner that I carry the 9c.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old cop

I've never really understood the concern when carrying a modern DA semi and using a safety. Revolvers do not have these gizmos and are safely carried IWB fully loaded. If it was me I'd ignore the safety on a Shield.

checkmyswag · #18 03-09-2013, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNewell

But you said it yourself..._N_D. Safeties don't protect fools, nor even the forgetful.

I said that out of respect for gun safety. If properly employed a thumb safety reduces the chance of some types of NDs. Everything else being equal...which it never is.

SpinControl · #19 03-09-2013, 01:18 PM

As a novice, I really liked the idea of having a safety, so my first firearm was the Beretta PX4.

Love the gun, but to me having the safety has made me question if I made the correct decision.

At a training session, the instructor had those with safeties engage them upon holstering, and then turn them off upon draw. I had no issues with that except that I kept forgetting to disengage the safety (when I was under pressure and the nerves were jacked - everyone was staring)! Granted, I did not practice much, so disengaging the safety had not become second nature, but the PX4 was for home protection, so I now worried that if I engaged the safety (around the kiddies), my wife would not know/remember to do so.

The option of having one is a good idea, but I plan on carrying hot. I know myself, and the idea of not being 100% ready is troublesome. As Old Cop said, revolvers do not have safeties, so...

To each his/her own, but if you do use the safety, practice holstering with it on, and off upon unholstering. Practice/Practice/Practice. In adrenaline fueled situations, fine motor skills disappear, so you better be prepared.

DJFaninTN · #20 03-09-2013, 01:30 PM

want to know THE best safety? ... keep your booger hook OFF the trigger!!!

i've carried a Glock for years. I can promise you the gun will not go off by itself. there is a reason they call them ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGES. it's accident!!!! someone stuck their finger inside the trigger guard and when you put a certain amount of pressure on that trigger, it goes bang.

you can set your gun on the kitchen table and walk past it every day ... cuss it ... talk about it's mother ... how much it sucks and how ugly it is .. and guess what??? it will never discharge by itself.

no matter how you carry your gun, you need to practice both ways. under pressure you want to react instinctively.

MSG Glenn · #21 03-09-2013, 04:07 PM

The only handgun I carried with a safety was the 1911 I carried in the Navy & Army & later the Beretta M9. Striker fired guns are safe without an additional lever to make them "safer". I wouldn't have one & if that was the only gun I could buy I wouldn't use it. As with any gun, safety or not, keep your finger away from the trigger until you're ready to fire. Always make sure there's nothing that can snag the trigger while carrying, drawing or reholstering. The trigger & guard should be completely covered by the holster.