While perusing Shield reviews I found gunsgunsguns.net and their very favorable review of the Shield. Then I noticed the user rating average was 5 out of 10 stars, which we all know is hardly an accurate representation of this awesome ultra-slim M&P. I have no doubt that some Smith haters clicked 1 star just to smear the good name of Smith & Wesson. So I am suggesting that you head over there and give it a more honest rating to make sure that people aren't confused by the misrepresentation of it's current user rating. And by the way, the Hi Point 9mm has a 7 or 8 star rating.

I've been looking hard at buying one, and have searched many websites for information from owners. The negatives are starting to come out, but they aren't all that bad.

The main negative I am consistently seeing is about excessive trigger over-travel. There are also several people already talking about getting Apex trigger kits to correct it. To me, that doesn't bode well for the initial comments about it having such an awesome trigger.

Also, there are some that question the need to change from an M&P 9c to a Shield, as the Shield is not considered "pocketable" for most people, contrary to what many people might think. It's small, but a larger small. In other words, most people need to have it on a belt to be comfortable, so some reason that you may as well go with a 9c because there seems to be little difference in feel when carrying one or the other. My own personal comment -- I think that would have to depend a lot on your size. I would have to think a Shield would be a noticeable difference for a thinner female to carry.

I just went there and voted a 10 because I know my shield deserves every bit of that 10. It has ate all the ammo I've fed it and I've even fed it Tulammo. Now with 600+ rounds and no real good cleanings. It's still chugging along. Also, very accurate.

It is an awesome trigger. The trigger isn't bad at all. I'm leaving mine stock. Plus, it adds safety in my opinion. But for people that are used to a lighter pull are the ones that complain. After you get used to it... it's easy to land tight groups. I wouldn't want a lighter pull on a conceal because of accidental discharges.

I was looking at the 9c before this one and also a Ruger LCP but for a small 9mm this one was the winner. It has such a slimmer frame than the 9c, not just handle but also in slide. Plus, it's only single stack making it not stick out as much as the thick 9c grip. Sure it's not as small as a little pocket .380 but it's a 9mm. If you want a pocket gun I'd say go with a .380. If you want extra power... go with this 9mm. Wait until you get to hold one... you'll love it.

I voted a 9 (& not a 10 only because I've not shot mine yet, but I'm not really worried) get out & vote !

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

I have owned a number of M&Ps, in .45, 9mm, and now one in .40 (VTAC model.) I like the full size models for home defense and range, but the Shield is hands down my favorite for carry and self defense. I love my 1911s, but I would never carry them.

I have small hands and this pistol is the most comfortable of any pistol I have ever had. Not everyone may like it, and that's ok...there are plenty of other pistols in this world to choose from...but I feel like I have found my dream gun, for me!

I pocket carry my Shield 10 hours a day in Dockers 32x36. Women pants can barely fit a cell phone. I think a woman wearing todays fashion would have difficulty pocket packing a Ruger LCP.

I think it is a great sign if the negative we are reading is the trigger travel. If that is the worst folks can find the Shield will provide most looking for a reliable carry gun a great option. (For the record I have no complaints with the trigger. I can group my 7 yard shots within an inch)

The only negative I found with my Shield was the stock rear sight catches as you draw from your pocket but I fixed that issue when I changed out my sights for XS Big Dot night sights.

Russ

Triggers. Learn them & their use. LEARN YOUR GUN!!!
I think all 1911 owners should have their index fingers removed if they stray from that platform!! (LOL!!). LEARN TO SHOOT!! Take a lesson. Learn to shoot your platform! A trigger should not be a priority when choosing a weapon!

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Live Free or Die

I had a M&P 9C and sold it then bought the shield. Much better trigger pull and easier to carry concealed. I found the accuracy was better with the Shield due to the better trigger pull.

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

I agree with the above post (#8). All this fuss over triggers is comical to me. My defensive gun that goes bang if/when I need it to save my life is all I care about. I can shoot circles around many friends who have "awesome triggers" on their guns. Learn to shoot what you carry and be done with it

PS: While not a pure pocket carry gun for most it is certainly possible to pocket carry. I have done it many times with no problems.

Really??? The better trigger on the Shield is one reason my LC9 is now retired...

Haven't you had it for over a month??...get out and shoot it!

I Agree.

I'm sure the shield is all it's cracked-up to be. Heck, it's an M&P, I would love it. To be honest, I can't justify buying one. Not right now anyways. I don't see it replacing my .40c that conceals just fine thank you very much. I do like the safety though. See, I'm talking myself into one...maybe...someday...

Posted and gave it a 10 , it deserves as higha rating as possible !

I gave it a 10. I have a 9c, and I do like it, for a double stack concealable pistol. That being said, my Shield gets the nod for the near perfect carry pistol. Thin, easier to conceal on a hot Las Vegas day, and is stone reliable. It shoots when I want, and where I want it to.

My Shield was my fifth M&P pistol, and by far the most carried!

That's why I like the Shield as I can put em all in the 10 and 9 ring at 15 yards. Trigger pull made all the difference, and that is why I carry the Shield.

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

And I sir, did the same and it's the truth!

Got mine out to the range the other day and did some moving defensive drills with it, man I love this gun!

9/10 for me, simply because I wish the safety was ambidextrous.

Amen. You could create the theoretically perfect weapon and there would come along folks willing to critisize it. Overtravel is not an issue (at least with me) with the Shield. Its a solid, accurate, relaible little gun great for summer carry and I can make a 2" ragged hole in the center of a head sized target at 25 feet. What's not to like? And, ME carrying a 9mm? As they say, never say never!

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Ed45

When the 1st Shields arrived at work, I was all excited, like my co workers. I've been a Glock guy for over 20 years, but recently changed my carry gun to a HK USP compact 45. I never even shot a S&W since the excellent 645 I owned years ago. So I put the Shield in my hand, & then a M&P9c. I liked the M&P better, but I don't have large hands. And yes, while the trigger in either gun is nothing to write home about, I feel it's fine for self defense, but not target shooting. GARY N4KVE

Have you seen the Shield trigger YouTube?
The trigger has an over-travel stop built into it and the amount of travel, from break to stop is a whopping 1/8" (approx), with a reset (from trigger stop to reset) of about 1/4" (the 1/8" over-travel, plus 1/8" more to reset).

Maybe I'm just getting old, but when did 1/8" over-travel become 'Excessive'?

I honestly don't get the 5 out of ten. I absolutely love my Shield 9 which I bought 2 months ago tomorrow, the launch date to the public. It has been flawless for me. I will give it a 9/10 because the grip needs more texture which I fixed with this stippling job that I did myself.

Oh .. you would walk out with one after firing one I really didn't need one either as I have the M&P9c that has been extensively modified and a S&W BG.380. But I am SOooo glad that I am a Shield owner (it's on me right now)

Mas Ayoob recommends for a carry gun keeping the trigger pull within factory specs, in order to avoid potential legal trouble in court (he would know). Anyway, I contacted Smith and they told me the Shield pull is 6.5 lb +/- 1/2 lb. That means a minimum factory pull weight of 6 lbs.

I understand the Apex DCAEK results in nominally a 5.5 lb pull weight. Therefore, I have decided to master the factory trigger and not "upgrade" the trigger components. I realize others may disagree, and that is certainly their perogative. However, this is what I'm (not) doing.

Tommato

I'm not a great shooter, and not that experienced - I admit it - but the other day when I was doing some defensive drills I could hit a 5" metal target from 5-10 yards while moving backwards... I didn't hit it every time, but was close every time and hit it at least once during each drill (3 shots each).

I'm OK with the trigger.

I pocey carry my shield in loose jeans cargo shorts and pleated dress pants. Had a special kydex holster made from Alan at Aholster. He doesn't have a blue gun but made an extra for me using a walk-ins gun 35 delivered. Best pocket holster on the market. I have a
Galco ph286 and a destantis Nemesis also now relegated to my holster box. Best gun Great holster
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk 2

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'THE HYPNOTIZED NEVER LIE"

Any site that rates a Hi Point over an M&P is a joke and I would have stopped reading there.

Yup, I know you are correct. The problem is there are only two gun shops within a 100 miles of me, and neither have have even seen a shield. Had there been one for me to fondle, I'd prolly own one too. It ain't gonna take much arm twisting...

Can't have enough M&Ps IMO.

Clthe son the Shield review, then scroll to bottom to rate the gun.

I brought it up from 6.5 to 6.6 with my 10/10, so we need at least 15 more to get it up to an 8 (I'd say it deserves an 8-9 for sure).

Would love to! but my back went out, and I'm just now getting back to to being able to get around about 3/4 don't worry I will

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

The Shield is pocketable. I pocket carry mine all the time and I'm average weight and height. I had a 9c and the Shield is ALOT easier to conceal.

I'd give it a. Hard 8. I would prefer a. Light trigger. And I had 2 ftf but I'm thinking its the ammmo wwb not the gun. I love the Shield though good shooter n love that it comes w two mags n not one.

I gave it a 10 even though it is very hard to get it away from my wife. Of course it is her EDC so she needs to be the one putting the rounds down range. She likes it and it has shot everything we have put in it and she can put a very small hole in the targets she shoots at 7-10 yds. We both like the trigger and have no problems with anything about this pistol. I am keeping my eye open for another one for myself.

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S&W M&P Shield 9mm. (2)

The Shield is up to 6.8 / 10! Thanks everyone for your votes and comments. I would love to see this gun get to a 8 or 9, which is where it deserves to be.

I do not own one, but am interested. Just passing-on the web chatter from various sites I peruse. Figured the op could look out for that and determine for himself if it matters.

I cannot comment either way. I have never fired one. I really want to, though. I simply mentioned what I saw posted a few places.

I have been a 1911 lover for years along with my S&W revolvers. I have carried several Glocks but do not like them. They do not point right for me and I hate the brick like feel of the grip. Too Fat! I read everything I could find on the Shield before purchasing one and got a 9mm. I love it. It is slim, trim and has a really good trigger as is. It shoots great and is easy to conceal. I have heald the Walther PPs and all the other similar weapons and prefer the feel of the Shield over all the others. It is a winner in MHO.

Now up to 7/10 stars, more true to life I think but 8 would be better.

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Agreed! Keep on voting. If anyone belongs to the "other" S&W forum or the "other" M&P forum maybe you can post something there too!

Just got another 10 from me!

The Nano is at 7.2 & I know the Shield has got to be better. Looks alone if nothing else.

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Two cop friends bought SHields and I went to the range with them to try them out. We all think that this is the best gun S&W has introduced in quite some time. It is a great gun at a great price that demonstates superior performance from a small package. WINNER.

Wrong! Some of us have weak fingers and a trigger lighter than 8# is necessary.

ps .. I have never owned a 1911

I received my Shield .40 on Monday and took it to the range yesterday (Tuesday). I had 4 failures to fire out of 75 rounds i fired. Primers were barely touched on all 4, which occured in the last 25 rounds. I was using hand loads, so there may have been some problems with the ammo, but I'm thinking striker problem. I took it home cleaned it well and disassembled the slide and did a good cleaning of the striker tube, it had a little oil in it that had collected some powder residue. I'm hoping that took care of it. I'm taking it back to the range this afternoon with with some good factory ammo. I will reserve my rating until after. But I will say, other that the ftf issue, it's all I expected and more...trigger, action, feel and dead on accurate.

Kris, everybody needs at least one They are a fine handgun, John Moses Browning did conceive one of the best handgun platforms in the 1911. Now I admit I'm not that hip on carrying cocked & locked, but that's the nature of the beast, however my Para with the LDA trigger is sweet, and of course is different, I love the LDA trigger. Try one if you haven't sometime.

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

I voted...still at 7.1...so head on over and cast your vote.

BTW, I have over 500 rounds through my 40 Shield now, with not a single FTF or any other problem. Love shooting this little gem!

For it's design spacifc perpose of easy CC, over all fit and finish, accuracy, trigger, and value for it's price I would vote it a 9 because the Shield is IMHO EVERY single inch equal to and again IMHO superior to the top of the line Kahrs and they cost almost DBL the Shield. I feel this way because FOR ME, I simply could not worm up to the Kahrs triggers, waaaay to long and vauge, and I tried well over a dozen total of the CW and the CMs combined at three different LGS including BP and Cabelas. I did not give it a 10 because for me the safety requiers more effort than I like to engage, but it disengages very easly.

This is coming from a Sield owner who looked at EVERY LAST semi-auto in 9mm/40S&W under 20oz unloaded & W/O a clip I could get my hands on.
Including Kahrs, Rugers, Berrettas, Walthers, Taurus, all VG CC guns, but I simply did not like any of their long vauge Lawyer triggers.
The selling points for me on the Shield were two: #1-The trigger gave me all the FB I could want was smooth and broke the same every time for me. #2-It was USA made & a superb value for the level of quality I was getting.

Having said all that, there is still a strong possability for true ultra light weight pocket carry in all weather, I strongly suspect a Kel-Tec PF-9 will end up in my possesion sooner than lator.

Arthur.

Oh, and BTW the Sield is DEFINATELY pocket carriable. At this time because I have not yet found a IWB holster to my liking, I have exclisivly carried mine in my front RT pocket contained and hidden in a Desantis "Superfly" pocket holster. It works very well and while holsterd in the Superfly my Shild simply apears to be a nondiscriped flat object in my pocket. There is no "Printing" or otherwise tell tail indicator that there is actually a gun in my pocket.

And I could not have said it better myself, in that ANY review that places a Hipoint above a Shield is obviously written by a author who is blaintantly biased against S&W firearms and making no effort to conceil it from anyone, or is simply talking BS in hopes to strir up a ***** storm of I/net confrontation.

Is the Shield the best CC semi-auto out there? no, but FOR THE SAME COST I chalange anyone to find its superior while having the same level of quality, weight/deminsion, shootablility and conceilability.

Now at 7.2 let's not give up now! Really I think around an 8 would be at least fair with as many flawless rounds fired as told by members here.

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

I gave it a 10 cause there is no reason not to. I've never had a failure with it of any kind. The stock trigger is great, much better than the stock trigger I had on the M&P 9C I had. This is a great compact pistol and easy to carry, weight and size wise.
I originally wanted a XDS but they are still not available here so beginning of May I bought the Shield and so glad I did. Don't think I'll get the XDS now, have a 1911 in 45 and the Shield is my carry.

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