I just bought a new 9mm Shield last month, and I really like the pistol...great trigger, easy to stay on target for follow-up shots, accurate (for my purposes), and seems to be really well-made.

It digests all the fmj and hollow-point ammo that I have run through it without a problem, and although I can't quite find a carry method that works well for me (maybe too big for a pocket, and haven't found an IWB or OWB holster yet for easy carry in the hot, humid S. Alabama summers).

My question is that when I engage my thumb safety, I can still rack the slide and chamber a round. I can't ignite the round with a pull of the trigger unless I dis-engage the safety, but I haven't had a pistol do this before, and was wondering how much of a safety hazard (if any) this might be.

Has any other Shield 9mm owner experienced this?

Thanks.

Yes, that's normal operation for the Shield. I don't see any safety hazard as long as the safety prevents trigger pull.

BTW, I can also rack a round in my M&P 22 with the safety on.

It is designed to allow the cycling of the slide with the safety up/on. That is one of the complaints with older guns like the 1911 and BHP - that the safety must be off to cycle the slide (usually to unload). Not my complaint, mind you - I know to keep my trigger finger out of the trigger guard unless actually shooting.

I just ignore the tiny thumb safety on my Shields and treat it as though it was not there. The gun is perfectly safe without it. S&W makes other M&Ps without a safety. Now, if they made the Shield with a safety more the size and shape of those on their bigger brothers, I would consider it.

My M&P9c has NO safeties and I like it that way.

That is the way it was designed. The only time I use mine is when re-holstering...once it is in the holster I click the safety OFF. My M&P9c doesn't have one so I want all my carry guns carried in the same configuration.

The safety works the way it was designed. I use the safety on my gun and like it that way. You can rack the slide and drop the magazine without worry of discharge by snagging the trigger on something. The safety is small but is positive and works well. I can click mine off just like I do my 1911s.

Thanks all for your replies. I just wanted to make sure the safety is working as designed.

I also keep my finger off the trigger unless I want the thing to go off, and like some others, I'll keep the safety on until the pistol's holstered, and then dis-engage the safety.

Thanks again.