I have been wanting one of the new S&W Shield compact auto pistols ever since they came out... but have not had much luck in finding one... one bay area dealer "Shoot Straight" had some at the last guns how, but true to form they were very expensive... but they had them. I passed.

My Fav LGS had not had any luck in getting a Shield in either chambering. So I waited... Yesterday the proprietor gave me a call... he had gotten a 9mm Shield in and did I want it. Of course I did... So this morning I drove over and picked it up.

The first thing I noticed was that S&W had dropped the obscenely huge plastic boxes they had been using for M&P pistols in favor of a cardboard box similar to the last style of cardboard box they used.



The interior was generally similar with a new flap covering the gun and accessories.



All in all the packaging is very well executed and attractive.

The gun is generally similar to the other M&P series guns, but thinner and smaller.

Right view -




Left view-



Rear view-



Front view-



The controls are pretty much like the other M&P guns, except for the standard thumb safety (which is a good bit smaller than the normal M&P thumb safety, but works well none-the-less)



The first impression of the Shield was it is SMALL... but it fits my fairly large hand very well indeed. I was curious how the Shield compared with other small guns, so I thought I would compare it with a Colt's M1908 .380 auto the gun I consider about the most carry-able around. Here are the results-

Rear view-



Top view-



I was surprised to discover the Shield is shorter than the Colt with both being about the same height. The colt is slightly thinner however.

The trigger is pretty much the usual M&P (that is to say somewhat heavy) but lucubration helped that somewhat. I think this gun will be a good opportunity to try out the APEX sear kit and see how it works out. If the gun is true to form for the M&Ps it will improve considerably with firing.

All things considered, I think the Shield is going to be a very popular carry gun for S&W.

Today Mrs CXM and I managed to get to the range and burn some powder... I particularly wanted to see how our new S&W Shield 9mm would shoot.

The first thing we noticed was, despite the small size of the little pistol, the recoil was quite mild... about the same as a name not to be spoken G19 or a SIG P229 both of which I fired in comparison... S&W has done something right with the recoil management. How with .40 might feel I don't know... but I expect it would be quite manageable

So, with little gun in hand I started shooting at seven yards... and the first string produced a surprising group....

This is the first two strings I fired.... These are 6" targets.



I have to say I was pleased indeed, particularly considering the very short barrel and sight radius....

In the course of trying out the new gun Mrs. CXM and I fired 250 rounds of my house brand reloaded ammo (115 gr. JRN) through the gun without any stoppage or malfunction of any type. For a new (and small gun) we were impressed.

Further strings produced similar results....



We also wanted to see what it would do at 15 yards... I didn't shoot it at greater distance because I think15 yards is about as far as one would expect to shoot a small defensive pistol... though it's accuracy is such I'm sure it would do well beyond 15 yards. Here is the result...



So in summary we are pleased with the little Shield and I'll get one I can keep for my self as soon as I can find another one... it shoots very well and has been totally reliable. I do recommend installing the Apex sear and related parts to improve the trigger....

V/r

Chuck

Looks like it is doing well for you.
Lately I had heard a few dissenting opinions about the shields.
Lucky for us fans, you can't argue with groups like that.
Congrats on the purchase.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

I was thinking about getting the Ruger LC9 but some bad reviews on the trigger and some other issues changed my mind and boy am I glad.

I went with the S&W Shield 9MM. The shield had very few bad reviews and I am happy with my purchase. They were a little scarce in my area with all the big LGS never even seeing the shield yet. I probably could have found a better price on the internet but that would involve shipping, a FFL fee from a local dealer and I am bad about waiting anyway once I have made up my mind. I think S&W has a real winner with this new Shield as the subcompact/pocket market is taking off right now. You can get the shield in your pocket but it is not quite as small as the Ruger LC9 but feels more solid with less felt recoil for follow up shots. A IWB holster is in my future for CCW. I will be staying away from +P loads though as I see no sense pounding a small framed pistol into an early grave when standard SD loads will do the job at SD ranges.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

Very nice review! You shoot that thing like you've owned it for years. Were you benched at all or all standing free hand. I may have to pick one of these up. I figured I'd wait till next year when easier to find.

Glad you like your Shield and good review. Mine doesn't seem to shoot quite as tight a groups as yours but still within minute of bad guy. Ran another 60 or 70 rounds through mine today and not one bobble so far at close to 400 rounds. Ran some rounds through my "Austrian" black pistol too and not a single problem with either one. Always a good day at the range.

I shot unsupported, using Isosceles stance.

The Shield can be found... just hard to find one at a good price. The big local dealer has a bunch of them, but wants $499 each. I was able to get one from the LGS for $399... though I got a few extra bucks off because I am a good customer.

I suppose it depends on the local market... My LGS does not take extra mark up on scarce guns.

FWIW

Chuck