Hi all,
I've been searching for a concealed carry firearm for when I'm riding my bike on the Silver Comet Trail. I need something small since the bike clothing I wear is not conducive to covering a full size firearm. (If you can tell from my avatar, I'm wearing spandex shorts and a jersey that fits closely).

After considering many factors, I've chosen to go with a 9mm. A major factor in that decision was the cost of ammo on the practice range. It was a choice between 45acp and 9mm, and I didn't even consider 40acp. In the end, I figured a 9MM +P would be more economical overall, with not a lot of difference in penetration and stopping power over a 45.

Next, I considered which 9mm would fit my need best. I'm going to be carrying with a belly band holster, or perhaps a small fanny pack holster. That means the best choice is going to be a sub compact single stack. Price does have an impact on the choice, so I ruled out the more expensive options. In the sub-$500 choices, I was down to the Shield, Nano, Ruger LC9, and the not yet available Remington R51. Kahr cm9 would be in there, too, if I could find one under 5 Benjamen's. Based on what people have said all over the internet, most seemed to prefer the Shield. I have spent some range time with one, and liked the feel and performance of it. I really like the looks of the R51, but because it is new, and may have gen 1 issues that don't get addressed for a while, I'm thinking it would be best to go with a proven design with most of the initial kinks already worked out.

I just decided today on which firearm to get, after several weeks of deliberation. And, I'm not in a hurry, since bike riding season won't start for several more weeks.

Now, my next dilemma is where to buy a Shield. And for this aspect of the purchase, price is very important. Here are my options. Academy Sports sells them for $400. But, the stores around my area are out of stock. The clerk behind the gun counter at my local store told me today he has never seen one available there. The next nearest store is 40 miles away, and they have a display only, but not a new one in the box. My preferred LGS's have them at $430. Both of these locations are store/range operations, and are both about 12 miles from me. One is a new, shiny, sparkly, upscale gun club with a range that is very nice. The other is a good, reliable, not so new, standard range, but they have a certified S&W armorer on site. Both locations have onsite gunsmiths. Or, I could drive 30+ miles and maybe find something in a price in-between. I'd rather stay local, and I'd rather go someplace where I could get my firearm serviced. (That would not be one of the big box stores).

So there it is. Since I haven't yet committed to anything, and laid down any money, I am still flexible and open to suggestions on everything from caliber to vender selection. Would anyone here have any opinions?

Try 3 internet sites.

Palmetto State Armory

Budsgunshop

Gunbroker

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40c FS,9Shield(2)40,9Pro

Thanks guys. I looked at those sites, and they are cheaper for the gun purchase price. But, after adding shipping and ffl fees, the cost comes in pretty close to buying local. Except for sales tax, that is. But then, if I need to have the gun worked on, an internet supplier would add extra costs for shipping it back and forth, as opposed to a local vendor, where I would just have to spend gas money.

I had a Kahr CM9. It was way to finiky. Plus I couldn't get used to the long revolver type trigger. I just gat a Shield today am I'm very pleased with the way it shoots and the way I shoot it.

I would go with the LGS for sure. The few dollars extra is in investment, you will probably need assistance as you begin your hands on learning process. You can learn a great deal from the web, but sometimes a "real time" person works the best.

If it's unavailable locally, then I'd consider mail order... just my $.02.

Will

If you are really concerned about follow up service then the LGS is the way to go. The $30 to $40 savings that you might get online is the cost of a 30 pack or a dinner out. Not really much to concern oneself over in the big picture of life. Lets be real, you are talking about a personal protection piece here. Is your life worth the extra $30 or $40 bucks. For that matter is it worth an extra $100.

In a lifetime, $100 is a drop in the bucket. Buy it now, practice with it and by the time bike season arrives, you will be ready to rock and roll.

I was forced to buy mine online as I could not find a MA compliant version here in my home state. Imagine, I had to go to Pennsylvania to find a MA compliant version of the Massachusetts produced 9mm shield.

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James Redfield
LM #497

Given these options and assuming they have what you want in stock or can get it in a reasonable timeframe I will buy from LGS every time. In your case the fact that they have an Armorer on site is worth the few extra bucks, IMO. Besides, who says you gave to pay their sticker price? Spend a little time talking to them (the owner or manager if possible - you need someone who can make a business decision), mention you can get it elsewhere for less, and ask if they can give you a reduced price, i.e. meet comp. Tell them you would prefer to buy locally. Also you're going to need a holster, ammo, cleaning materials, etc. so maybe you can bundle some of the accessories and make them a reasonable offer. The worst they can do is say "no".

Good luck and enjoy your Shield. It's an excellent concealed carry gun.

I order almost all my guns on gunbroker. Even after shipping and transfer fees its usually still $50-100 cheaper than any of my lgs,sometimes more. I believe in supporting my lgs b ut if someone else can sell it for a lower price,they can too. If my lgs would price match,I'd buy from them. If you need to have the gun worked on, you take it to a gunsmith. I don't know of a lgs that offers a warranty,its usually through the manufacturer. I saw shield 9 for $380 on gb yesterday. Welcome to the forum.

I bought mine from Quantico Tactical. They have branches outside of VA and they matched the price of a competitor in Richmond. I could not find a Shield 9mm/40 for less anywhere. I also bought a Glock at Town Police Supply in Richmond which has fantastic prices on S&W and Glock. It wouldn't hurt to check with them and do the math. I had my third range session with the Shield today and I'm loving that pistol more each time I shoot it (used factory ammo and had zero FTE problems).

mlt-I forgot about town police supply.thanks for the reminder,gonna have to take a look. I feel the same way about my shield9. 2500+rds with zero malfunctions. I even ran 150rds of steel cased tulammo through it a couple of weeks ago with zero issues. It eats everything,just like my mp9 fs.

Got mine at a local gun show today for $400 otd.

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I got one at Adventure Outdoors in Smyrna. That's about 22 miles from Dallas. When I purchased one several months back they had sever 9's in stock, and the guy said they were getting them regularly. The price at the time was 379, but I think they upped to 399 now.

I got my mp40 from sportsmansoutdoorsuperstore. Cheapest I could find it. They have very reasonable prices and free shipping.

SMITH AND WESSON MP9 SHIELD 9MM PISTOL | Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore

430 is a decent prize I paid 470 out the door for mine


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I'll have to check them out. They are about 10 minutes from my office, so I can drop over there at lunch.

I understand S&W is very good about providing a free mailing label for repair shipping. My last experience was about three years ago, however.

I just bought a 9mm shield yesterday on sale. While I had to wait 1.5 hours to get service, because of the crowd, the price was right. I paid $369.99 plus sales tax and $5 transfer fee. Also got a ruger 10-22 rifle for $199.99 plus tax and transfer fee. But shop is in Pa so not much good to you, except for idea on pricing. Their normal price is $399.99 or $30 less than sale price.

I would consider Buds if have an FFL to accept shipment that does not charge a huge amount.

$369 is about right, although I got my 9mm Shield for less than that due to some promotions they are running in VA (Town Gun Shop in Collinsville and Richmond, VA and Quantico Tactical). Again, you'd have to do the math with shipping and FFL transfer fees to see if it makes sense.

This should give you an idea of what they are selling for and stock/out of stock situations.
Search | Slickguns

I bought my 9mm Shield on Gunbroker a few weeks ago, from a Missouri FFL. The two local gun shops closest to me didn't have any in stock and couldn't really say how long it would take if I ordered through them. Cost turned out to be about the same if I had bought locally, but I had it in four days.

Quantico Tactical was running a special, 9 and .40 shield both $329.00