I've owned a Shield 9mm for several years now and it has been flawless, except for one thing: That darned right-hand only thumb safety.

OBTW, I'm a lefty so anything on the wrong side is both useless and a potiential liability if it is accidentally engaged. I know, it is unlikely to be accidentally engaged. However, as a lefty the thumb safety sits on the outside and could rub up against anything as I move through the day.

The local air base exchange store had a safety-free Shield in the showcase today and I almost bought it. The price was $415 with no tax. I'm still thinking about it... Tempting.

We will see how S&W handles the botched 640 Pro they sent me last week before I give them any other business. More to come.

Edmo

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I would have bought it in a heartbeat. my LGS has the Shields WITH a safety for $420 plus tax. and I'm a lefty too. thought I had a good deal figured out, but it didn't happen.

Get it. I'm a lefty and I was always worried about that friggin safety too. I work at a gun shop and I traded for the first NTS Shield that came in the door. It shoots as good as my other one...awesome.

One thing is for sure. The mag release is still made for a right hand user.

I'm a lefty and I break my grip and use my index finger, cant really say it'd be faster with my thumb. the no thumb safety shield is awesome so far ~500 rounds.

This is exactly the point. Breaking ur grip is a no no. Which is why they actually make weapons with an ambi mag release. The safety and the mag release both need to be on theach proper side. If they arent, then once again u have a weapon that is half assed. Or you should have a weapon with NS but still have the mag release on the proper side.

ALloyd of these lefties should be throwing a fit over that mag release.

You can all say this NS shield is great for a lefty. But in reality we know it wasn't even close.

IMO a lefty should be more worried about the mag release instead of the safety. The safety is an either use or not use feature. The mag release is used much more than safety.

Like most things in the right-hand world I've been able to overcome them. The mag release is an example of that. My trigger finger easily goes to it and does so without thought during a mag change.

However, when a thumb safety is only on one (read: the non-lefty) side there isn't much you can do to accommodate it.

Edmo

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I'm picking up a Shield 9mm without the safety tomorrow, along with a M&P 9C. These 2 guns will be my first venture into S&W auto's since my Gen III 4566.

Actually yes there is. Just don't use the thumb safety period. It would be exactly like buying a NS version. How can u use something that isn't there. So for arguments sake, it's the weapon. Now if the mag release were ambi or if the mag release where on the proper side. Then it would be wortH noting that it was a mighty good idea of s&w to make such a weapon. However, we all know the reality of this story.

The safety free models have me interested in Shields again.

I found one online today for a great price and scooped it up.

I'm a leftie and do prefer ambi guns, which is why I like the big M&Ps. Some "right-handed only" guns bother me, some don't.

I have small hands so I actually recover much quicker from using my index finger on mag release than using my thumb. The only exception are pocket pistols like my M&P Bodyguard 380, where my thumb is actually right over the mag release location. Even then, I prefer to keep the mag release "right-handed" so I don't have to think about which pistol I'm carrying.

As for manual safety, I can see worrying about it if it is as big and prominent like my my FS and C M&Ps (but those are ambi). The Shield's MS is so small and recessed, I doubt I could ever accidentally bump it ON or OFF in normal CC.

If there is ever a few things I like about the XDS. The grip safety and the ambi mag release are the ones. I can honestly say Springfield gave more thought to theirs. S&W on the other hand, got in a hurry to be the new hotness. Had they made a Shield with a grip safety and an ambi mag release. It would be one heck of a nice weapon. Make all of that in the a shield and then have it in .45 acp. I would say that would be Springfield worse nightmare.

But since s&w half assed the shield to start with. We can only expect them to keep half doing so with anything they engrave Shield on. I like my shield so u can't complain. But it's by far no where near user friendly as the XDS when it comes to right/left hand shooters.

I just picked up a safety free 9mm today as we'll!! They had .40s in the back but only one in 9mm . Can't wait to shoot it.

Picked up a safety free model on Friday down here in Central TX.

Bought a non safety 9mm Shield at a gun show in the Dallas area yesterday. Test fire date of 7-22-2014, not even 3 weeks old. I already had a safety version but as almost all my pistols do not have safeties I wanted a non safety version. Had several to choose from with prices ranging from $365 to $399 plus tax.

Stumbled upon one this morning that had just been listed moments before on a gun trader site. Guy bought it, got it home, didn't like it. Decided to sell it without shooting it. My checking account is now $370 lighter.

Cheapest retail around my parts, IF you can find one, is $417 OTD.