Mec-Gar makes excellent magazines, but I haven't seen them for the Shield.....anyone know if they are available? Not that I would probably get any; just curious. S&W mags are not that expensive for a carry pistol IMO unless you want to have many spares....which I don't.

Paper; You may never see any aftermarket mags from MecGar for the Shield. At least not for a long while, as I understand MecGar makes the magazines for S&W on contract. That is the main reason magazines were so hard to get for awhile, just about everybody contracts thru MecGar for mags. With the panic buying we encountered these last 2 years, Mecgar was just slammed w/ orders and wouldn't even deal w/ the public on inquiries about spare magazines. they got downright ugly about it, too. But they do build a good product, so we are in good shape. As they say "Buy it often and stack it deep!".
Stay safe.

__________________
LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

I am the type of guy who insists on having many many magazines for any gun I own. However, when I bought my Shield, it was specifically being bought for every-day-carry. Against my normal "frame-of-mind" ... I realize that I am not preparing for a gun fight or war every day. I am preparing for an emergency situation. So I realize I do not need 8-12 mags like for my Glock 23 which I consider my warfighting and SHTF gun.

I currently have one spare 8rd mag to go with the factory-included 7 and 8. I carry chambered w/ the 7 round mag, that is 7+1 +8 +8 .. 24 rounds. I am pretty happy with that, 24 rounds of quality 9mm at the present I am going with 147gr Black Talons.

Now I would probably like to get one more spare mag for occasions I'd carry them all but at some point you just don't need them and don't want the weight on your body and room in your pockets etc. I might buy another 8rd or possibly a 7rd'er and add a Pearce grip who knows.





one last point- if I was independently wealthy, I'd have a bunch of mags. For everything i own and lots of other good stuff. I am not so I have to pick and choose my shots and I just don't think you need to strap up for war each day for EDC.

Military adage: "3 is 2, 2 is 1, and 1 is none". Or something to that effect. Basically means being redundant with disposable gear that you carry to the field. A take off on Murphy's Law, paraphrasing: "If it can be lost, It will be lost"
I realize magazines are not the cheapest thing in the world, but a minimum of 4 to 5 per gun is the standard, if you can do it. EDC or otherwise. At one time, not too long ago, we considered magazines as disposable items. That has changed due to many factors, quality of mag, availability of mag, price there-of, etc. Not so disposable anymore, huh?
Keep trying and the best of luck.

__________________
LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

If I could, I would change your mindset. "Si vis pacem para bellum", if you want peace, prepare for war. If you prepare for the war every day, when the emergency happens it won't be a surprise.

I'm not suggesting that you become the "mall ninja" type or the survivalist either. Just that you consider the possibility of that emergency happening every day.

Anyway, your point about finances is well taken. I think having two mags is enough for any gun. The reason I say this is that people generally only carry two mags; one in the gun and a spare. For that scenario, more mags at home doesn't help at all. Of course, it would be nice to have a back up at home for later should one of the primary mags fail.

__________________
Freedom isn't free.

What Rastoff says! My point exactly.

__________________
LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

There is logic there.....but what weapon to carry? .....how many magazines? At least I cannot always be prepared or (street) war, although the thought sounds good. But I will do what I feel comfortable to prepare as much as I can. But carry what? Any pistol is no match for my M4, no SA rifle is a match for a full auto rifle, no full auto rifle is a match for a vehicle mounted 50 cal, etc, etc, etc. Same for magazines..... how many is proper? At least two I suppose.....but I can imagine numerous scenarios where two would be inadequate.

Now, anyone have any actual data on the "typical" SD situation where a regular ol' fart is so very glad to have had any sort of weapon that goes bang-bang? How many rounds were fired at how many targets? Of course, for every "typical" situation there are dozens of of "a-typical" ones, but where does one draw the line? Life is a compromise, right? For me, I think one magazine carried in addition to the pistol will be my usual routine. If I'm expecting much more than the "typical" situation, I'll have my M4s and shotgun with me......or more likely I'll just stay at home that day. I think much more important, least for me, is to remain comfortable and proficient with whatever I carry, and to have the mindset that will keep me (and others around me) safe.

Thanks. I'd forgotten MG makes OEM magazines for many manufacturers, including S&W. I'm just glad the Shield mags are not more expensive than they are!

With a 9mm full size, two 17 round mags should be enough.

I agree, should be. But stupid stuff happens. Main reason for a couple of spare back-up mags is mags fail, or get damaged, etc. Having a spare or 2 at the house keeps you up and running, so to speak if you loose your carry spare or get it damaged. Otherwise, it's chase all over town looking and pricing for another. PITA, IMHO. Just operational redundancy, IMHO.
Of course, each to his own.
Be safe.

__________________
LEO, Instr, Armorer, Gov's 20

If you plan to take ANY advanced course,(Ayoob's MAG 40, Maty Hayes Defensive pistol, Tom Givens Defensive Pistol, Gator Farms Tactical's Practical Pistol), you need a minimum of three working magazines. One of the most embarrassing things at courses is to hold up everyone during drills. Most folks take 4+ mags so they have a spare. At Ayoob's classes I take 5 minimum because the second day drill are done quickly.

My second (advanced?) "TN Handgun Carry Permit" class was taught byTom Givens in Memphis.....enjoyed that class. I was still a PO at the time. I was carrying a Sig 228 off duty with 1 magazine on the belt. During the class I took 4 magazines, but only wore two on my belt during the training. One thing I remember him stressing was quick magazine changes, something at which I think we need to excel. I also remember him saying "you can't shoot fast enough to hit your target: slow down and look at the front sight!". He also taught how to safely and effectively shoot from "retention" and while distracted, things that my PO didn't stress enough IMHO. I think I benefitted most from the retention shooting and quick magazine changes.....I already shot accurately....and slowly, dang it.

I carry with 1 in the pipe and two 8 round magazines. I never expect to use that many rounds, actually less than in the loaded Shield. I have 2 more magazines at home or in my truck when I leave. I'm considering another single for my left side or possibly a double carrier. Only because after a firefight I've seen full mags on the ground. When it hits, even full mags are replaced, fingers hit the release, or are simply dropped and another used as it takes less time to put in another instead of searching for the one dropped.

Speaking of aftermarket magazines has anyone tried the Shield magazines from Checkmate? Besides the name stamped on them they look pretty close to the OEM's; different color follower and maybe a little more shiny. The only place I have seen them is on Checkmate's website and they are more than I paid for factory mags.





SHIELD 9MM Magazines - CHECK-MATE MAGAZINES