Mine has been 100% reliable. I could shoot it good until I put a Crimson Trace on it, now I can't get a good 2 hand hold on the gun.

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Acts 2:38-39

Also a problem racking the slide....is there any way to reduce the force needed?
I will say other than that I really like the gun.
I have installed a MAGGUTS "spring", it increases the capacity 2 rounds....so not 8+2+1 = 11 rounds, and after 5 mags it has zero defects.....

My wife has trouble racking her slide I put a slide spider grip on hers the other day made by ArachniGrip she says it made it easier to rack the slide for her.

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As has been said many times, the spring lightens up after use. My wife is almost 70, and has no problems. It was really tight until we put a few hundred rounds through the gun. I know you'll both enjoy it. Good sbooting!

Yeah, I have about 500 rounds through it, doesn't seem any easier...otherwise GREAT gun....one of my favorite carries, that and the LCP depending on what I'm wearing...

I have two Shields. No issues after several hundred rounds. Why two? I buy at LE prices so....
I also have a Glock 43 __a more recent purchase/ same LE pricing.
Have her check out the Shield. (My every day carry). Have her check out the Glock 43. Easier to rack but___in my opinion the trigger is too light for a defensive pistol. I put a LaserMax Guide Rod Laser on it and keep it close (very close) to my recliner. If she can handle a very light trigger she may like the G43. Accurate and reliable.
Another is the Ruger LC9S Pro. Ruger essentially took on the Shield to design this. Way too light of a trigger and the take down
"pin" is troublesome.
The three are very similar pistols. All accurate, reliable and easy to carry.
Again, my EDC is one of my Shields. The Ruger is the easiest to carry concealed but too light of a trigger. (I think Ruger accessed the Shield's forum and noticed all of those Apex trigger jobs.
Racking is a problem with a lot of ladies. (Mine too!__so she has a Airweight revolver!
Poli Viejo
P.S.
None of the three above is a bad choice.

Very happy with it. Wife doesn't like it and won't shoot it because she can't rack it. Of course this upsets me very much.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

I was very happy with Shield 9. I had absolutely on issues with it mechanically or with it's reliability. The only reason I sold it was because I got the Shield 45 and someone offered me a good price for it. The Shield 45 is about the same size as the Shield 9, holds the same capacity, but packs a bigger pop. I kept the Walther PPS M2 as my single stack 9 for other reasons.

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Shield 45

Oh heck yes, I'm happy with mine. I've got about 800+ rounds thru it since mid June. It's a pleasure to shoot and the only teething problems I had were cured by a simple professional polishing of the the feed ramp. I am working on my skills to be able to consistently shoot this pistol well. It's a good challenge and this pistol is a great value.

I would have rather spent the money I paid for my shield towards buying a Glock 19.

Too bad that you didn't have some way of trying a Shield before buying it.
As for the G19... It's a great pistol (I have a Gen2 and a Gen3), but comparing it to a Shield is Apples and Oranges. The closest comparison from the Glock stable would be a G43.

It's all good I'll still buy a Glock 19, my shield will become a backup gun for the safe.

But the Glock 19 is considerably larger than a Shield 9 and doesn't conceal as well.

Im fine with the size of the Glock 19, I can't walk instead I roll so it's kinda easy for me to CC I even CC my FS M&P 9 the other day in a IWB Kydex Holster at 5 o'clock position, my chairs back and side hides it.

I don't have a M&P 9mm Shield,but i'm very happy with my M&P 40 shield.I've used it as one of my EDC,pistols for the last three years.

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Life is short,live it fully.

I had a flawless TS shield and now a NTS version still flawless so yes I'm very pleased with the shield and the M&P series.

I love both my Shield 9mm (I've had just over a year) and my Shield 45 (I just got) . Both are very accurate, fun to shoot, and have been very reliable.

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I found a 9mm Shield at a pawn shop and decided to upgrade the trigger and sights. I went with Ameriglo sights and the Apex Duty/Carry trigger kit with new sear, striker block, springs and aluminum glock-style trigger shoe.


I like it over the Performance Center model.

Exactly. I carry LCP in a Versa Carry. 9mm Shield when I feel like it. The Shield has become my favorite pistol to shoot. Apex sear, stippled the grip, and I CERAKOTED the slide. Love it!

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CERAKOTE Svcs.
Class 01 FFL

I've had my Shield 9mm a little over 3 years now. I put Talon Grips on it and an Apex trigger sear in it. I carry it dailyin an IWB holster. The Talon Grips still look like new. With 1,988 rounds through it, I've had no mechanical problems. I did have a couple of FTEs in the first 200 rounds, but since then its been perfect.

This post would have been interesting as a poll. I vote YES.

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JL Murray: Didn't know what you meant by "roll" initially, until I read further. You're right, you could carry a Glock 17L and no one would be the wiser.

I have had zero mechanical problems with my 9mm Shield and love the way it carries but.... I can't shoot a tight group with it to save my life. I do shoot it well enough for self defense though. I am not crazy over the trigger and wonder if an Apex trigger would give me less travel as well as a lighter trigger pull. To make matters worse, I just bought a Kimber 1911 and am absolutely in love with the trigger. I can definitely put up a group with it. I have considered trying a full size M&P to see if I can shoot it better.

I have a Shield 9, and I love it. But it was not without problems.

To start, ill admit I'm one of those "weak women". My arm strength is nothing, and my hand strength is less than that.

I purchased the Shield to replace a previous sub-compact I had owned, and chose this particular gun because of the name brand. I love S&W and I've shot my husbands M&P 9mm many times no issue.

When I first got it home, I tried to disassemble it so I could clean it. It was a struggle! Pulling the slide back was hard while trying to get the slide release to go up at the same time. Small hands, no strength, and a super stiff gun. It took a while. But I made it through. The magazines were a bitch to load too. It took all my might to get the last two bullets in and that's saying something as they only hold 8 and 7 anyway.

Then my first time to the range, it messed up. I'm not sure of the technical terms. But it messed up. Third shot in, the slide went back too far and the barrel was pointed way too high up. I had the range master come unjam it for me. He took it apart, couldn't see anything wrong with it, so he lived it up and put it back together. He asked if he could shoot it and I said yes. Again, the same thing. He fixed it again, and calmly told me not to shoot it again.

I called S&W. as always their customer service was outstanding. They had me send it in, and I had it back two weeks later. The paperwork shows they replaced the barrel and something else I can't recall at the moment.

So I cleaned it and took it back to the range. It fires like a dream. Accuracy on point. Recoil is a bitch as with all subcompacts.

And even 500+ rounds later it is still stiff as hell. But I practice with it regularly. I no longer struggle to disassemble it or load the magazines.

But I'll also say this. On days that my hands are slick(like sweat) it can still be difficult to unjam the gun. So stressful situations where your hands may be clammy, could cause issues.


Sooooo. All of that to say. If your woman is on the weaker side, this model might not be the best EDC. You may even have some issues right out of the box. But it is a good, reliable gun. It has not jammed or misfired once since it was sent back from S&W. The size is perfect for concealing on an average to small size woman. But you need to make sure she practices with it... it's the only S&W pistol I've ever had such a learning curve on.

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Wife. Mother.

I have a 9mm. Its a handsome gun fun to shoot.

However I found it hard to seat a Full 8 Rnd magazine while a
Full 7 Rnd magazine will not seat in the gun. I have to use one less Rnd in each type of magazine.

Recently I went to the range and got a dead trigger after 73 Rnds (shot a total within a year of owning it 943 Rnds).
What happened was the sears plunger & spring, which is suppose to push the sear up, got permanently stuck.

I have the 45 Shield and it had some problems out of the box but now its fixed and running 100%. It's accurate beyond its pay grade. My alternate is nominally the same size, uses the same holster, is about the same weight, both polymer frames, stainless slide, manual safety and similar grip surface. Also 100% reliable but holds 13 rounds of 9mm. The Taurus PT111 Mil G2.

It's alright. Not small/light enough for pocket carry, VERY STIFF/TIGHT gun. Seems like it would take A LOT of rounds before it ever loosens up a bit! Surprisingly accurate, pretty good trigger, but not on Glock level! Gave it a try, selling it though. No fault of the gun's, I just prefer Full Size guns. This was truly my LAST attempt at a smaller gun, I'll stick with my G17, 92fs, 226elite!

KEwer: Get an Uplula, which is a magazine loading device that makes loading both Shield 9 magazines a walk in the park.

I bought my shield 9 about 4-5 months ago and after a few hundred rounds it is my favorite out of all my polymer guns. The accuracy is awesome, it's like we were made for each other. This gun has been flawless from the first round down range. I'm probably going to pick another one up soon.


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I'm good now! I've gotten used to it, and used it enough now that I can get them fully loaded without much struggle. I appreciate the suggestion though.

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Wife. Mother.

For the most part yes.
I'm still having to really concentrate hard to keep from pulling shots a little low and off to the left. I'm right handed.

That was my problem with the Glock 43. If I concentrated, the shots were extremely accurate. My wife has no problem with it, and adopted it as hers. I never had that problem with the Shield.
I'm semi right/left handed. Eat & write with my left. Everything else is with right. Right eye dominate.

Wow. I thought I was a rare breed, with the same right/left thing as you. It's nice to know there are other misfits, like me out there. (except I am left-eye dominant)

As for the Shield, my 9mm is my "binky" (for those with kids, you'll get that). As soon as I clip it IWB, I feel a sense of peace and calm come over me. As an EDC, I am fully confident in the reliability, accuracy and concealability of this gun.

After 600+ rounds, I have yet to have a single negative issue with the Shield.

It is extremely comfortable in my hand or on my waist.

As much as I love the hardware side of guns, I could probably live with this being my only gun....if I had to choose.

Lol. I'm a Lefty too
Right Eye Dominant
Shoot Rifles on my Right
Pistols I can shoot Left or Right but better Right.

Own a shield, 700 rounds, not one malfunction. I own Glock 43, 250 rounds, no malfunction. My girlfriend carried shield first for few months, then the Glock. Shot both well. She is athletic and strong and mechanical. I own HK P2000SK, my winter carry gun.

Decision: Glock. But smaller. Easier to disassemble. Fit her hand. Talon grips, not the rubber ones. Will probably get new mag with two round extension to carry as extra clip.


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I like mine, had it a couple of years. Great gun my wife likes it more! It's her EDC, so I put a viridain green laser that comes on when pulled. Good luck with yours!

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NRA Life Member
CPO

I'm left-eye dominant.
Shoot a handgun right handed but move it a bit so it lines up with the left eye.
Shoot a rifle/shotgun left handed. Have to reach over if it's a bolt-action.
First AR15 had a coiled snake on the side, don't remember the name.
Second AR15 was a Stag Arms. Ordered a left-hand version. Had nothing but trouble with it and sold it. Then decided I didn't like AR15s. Would rather have a Mini-14 or an SKS.

Enough of this, tell me about the Glock 43. Is it a single stack? Bigger or smaller than the Shield 9? I am familiar with Glocks, was required to carry one as a duty weapon. Carried G17, G19, G21. I don't think the G43 had come out back then.

Count me as an avid 9mm Shield owner. Had the same spring related racking/loading issues a lot of others have, but obligatory regular use has really tamed both mag and slide.

I did just buy a handful of ProMag aftermarket mags (I know, I know) for range use, and the danged springs are so wound up I resorted to ordering an UpLULA to save my thumbs and get that 8th round in.

I haven't taken the ProMags out yet, that might need another thread.....

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Eric

Yes, I am.

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Shield 45

So far so good and with my new Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0, will be carrying it real soon. Want to put some more rounds down range first as I've only got 108 at this point.

This may be like so many people seeing a certain breed of dog win the Westminster Dog Show and want one....without knowing why that breed was developed. (Their purpose)
Most women can't rack one as well as many small semis. You might be sure of this first. She may wind up with a revolver instead.
Hope she finds the perfect piece for her.
Poli Viejo

If you're familiar with Glocks you may prefer the G43. I have one along with my two Shields, a Sig P320 Compact, Ruger LC9s Pro
and a G26. (G26 Brass to the face) Like I said, check out the G43 and for one thing (I did this) you can get a LaserMax Guide Rod Laser that replaces the factory guide rod. ($$) Works like a charm with the laser beam out right under the barrel. My G43 is perfect and the Glock sights are fine.
I think you'll choose the G43.
A bit cool here in Green Valley. (AZ) Do you still get some earth
quake rumbles there. When I lived about six miles near Palominas
never felt one__but right in Bisbee?

Yes I am.

Smith and Wesson Shield shooting - YouTube

When mine was new I took it to the range with 100 rounds.Had a FTF on round 97 and it had a light primer strike. Someone mentioned to clean the firing pin channel. I did so and found some junk in there. Cleaned it and 800 rounds later no problems at all.

I have one on my Shield and my Glock 19 Love em!

Liked it so much

I bought another




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As several have stated racking the slide can be a problem. You will probably assist her in field-stripping, cleaning and maintenance. The springs are very strong. I suggest that you buy the UpLula to load the magazines. I've had mine nearly 3 years and those mags haven't got any easier to load. Other than that the Shield is easy to carry and conceal and is a great pistol. One more suggestion let your wife try out several pistols before deciding. Test fire, load mags, etc.. For a woman carry and concealment could be a problem as would any 9mm. Take your time go to a gun shop and range.You can find the UpLula online at Amazon for a reasonable price. It works with any 9mm, .40 or .45 caliber semi-auto pistol. I do not recommend the Makershot mag loader.

You can find the UpLula online at Amazon for a reasonable price. It works with any 9mm, .40 or .45 caliber semi-auto pistol. I do not recommend the Makershot mag loader.

My first Shield was a 40 and while I liked the way the gun felt in my hand once I pulled the trigger I hated it. It was the worst shooting 40 I've ever had. Quickly sold it and stayed with my Glock 27. My gf's brother bought a Shield 9 as his first handgun and primary CCW. After shooting his I decided to buy a Shield 9 myself for my primary CCW.

So to answer your question yes I'm happy with my Shield. I'm so happy with it that this past Monday I came across a deal on a Shield 9 that I just couldn't pass up. So now I have two Shield 9's

The more I shoot it the better I like it. Due to the size of my hands I use 8 round mags with the mag grip extensions attached. I also find I have best results with 124 grain ammo.


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