And loved it!! I put 80 trouble free rounds through it. Although I will say getting used to the slimmer grip did take a little getting used to. But by the time I wrapped up, I was getting some pretty tight groups at 25-30 feet.

Today was also my first experience with an indoor range. I'd be lieing if I said I wasn't a little intimidated. Not knowing what to expect and all? But the staff was very friendly, and helpful, with any questions that I had. I'm already looking forward to next time!!

CONGRATS!
I bought my Shield about 6 weeks ago and have not yet had the chance to shoot it. I was wondering about the slim grip.

I am thinking something from Talon would help?

I won't be able to pick my shield until the 25th and am looking forward to taking it to my local range.

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RudyN
NRA Patron Life Member

"I am thinking something from Talon would help? "

You will be surprised how that makes a different.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

I bought mine about a month ago, I've put about 300 rounds through it not one problem! It's my first so can't compare it with others but I'm glad I chose the shield 9mm.

My wife and I just took ours to the range for the first time this past weekend, and we both loved them. We put about 100 rounds through each while alternating between Federal 115gr and Freedom's 124gr, and neither of us had any issue. The only disappointment was not bringing more ammo. I could have bought more at the range but not at the price they were charging. Next time we go, we'll definitely be taking more ammo.

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YNC(AW) USN '72-'93

I added a Hogue Hand-All Jr. slide-on rubber grip to my Shield. It adds a little width to the grip, on the sides. Does not add much, at all, front-to-back. The rubber is a real help. I also added the Pearce magazine extension to my 7 round magazine, so my pinkie doesn't hang over the end of the mag. Yea, the grip is still much slimmer than what I'm used to, but it is, at least, comfortable and easy to get a good grip on.

Best of luck with the Shield Ajax! Glad the range staff was helpful.

Glad your new Shield is performing well. A cheap but very effective grip enhancer is a piece of bicycle inner tube (1.75") cut to fit the grip.

Yep, congrats on your Shield they are some awesome shooter I love my also I'm hoping that I can take it out again this Friday.

I was able to put about 25 rounds through mine earlier this week, too cold to stay out much longer. I have to say I really love the pistol overall, the trigger is perfect and recoil light enough to be able to stay on target. I got a Pachmyr grip glove for only when I go out and fire 200 rounds or more in one session and I ordered a Talon Grip to have a little better grip for edc. It's going to be 60* this weekend, plan to go to a friends ranch and put at least 200 more rounds through it.

Edit: just got my Talon Grip installed, what a difference they make, great addition. Also got my Maglula, sure makes loading the magazines a breeze.

Put another 80 rounds through it today! I love shooting this gun! Although slim, the grip is really easy to get used to. I do however want to get some Talon grips for it. Love the feel of the Talons.

I also shot my old Arminus 38 Special! Cheap old revolver, that I bought new in 1983-84. Probably not worth anything, but that old gun is still fun to shoot!

[QUOTE=Ajax106;138226493]I do however want to get some Talon grips for it. Love the feel of the Talons. QUOTE]

Definitely get the Talons, I got mine today, took less than 30 minutes to put them on, look and feel great. I went to the Talon site and ordered directly from them, took 3 days to get them. I got the rubberized ones, they have plenty of grip, didn't think I would like the sandpaper ones.

+1 on the Talon Grips. The Shield has a somewhat slick grip. The added grip feel with a Talon grip will make your Shield feel much better and may improve your shooting. Also if you get a chance (warmer weather) try an outdoor range. Much better shooting experience, better air quality and less noise (sound not bouncing off the walls and ceiling).

Bob

+2 on the rubberized talons.

Installed Talon Grips on my Shield 9 .The grips really made a difference .Better control helped make me a better shooter with. The Shield .

I dont understand why people say that the shield grips feel slick, maybe thin but not slick to me. I like them, stick on grips dont appeal to me.

I also thought that the Shield grip was a bit slick feeling. And thin, of course. But then, I have become used to shooting my other pistol which has a full-sized grip and a Hogue Handall grip sleeve on it. So, I got a Hogue Handall Jr. for the Shield. Ain't slick, no more.

My experience is that the Shield grip is very good for shooting as is. Suggest you shoot it several times and see how you like it...I really like my Shield grip as it came from the factory. The trigger will wear in some and the ferocious recoil and magazine springs will improve some with use. The 9 mm version is pretty soft shooting. Good luck and have fun with your Shield.

I also felt the grips were too slick. Put 200 rounds thru it first session, and couldnt get a really solid comfortable hold on the gun. Installed the Talons, shot 300 more on Thursday. All good now.

I picked up 2 boxes of federal 115 grain aluminum yesterday. Ran 1 box and had 4 fte's out of the 7 rnd. Mag but non out of my 8 rnd. I've ran ae in it and hornady cd with no issues. Maybe it was me? Anyone else have an issue with that amo?

I watched the Hicock45 video when he first tested the Shield, it was a loaner from one of his viewers, the first thing he did was jury rig some skateboard tape on the grips to make them to his liking. This was when the Shield first came out and I don't think Talon had made any grips for the gun yet.

I did. Within first 200-300 rounds I had some FTE's with target ammo only, aluminum and brass - never with SD ammo.
As I had no Range experience at that time, I could not analyze if that was a soft wrist or bad stance or bad 115gr cheap ammo. But I would think it was me. (Now I recall not using one of mine 7rds magazines for some time as I thought I had most issues with that mag). If this is true - than it most likely a combination of soft wrist and breaking gun in.

Since those times, I mainly switched to 124gr practicing ammo as my SD ammo is 124gr +P.

But if I had to guess I would say she was reliable with 1,000 rds various 115gr cheap ammo, 1,000 rds 115gr WWB (which is not that great either). Also I put her through 1,500 WWB NATO (124 gr P+) and 2,000 Agulia 124gr rds (P).

She was good with every single SD ammo I've tried: 115/124/124+P/135/135+P/147gr

I feel comfortable carrying Shield as CCW at this point.

I've got the rubber Talons on my Shield and also my wife's Shield. I will say that they make a big difference, but in the configuration for the Shield, they are not all that durable. You will probably have to replace them once in awhile.

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

Yep I really like the shield put over 2000 rounds thru mine no problems. Let my sister shoot mine an she bought one. They are a great carry pistol. Nice an compact.

I just picked up a Shield 40 today. Tomorrows my first time at the range with my new Shield. I hope I enjoy it as much as I've been reading others do!

I personally am very pleased with my Shield. I ran 150 rounds through it for the first time last week and was pleasantly surprised with the accuracy and the ease of handling. It's been very ergonomically designed to make it easy to shoot well. As far as the comments on the "slick" or "narrow" grips I don't find that to be an issue.

I've done quite a bit of shooting over the last 35 years. For a compact 9mm with a 3.1 inch barrel, I think this is a winner all the way around. To me, it needs nothing!! It does what it was designed for very well if you do your part.

Another + for the Talon grips. Take your time during the install and they look like they came on the gun. The added texture just feels right.

Congrats on the Shield!
I've been a shooter for 30 years and I've been a confirmed 1911 or Glock guy. But my Shield 9mm has been a game changer. Thin, concealable, decent trigger, reliable, terrific sights, very, very shootable and accurate. I am super impressed with what S&W did when they introduced this model.