Well, as most of you know; on 7-25-2015 I bought a LNIB Shield 40 at a LGS for $321 OTD. I have been so pleased with it, I went back today and there were 2-new Shield 9's in the case; 1-with safety and 1-without. I don't plan on using the safety on the 40 anyway, so I checked out both the 9's, with special attention to the non-safety model.

Needless to say, the non-safety Shield 9 came home with me The test fire date is 4-1-2015; so this is a very new manufacture date gun! Before I even made an offer to buy, I asked if I could take the gun down to inspect the RSA-we had just been talking about that issue and I wanted to make sure all was well before things went any further. He said as long as I knew what I was doing AND could put it back together it was okay. So I broke the gun down and all was fine.

So, $400 OTD for a brand new Shield 9, to keep my Shield 40 company. At least the holsters I have will fit both! A quick take down, clean & lube and hopefully a few rounds down range tomorrow. I maybe could have saved a few bucks ordering online (believe me, I looked), but I had the option of 2-new guns in the case and 1 was a new non-safety model; that was worth it to me. Will keep you all posted

Congrats on the new Shield 9.
Have fun and be safe.

Congratulations, carry guns don't need no stinking safety.

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John

Ha, never thought about the test fire date! Wonder if that will make a difference? Good to know you've got so many rounds without any issues. Hope to get out today to start my round count!

Good buy. I don't mind paying a few extra bucks at the LGS unless it is the big one in town that gets $40 a pound for powder I wouldn't buy a 50% discounted gun from them. I buy most of mine and the indoor range I shoot at as a member I get a 105 discount and a month added ot my membership. Plus they answer a lot of questions I come up with.

That is a good idea to IDPA with the 9 I might have to get one. I am currently using my FS 9 long after having so much troubles with feeding the Gold Cup NM. The M&P eats about anything. Don

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

Well, here we go ladies and gentlemen....

Took the new Shield 9 to the range this afternoon and fired 100 rounds Federal Aluminum 115 gr. FMJ ammo. The little Shield ran flawlessly! No issues at all with firing/feeding/functioning. Accuracy was amazing, considering I was the one pulling the trigger! LOL I'm really liking both of my Shields, except it takes so little time to empty the mags AND the boxes of ammo I take to the range!

I do have one concern-my target had pieces of bullet jacket all over, like shrapnel; I've never seen this from any ammo/caliber before. Is this something to be concerned about from the Shield 9, or is this an ammo problem? Besides the gaping hole in the center, it looks like it was shot by shotgun pellets. I will be trying different ammo through the gun as I go along, but I've never encountered this issue before.

Oh, and 100 total rounds to start with no issues! :-)

Can't say I've seen that either. From what distance? Can you post a pic of the target?

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MSP - Retired

I was shooting from 2-7 yards. Practicing my draw & fire. You couldn't ask for better accuracy, where ever you put the front sight; that's where the round went! I'll try to post a pic, there are still pieces of bullet jacket left in the target

CaptRon, I also use the Winchester Defend ammo as my carry ammo in my SD9VE; but will have to make sure it runs through the Shield 9 before I will carry it. If the Shield shoots heavier bullets better than 115 gr, there may be a single hole in the target-at self defense (IMO) distances this gun is accurate!

If someone would direct me to instructions on posting pics, I'd sure give it a try! Thanks :-)

Easiest way is to create an account on a photo sharing site. I use Photobucket. Then link in the pic using the [img] tags. It ends up something like this (my Shield 9 no TS)

Range trip and update

After work today, I headed out to the Conservation Club outdoor range. With a fresh box of REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ (metal case) RN ammo. All I can say is WOW! This 9mm Shield can really shoot :-) And from firing the 50 rounds of REM-UMC, I also found out I didn't have the same problem as with the Federal Aluminum case ammo-plated jacket shredding into the target. I was afraid I'd have to send my new Shield 9 back to S&W for a new barrel, but I don't think so now.

I know there's a way to post pics as a thumb nail, I just haven't found the instructions yet. As soon as I do, I'll post pics of all the targets.

For now, total round count 150 with no issues. Time to try the Winchester Train & Defend 147 gr. ammo.

Are you posting from your phone? Are the pics on your phone? Glad to hear the ammo change solved the jacket shredding problem!

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MSP - Retired

I have pics on my phone and on my PC. I know I've seen the instructions to post pics on several threads, just haven't found them yet!

Are you using Tapatalk?

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MSP - Retired

Use the Advanced option when you reply. Then you can click on the paperclip icon to attach your target photos, or any photos.

Attached Images

	IMG_0127.jpg (52.4 KB, 89 views)
	DSC00991.jpg (89.0 KB, 86 views)

This was my target using the Federal Aluminum case 9mm 115 gr. FMJ RN ammo through the Shield 9. There is a total of 70 rounds in this target-from 2 yards to 7 yards. Notice all the small holes/tears all over the target? Pieces of shrapnel from bullet plating. I've never seen this before and it concerned me. But with jacketed bullets-no issues.

I went to a gun show this weekend and traded in my SD40VE (which I rarely shot) on a M&P 9 Shield. I have wanted a carry gun for a while but was reluctant to get a compact. What a surprise when I took it to the range. It is a dream to shoot. I was glad to see CaptRon's comments about needing to be broken in. I find that most new guns do. I shot the Shield side by side at 10 yards with a full size 9mm I recently bought. Both are going through a break in period. I got a little bit better grouping with the full size but the Shield hung right in there. With more rounds and more familiarity, it is going to be an awesome gun. Glad I got it. Any suggestions for an inside the waistband holster for carry?

I just ordered a ripcord holster for mine

IWB holster, maybe a Remora or a Stickey, N82 is good. I like the Panther also.

Range trip 8-21-2015

Another 50 rounds CCI Blazer Brass 115 gr. FMJ RN. Again, no issues and total round count 200.

That's some darn good shooting MyDads38.

I posted the pic of the target to show how the plated bullets were throwing shrapnel pieces all over the target. All the small holes are from pieces of bullet plating. Some pieces still left in the target. With the REM-UMC ammo, I didn't have that issue (jacketed bullet vs plated bullet). Will post pics when I get a chance, for comparison.

So far, accuracy has been superb with the 9 & 40 shields. Just posted some results on the 40 with REM-UMC ammo and will post pics there as well.

Range trip 8-26-2015

Another 50 rounds REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ RN through the Shield 9. This time at 10 yards. Also bought a Pearce Extension for the flush mag and 2 add'l. 8 round mags, which got used this trip also. No issues and will post a pic later today.

Total round count 250

First 15 rounds fired @ 10 yards with Shield 9 using REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ ammo. For POA/POI. This was from 8-26-2015 3 1/8" C-C

Remaining 35 rounds of REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ ammo. Fired 8-26-2015 3 1/2" C-C

Range trip 9-2-2015

Found a local sporting goods store with Blazer Brass 124 gr. ammo on sale for $11.99/box, so bought some to try in the Shield 9. Also had a box/25 Hornady CUSTOM 147 gr. XTP to try. I posted targets in another thread "Shield 9mm-Anyone see a "pattern" here?" and those are the results.

Needless to say, the new Shield ran flawless and accuracy was top notch! I've found my new EDC ammo for the Shield 9 and 124 gr. ammo shoots better than the 115 gr. I usually find on shelves. Trouble has been, nobody seems to carry 124 gr. ammo. But now I know and couldn't be happier!

Total round count 325

Added pics to entry #23 above. 10 yards with Shield 9/REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ ammo.

Range trip 11-7-2015. Can't believe it's been 2 months since I went to the range-Life Happens :-(

So indoor range and box of Federal Aluminum Case 115 gr. FMJ through the Shield 9. Except for some rusty cobwebs from the shooter, the Shield ran flawlessly! Now that things are starting to settle down a little in my life and I'm getting settled in to my new "single" life, maybe I can get back to the range on a regular basis :-)

Round count 375

Would you mind saying how much the Shield was, and how much you were given for the trade in? Thanks.

Man oh man, Every time I feel like I can shoot my Shield I see a target from a real marksman! I know very well how good this is Mydads38!!!

Range trip 2-7-2016

Wow-3 months since the last time I pulled a trigger on any of my handguns!! Last 3 months have been very hectic for me, but today (even with a toothache) I was determined to get out and shoot a few rounds. Fired 18 rounds Blazer Brass 124 gr. FMJ and 50 rounds REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ through my Shield 9. All at 10 yards, some slow fire, some doubles (not for speed) and last 2 mags-triples. You gotta love these M&P Shields; accurate, dependable and reliable (at least mine is).

Bonus was, I came home with a 1 gallon pail of fired brass from the brass barrels-50% handgun and 50% rifle (mostly 223/5.56). Since being on my own, I haven't taken the kind of time I used to, to get to the range. Indiana weather doesn't help much; and being the only one here-I have to keep everything up/done myself. Looking forward to Spring and warmer weather. :-)

Total round count-443.

Indiana weather, yeah I can relate here in NE IN. Shot last Saturday in the morning. White out in the afternoon

Range trip 5-29-2016

Went to the indoor range today and fired 50 rounds REM-UMC 115 gr. FMJ through the Shield 9. No issues at all, which is what I've come to expect from all my S&W handguns.

Round count now 493 with no issues at all :-)

I have wondered how the 9 shield compares to the 40 as far as follow up shots and or recoil. Can you offer please since you have both?

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

MyDads38: It is pleasant and fulfilling to see and read posts from someone like yourself amidst all the negativity spread around the internet about one brand of handgun against another brand of handgun. I myself have owned glocks and berettas, and springfields and S&Ws. I like them all and in my 80 year old mind there is no such thing as BEST. I do like my Shield9 real good and it sure is evident that you do too.You shoot often and you shoot real good.You are a credit to the craft and thank you.By the way was born in Indianapolis and grew up in Crawfordsville-so I know Indiana pretty well. I enjoy the quieter life here in Tennesse tho. Keep yer powder dry.

I traded my flawless 2014 build date shield for the newer may2016 build 9mm shield no safe 3 mags and fact night sights . My gun and 125 out the door both guns were flawless. tac drivers for small guns

Range report 10-23-2016

Took my girlfriend to the indoor range today. She has been using my 22c and thought I'd let her try my Shield 9mm. She fired 8 rounds CCI Blazer 124 gr. FMJ and did quite well for the first time shooting a 9mm. She didn't care for it, so she will continue to use the 22c for now. I fired the remaining 10 rounds I had with me.

Round count now 511 rounds with no issues at all. Very pleased with all 3 of my Shields, S&W really hit a home run with this model :-)