Shield 9mm pistols will be $299 on Friday. I was giving some thought to buying one and using it to replace both my 442 and my Taurus PT25. I had earlier opted for the 442 over the Shield, but I have cut back what I have and find it tempting to not have to buy two other calibers and only have to buy 9mm. My "other" gun is a CZ SPO1.

Has anyone abandoned their J frame for a Shield and not looked back?

If I get the Shield I was thinking of just using it for ankle carry, which would elminate the niche of my PT25, and owing to the presumed capability of a 9mm, also eliminate my niche for the 442. Thus allowing me to carry one gun instead of two.

I find I am actually carrying my J frame, 432PD, more than I do my Shield. I like to pocket carry and it carries better than the Shield in my jeans pocket.

I have both. Not planning on getting rid of either.

hatchet

Gator,

Your experience may be different, but I've never found ankle carry comfortable with anything heavier than a light J-frame (not that I have not done it, just didn't like it). If wearing boots, heavier holster, etc. go for it.

Some utility to one caliber, the Shield is a good way to go if you want to limit to 9s. It's well suited to IWB holster use or pocket carry, depending on what kind of pants you usually wear.

I've got both, plan on keeping both. YMMV

Good luck on your choice

I own two SB 36's and a 60, all snubbies that I shoot but rarely carry. In 2008 I got a 30-1 and started carrying it when I carried a revolver. Around the same time, I got a 908, and later a 3913, and pretty much quit carrying a J frame except when hiking around home. I wound up with a 3953, my favorite CCW. I also bought three Shields, gave two away, and carry the other in place of the 3953 about half the time. My Shields have been flawless.

However, a few weeks ago I bought a Sig P239 .40 S&W and have toted it since. It is nearly the same size as the 3913 and fits the same holster.

Not a good word choice IMO, as one being a revolver & the other not, it's apples vs oranges & who knows what is best for anyone but themselves. Trying or keeping a different gun is fine if that suits you but a S&W J FRAME is a bloody J frame, well proven for a VERY long time with good reason. Get back to us when the shield has the same track record.

Had a Shield, have a 642 as well as a couple of smaller pistols (DB9 & LWS32). When I pocket carry it is NEVER the Shield, as all three of the other guns serve that role better for me. The two pistols are significantly smaller and so are a better choice when I'm wearing dress pants. ANd when I wear pants with bigger pockets, the 642 draws easier. The Shield became an IWB gun that was thinner but no easier to carry than my 27 and therefore now belongs to the wife.

__________________
NRA/Illinois/Utah Instructor

I recently bought a Shield 9mm, loved it so much went got the .40 too. For the last 32 years I have carried 5 shot 38 or 357's, first a 36, then 642, then SP101, and for the last 3.5 years a LCR 357. I've been carrying that Shield a lot lately, but my LCR isn't going anywhere, I still carry it too. If I could only have one CC gun, it would be that LCR !

I love to pocket carry. A J frame just disappears, the shield not so much. I also prefer .38+P ammo.

I don't have a small 38 revolver yet, but plan to add one, well just because :-) I already have 2 Shields (9 & 40) and the 9 has become my EDC until I find SD ammo for the 40, then they will rotate.

I don't pocket carry and I don't IWB carry, everything is OWB for me-just preference. I've never ankle carried, but the J frame seems to be a "natural" there, not sure about the Shield in that position. Years ago, I would never have felt under-gunned with a 5 shot 38; today, I'm not sure. With 8 + 1 in the Shield in 9mm plus an extra mag; makes me feel a little more at ease. I'm an old revolver guy and remember when wheel guns were king. With all that's happening these days, nice to have options and a little more fire power, just in case.

My Shields have been flawless and more accurate than I thought I could be with them. The 40 will stack 13 rounds into 1/2" @ 3 & 5 yards! I have threads on both with pics. No reason not to own both, I will eventually! :-)

The fact that the revolver is getting more votes in the "M&P" forum is pretty telling.

__________________
Because of the metric system?

I own both a Shield 9mm and a 642. I bought the Shield first and added the 642 later. I find myself carrying the 642 more often in a pocket holster, because it is more comfortable for me. When I carry the Shield, it is IWB. I plan on keeping both.

if you only can have one go for the shield, more rounds and a faster reload, providing you have an extra loaded mag.

I would go the other way. If you are only going to keep only one, keep the revolver and practice more. It's hard to beat a 442 for a concealed SD pistol. If you want a shield, buy a Shield, but don't give up what in my not so humble opinion is a much better pistol.

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

[QUOTE=ca survivor;138815205]if you only can have one go for the shield, more rounds and a faster reload, providing you have an extra loaded mag.[/QUOT

That's what I thought as first too but then I found myself not carrying the shield with me all the time due to what I was wearing. At least with the J frame it goes anywhere because of pocket carry. I decided I would rather have the revolver with me all the time then the shield with me some of the time.

To my way of thinking the J is more versatile. With a quick change, bigger target grip to smaller factory grip, you can go from hip carry to pocket carry. Just be sure to practice on a regular basis, J frame combat accuracy is a perishable skill.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

It's not costing you anything to hold onto the snubby and it's always good to have a backup in case your primary has to go into the shop.

__________________
Life Member B.A.S.S., NAFC

Maybe add the Shield, but I wouldn't replace the J-frame.

The capacity of the Shield isn't much of an increase for me to see it as a benefit. The speed of reload of the Shield isn't much of an advantage either since reloads in civilian self-defense scenarios only occur in about .5% of cases being resolved either way with what's on board. Reliability and ECQ advantages go to the revolver.

I bought the Shield to more or less replace the Ruger LCR I carried on the ankle, and the Officers 1911 I carried on my hip. That said, I like the Shield and carry it 90% of the time IWB. With some pants, the Shield does not carry well on an ankle rig and I go back to the LCR. The angular grip of the Shield shows with jeans but not so much with dress pants. I've carried in an ankle rig for 25 years and though armchair commandos don't like it, it worked for me as a back-up location in some pretty high stress environments. If you carry the Shield in an ankle rig, you MUST clean it frequently!! Lint and trash are not friends of semi autos. In that respect revolvers are a little more forgiving. With the shield and an extra mag, I feel about as well armed as I need to be now that I'm retired.

YMMV
Tracker401

I have a number of J-frames and a Shield. In my opinion, the Shield is neither a great pocket gun or suitable for ankle carry. Too large, and too heavy. It IS however, a great EDC gun on the hip or appendix carry.

A Shield at $299 is a great purchase but I would also keep your J-frame regardless.

$299 for a 9mm Shield is a good deal. But, I wouldn't enjoy it on the ankle due to weight. So far, it is great OWB and works flawlessly. I haven't explored IWB options much yet, but would love some recommendations.

A Shield literally disappears IWB. A good IWB holster works awesomely, and there are a bunch of great choices out there to choose from. AlienGear, Crossbread, etc all work really well.

That being said, I still grab my 642 more because of the ease of carry ability.

__________________
Still carrying my S&W 642

Two things
1) I gave a LCR and Shield and no way I could ankle or pocket carry the Shield. That being said I love the Shield (carry with a n82 holster) and am very accurate with it

2). Where is this $299 deal?!?

i have both the j-frame 637 wyatt deep cover version and a shield 9mm both have thier place in my line up, if im in a hury or just runing down to the store the j-frame is quick and easy to grab an go, but what i carry every day at work is the shield...why you may ask? everytime i go to the range its the shield that i blow the bullseye out of the target with!
im good with the j-frame, but i rock with the shield.

Attached Images

image.jpg (150.1 KB, 44 views)

__________________
prepare to defend yourselves

I have the same gun but with the stock finish. I haven't seen one like yours, is it a custom finish?

If I found the Shield for $299 I'd buy another because around here $359 has been the lowest I've seen. I've got 2 J Frames that I like to carry but sometimes I prefer my Shield because it's so easy in a IWB holster. Keep the J Frame and get the Shield, it's good to be proficient with both types of guns.

I wouldn't say that I haven't looked back since buying my Shield but I would say I look at my 642 a lot more and carry the Shield most times.

Like most of the above said for pocket/ankle carry, which still has its place, the 642/442/etc.... is the way to go. I bought my Shield to replace my 642 and carry it the majority of the time in an N82 Pro holster and love it.

I shoot the Shield a little better at distance (25 yards) than the 642 but for self defense ranges either works and both are accurate. I would follow suite with keeping both because it rounds out a good set up for most scenarios.

I carry a 642 and always have it with me. That being said the Shield is a gun you can actually fight with (better sights/grip...) whereas I consider the J-frame to be a close in self defense firearm. Couple of friends of mine carry the Shield IWB all the time.

...and a J frame. Both are useful and for $299 I think they are worth having if there's any chance to use use it.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I remember when I got my Shield the 9mm's were impossible to find and sold for a premium when you did. I "settled" for a .40 S&W and it's been a great shooter and ccw piece in the waist band with a second magazine off hand side. At $299.00 I'd pop for it.

You can replace your J with a Shield... If space is an issue, you can just send that ol' J Frame right to me, and I'll give it a good home.

My 642 went in the safe shortly after I got the Shield and hasn't been out since, but I'm not planning to get rid of it. I pocket carry the Shield in cargo shorts some of the time and think it conceals at least as well as the J-frame. Otherwise I carry OWB under an un-tucked shirt. Also got a shoulder holster incoming since it will be cool enough in Florida soon to wear a jacket.

Your experience may vary, but I'd vote "Buy that Shield!"

__________________
Jim - M&P Pro 40L/Shield 40

$299 Shields for LE/Military, active or retired, as well as others on internet.

Ok, so if you are going to Ankle or Pocket carry a BUG I think you need to think about how that weapon will be deployed in real life.
If the weapon is likely to be deployed at close range or in a physical struggle the a J Frame is unparalleled.
The Gun will not jam on you while struggling in odd firing positions, or shooting one handed & won't jam or go out of battery with a contact shot.
Plus, it can be fired through a pocket or purse if hammerless, or has a shrouded/cut down hammer.

I also think the whole practice two handed with your J Frame is overblown if you are a CCW Carrier, or a LEO using your J Frame as a BUG. If you are a CCW, it's unlikely that you will use your J Frame past 3yrds & if your a LEO you are only going to go for your BUG if you have gone past the Primary Weapon, or it fails, or you are on your back, or in a fight thats gone to ground. If anything, Folks need to practice shooting their J Frame one handed and point shooting, or shooting from weird positions.

Shiptons Big R, a regional farm and ranch store had the sale.

Isn't a Shield about the same weight as a steel J frame when loaded? I have carried steel J frames in my pocket and on my ankle, along with the similiar size and weight PP/PPK.

It is actually my .25 that I use as an ankle gun now. I quit carrying the J frame OWB as it seemed out of place there. I bought an Alessi pull through shoulder holster (and larger grips) for my 442 and use those. For OWB carry, I just wear the CZ. It is large, and heavy, but has good night sights, not much recoil and a 19+1 capacity.

My friend snagged a Ruger AR for $509 but I over slept and did not get to Shiptons til a few minutes after 5 am.The line for guns was long enough to convince me to leave well enough alone after all.

So I contented myself with a brick of Federal .22lr Classic for $24.99and a $9.99Walls jacket plus some gloves

The fully enclosed hammer models work flawlessly in this mode of shooting. The Shrouded hammer revolvers usually work fine providing nothing is allowed to works it's way down into the shroud and into the action. By "cut down", I'm assuming you're referring to a gun that has been rendered DAO and had the exposed hammer spur ground off. Such guns will often have problems if fired from inside a pocket or purse.

Yes, I agree X, the cut down hammers are not ideal. A Centennial is the ideal.
BUT, if a person already has a hammer model, I would still cut the hammer down to facilitate gun deployment out of purse or pocket: holster carry, I would want the hammer.
Unless it's a Classic Pre Lock, or something of that nature. That would be heresy ha ha.

Aw come on, that's hardly fair. What you say about 'J' frames is right, but other pistols haven't been around as long as that that people consider 'proven'. Especially if it's been out in an LEO or military field for more than a few years, it has a reputation. Glocks and Rugers come to mind. I have a Smith 'J' frame because I think they are best out of production models, but I wouldn't feel uncomfortable with another gun.

__________________
"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Priority number one is that it always goes bang. I own several Glock's which I think the world of and feel are at the pinnacle of reliability in the polymer pistol platform, but they or any autoloader can't compete with the reliability of a revolver.

Yes, #1 quality in BUG-Goes Bang ha ha.
I thinks it's important to distinguish between small BUG pistols of ANY reputable Manufacturer & their Full Sized & Compact brethren.
I unhesitantly will pick up my G19 to defend my life or my Familys', but I wouldn't carry this to a Shield, or a G43. It's a J Frame or a... gasp, Ruger LCR for me. To be fair though, the Shield is really too big to be a BUG IMO. Too big for ankle or pocket carry as well. Some will disagree. FBI ankle carries G26 all day long & Sun. too.
Disclosure: I don't own a Ruger revolver, but I hear they are GTG (ugly little buggers though, if I do say).

Everyone is different. Only you can decide.

I normally carry either a Model 36 snub or a 3" Model 36. Both are easy carry on the belt for me. I purchased a 9mm Shield so at times I could have 8 rounds instead of 5 and a spare mag. When in AZ in the winter, we are about 45 mi. north of the border so I'd just like to have something to switch off to depending on where I'm going to be.

That said . . . I would NEVER get rid of either of my Model 36 J frames. I like them way too much to ditch them. As mentioned . . . frequent practice with a J frame is a necessity but both of mine shoot very well at SD range.

The Shield? I'm loving it and I think it's a great pistol. I like the size of it and it shoots very well but I still think my J frames are easier to carry. I'm 63 and that may be part of it . . I'm so used to revolvers that it takes time to "adjust".

In the end . . . get the Shield but hang on to your J frame. If you dump it you'll regret it.