I am going to the range in a few hours and I have the opportunity (thanks to a friend) to compare side-by-side my Shield 9 mm to a Glock 43.

I am going to surprise my daughter and son in-law on Christmas by gifting my flawless Shield with Big Dot Night Sights of nearly 3 years, that is why this comparison is so important.

Depending on the outcome I will either purchase another Shield only without an extrenal safety or the Glock 43.

I really hope I can be objective, because the winner will be my next ccw.

I already know the Glock is $100 more at $449, but the extra cost will not be a factor. If the Glock wins I am prepared to lay down the cash.

Stay tuned I will provided my opinion later today.

Russ

The 43 isn't bad. It is pretty comfortable to shoot and really thin. The trigger, it's a Glock so you know what to expect. I ended up installing a Ghost Edge connector and spring kit so the trigger is much better.

Well, I did the same comparison--and included the XDS. Bought the 9mm Shield NTS...didn't like the Glock 43 as much as I did the Shield.

Have fun, and let us know what you decide...and why.

Why not buy what you're used to?

These were the three guns I was considering as well, but after not liking the ergonomics or field strip process of the Shield, I shot the XDS and 43 and the XDS was a clear winner. It was the same price as the Glock and with the free mag promo was a no brainer to me. I was dead set on the Glock too until I shot it. Just goes to prove that what works for some doesn't work for others.

Good luck choosing.I have both they shoot equally well for me.I use the glock for a bug at work.My dept is firmly set on Glocks.I have had my shield longer and I carry it of duty most days.I do trust the glock enough that on a recent trip along our southern border,the Glock 43 and 42 traveled with me.

Arik

I am keeping an open mind. If I didn't like my Shield and trusted it I would not gift it to my daughter.

I will be in the market for another ccw and I want to test the waters.

To answer the other poster:

I shot the XDS45 and it was well made. I have not tried the 9 mm. My one beef with the XDS 9mm is the weight. I already feel my Shield is pushing it for a pocket gun.

Russ

Curious what's not to like about the field strip process on a Shield?

...lol, I was thinking the same thing...but you took the words right out of my mind...

I shot side by side the Shield, Glock 43 and the XDS and I liked the XDS the best, I did ok with the Shield and did not like the G43 at all.

Any of the three listed would make an excellent CCW. It really comes down to individual choice and "fit". If Smith had made the NTS version when I was in the market, I probably would have brought it home instead of my XDS. Since then I have added a G43. I shot it well and it fits my hand. Someday I may add a Shield. Smith made one of the all time greats in the Shield design.

For me, I'm about even in how well I shoot my XDS and the Glock. If I REALLY slow down, I can do slightly better with the Springfield. I've only tried the Shield once. I suspect it would be about the same with more practice.

I agree it comes down to personal choice. The tipping point for me was the Shield is stainless steel..... the Glock is not.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

Just didn't want to deal with the sear deactivation lever. The Glock and XDS, to me, have a simpler process. Again, to each their own.

Had both. Kept the G43. I did not like the Shield trigger. The trigger on Glocks work well for me and affords me the best accuracy. The G43 trigger feels like an easy non-pull to the point of resistance, then I get what feels like a single action revolver break.

So for me the G43 was (compared to Shield):

Smaller and easier to conceal-carry
More robust, simple design
Trigger breaks when I want it to, not when SURPRISE! the Shield does
No FTE out of the box, Shield initially choked

Only way I'd consider another Shield would be with the Performance Center version with enhanced factory trigger but there goes the price difference.

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I just returned from the range and in my opinion the Glock 43 And Shield 9mm are an even match when it comes to shooting and accuracy.

Value to the dollar:

The price difference is between $80 and $100 and after shooting and examining the workmanship of both I don't think the Glock is worth the extra cost.

Capacity:

The Glock is 6+1 and with the finger extension is about the same height as the Shield with 7+1.

You get alittle better grip with the finger extension vs the flat plate on the Shield but I can always step up to the 8+1 with the Shield.

In my opinion the finger extension on the Glock is a waste of real estate. I would rather see a longer magazine that would accommodate an extra round.

Glock could have offered a 6 flat plate and a 7 with an extension on a flat plate, but instead they offer a 6 flat plate and 6 with a finger extension.

Extras:

I do like the Glock case, cleaning rod is ok if you like plastic and magazine loader, however, I have a gun bag so the plastic case would collect dust and I have a magazine loader.

Trigger:

I was shooting a new Glock vs a Shield with 3 k rounds. They both felt fine, but I like the feel of the Shield trigger on the pad of my finger, but I am sure I would get use to the Glock trigger which has more of an edge.

Sights:

I upgraded my Shield sights to the XS Big Dot Night sights so a comparison is not possible except when comparing accuracy. The Glock sights and stock Shield 3 dot will always provide tighter groups than combat sights, but as you can see from the picture both are in the black of the target.

The stock Shield sights are metal vs the Glock plastic.

I have read some folks hate Glock sights but I actually liked the rear sights because the white painted "U" shape stood out more than the two white dots on the Shield.

Recoil: Felt about the same

Ergonomic: Both felt good, but the pinkie extension on the Glock allows a full grip, but I could get a full grip with the Shield 8 round (which i never use) so it is a toss up

Slide Release:

Shield is bigger and easier to engage and better quality.

Take Down lever: I prefer the Shield for fat fingers.

Slide Rack:

About the same but again new Glock vs Shield with 3 k rounds. My guess if both were new the Glock would be an easier rack, but I prefer gripping the fish scales on the Shield.

Slide Finish:

I prefer the Shield slide finish. My Shield is almost 3 years old and has been my pocket gun for 2 years and I thought the finish looked better than the new Glock finish I think the Glock finish will show wear after 2 years in and out of a sweaty pocket.

Conclusion:

Both are good weapons, but I will replace my Shield that I plan to gift my daughter for Christmas with another Shield only I will choose the Shield without a manual safety which was not an option in 2012.

I will also change out the sights for either another XS Big Dot Night sight or a fiber optic 3 dot night sight.

Russ

Thanks for that write up. Yesterday I just ordered the 10086 Shield (no thumb safety, w/ night sights).

Russ,

It sounds like you made the right choice for what you want/need. I do believe that you were wise in trying out something new. That should settle your mind down the road. Congrats on choosing a new NTS Shield.

Great write-up Russ; very thorough. Thanks for letting us know how your range comparison turned out for you. Both are fine handguns.

When I went out to the range and rent and compare my top 3 finalists (Shield, Glock 43 and the XDS) side-by-side I had no experience with any of them. I liked the Shield better by far. They were all rentals and had many rounds on them, so all of the new stiffness should have been gone with them. My previous handgun experience was with Sig P226, Glock 27, Beretta M9, Sar B6PC and Ruger SR22P along with an assortment of .38 revolvers.

For me, the Shield was the smoothest shooter both in felt recoil and trigger. I was amazed with the accuracy of the Shield--with the Glock, I was noticeably much less accurate and it felt the most snappiest of the three. The XDS seemed a little bulkier and heavier both in the grip and weight but surprisingly that didn't translate into lower felt recoil. I didn't like the grip safety and the trigger safety. Too much stuff hanging out there for me, but that's just me.

As with all the controversial "which is better topics" (Thumb safety or not, stock or upgrade, night sights, bullet weight, caliber...fill in the blank...) No one brand, model or feature works for everyone. All I can say is that if I had it all to do over again, I wouldn't change my decision. I love my Shield.

Glock fan here and even I prefer the Shield. That said, I really have no need for a single stack 9mm, but the wife liked my NTS Shield so much its hers now. I will not be buying a G43 or XDS but may someday acquire another Shield.

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NRA/Illinois/Utah Instructor

I have a Shield 9mm and have handled the glock. I will stick to my Kahr PM9 with big dot sights. Just about as small as it gets and 9mm.

Just pull the trigger on an empty gun, rack the slide and lock it, push take down lever to 6:00 and unlock slide to where it lines up with the frame and engages the sear, pull the trigger, and off comes the slide. When you reassemble, insert the magazine to flip sear lever back up. Never have to touch the lever. Have a 40 model with no safety or mag disconnect. Great gun to carry, lighter than my 23 or 30s.

Russ, Thanks for the review; nice to see an honest, side-by-side review with comments to boot. I have 2 Shields (9 NTS, 40 WTS). Bought the 40 as an impulse buy, was so impressed, I returned a few weeks later and bought the 9 NTS. Both are very accurate and have been issue free; and both don't seem to mind what ammo you run through them.

I have to be honest, I'm a big S&W fanboy, have been for years (back when revolvers were king). I've handled and shot a few XD series guns and they are okay; never shot a Glock, but have handled a few and wasn't impressed enough to try one. My next favorite firearm-Ruger. Have owned several handguns and rifles over the years and never disappointed. My only 1911-Ruger SR1911 FS, it's not going anywhere, either! :-)

I have the shield in .40 and the Glock 43. I have carried a Glock for 20 years on duty so I have always been a Glock fan. I got the Shield in .40 since I have that caliber stockpiled. I put the Apex trigger in the Shield and it made it very smooth. I love them both and carry them both off duty and switch back and forth. They both shoot very accurate for me. I have the stock sights on the Shield and night sights on the 43. Sorry I can't tell you which one, love them both!

Badge 1644:

Thank you for your service. The Glock 43 and Shield are both excellent weapons and you would not go wrong with either weapon as a ccw.

You are fortunate that you own both handguns.

Russ