Unlike my initial experience with a newly purchased Shield 40, I am very pleased with my new Shield 9. This week’s first range session with the Shield 9 was my most enjoyable and successful first shooting with a new pistol ever!

From the first trigger squeeze to the final one, the pistol performed flawlessly without a single failure. It also displayed outstanding accuracy.

I tested these ammunitions:

BRAND GRAIN TYPE ROUNDS
Fiocchi 115 FMJ 50
Perfecta 115 FMJ 50
Winchester 115 FMJ 100
Fiocchi 115 XTPJHP 25
Hornady 115 FTX 25
Sig Sauer 115 JHP 20
Speer 115 HP 25
Total rounds 295

Unlike my first attempt at field stripping my new Shield 40, I was able to rack and lock the slide on the Shield9. Once I did so, I moved the slide release lever and removed the slide and barrel, rod and attached spring.

My inspection found no imperfections so after a simple wiping of the innards, I give the pistol a light lubrication and reassembled it.

At first I was a bit apprehensive about the tightness of the pistol. However, at the range putting so many rounds downrange, racking the slide and the functioning of components became smooth and manageable. Speaking of manageability, I found the recoil to be far less than that of my Shield 40. In fact, realigning on target was sure and fast.

I was most pleased that the pistol shot true to the aim. Hit patterns on targets at 5, 10 and 15 yards were consistent. No hits struck left or right or high or low. The patterns regardless of target distance were all concentrated in or on the edge of the bullseyes.

I am really impressed with the Shield 9. So much so that I intend to use it as my EDC.

I am satisfied with S&W service. They did repair and replace parts in my faulty Shield 40. When I got it back, it was a good performer and proved to be reliable

Arthritis has now motivated me to dispose of my entire collection of .40 pistols. I have begun to do so and will now put my Shield 40 up for sale and buy a second shield 9 to replace it and use it as a bedside protector.

HUH?? You now have a new Shield 9 you like and are going to sell it?
Did you mean to say you are going to sell the Shield .40 and buy a second Shield 9??

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Science plus Art

Thank you for correcting my error.

Of course, I meant to say sell the Shield 40 and replace it with a second Shield 9.

Fingers and brain seem to be out of sync.

Hope you enjoy your Shield 9 (s) as much as I do mine!

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Science plus Art

Glad you found something that works for you. Moving to 9mm makes sense and I also like the concept and simplicity of having two identical pistols for familiarity and commonality-sharing mags, ammo and parts if need be.

Excellent report. Congrats.
A buddy of mine has the .40 as well and we went through 200 rounds of Winchester white box and he had 3-4 various malfunctions. It seemed fine for me so I am not sure if it was "operator error" on his part or not. He did say he hadn't cleaned it either so that may have been part of the problems as well.

Love my Shield 9, too!

Glad you are very happy with your shield 9mm. I bet your 40 will sell fast and easy.

I really love my M&P 9mm Shield with the ported barrel. I really enjoy shooting it. know you will enjoy yours.

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Endeavor To Persevere

congrats I really like my shield 9 as well. I've come to really like it much more shooting 124 grain over 115, you should give it a "shot" no pun intended. The American Eagle 124gr 9mm has worked flawlessly with mine

Congrats on the Shield, have a 9 and love it. Has eaten and spit out every brand and weight rounds. 115, 124 and 147.


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Love my 9 and sold my 40. It is great to hear a good report about this gun, thanks.

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USN Retired/VN VET
M&P X5

I am getting my CCW next week and the Shield 9 is on the short list of weapons I am considering. Glad to read that you love it.

Paraphrasing the elderly Wendy's lady from the 80s, "Where's the pictures!".

CONGRATS on your new 9MM Shield.. LOVE mine.. Talon grips are a PLus

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9mm Shield

Love my Shield 9mm also. I added Tru-Glo TFO night sights and they made a nice improvement in picking up the sights. My eyes aren't as young as they once were. I am also adding Talon Grips. I carry mine everyday. Enjoy it and have fun!

OP, you really need to run some 124 grain weight ammo through your gun in order to fully test it. There is a reason why the majority of 9MM self defense ammo is in the 124 grain weight. I recommend American Eagle or Aguila 124 grain for practice ammo. You can also get Federal HST 124 grain hollow points in economical 50 round boxes online from SGAmmo.

I have a Shield 9 and EDC in a Wright Leather Works Predator OWB pancake. At the lgs yesterday we measured the trigger pull: 7 lbs. That's 1 lb. less than the NYPD Glock triggers! (I expect the trigger reset would be less). At the other end, my Desert Eagle 1911c measures 3 lbs., almost too light for EDC unless the owner is not a newbie.

I love my Shield 9 for a CCW but the bed side weapon holds 16+1.