My first S&W automatic, I'm a lot more comfortable with my .44 DA Topbreaks & Triple Locks. This replaces my Kahr CM9, only 1" longer & 8 oz heavier -- high hopes -----


Haven't shot it yet but I like the trigger, a little pause before firing, like the early-day S&W DAs ---

I'm hoping mine will come in next week...

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Be sure to send a range report and shooting impressions, hope it will perform well for you.

I've had one since April and it has 500-600 rounds through it....maybe a few more. It is an amazing shooter for a smallish 45. Great trigger and great accuracy. The only advice I'd give is to make sure you have the rounds fully seated to the rear in the magazine by slapping it in your palm. Otherwise, due to the front-to-back tightness of the mag, it can cause a mis-feed.

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Loving retirement!

I just picked mine up on Thursday. Paid $390 plus tax and now need to send in for the $75 rebate which I hear can take several months to get back.

I have the 9mm little brother as well and really liked it for its small size. I was using the 9mm Shield as a BUG for my model 59 but that is a lot to deal with in the warmer weather when shorts and T shirts are the mode of the day.

The 45 is not much larger than the 9mm so now the decision of how to summer carry becomes the question. I recently saw a belt case that looks like a cell phone holder advertised in the American Rifleman so may look into one of those.

No range time yet but maybe able to get there tomorrow. Unfortunately today has turned into a work day so no fun for me.

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James Redfield
LM #497

To the OP: I love mine and hope you do as well!
To new owners of this firearm: Anyone who buys this gun should be aware there is a potential problem with the magazines and some of us have experienced dropped mags under recoil which creates jams. It is easily resolved with the FREE updated parts direct from S&W. Click below for more details:
Shield .45 mag dropping

To the OP:
My recommendation is to fire your new Shield .45 a bunch, using your intended self-defense ammo, before you carry it. You need to make sure it will work as expected. Most Shield .45s work perfectly out of the box, but some have quirks that need to be addressed before you carry. FloridaS&W mentioned the magazine drop problem. Mine didn't have that, but it came with a mis-aligned front sight and a failure-to-feed problem. My range fixed the sight, and a simple polish job on the lower feed ramp, along with a thorough magazine cleaning, cured the FTFs. My Shield .45 is now completely reliable (and impressively accurate), and I carry it regularly. It is a great pistol, and I hope it works well for you.

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What, me worry?

I believe by now there is a consensus of opinion on the reliablity of the Shield 45 for EDC.
I for one, think it is a remarkable CCW.

I recently read an article by: Josh Wayner, Gun writer.
Josh Wayner, reveals the results of his extensive .45 ACP velocity trial, putting the classic caliber to the test and his thoughts, remarks on the S&W MP Shield 45. He Thinks the MP Shield 45. may be the best .45 handgun for the money!

"The weapon has the same capacity as the 1911 with seven or eight rounds onboard, but is less than half the weight. In fact, the Smith & Wesson Shield 45 may very well be the best .45 for your dollar. The small size (comparable to a Glock 43 Handgun) combined with no loss of ballistic efficiency make it a potent choice for fans of the .45 ACP" .


400 Bad Request

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

If you haven't shot it yet, how can it be your new carry gun? What if you're terrible with it?

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Freedom isn't free.

I LOVE my 45 Shield! It's an amazing pistol for it's size.
I've had mine for about a year, and find it's recoil to feel very 'similar' to my USP45.
It fits my hand well, and I really like the grip's texture - very secure in hand.

My only complaint is a somewhat limited list of shoulder holster options:
the 45 Shield is not available in the Galco 'Classic Lite', or the 'Jackass Rig' or either of the 'Miami Classic' rigs.
I ended up getting the DeSantis C.E.O. rig which doesn't have a mag pouch --- I don't want to $pend for a custom made holster.
The 9 & 40 Shields have more options in shoulder rigs.

I concur and would add that I have found that the two leather holsters that were designed for my Glock 26 are also a perfect fit for my .45 Shield. And I don't mean 'close enough'. I mean perfect.

That's good to know!
But how different is the magazine of a G-26 to a 45 Shield?
I've been tempted to call Galco and ask about their 'Classic Lite' but still haven't done that yet.

Very nice OP! That is the next pistol I am buying. I have the 9mm & .40 S&W, now I just need that .45 Shield, to make the Trifecta!

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USMC 83'-87', NRA Member.

That can't be. They're different dimensions.

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Freedom isn't free.

So, my wife has a .45 Shield (a early example, bought over a year ago) and it has the mag drop under recoil/FTF problem. If I ordered new mags, should fix the problem? Also, how could identify the new mags vs old mags. A number on the follower like Glocks?

The updated Mag Followers have a grooved corner! If you call S&W CS they will send you the new modified followers free. (I'm assuming your wife bought it new and is the original owner).
https://i.imgur.com/U7n09lC.jpg

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It's The Carbonaro Effect!

Thanks, I’ll call them Monday.