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Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


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Old 03-28-2017, 06:05 PM
S&W Fan S&W Fan is offline
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Default New 45 Shield & range visit

Picked up my new Shield in .45acp this morning. Wiped it down, ran a few patches through the bore, some Break Free on the rails and off to the range I went.

I recently got rid of my 9mm Shield only because it just felt a tad too small, almost like it wanted to jump out of my hands. I had it set-up with Ameriglo i-dot night sights and the Apex aluminum trigger and duty/carry kit. Great gun but as I say just a tad too small.

Well the .45 is just "a tad" larger lol and fits my hand much better. This gun has a much better out of the box trigger than the stock action on either the Shield 9 or my full size 9 (which I really really like, also has the Ameriglos and Apex trigger/kit). However I still feel it will benefit from the Apex parts and my preferred shop is ordering them for me.

I always start with a new gun at 10 yards. Not going for speed, just taking my time to get a feel for it. Very impressed with this new one. I ran a total of 100 rounds of Winchester Service Grade (brown box) 230 gr fmj and 25 rounds of Federal HST 230gr jhp standard velocity through it. No issues with the 3 mags at all or any of the rounds. I won't lie, to me this is as lightweight of a pistol I'd like (it feels lighter than my Colt Defender), definitely has a sharp recoil to it but I didn't buy it for a range/class gun. It's kinda like shooting hot .38s through an airweight J; not fun for plinking but will work just fine for self defense.

Very happy I made the decision to get it, the texturing on the grip frame really locks it in to my hands and allows for a consistent grip shot to shot.

Here's a pic of the first rounds fired, not rushing the shots but letting the shot go when the sights realigned on target. No issue with the finish, just oil smudges near the muzzle/logo.


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Old 03-28-2017, 06:19 PM
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John Reid John Reid is offline
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Very nice, enjoy.
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Old 03-28-2017, 07:16 PM
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Old 03-28-2017, 08:39 PM
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I have similar enthusiasm for my shield 45. I find it to be a very accurate easy shooter. My shield 9 at 10 yards would scatter all over the pie plate with no discernible groups. The shield 45 groups much nicer.


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Old 03-28-2017, 09:48 PM
rjc71 rjc71 is offline
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The Apex sear made all of the difference in mine. Now it is a great gun.

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Old 03-28-2017, 11:01 PM
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Thanks for the range report. Sounds like the new 45 is working out well for you. I keep thinking about getting one to have for EDC.
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Old 03-28-2017, 11:17 PM
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Thanks all. Yeah, after 48 years of shooting, using and carrying a 1911 of one kind or another as my preferred platform this "plastic fantastic" .45 is certainly easier to conceal, especially in lighter clothes like t-shirts and shorts. I've done it with the bigger heavier guns but being north of 60 now I'll take easier too .

I do still carry big and heavy guns during the cooler/colder months (sometimes my 629 too haha) but this is as concealable in belt holster mode (how I always carry) as any gun I've ever owned.
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Old 03-29-2017, 12:44 PM
Oclan Oclan is offline
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I've had the same experience with my Shield 45 with over 500 rounds thru it. Great gun!!!
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Old 03-30-2017, 12:47 PM
kthom kthom is offline
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We are all different, but I don't have the recoil issue that you mention. I could only tell the difference between my 9 and .45 shield's recoil by shooting them one after the other. I knew the .45 had to have a bit more than the 9, but I just didn't feel it until I did this. I was the most surprised guy you ever saw when I first fired my .45. I fully expected a real handful. It was a very pleasant surprise, and I really do like my Shield .45. Still have the 9 and intend to keep it. My wife has one, and 9MM ammo is cheaper to practice with. I have no problem with either caliber as far as my personal protection needs are concerned. Either will do the job nicely if I do mine correctly! I actually shoot the .45 a bit better than the 9. I love the grip texture, but I always wear an undershirt so the grip surface does not directly contact my skin. But a bit of judicious sanding with a fine grit paper would knock the sharp points off the surface to provide some relief.

You have a great personal protection weapon, Sir! Congratulations!!
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Old 03-30-2017, 01:03 PM
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Congrats and enjoy
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