Should I Replace My G43 With a Shield?

vjp · #1 01-17-2017, 04:12 PM

I recently acquired my first M&P pistol, an M&P45. Today, I acquired another one, an M&P9 for $375 plus tax used but in new condition. I'm considering replacing my daily carry, a G43, with a Shield to keep it all in the same family. I know this is the Smith forum but I'm thinking that you guys will give a more honest opinion of the Shield compared to the Glock.

scribbly1 · #2 01-17-2017, 04:20 PM

I have had both and both are great guns but I now carry the Performance Center 9mm shield with the mag guts system for the short carry mag.

This set up gives me 8+1 in a package that is barely larger that a G43 and smaller than a G26

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jyork08854 · #3 01-17-2017, 04:22 PM

I love my full size M&P 9. My favorite to shoot. It just "feels" right. My carry gun is a 9mm Shield Performance Center. Nice carry gun. (I carry with the 8 round mag.) Just my 2 cents.

rwsmith · #4 01-17-2017, 04:29 PM

...in the world of CC, Shields are reliable without costing big bucks. There is nothing wrong with the Glock, far from it, dang good gun.

Other attributes to the Shield are trim, not blocky. Very easy to carry and very comfortable to shoot. The DOA trigger reminds me more of a single action gun. Lifetime warranty.

Bonephish · #5 01-17-2017, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjp

I recently acquired my first M&P pistol, an M&P45. Today, I acquired another one, an M&P9 for $375 plus tax used but in new condition. I'm considering replacing my daily carry, a G43, with a Shield to keep it all in the same family. I know this is the Smith forum but I'm thinking that you guys will give a more honest opinion of the Shield compared to the Glock.

My personal experience (honest opinion) favors the Shield with trigger mods over the Glock 43. I love my Glock 19 but the single stack Glocks don't feel right to me.

dsink · #6 01-17-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonephish

My personal experience (honest opinion) favors the Shield with trigger mods over the Glock 43. I love my Glock 19 but the single stack Glocks don't feel right to me.

I am just the opposite. I have large hands and picked up a 43 over Christmas. I actually like the 43 better than the Shield. Now I did add a +1 grip extension to my Glock mags and that made a big difference in the feel of it.
Honestly, you cant go wrong with either one.

Slingn · #7 01-17-2017, 04:45 PM

I have a full size and a shield and like that they are in the same family as it's so easy to switch between guns, and maintenance them. But if you like and shoot the glock well,why spend the money? (Unless you gots plenty extra) The two guns are very similar in function and breakdown. Now if u like the feel of the shield better, which I persoannly do, or you naturally shoot it better, (both about the same for me), then by all means go for it. You should be as competent and comfortable with your carry gun as possible.

Rpg · #8 01-17-2017, 04:45 PM

Is there a problem with the Glock?

LAA · #9 01-17-2017, 04:50 PM

My opinion, more the same than not. I prefer the grip angle of the Shield, because it's what I'm use too. My wife prefers the G43. These days I carry the Shield 45. No plans to get rid of either 9mm.

CB3 · #10 01-17-2017, 05:01 PM

Keeping your carry guns in the same family makes sense. Sights, operational controls and grip angle are all very similar.

Having a Glock 43 instead of a Shield is not necessarily a big deal--if you shoot it well and it's reliable.

However, in your situation I would recemmend selling the G43 and buying a Shield for greater compatibility. Buy locally and ask to check the triggers on several Shields. Sometimes brand new they are gritty or jerky. Some are very good new.

RobzGuns · #11 01-17-2017, 05:07 PM

I got my Shield back in 2012 when they first came out. Had the G43 debuted at the same time, I probably would have bought it, instead of the Shield.

I shoot both very well out to 45' and both are great little pistols.
I like the G43 very much, but not enough to trade my Shield for one.
Had I bought a G43 first, I'd probably say that I like the Shield very much, but not enough to trade a G43 for one.

I have various carry pistols on various platforms. The Shield and my old S&W Model 19-3 are the only S&Ws I own.

Try a Shield (rent, try a friends, etc) before making the change, but if you simply need an excuse to get a new pistol, then by all means, "because I want them all to be M&Ps" is a good enough excuse.

Bballjames · #12 01-17-2017, 05:14 PM

I have both and I carry both. I personally like the shield better because of the ergonomics on it. Plus, to me it just shoots better. I honestly like them both, but if you are breaking in to the M&P line of pistols, I think it would it make sense to have the same platform across the board.

usm1rifle · #13 01-17-2017, 05:20 PM

Since you already have a G43, I would keep that. Unless of course, you have extra money...

326MOD10 · #14 01-17-2017, 05:21 PM

If you go back and search there were some threads on this topic in the past that you may find informative.

With that said, I have both and carry the Glock and have placed the Shield in storage. Don't get me wrong I like the Shield a great deal and shot perfect with it when I qualified. I have even suggested it to others when they are looking for a handgun because it is very easy to shoot and accurate.

It also took a little while to get broken in and has had a hang up or two since that time. Not sure if it would be the ammo, the shooter or the gun but the Glock has had zero issues with anything I have put down the pipe.

I figure at the distances I would be using this particular style of handgun at and the minimal difference in round count I would lean toward the one that has shown to me to be the most reliable.

Of course though many times in the summer you will see me stuffing a 442 in my pocket.

SmithNWesson · #15 01-17-2017, 06:21 PM

I would pick the shield. I love the g43 but if we are talking EDC, i like having the extra capacity in the shield. I personally stay away from magguts or anything else not factory that messes with mags. I like the g43's sights more.

I will add i am from Massachusetts and owning a glock is not easy (as in easy to find, since glocks must be transfered and can NOT be purchased from a shop). That being said, buy and shield and send me your g43

vjp · #16 01-17-2017, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpg

Is there a problem with the Glock?

No problem with the Glock. I was thinking that the Shield would be a better fit for me now since I will be shooting the full size M&P's.

kramden · #17 01-17-2017, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjp

I recently acquired my first M&P pistol, an M&P45. Today, I acquired another one, an M&P9 for $375 plus tax used but in new condition. I'm considering replacing my daily carry, a G43, with a Shield to keep it all in the same family. I know this is the Smith forum but I'm thinking that you guys will give a more honest opinion of the Shield compared to the Glock.

I bought a G43 first and really like it. Then I tried, liked and bought a Shield. Big fan of both . Personally I'm not getting rid of either one.

Muss Muggins · #18 01-17-2017, 07:37 PM

I'd keep the 43 and buy a Shield . . .

DatsunX3 · #19 01-17-2017, 10:11 PM

I carry a PC 9mm Shield and like it. I also like the Glock 43, but the lack of a thumb safety kept me from buying a G43. After years of shooting 1911 style guns, I prefer the safety models.

ArmyRover · #20 01-17-2017, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I'd keep the 43 and buy a Shield . . .

This

eahicks · #21 01-17-2017, 10:30 PM

Can someone explain why everyone is carrying the Performance Centers, or any ported barrel handgun for that matter?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

FLS&W · #22 01-17-2017, 11:19 PM

Before I purchased my single stack 9mm I tried the Shield, G43, XDs, and PPS M2 side by side at LGS range. I didn't like the way the 43 felt in my hands, so I didn't buy it. The XDs was nice but I didn't like the grip safety. I bought the Shield and PPS M2. I recently sold the Shield 9 not because I didn't like it, but because I got the Shield 45 and someone offered me a good price for the 9. The Shield 45 is about the same size, has the same capacity, but packs a bigger pop. I kept the PPS M2 as my single stack 9mm.

jaymoore · #23 01-18-2017, 03:26 AM

Seriously OT, but every time I see G43, I think of this:

(The rifle in the middle.)

Can't help it. It was my first German rifle, bought way back in high school.

Makes for a very hard to conceal EDC weapon....

MCorps0311 · #24 01-18-2017, 06:29 PM

I don't own a M&P 45, G43 or M&P 9 Shield,I do own a M&P 40 Shield,and a G17 9mm,I like them very much. I don't have the answer to your question.

CBStuard · #25 01-18-2017, 06:46 PM

I am in the 'if you have extra money and want a Shield go for it' camp. OTOH, shifting from a double stack of any brand to a single stack of any brand is different enough that it won't make much difference if you are also switching brands. The one big difference between Glocks and other brands is the grip angle. But I notice this is not so noticeable in the pocket size guns. I have a PF9 I shoot fine. I have also shot my SIL's Shield and my nephew's G43, and I shoot them both fine.

LD-Ordie · #26 01-20-2017, 10:51 AM

I personally own a 9mm Shield and a G42, but have fired a G43. Like many have said, they are both fine weapons, so it's down to a personal preference. I personally enjoy my Shield more. Mainly because of the trigger. So there appears to be several options for the Shield, which I installed the Appex Sear and it made a big difference for a minimal amount of $$. The trigger assemblies are the same for the G42 and G43, but not interchangeable with other Glocks. I could only find a kit from Ghost for my G42, which lowered the trigger rate by 2 or so pounds. Still, after firing 50 rounds or so, I found it no longer enjoyable to shoot. For a CC, this may not be an issue for some. I also found the Glock to be around $100. more than the Shield when I was shopping. Adding a Shield instead of replacing your Glock is a good option IMHO

So I am now considering adding a 9mm compact Sig, to my current carry pieces. As we all know, Sig's are a lot more $$$, but boy are they nice!. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having one of each

Irn-Bru · #27 01-24-2017, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vjp

No problem with the Glock. I was thinking that the Shield would be a better fit for me now since I will be shooting the full size M&P's.

Full size M&P will shoot different than the Shield. If your competent shooting the G43, I'd stick with that.

Chief Illiniwek · #28 01-24-2017, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muss Muggins

I'd keep the 43 and buy a Shield . . .

That's what I did and both see time as my EDC.

Steved13 · #29 01-24-2017, 10:58 AM

It's pretty easy to debate from either side. The FS will shoot differently than the Shield...someone could say 2 FS will shoot differently from each other, and someone else could say; Don't we align the sights on all guns and then squeeze the trigger while holding the sights on the target...making the argument that we shoot every gun the same way.

It also depends on how much time you spend shooting and how many guns you own. If you own 50 guns, and shoot everyday, then you wouldn't be asking the question...it wouldn't even come into mind. If you have 2 guns, and want to have similar controls, because you don't get to shoot but once a week or month or every once in awhile...It makes a lot more sense.

Since you have already voiced the concern and desire to have both be more similar platforms, I think you've answered your own question.

I carried the G43, and it was fine, I could hit center mass no problem. Then I decided on a FS PC 9l, as a range gun, and I wanted similar platforms, so switched to the Shield. I absolutely love how the Shield fits me, and how I shoot it, and I can't imagine carrying anything else (Except maybe a 9c?).

swsig · #30 01-24-2017, 01:36 PM

Have you considered a compact M&P? I have a Shield 9 and an M&P 40c, and I carry the 40c. Not only does it carry more rounds, it is more accurate than the Shield. Its double-stack grip will feel just like the grips on your full-size M&Ps, and, if you have them on your M&Ps, the safeties will be the same. My 40c is also easier to rack. (I own six semi-autos, and the Shield is by far the hardest to rack.) Yes, the 40c does weigh more than the Shield, but to me, the advantages contained within those few extra ounces outweigh the liabilities.

wwit · #31 01-24-2017, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyork08854

I love my full size M&P 9. My favorite to shoot. It just "feels" right. My carry gun is a 9mm Shield Performance Center. Nice carry gun. (I carry with the 8 round mag.) Just my 2 cents.

I own the exact same duo and have the same opinion exactly with this sentiment. I carry my PC 9mm Shield with the 8 round mag also. Mainly due to the fact that the 9mm Shield was my older CCW and have gotten used to it. Thankfully I live in a relatively violent crime free area and shootouts are not common at all, so no real need to carry the fill size double stack.

Both are great guns. At the range, the full size I find to be a tad more accurate at 25 yards. Mainly because the full size fits my catchers mitt hands better then the Shield.

wwit · #32 01-24-2017, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eahicks

Can someone explain why everyone is carrying the Performance Centers, or any ported barrel handgun for that matter?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Why not carry a ported firearm?

I own both the M&P 9mm Shield(single stack) PC as well as the full sized M&P 9mm (double stack) PC. Both have ported barrels. The full size came with a TB also. I bought both at different times, but in both cases I was able to buy them for only a small upcharge over the non-ported version. Both come with Apex Enhanced Triggers, which was worth far more than the slight upcharge I paid.

rwsmith · #33 01-24-2017, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rpg

Is there a problem with the Glock?

It's not a Smith.

Flash_80 · #34 01-24-2017, 10:15 PM

Have the Shield. Have held the G43. And its the only Glock I ever held and liked. That being said, if I had either one already, I would not trade it for the other.

eahicks · #35 01-24-2017, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwit

Why not carry a ported firearm?

I own both the M&P 9mm Shield(single stack) PC as well as the full sized M&P 9mm (double stack) PC. Both have ported barrels. The full size came with a TB also. I bought both at different times, but in both cases I was able to buy them for only a small upcharge over the non-ported version. Both come with Apex Enhanced Triggers, which was worth far more than the slight upcharge I paid.

So you didn't answer why. I get that they come with upgrade triggers, sights.... but why carry a ported barrel?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Breakaway500 · #36 01-24-2017, 11:03 PM

Glock: hammer. Shield: not a Glock.

Lima26 · #37 01-24-2017, 11:17 PM

I prefer non-ported for my EDC. Even when you replace the ported barrel with a non-ported barrel the ports cut into the slide could potentially get jammed up. The other issue is the slide ports also reduce weight and increase slide speed in an already small pistol.

Just my 2-cents

T2C · #38 01-24-2017, 11:20 PM

I owned a Glock 43 for several months and never warmed up to it. It was stone axe reliable, but it was not as precise as my other concealed carry pistols.

I purchased a Shield 9mm last fall and I like the way it handles and shoots better than the Glock 43. I had to send the Shield in for warranty work when I first bought it and I have been tracking other threads about magazine spring issues. If I don't have any more breakages, I'll stick with the Shield. If I do have another issue that affects reliability, I won't be able to recommend the Shield as a personal protection firearm to my students.

wwit · #39 01-25-2017, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eahicks

So you didn't answer why. I get that they come with upgrade triggers, sights.... but why carry a ported barrel?

Why Not? was my answer. For me ported makes no difference at all for a CCW. Its very simple, or so I thought. I CCW a ported barrel gun because it came that way. I got a good price on it at the time and the upgrades other than the ported barrel far outweighed the upcharge to get a PC vs. a standard model. I recall it was only @ $20-25 upcharge then. Prices have come done a lot since then though. I clean my firearms frequently. My PC 9mm Shield gets cleaned once a week. I'm highly confident that it will be good working order should I ever need to draw it in any potential SD or HD situation.

If you prefer the non ported model, then that's the one for you.

eahicks · #40 01-25-2017, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwit

Why Not? was my answer. For me ported makes no difference at all for a CCW. Its very simple, or so I thought. I CCW a ported barrel gun because it came that way. I got a good price on it at the time and the upgrades other than the ported barrel far outweighed the upcharge to get a PC vs. a standard model. I recall it was only @ $20-25 upcharge then. Prices have come done a lot since then though. I clean my firearms frequently. My PC 9mm Shield gets cleaned once a week. I'm highly confident that it will be good working order should I ever need to draw it in any potential SD or HD situation.

If you prefer the non ported model, then that's the one for you.

"Why not" explains nothing. I get the "cool" factor of ported guns. But for a short barrel like the Shield has, and porting it, you are making something more dangerous to the person shooting than anything. This gun is meant for SD, and most likely would be used in close contact.... if you shoot from the hip with it, you risk being burned by the muzzle flash being directed back at you practically. If you use it at night, the extra flash could temporarily blind you. Also, with the porting it seems you lose some of your velocity. So short barrel, with the extra decrease, is limiting the punch of even your best defense round. I'm not saying these guns are bad. I just don't think they are the best choice for a CC weapon.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

carbuff · #41 03-26-2017, 07:31 AM

To answer your question, no. If the G43 meets your needs, why change to another brand and platform? Having said this, I do carry both the G43 and Shield 9 at different times for different reasons.

Both the G43 and Shield 9 meet my every EDC needs. Each is well made, reliable, accurate and easily maintained. Both fit my hands well.

I carry in the front right pocket of my pants. The pistol I choose to carry depends on the pants I wear. In summer daytimes wearing tighter fitting shorts, I carry the G43 because it is overall smaller than the Shield 9.

When wearing regular pants or suits, I carry the Shield 9 because the larger front pockets allow the Shield with its larger size to fit better without printing.

I do not find switching from one of these pistol to the other to be detrimental to my ability to control or shoot either.

The beauty of having to decide which of these fine guns to carry is a win-win situation. Wish every decision in life was this easy.

dben002 · #42 03-26-2017, 05:39 PM

I am not a Glock fanboy or hater.. Traded my G26 for the Shield 9 then moved up to the Shield 45.. For me the Shield is a better shooting gun but that is probably because the Shield fits my hand better and my eye. Both are capable weapons..always choose the one you shoot the best under stress.

mlk18 · #43 03-26-2017, 07:33 PM

I just did a comparison of the G43 and the PC Shield. I went with the PC Shield. I have several Glocks and enjoy them all, but the G43 made me think of the Walther CCP or Walther PK380. They say Walther, but they don't feel or shoot like a Walther. The G43 does not feel or shoot like a "real Glock" to me. YMMV.

walkin' trails · #44 03-27-2017, 05:22 PM

I have both. Both are in factory original form. I carry the 43 as a BUG at work because it is authorized and the Shield is not. At present, I find myself preferring the 43 to the Shield, but then again I've got the 43 on me all the time and handle it daily. Both have about the same number of rounds and neither has had anything resembling a stoppage or failure other than the Shield seemly having a bit of a snag going into battery when working the slide in a less than purposeful manner. I feel that the Shield needs a little more break-in time.

As far as keeping everything in the family, all I can say is that I have no problems going back and forth between Glock and M&Ps. I have several of the later and carry a 9c off the clock. I've shot my Shield on qua courses, and have scored the same with it as I do the 43. Bottom line, it's up to you.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fastbolt · #45 03-27-2017, 06:59 PM

While I've spent some range time with the Shield 9, I've not yet tried a G43.

Having been through the armorer classes for both (G43/42 added to current Glock class, bu the Shield class is a separate module subsequent to the regular M&P class), I tend to think both are fine for their intended roles.

S&W says that the Shield is the number one selling pistol in the world at the moment, and Glock said they G43 is their number one selling model (out of their whole model line) for the last year. Bopth are selling as fast as they can be produced.

I know some other instructors who own/owned both, and a couple of them are what you might call Glock fans. One of them is rather ambivalent about his G43, and the other is regretting having sold his Shield to buy the G43.

I didn't get a Shield because I have a 3913, 3913TSW (late production) and a CS9. I didn't get a G43 for the same reason. Neither are what I'm looking for in a "pocketable" pistol, and I have a bunch of little single stack 9's, .40's & .45's.

If anyone is interested, Glock started using a special minus connector in the G43 about a year ago (not the same one used in their larger guns), replacing the original G43 connector, and this reduces the trigger pull weight down into the average weight of the larger Glocks.

Some folks seem prone to nit-pcik about the difference in mag capacity between the Shield (7/8) and the G43 (6), but it might be reasonable to bear in mind the intended role of this really diminutive single stack category.

My CS45 uses 6rd mags, my CS9 7rd mags and my 3913's 8rd mags. All of them hold at least as many rounds as the 6-shot service revolvers I carried on-duty, and the Commander I carried off-duty.

Why 6-8 rounds wouldn't be sufficient for a really small off-duty/secondary weapon, or a really small private citizen's CCW choice, is a bit of a head-scratcher. Unless, of course, someone has in mind a fear of having to live out some fantasy shootout scenario inspired by the couple of John Wick movies.

Then again, these thoughts are from someone who has a plethora of pistols with 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12rd magazines ... but who commonly carries a 5-shot snub or a LCP (6rd mag) as retirement weapons.

I'm not exactly a mag capacity junkie.

So ... both the Shield 9 and the G43 would seem to be fine choices for the smallish, lo-cap single stack pistol categories. Get one of each and compare them for a few years, yourselves.

eahicks · #46 03-27-2017, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fastbolt

While I've spent some range time with the Shield 9, I've not yet tried a G43.

Having been through the armorer classes for both (G43/42 added to current Glock class, bu the Shield class is a separate module subsequent to the regular M&P class), I tend to think both are fine for their intended roles.

S&W says that the Shield is the number one selling pistol in the world at the moment, and Glock said they G43 is their number one selling model (out of their whole model line) for the last year. Bopth are selling as fast as they can be produced.

I know some other instructors who own/owned both, and a couple of them are what you might call Glock fans. One of them is rather ambivalent about his G43, and the other is regretting having sold his Shield to buy the G43.

I didn't get a Shield because I have a 3913, 3913TSW (late production) and a CS9. I didn't get a G43 for the same reason. Neither are what I'm looking for in a "pocketable" pistol, and I have a bunch of little single stack 9's, .40's & .45's.

If anyone is interested, Glock started using a special minus connector in the G43 about a year ago (not the same one used in their larger guns), replacing the original G43 connector, and this reduces the trigger pull weight down into the average weight of the larger Glocks.

Some folks seem prone to nit-pcik about the difference in mag capacity between the Shield (7/8) and the G43 (6), but it might be reasonable to bear in mind the intended role of this really diminutive single stack category.

My CS45 uses 6rd mags, my CS9 7rd mags and my 3913's 8rd mags. All of them hold at least as many rounds as the 6-shot service revolvers I carried on-duty, and the Commander I carried off-duty.

Why 6-8 rounds wouldn't be sufficient for a really small off-duty/secondary weapon, or a really small private citizen's CCW choice, is a bit of a head-scratcher. Unless, of course, someone has in mind a fear of having to live out some fantasy shootout scenario inspired by the couple of John Wick movies.

Then again, these thoughts are from someone who has a plethora of pistols with 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12rd magazines ... but who commonly carries a 5-shot snub or a LCP (6rd mag) as retirement weapons.

I'm not exactly a mag capacity junkie.

So ... both the Shield 9 and the G43 would seem to be fine choices for the smallish, lo-cap single stack pistol categories. Get one of each and compare them for a few years, yourselves.

When you're confident you can place 2-3 rounds on target when you need to, having 6 rounds or more is just insurance. If you feel the need to carry something with 12-17 rounds in it.... I don't know what to say to that.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

justBrian · #47 04-01-2017, 04:13 PM

I sold my G43 and bought an M&P 2.0 5" FDE. ;-)

ScaryWoody · #48 04-03-2017, 12:37 PM

I love Glocks. I live in Atlanta and take my Glocks to the mother ship eery 5k rounds for a free check up. My Glock 19 is probably the best carry gun made. That said, I just bought my second Shield 45. I've been carrying the Shield for a while. Light weight and affordable. I traded some capacity for much bigger holes. I just bought the second Shield 45 because of the rebate. A new good gun for $264. I couldn't pass that by.

eahicks · #49 04-03-2017, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaryWoody

I love Glocks. I live in Atlanta and take my Glocks to the mother ship eery 5k rounds for a free check up. My Glock 19 is probably the best carry gun made. That said, I just bought my second Shield 45. I've been carrying the Shield for a while. Light weight and affordable. I traded some capacity for much bigger holes. I just bought the second Shield 45 because of the rebate. A new good gun for $264. I couldn't pass that by.

Yep.... ordered my 45 Shield (NTS) this weekend, after the rebate will cost me $269. No need to replace anything... just add another to the family.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

gen3guy · #50 04-03-2017, 02:14 PM

I was recently faced with the dilemma of selecting a small, single stack, carry 9. I had narrowed my choices down to the G43 or the Shield. When I asked a friend (a Shield owner) what he thought, he said "Don't forget about Ruger's LC9s." Good advice because that's what I selected. It was $90 cheaper than the G43 plus it holds one more round. It's every bit as accurate and the trigger is superb. The Shield came in a close second but I can't get used to it's looks. I keep wondering where the rest of the pistol is.