I'm looking to get my first S&W semi auto. I've bought and owned numerous Smith revolvers but never a semi auto. I EDC a 642 for pocket carry but I'm looking for a dedicated IWB gun. My duty weapon is a Glock 17 and naturally I should go for the 43. I like glock and have owned many (19,23,26,30), all have since been sold. I've even shot the 43 when they first came out but wasn't too impressed. I've also owned some Kahr's (cw380, cm9 and cw45), all have been sold due to reliability issues.


After countless research, I have my mind set on the shield, particularity the PC 9mm version. I can get a regular version for around $320 and the PC for around $389. The porting and sights are kind of neat but i really like the upgraded trigger that comes stock. I've put glock aftermarket triggers in my carry guns before but I'd rather have the trigger that comes from the factory for a defensive carry gun. That alone makes the PC version more appealing to me.


I know that I could get the original version and with the money I save, upgrade the sights and put an Apex trigger in but for me it wouldn't be the same.


I'm not too worried about the legality of having a DIY modified trigger. To me, if having to use a firearm in a defensive situation, you're either going to have a good shoot or a bad shoot and the trigger should have nothing to do with it. With that said, I know some persecutors will look for anything especially in a civil setting.


Enough of legality stuff. I think the PC is just what i'm looking for. Whatcha think?

I think you answered your own question


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I haven't shot the pc, but I like my non pc with apex duty carry kit. You can't go wrong with any or the other.

Haha, I guess what I really should have asked is. Has any one who owns a PC Shield have any negative feedback since their purchase or regrets in not just getting a regular one? Like excessive wear or reliability issues since their purchase, due to the porting.

You might find this thread worth looking at. In it I did an unscientific side by comparison of the two Shields.

Ported Shield 9mm vs Shield 9mm

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thank you!

I have both a PC Shield and a regular (with an Apex sear upgrade). Both are great. Get whichever you feel most comfortable with and don't look back.

I got the original first. i got the PC version because they can now be had for less than I paid for the origianl one a while back. I enjoy both.

I have both, carry the PC during the day and switch to the OG at night (tritium night sights). Really can't go wrong with either IMO, good luck.


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I own a PC Shield, zero issues or concerns with it. Love how it feels and am not one who is worried about the porting.

There are multiple threads lately on the PC that you may be able to go thru and pull info that helps your situation and needs out as well.

My .02 of course

I carry a Glock 23 on duty and carry the pc shield 9 off duty. Love the way the gun shoots and handles. Think I may replace the fiber optic for tritium sites.
Go for it you won't regret it.

That's good to hear.


I like the sights that are on the PC but I think I'd also replace them eventually with at least a tritium front sight. All of my Glocks had 10-8, blacked out rears and a tritium front. Good thing for me is 10-8 also makes sights for M&p's as well.

Get the plain old Shield and spend the money you save on ammo. The triggers get better the more you shoot it. The porting doesn't do much except make it harder to clean.

One sheepdawg to another.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Haha, It's good to see another sheepdog, brother!

I am also looking at the shield and am sold on the PC. I dont like the idea of changing triggers either. The hunt begins friday

Well my hunt is over. I just ordered the PC from Grabagun for $389.


Good luck to you sir and happy hunting.

I have the PC 9 and love this little gun. The factory trigger is very good IMO, I did add the 1 piece aluminum Apex trigger, but didn't change anything but the Trigger itself (the hinged trigger has a squishy feeling to me)

The only thing I don't like is the added dirt from the ports.

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My first Shield was also a PC Shield. I love it. I added MagGuts +1 and +2 which have been flawless. I also replaced the recoil spring assembly with the SS guide rod inc version

Have been eye balling the Shield 45 pcs with Tritium night sights myself. I have a plan 9mm shield as my main EDC but been wanting a 45 sub gun and like the PC night sight version.

Congrats. Called a shop today a found out the PC is not Massachusetts compliant.... So will have to settle for a 9c or shield. A little bummed but i can just throw some upgrades on either one.

Man, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure you'll be just as happy with the regular one though. There's a reason folks still carry and buy the shield even after the glock 43 was released.

I didn't by my PC 9mm for the porting. I got it for the trigger. I haven't regretted it 1 bit. IMHO only needed the Talon grips and extra magazines and call it good.

That's what I'm takin about!!!


How many rounds have you put through it?


One more question? Are those shoes Merrell's?

Brought her home, cleaned and lubbed her up. Now on to the range!

Attached Images

IMG_0682.jpg (78.3 KB, 26 views)

I've put @300 rounds thru this 9mm.


And yes the shoes on that day are Merrell's.

***Range Report***



I took the PC Shield to the range this morning. I fired 100 rounds of American Eagle 115 gr., 100 rounds of Remington UMC 115gr, 25 rounds of Speer God Dot 124gr +p and 25 rounds of Federal HST 124gr +p. The gun fired all rounds 250 rounds with out a single problem. The gun is very accurate even up to 25 yards away.


About the porting. I don't have a regular shield so I really cant compare. I can tell you that the gun has very little muzzle flip and stays on target very well. For me the porting really shined when I put +p rounds through it. Other then being a little louder, the +p's had no more felt recoil then the standard ball ammo. I could not tell a difference. Even with my Glock 19, I could tell a difference when shooting +p but not this gun.


I did notice the gun got VERY hot after 100 rounds. I also noticed the lube I put around the barrel was gone after only a couple rounds. Around the porting area I noticed a dry patch of carbon. I wasn't too concerned because believe it or not carbon can act as a lubricant in itself.


At about round 230, I noticed the front fiber optic sight had fallen out. I was not able to find it either. I really wasn't even mad and figured it would happen sooner or later anyway. I plan on installing night sights on it. I'll still probably call S&W and have them send my another one until I do change the sights out.


Once I got home, I noticed the take down lever was very hard to rotate at the end. I noticed the little pin located under and to the front of the take down lever was scratched on the tip. I don't know if it was from the heat or if it moved a little out due to shooting. It probably wasn't smart but I forced the take down lever past it and was able to take down the gun just fine. It's still stiff though and much stiffer then the first time I took the gun down. I didn't notice much wear on the barrel and it was a breeze to clean.


All and all I'm very happy with this little gun and I'm happy with the purchase.

Update.


Yesterday I called S&W about the front sight. He told me they received a bad batch from Hiviz. The customer service rep gave me the number to Hiviz. I called them up and they're sending me a new fiber optic.