The paradox of the M&P Shield, which is sold in the millions and aimed at the entry level market of concealed carry gun owners, is that it is not really an easy pistol to operate initially.

The Shield requires some wrangling to operate the slide and it demands some grip strength to disassemble and assemble, at least until it is broken in. It has heavy springs, including a strong recoil spring setup.

But I like this gun a lot, and think it will get easier to use as it breaks in.

Pros:

• Reliability – Good indicators it is going to be reliable. 100 rds so far with no problems (various loadings, mostly 3.9 Titegroup or 5.0 BE-86 under 124 grain plated bullets, plus some Speer GDHP 124 Grain).

• Accuracy – It hits where aimed. The trigger is smooth, relatively light (about 6 lbs), and just a tad long.

• The Safety is stiff but positive and can be reached by my thumb.

• The Pearce grip extension works and looks great on the 7 round magazine. It is great to find a small pistol that is big enough for me to get a full grip. The 8 round magazine does not, for me, with medium sized hands, need the Pearce pinky extension.

• The mag release works well and the mag falls away from the pistol as desired.

Cons:

• Re-assembly can involve some hand wrestling if the recoil spring is not exactly centered and aligned in its position between the chin of the slide and the bottom of the barrel. (I think this is why some new owners have been reporting having trouble reassembling the pistol after cleaning).

• On mine, the rearward edge of the slide stop lever, a stamping, had a burr on it and was perhaps be a little long (this made it hard to lock the slide back by hand). Two very light swipes with a small flat file made the edge that nests in the cut in the slide perfectly flat and smooth; an improvement.

Neither Pro nor Con:

• It is hard initially to get the full complement of rounds in the magazines; the solution is to load up the magazines and let them sit like that for a few days to loosen them up.

• The slide rails will require some breaking in. Some people might use very light sandpaper (2000 grit) to swipe down the rails, to remove any burrs or smooth out any bumps -- but I think they will break in by themselves.

• Perceived recoil is sharp (in 9mm) but not unbearable and not too “snappy.” This is a hugely subjective area to comment on, but I shot the Shield alongside a P239 – a wonderfully accurate, handy, and mild-recoiling pistol – and found the difference noticeable but not objectionable. The Shield weighs 20.8 ounces, the P239 (the same ammo capacity and roughly the same size, but wider) weighs 29.5 ounces.

• I’ve added some 3M floor safety tape (aka “skater tape”) to a few places on the grip to improve adhesion. Talon grips might be a good thing to look into.

Looking forward:

I think the gun will continue to get easier to operate and become smoother as it breaks-in. If it retains its reliability and its accuracy, it will be a keeper.

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S&W Rover

It does loosen up, and small pistols are usually stiff-springed. It shoots amazingly well and is a dream to carry.

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Loving retirement!

I like mine even more that I finally got a chance to shoot it. I've had it since last November but RA kept me off the range. "Better living through chemistry" finally gave me enough strength in my wrist to give it a try. Not sure why I waited so long. Scared, I guess. But I still need a loader to fill the mags.

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Si vis pacem para bellum.

I saw an advertisement today for a company named Sintercore, which sells a solution to stiff recoil springs on striker-fired pistols. Essentially, it is a set of small "wings" that attach to the cover at the rear of the slide, giving the operator more ability to grasp the slide (this is similar to the "ears" that HK built into the slide of their VP9).

Sintercore's Improvement to "Perfection" & Other Polymer Handguns: The Deadfall - The Firearm BlogThe Firearm Blog

This looks like it might have potential, particularly for the small and tight Shield, and especially for folks with arthritis.

I can't vouch for it, but I advance-ordered one for my Shield (they reportedly will start selling them for the Shield in June).

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S&W Rover

Deadfall – Slide Charging Wings – Sintercore More photos

I have not fired a hand gun in years, after going through a robbery at my business I thought I would get a carry permit and buy a gun and open carry it. Hoping my 3906 fires as well as it does

Attached Images

	S&W 9s.jpg (67.0 KB, 240 views)
	1st time firing 9mm Shield.jpg (30.5 KB, 194 views)

Hear this a lot from peoples....Shield slide hard to operate, disassembly and reassembly difficult....Mags stiff and hard to load when new......

Had the 9 for 2 years and moved on to the 45..never had a problem with any of these items with the 9...

The 45 did have stiff mags and were hard to load at first but the slide and everything else was just fine.....and the mags got normal after about 2 days of loading and unloading.....

So for all these issues I am just plain

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Hipcocked45

I have a 9 and .45 shield and do not think either are hard to disassemble and reassemble. Probably 2 of the easiest handguns to do so that I have.... not sure what everyone is complaining about. Yes the mags for the 45 are ridiculously stiff.... got em loaded up to loosen them some.


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I have worked with small guns since about 1995. First Keltecs, Makarovs, then Kahrs and a few Shields for myself and others.

They all had stiff recoil and mag springs when new. This perception is relative. I had the strength and dexterity to deal with them until they broke in and loosened up.

However, as we age, our eyesight deteriorates, and so does our hand strength. Old folks enjoy shooting and need self protection too, so a gun that is "no problem" to a young buck may be a challenge for someone older. Different sights and grip enhancements for both the slide and frame are legit for folks who need them to operate and shoot the Shield, or almost any other compact gun.

It is largely a function of age...

For a pistol with the Browning action, the stiffness or strength of the springs is generally in inverse proportion to 1. the mass of the slide and 2. the length of the recoil action. A small, light slide (like the Shield's) is going to weigh less and need more spring. A short movement, like that the Shield, also creates the need for a stiffer spring (thus the Shield, and many newer small pistols, have double-springs, to provide a strong but even resistance to the recoil of the slide).

But for many of us old duffers, the issue comes down to gripping the slide -- not just moving it. Again, the Shield, as an exemplar of this problem, has a smallish slide -- which is harder to grip. Why is gripping it hard? Because at some age, if you have worked your whole life, your hands (joints, tendons, etc.) have absorbed a certain amount of injuries. Plus, as you age, your chances of developing arthritis (which weakens your grip) go up too.

So this is an issue for people who just don't have much hand and grip strength in the first place, and also a very frustrating issue for people who USED to have stronger hands but are suffering from the ravages of time... I don't think it should cause people to avoid buying the Shield, but something like the "Deadfall" may make it easier for those who wrestle with the charging and disassembling the piece.

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S&W Rover

I fully understand your comments and agree...I happen to be 71 years of age but I guess I am one of the lucky one's as far as the ravages of time goes.....I am sure if I live long enough I will cross that bridge........

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Hipcocked45

Happy to see that TacRack has some competition finally. These end plates look just as good and at about half the price. I have one on backorder.

My Left had has 40% disability from the tendons being cut into having surgery to attach them again. I find it a little difficult but it did help after I fired it a few time, need to use a couple more boxes of ammo with it.

Just how "snapy" would you consider it with it being a .45?
I like the 9 a lot! wonder though how it would be with .45
I don't need a 17 round carry weapon, so it looks good to me

The talk of the slide on the 9mm Shield being difficult to hand cycle because of its small size seems good in theory.
But it doesn't explain why it's much more difficult to hand cycle than my little BG, you may say that's comparing apples to oranges but the Shield slide is a chore for MY aging hands.

I bought mine last week. Took it to the range on Monday.Fired 150 rounds and only 1 ftf. I think its just the stiff magazine spring that caused it. It was the first magazine and the 3rd round. After that no issues. Cleaned it today and it was easy. Love this new gun. Shoots nice groups. I think I just want better sights. I have 1 Promag 10 round magazine also plus the 7 and 8 round factory mags. It worked great.

Yes, I've seen some of his videos.
I can only speak about the HARD life that I have led and the issues that I now have because of it.

I just bought 1 yesterday and only had a chance to shoot off 1 box. I didn't realize a person could buy higher capacity mags for this weapon. That would be nice for target shooting. I was used to a 15 round magazine so reloading after just 7 shots seems so annoying.

I bought my Shield two years ago.
While the owner of the gun shop was doing the paperwork he told me I would only be able to put 7 rounds in the 8 round mag and only 6 in the 7 round mag until they got broke in.
Hard headed as I am I proceeded to put 8 in one and 7 in the other while he watched me.

The next day the wife and I and a friend went to the range, none of us had any problems loading the mags or racking the slide and at that time we where all in our 50s or 60s.

My friend and I have arthritis in both hands, mine so bad that last July I had thumb replacement surgery and I still have no problems racking the slide or loading the mags.

For such a small pistol we were all amazed at how little recoil the 9 mm had , my friend had a 9c and it had more recoil than the Shield so he sold the 9c and bought a Shield.

Wow, amazing that it has less than the 9C. Good to hear because I started looking at the 9C after having the Shield.

I read and concur with everything you said. The same cons you describe exist with my Shield as well, and many of the issues still exist with my Shield after a few years of owning it. It is a good gun for sure and I have enjoyed owning it for the most part. It's my every day carry piece. Take down and reassembly isn't bad. Better than other guns I've owned, not as easy as others. I must confess something though. I spent some time with a Walther PPS-M2 the other day and I am seriously thinking about replacing my Shield with that gun. Non of the cons mentioned about the Shield seem to exist on the M2. Feels better in my hands, racking the gun is very easy and smooth as butter, far better than the Shield. Better fit and finish IMO. Everything about the gun to me is better than the Shield. I even like the trigger better in the Walther. From what I experienced with the PPS-M2, there seems to be no need for a "break in period".

After 8,000 rounds it continues to go like the Energizer Bunny. In my case things really got much smoother and loosened up around the 2,000 round point. Have not changed anything except using a bicycle inner tube slipped on the grip for better traction.

You can alter your slide operation to more easily rack guns with stiff slides.

I find it very comfortable to shoot for a smaller pistol. I have a Kel Tec that is BRUTAL. I reload and I've made some pretty stiff stuff. Being a great carry gun it is a little narrow across the back of the grip which is uncomfortable but not badly so.

I think the trigger is VERY good for a DAO.

Using an Uplula loader solves those nasty stiff mag problems.

True that if you don't reassemble it very carefully, the spring will jump the track and lock up the pistol. Disassembly is pretty easy. Much moreso than my 3rd gen that takes holding the slide open partially while removing a siff pin.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

The 9c not bad just a little sting where the Shield has none. I don't know if he ever tried a different back strap or not.

not for the Shield?

The Sintercore Deadfall charging wing accessory announced a few months ago predicted June delivery for the Shield. As of today 6/7/17 their website shows availability only for standard Glock slide plate covers.

Have you checked out TacRack?
TacRack Home Page

I don't see a TacRac offering for the Shield. Their standard M&P product is $30.
The Sintercore (Glock) is $20, so I assume the announced Shield product will be similarly priced when available.

http://www.mountsplus.com/AR-15_Acce...91-TR-MPS.html


You seem like a hard man to please.

There is indeed a TacRack product for the Shield 9/40.

Sintercore announced in May that they will not make a DeadFall version for the Shield (or M&P).

I bought the TacRack product and it works. It is not small and subtle, but it provides a good grip in the slide. The photo above shows it perfectly.

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S&W Rover

Product cancelled!

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S&W Rover

Fired another 200 rds in my Shield. About 500 rds downrange, total, no problems of any kind. This is one of the things that make it a great pistol - it is reliable. Many small pistols are not.

It is also accurate, if I do my part.

Overall, the Shield gives me 15 rounds (7 + 8) in a small, and especially a thin, package. I read about too many situations out there that tell me the 5 shots in the J frame might not always be enough... although the J frame will remain my go-to pocket gun (particularly during the summer).

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S&W Rover

Just bought one and only had time to shoot 40 rounds down range, but I had a great experience. In fact, I was so impressed with the gun that I took advantage of the sale price by ordering a SECOND one this morning. Based on my initial experience, coupled with the outstanding reviews like this one, the Shield may replace my G43, and I'm considered to be a GLOCK fanboy.

I agree with a lot of the OP's comments. And compared to the G43, the takedown and loading the Shield's mags are a pain. But, these annoyances will dissipate or go away with use. Most importantly, this gun feels like it was crafted for my hand. My hand gets a good shooting grip on it right out of the holster - no fumbling to "get a grip". There's less perceived recoil than the 43, the accuracy is comparable and it just feels more to me like a gun "should".

I couldn't get enough of it - hated to stop shooting it! Although it's not technically a range gun, part of the reason I bought a second one is to shoot the snot out of it and not feel guilty about beating up on a sub-compact CCW gun. Practice-Practice-Practice is what it's all about for me and any CCW gun, and this one allows for that. I may lose my GLOCK Fanboy status, but it will be worth it if this gun continues to impress!

I'll post more range reviews/results when I have the time.

Now THAT'S a great review! With a very reasonable conclusion--at these prices, buy another!

When I was looking to replace my favorite Beretta Storm Px4 9mm about 5 years ago I tried many pistols from different manufacturers, including (again) the Glock line and just did not like the feel in my hand.

The moment I touched the FS M&P, it felt "right" like no other pistol. S&W has done some things with dimensions and angles that others have just not yet figured out. The Shield follows in the same vein. I now have three FS and have bought three Shields, although I gave my first one with the safety to my daughter for carry.

While performance reliability, accuracy and other features are all important, the feel and comfort of a gun are the beginning point to liking it. IMO M&P's lead the pack right now.

Yes - we are on the same page!

I just got back from the range and put another 80 or so rounds through it without even a hint of a hiccup. And, my initial feelings about the gun were validated - which is a good thing since I ordered around $150 in accessories, not including the second Shield

So far we're up to around 120 rounds and it's heading towards CCW status quickly. I'll have to put some defense rounds through it because so far, it's been all ball - Winchester, S&B, and American Eagle ammo, some of which is over 10 years old!

Any experience with 147gr ammo in the Shield? I've never shot it, but have heard it's a good round for compact guns if it will feed. I'm thinking of trying some Hornady Critical Defense, Duty, etc. too. I don't shoot +P in my small carry guns and don't think I lose much by not doing so. I think Gold Dot makes a defense round specifiically for smaller guns and I may try some of that too.

THANKS for sharing!

147 gr is all I run now for target in my Shield 9. For me it is more accurate. I had a hard time grouping with 115 gr, mostly with Win white box and Rem. But no issue with any lighter grain defense rounds.


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Just realized.... for the price of a Glock 43 (the Shield 9's direct competition as far as I am concerned), you can buy TWO Shields right now.


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Which is why my G43 is on Gunbroker!

One Shield is on belt and the other one is on its way to my FFL! Then, of course there's a new holster, mag holder, Talon grips, CT Laser, XS Big Dots, etc. I can take a perfectly great gun at $230 and turn it into a $600 gun in about 5 minutes! And Worth Every Penny...

I'm living that dream too. Night sights, talon grips, extra mags, Apex trigger kit... I'm not going to add it all up. Worth every penny since I am completely happy with my Shield 9.

I haven't been this excited about a gun in a LONG time! Man, it just melts in my hand. I can't walk by it without fondling it! I'll wear it out just moving it in and out of the holster! I'd have to get a full auto Krink in 5.45 to set the bar any higher.

Those sneaky S&W marketing people lured me away from my beloved GLOCKS with a price that couldn't be resisted. NOW, instead of a GLOCK21, I'm looking at the S&W full-size .45 version; nutnfancy did a fantastic review on it. See, now that I know there are guns other than GLOCKS that actually go BANG when you pull the trigger I am taking the blinders off and taking a look at more and more. Don't get me wrong, GLOCK is still the AK of handguns and the 19 is my "go to war sidearm" but.........

Anyway, I've only had the gun for a couple of weeks and have already been to the range FOUR times (I've dry-fired it so much I wake up with my support hand pulling my shirt up) - coming up on the magic 500 rounds without a hiccup. I found that I have to put a set number of rounds in my range bag or I won't stop shooting until the range closes! lol... Seriously, I can't stop shooting it. FOR ME, the PERCEIVED recoil is very similar to my 19. Frankly, I swear I can get faster follow-up shots with the Shield

I'm going to lose my GLOCK Fanboy status if I don't stop gushing about the Shield - and I'm not sure I care. hahaha

Damn S&W marketing guys are a sinister bunch. I can't thank them enough! I thought "Idiots will close their doors selling guns that cheap" - they had the last laugh on me! Devious, sinister, but brilliant.

Sorry for hogging the thread, but I am EXCITED about this gun. Forgot to mention that I put around 14 or so rounds of HST 150gr defense rounds through it without any hint of a hiccup. I then put around 20 of the GDHP 124gr through it - again without a problem. Although I'm sure the gun could handle some +P, my personal feeling is that it's unnecessary and I wouldn't get enough extra benefit by using a load that adds extra stress to the firearm. YMMV.

I don't really want to put $150+ of the HST micro rounds downrange to confirm it will function, so I may take a chance and just go with it for CCW after another 40 rounds or so. I'll probably put a box a month through it and continue to shoot 100 rounds or so a week of my range rounds. Like I said in other posts, I just can't stop shooting it. Every time I pull the trigger, I just can't believe how soft it shoots. As Hickok would say, "Life is good".

Great posts. All true. Quick story for you.

My kid down in Houston is a Glock Fanboi with his 19. When the rebate came round I bought 3 new Shields. 2 45's and a 9 for myself (mamma has had one for a couple years).

I left my 9 there with him on my last trip down there. (I only had about 50 rounds through it)

He texted me today and said he was going to carry the Shield but was going to go with CZ.

He wants a new P01 and Im considering a 75 from buds surplus.

So as you.....the Shields are swaying us away from Glockage

.....and yes, life is good!

Every time a new gun comes out that shoots well, they call it a "Glock Killer". Well, I don't see the GLOCK dying off just yet - but how ironic would it be if the "assassin" turned out not to be a gun, but a REBATE! The Rebateanator!

But seriously, there's room for competition and I like having options. My 19 was whimpering and carrying on all night when I brought the Shield home. Now they even play together. The 43 however, is sulking while packing its bags. I even caught it once trying to delete my post on Gunbroker.com I'm sure a true fanboy will give it a good home.

Lol...thats hilarious.

...and when you factor the numbers down, Gunbuyer has the Shield9 for 166 (+ffl)

Borderline ridiculous. I like my HiPoints just fine but I NEVER though I would see S&W pricing that rivaled HiPoints

Hi guys,

I just bought a shield this week, I freaking love it.

Before I bought I rented one that had about 1k rounds through it and it was super smooth. Mine is pretty stiff like everyone else stated, but I loaded my magazines and left them for a couple of days which really helped. I also spent about 15 minutes each night going through some dry fire drills which also really helped the slide and trigger break in/loosen up.

I'm headed out tomorrow to fire it for the first time; boy I wish I had bought one years ago.

This is also my first post here, glad to be on the forums!

E


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I don't think the Shield is aimed at the entry level of concealed carry. I think its a premium CC pistol. There have been many attempts at small pistols over the years but they've always had significant drawbacks. In the last 10 years the small 9mm has emerged and the Shield is among the best small polymer 9s. I know, there were small 9s & 40s before the Shield, like the Walther PPS. Those were $700 when they first came out and had the paddle mag release.
The Shield hit the market as a reliable, high quality, from a company that is known for customer service. It didn't have a high price or odd mag release. Its very ergonomic.
The Shield has to be the best selling sub-compact ever. And while its very popular in 9/40, its remarkable as a 45. Small 1911s have been known for their issues. The Shield 45 has been reliable and has low recoil.

After a couple of surgeries earlier this year was too weak to operate and shoot my Shield, it took few months to build my strength back. If you are having difficulties a J or K Frame would be a good backup or EDC. Shooting my old Model 65 with .38 loads was great therapy

I bought a Shield because of the rebate and I didn't really want one. I rarely carry a gun but have one in my vehicle and will probably start carrying more with all the Krazeees out there. I really like the gun and find it easy to cycle and field strip and I'm 58 years old and I can't think of any signifigant way to improve the pistol. The trigger is a crisp 6lb which is about perfect for a small defensive pistol and I paid $219 for my 9m/m with safety "after rebate" from Brownells.

O.K I just got back from the range and shot my new Shield for the second time and I'm now officially a member of the "Shield Fan Club". I couldn't hardly miss with it on the falling plates at 25 yards even though it was shooting really high. I had 147 grain FMJ practice ammo so I think with lighter bullets it should shoot a lot lower, but the gun just felt so good in my hand. I liked the 6lb trigger for a defensive gun but I think with a 3-4lb trigger I could shoot this as well as a target pistol so I'm tempted to buy another one while they are 219 bucks and make it a dedicated pocket/target gun.

I also just returned from the range and am super impressed. I put 125 rounds of 115gr Aguila and 25 rounds of 135gr Hornady critical duty without any issues. Shoots beautifully and accurately. Super glad I picked one up.


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