The snubby M 638 is my preferred cc handgun but after handling a Shield 9mm I was really attracted to the overall thinness of it.
It's even easier to conceal in the waist or pocket. I'm on the fence as to replacing the snubby since I like the obvious revolver advantages of no failure to feed issues and a simple trigger pull is all that is needed to cycle another ftf round (light strike or a faulty round).
The Shield, however, does offer more rounds and more power.
With the S&W rebate, and purchasing from a local shop I could get it at around $335 net.
Nice price for a nice gun.
Decisions, decisions.

My experience has been that modern pistols are typically just as reliable as revolvers these days. I've had several pistols that have gone over ten thousand rounds without a single hiccup. Your point about a simple trigger pull in a failure to fire situation is a good one and obviously the Shield would have to be manipulated to chamber a fresh round. Another advantage for me and why I prefer a pistol over a revolver is the speed with which I can reload a pistol. No matter how hard I've tried or how much I've practiced I'll never be able to reload a revolver as fast as a pistol. Although I would bet that someone like Jerry Miculek could probably reload a revolver faster than I could change a magazine.

Ray, your point about reloading a pistol vs a revolver is also true for me.
I've had semi Colts and Glocks, and presently a full size Walther so I understand, ...but the possibility of failure to feed...which is always possible with a semi-auto, just doesn't exist with a revolver. That's a really significant plus for my taste, especially in a hostile encounter. On the other side of the coin the semis, including the Shield 9mm has a few more rounds. It also would be a bit more accurate, I believe, than my snubby...with less recoil. The snubby though, is about 4 ounces less than the Shield (unloaded). The pros and cons for each need to be weighed for the application one is seeking.

They both have their pros and cons for sure. I used to be perfectly content carrying a j-frame or a small, single stack auto. But the world we live in these days just seems to get crazier all of the time. While I'm sure I have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting attacked by a shark or maybe hit by lightning, the thought of being at a mall or a movie theater or stuck in a traffic jam and having some whack job or multiple whack jobs open fire with a semi-auto rifle trying to take out as many innocent people as possible has made me rethink my philosophy. I feel much more comfortable these days carrying a Glock 19 or something similar.

For the price Shields are going for these days with the rebate, I don't see how you can go wrong. I've seen them on line for as low as $289.99 before rebate. Palmetto State Armory for example. For $215, how can you pass it up. And keep that snubby.

My preferred method of carry is OWB and for that I find my J-frame (M&P340) conceals a little better than my Shield. I live in a small town and feel that if assaulted it will likely be some tweeker with a knife or a hammer or some other such weapon, very up close and personal. For that reason I prefer the j-frame around here. Everyone always tells me that they practice clearing jams etc. and that they do it without any thought. I always ask them to put their arm up as though they are blocking a blow from a club or a tire iron and then show me how they clear that jam one handed while possibly lying on their back. So far nobody has. On the other hand when I go up to Portland or any larger city here in Oregon in the daytime in public places I carry the shield for the simple reason that I also wonder about some crazy walking through the mall or the parking lot shooting at random victims. In a case where I may be shooting from cover a semi's short comings are not as critical. There really are only three things that can go wrong. Failure to feed, fire, or eject. Of those three, two don't really apply to a revolver. I think those are better odds.

I CC both semi and "J" frames.
The choice of what is OK for one may not be for another but "KISS"
seems to win out, that being a "J" frame M 640 at this time.
Plus I don't trust striker fire pistols. Don't need to shoot myself while under stress.

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Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Revolvers are not the ultimate reliable handgun (There isn't one).

I used to think they were until the ejector star got a little dirt under it and locked the gun up tight. Another time the ejector rod loosened and also caused a malfunction. A primer that backs out of a shell can lock the cylinder. Internal parts can wear and break. Snubbys are hard to shoot accurately and have low capacity and lots of blast, even with the typically lower pressure cartridges they shoot.

Everything is a trade off.

A well maintained snubby is about as reliable as a well maintained Shield, but the Shield is thinner; easier to shoot well; has a higher capacity of more powerful cartridges; is easier and quicker to reload with more rounds than a snubby reload; the Shield can be accessorized or personalized more easily; the Shield has better sights (and replacements, including night sights); a wider variety of ammunition choices and less expensive training ammo; and to me, it just feels a lot better in my hand.

Now, a snubby can get the job done--no denying it, but the "job" is more limited in scope because of the limitations of the firearm and the .38 spcl cartridge. Why start off a life endangering event by choosing a weapon with so many limitations?

Sure, you are more likely to run into a single criminal that a snubby can handle, but if you prepare for the minimum and that's not what happens, then what? If you prepare for the worst, simpler stuff is easy. If you prepare for the easy stuff only, then when the hard stuff arrives you are likely at a real disadvantage.

Will 5 rounds of .38 spcl suffice to stop a doped up 300 lb. idiot intent on killing you for your watch--who is also shooting at you? What if you miss three times and hit that big body twice but not in critical areas?

The .38 spcl cartridge is old timey. The snubby is old timey. Our modern day has modern weapons and cartridges meant for modern situations.

I carry a full size M&P with 18 rounds of good expanding 9mm and a spare mag with 21 rounds. When I have to carry a smaller gun, it is a 9 mm Shield with 10+1 rounds and a spare mag of 10 rounds. For me, a .38 snub offers no advantage.

The revolver will fit in your front pants pocket easily.

The shield will not.

Hate to be the **** in the punch bowl here, but a glock 43 will. It's a bit smaller than the shield and can replace a revolver in all roles (my opinion).

Don't take that as meaning the glock is a better gun than the shield, it's just smaller and lighter. I have both a shield and a g43 and the are both fine guns. Just food for thought.

Look online for shield, you can get one for around $300 shipped before the rebate.

I've had revolvers lock up tight as a drum on me. They are inherently more reliable but don't take that to mean they can't fail.

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At current pricing buy a Shield ....... try it out....... don't sell the J-frame...... make your own long term decision............... in the fall.

J-frame for sure, older without lock or newer no-lock642,442,640 pro. 5 for sure ,fires through pocket. Fires pushed into perps gut. Shield cannot! Shield is cheap auto! Reload your not on a swat team , harms way will be very close 5-6 feet. Up in your face.

Sure it does. Maybe not exactly the same way but it does. A few years ago I bought a model 10 snubby. When I took it to the range I found it had issues. Pull the trigger and it goes bang..... awesome! Pull it again and half way through the trigger pull everything locks up. Can't pull any further. Release, pull again, same thing. Release, pull again, finally with some struggling the cylinder rotates and the hammer drops! Had that happen on 2 or 3 of the 6 cylinder chambers.

Took it to a gunsmith and he fixed it. He explained what it was I just don't remember. I sold it after that

Just recently I was at the range with my model 13. Bang, bang, bang....click! What the..... Firing pin broke. Of course this isn't a failure to feed but just shows that nothing is 100%. Had that been a real shooting I'd be stuck with a chunk of metal to throw
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If there is a difference in getting good hits the go with the one that is better for that. You have to hit.

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K & N S&W revolvers

It's not as worthwhile as some think. Of course this will be different for everyone but you have to do the math first. Not all good deals are good deals when all is said and done. For me shipping and transfer kills any kind of deal.

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5 rounds? Your not on a SWAT team

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This.
My son got a shield and it is a NICE weapon but too big for front pocket carry (my preferred). He sold his cause he needed money and took my 638 I don't think I'm gonna get th 638 back and it's too bad cause it is a pre lock. That leaves me with my 337 and M&P380.....which ain't all that bad........
With the rebate going on and my Cabella points I just might but a shield-give it to the boy for a "memorial day present"and take back my 638

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Forum consigliere

I carry both. I shoot the pistol much better at closer range...

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NRA Benefactor

Own a 9mm. Shield and it is a fine pistol but it seems I carry my old Colt Cobra more often. The weight difference is noticeable and the Colt just seems to fit my 6'2" 300 lb frame better. I don't feel under gunned at all with Speer 135 gr. short barrel 38 +P and a speed loader full in my pocket.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

I carry just a 642 mostly during warm weather, in my pocket or IWB, with one or two speed strips.

Weather and attire permitting, I carry the 642 as a backup to my 4" 357, loaded with magnum loads. Two strips of 38+P to use in either gun.

:-)

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MSP - Retired

At current prices, a shield is affordable enough to have one in addition to your J frame . For that matter, carry both .

Your (primary) carry gun should be the one YOU shoot the best. Best meaning in order : First shot hits, ability to make hits at medium distances, and reasonably good control with good defensive ammo . On relection, not really in order. #1 is first priority, #2 and #3 both need to be at least acceptable.

Between JFrame and subcompact 9mm, the answer for Me is .... Neither. I don't pocket carry, and slightly larger pistol(s) work for me. 2In K Frames, Single stack 4inch-ish semis.

For me, the savings on tax cancels out the shipping cost. FFL charges $25. So bottom line is $240 after rebate. Still an outstanding deal.

I fully appreciate the tactical advantage a semi auto gives you in a fight, but for my purposes all the 9mm are just too heavy for pocket carry. My current EDC is a no lock 340M&P, and based on my experiences as an LEO a revolver is where my comfort level is. If I were to go back to law enfrocement (doubt anyone is interested in a 70 y/o who walks with a cane) a double stack semi auto makes sense. I also have an LCP (not the new model) that is carried when I need to wear dress slacks or a suit & tie (not that often).

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I have had a 442 for 20+ years and still find it easier than my Single Stack 9 at times to conceal. I tried the Shield 2 years ago when I was looking for a single stack and it was my #2 choice but after I put a PPS in my hand and reviewed the reliability numbers that was my choice. With the Shield going for $215 (less if you want 40) for 9 or 45 its very attractive. Pocket carry goes to the 442, hybrid IWB carry goes to the Shield. Why not own both?

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Who watches the watchers?

Well I'll be firing a Shield 9mm (friends) for the first time shortly. I'm looking forward to it. Will it dethrone my 638 as my cc? It's up against stiff competition...but I sure liked handling it at the local shop.

Shield = fairly light and short trigger (mine doesn't have a safety lever)
Revo = heavy and long trigger

If you're going to pocket carry, I wouldn't want a short light trigger.

I have a shield 9.

Another consideration. You may want to check out the Walther CCQ. 8+1 and to me feels better in the hand. I think you can only get it with the stupid thumb safety.

I really don't consider a shield for pocket carry. I'm not a large guy and cannot really get a shield in my pocket of my jeans. Maybe a jacket pocket.

Do it. I have had a 442 Pro for a couple of years- just picked up a Shield on the first day of the rebate. My Shield 9 is 50x more accurate in my hands than my aluminum J frame.

Would someone who has a Shield 9mm weigh it fully loaded please. Curious, since I don't have one. I want to compare the weight difference to the 638 fully loaded. I believe my 638 is 4oz.lighter, unloaded, to that of an unloaded Shield 9mm. Thanks.

*
I carry a G33 in a Kramer Leather pocket holster the most of any of my sidearms; probably 10X as much as anything else. The trigger is not a worry. Pocket carry without a holster is almost never a good idea (I would say "never", but someone will force feed me a correction involving a some low occurrence but possible scenario, so ...).
The "power" issue of .38 vs. 9mm/.40/.45 is not significant; the ergonomics of a pistol vs. a snubby really come out in favor of the pistol. A snubby should be as mechanically accurate as any other revolver, but the short sight radius and awful sights are not your friend. The reloads also come out in favor of the pistol, so even for my lowest threat scenarios in which U use a fanny pack (walking the dog, and going to the gym), I tend to use a pistol over a revolver.

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NHI, 10-8.

I'm unfamiliar with a "Shield", but cannot imagine a better concealed carry personal protection gun that a J-frame S&W .38 Special. It probably wouldn't suffice for the Internet complete world disorder paranoiacs, but for reasonable persons that practice shooting skills regularly, a J-frame is more than adequate.

I'm 65 and usually carry a Smith Model 36 snub J frame and have for quite some time - an easy carry. BUT . . I also have a 9mm Shield that I like very much that I switch back and forth with the J frame depending on where I'm going and what I'm wearing. I carry OWB and cover with shirt tail or jacket. All I can say is that I like BOTH of them for CCW and wouldn't give up one for the other . . . they both are good. My advice . . . keep the J frame and get the Shield - you won't regret having both.

After two years of ownership I sold my Shield, kept my 340PD.

Yeah. I know. I won't regret owning both.
I will be firing my friends Shield in a few days. He hasn't fired his yet and I'll set the 10" gong (we're in the desert) at 10, 15 and 25 yards. I'll also be bringing the Airweight. It'll be nice to compare both...at the same outing.

jesus Shield all dam day long,
more rounds
quicker reload
more accurate
more fire power
etc etc
The Shield is every bit as reliable as any revolver IMHO. Revolvers can and have failed, Semi autos can and have failed. But its putting rounds on target as quickly and as many as possible.
My Shield 9mm (40 and 45) have been 100% reliable 100% of the time. But so have my revolvers, it all comes down to training i guess

1SG
Out

This is the reason I kept my original LC9. I can pocket carry it and it has a long trigger pull. For IWB, I much prefer my Shield.

At these prices, I too have been contemplating picking up a Shield, or even a Walther PPS M2 ($100 rebate). I normally carry either a J Frame of some iteration, a model 64, or a Sig P250 subcompact. Even in subcompact guise, the Sig is a bit of a chunk, so I don't carry it that much, despite the fact that having 12 rounds of HST feels very comforting.

I'm just wondering if a single stack 9mm offers enough capacity advantage over a 6-shot revolver to invest the time and money to this platform. Yes, the entry price is cheap, but with a new semiauto, figure that I need to successfully burn at least 100 rounds of range ammo and a minimum of a couple mags of my carry ammo through it before I feel comfortable carrying it. And add to that a few extra magazines (5 total for each pistol is my standard), and the rounds to test their reliability. And let's not forget a new holster (or two). Factor all of that in, and the choice doesn't seem as economically clear cut. I've never owned a striker-fired pistol, and even if I don't end up carrying it, having another range toy might be fun.

After all of that, I'm still on the fence. So I'm asking: what do you all think?

After a life and death encounter using your personal self defense handgun: "Dang it! I had more cartridges than I needed!" Said no one, ever.

What is the likelihood you will need more than six rounds (or 5) to solve a personal defense problem? I am not preparing for the most likely event, I am preparing for the most threatening event.

So, statistically, I don't care. I do not want to be that statistic at the end of the continuum where there are multiple attackers shooting at me and I am shooting back, probably somewhat inaccurately as I run like hell, and miss a fair amount. Why NOT carry the greatest number of rounds possible to be prepared for the widest range of unlikely events possible?

A 9mm Shield or similar semi-auto can be very reliable, relatively compact, and definitely have higher capacity while being much faster and easier to reload. The standard flush 7-round mag plus one in the chamber gives you 33% more capacity than a 6-shot revolver, and a quick reload with the 8-round mag bumps you up to 16 rounds available rather than 12.

I carry 10+1 in my Shield with a 10-round backup. That is a significant increase in firepower over a 6-shot revolver. I don't find the extended mag difficult to conceal, but I don't pocket carry.

Any additional gun you buy to replace or supplement your current one will come with associated costs. The initial costs to try something new are lower than the justified end costs if you choose to carry it. If you don't like it, sell it and lose $100 or so. It does cost something to try new guns, unless you can borrow from a friend.

Therefore, to answer your question, yes, I think it is worth it to try a Shield. I think the advantages outweigh the cost disadvantages, and I really prefer greater capacity for personal defense.

I'm wearing my 4-day-old Shield around the house breaking in the belt loops on an equally new Don Hume holster. The gun is loaded with 8+1 rounds of 147g Federal HSTs, and weighs just a hair under 25 ounces according to my kitchen scale.

There were no failures of any type during the first ~100 round range session with Gold Dots and Federal HSTs in 124 and 147 grain forms, and my bulk produced 124g IDPA JHPs, but it needs lots more shooting before it's ready for real concealed carry.

I never carry in a pants pocket, but suspect that the gun's too heavy for that mode. Probably too big, too, as I can get all fingers on the grip when the 8-round magazine is used. Which makes the grip longer than the one on a Glock 26.

It is a VERY comfortable gun to shoot, despite the fact that the 124g premium loads both produced more energy (according to my chronograph) than the current Remington +P incarnation of the 38 Special FBI load out of a 638 - which combination is absolutely NO fun to shoot.

I don't have the 638, but I do have the 642 and loaded with 158 grain bullets, it weighs in at 17.5 Oz and my Shield loaded with the 7 round magazine + one in the chamber, with 125 grain ammo weighs in at 27.9 Oz.

I think you have less than three weeks left to by a Shield.

keep the snubby & carry both

Snubby, no snubby... shield, no shield...
Anytime a good guy (or gal) carries, society wins. I've never seen a better value on a quality gun than the $260, after rebate (including FFL fee, tax, shipping) that I spent on my Shield 9.
No gun is optimum for every situation, compromises and accommodations must always be made.

All handguns are relatively poor 'stoppers' regardless of caliber or bullet used. Shot placement and sufficient penetration are paramount, all else is secondary.

Five shots may or may not be enough to stop a single determined & aggressive attacker and becomes very dicey if there are two or more attackers. Add slow reloads to low capacity and I'd give a snubby a pass unless I had no other choice (definitely better than harsh language).

I used to carry a SIG 15+1 9mm w/a 15rd reload. I now carry a Shield 9mm 10+1 and 2x8rd reloads in a Recluse leather back pocket carrier.

Tomac

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His Universe, His rules.

I love both, but I would pick the Shield if I had to only have one. The snubby is nice to throw in your pocket. Also, the Shield is more fun to shoot and more accurate for most people. I think the Shield has become the modern day snubby. It seems like everyone has at least one.

I carry the Shield everyday and the snubby about 2-4 times per month. Buy the Shield first and then get a snubby down the road.

I compared mine to the Glock 26, 43 and Nano.... nothing beats the 442 and charter bulldog for ease of carry. But of course there are capacity restrictions. I also shoot my G26 better.

But then I tell myself, as a civilian, I have fired only 1 shot in defense in my multiple decades of carrying, and that was in a house in the concrete jungle. That is more shots than a huge majority of the people in the free world will ever have to fire. So i'm not worried about reloading in an extended gun fight, even though I do practice it.

I live in a very low crime rural area. I have street smarts, common sense, and situational awareness, and I practice the three S method. If I must venture out into cities; which I try to avoid now because I spent so much time there in the past; I change my thinking due to the elevated threat level and the G26 with a 22 round ETS backup mag goes along for the ride. Also if I were LEO or a prosecutor or judge I may change things based upon escalated threat levels due to the nature of the job.


So the snubs it is. For me. I love wheel guns. They are light, simple, easy to maintain, and always there. I understand the trade offs and I am willing to do so. I am completely happy with my choice and it looks like you are too.

So carry that shield and don't worry about what anyone else says. It works for you.