"Old School" is a phrase that fits me in a lot of areas. Though not that old by some stanards (turn 53 tommorow), I don't like change simply for the sake of change, and I like things simple, tough and reliable.

Growing up, I was a big fan of single action revolvers. Still am to some degree. In 1990, I moved to South Dakota from Arkansas, a state I had lived in my entire life. SD is a pretty conservative state that generally respects people's rights. It is fairly easy and inexpensive to get a concealed carry permit. I have owned other autos before (all steel of course) but my primary weapon of choice was the double action revolver (all steel of course). After I became a father, concealed carry became very important to me, particularly when traveling. A heavy revolver, 3 inch k frames and SP101s, were difficult to carry easily. I just couldn't warm up to hammerless or aluminum revolvers.

As time went by, I handled a few 642 Airweight. Their weight and simplicity finally won me over. They became my "go to" choice. Never took a second look at a Tupperware pistol. Out of the question. After a while, it struck me that Glocks have been around forever, were widely used, and seemed to have held up well over time (reliability!).

About two years ago, I bought a Shield. I had had some issues with it right away. The slide was locking up due to the guide rod not being put in just so-so. My friend wanted it so I sold it and went back to a 642.

When the Shield went on sale and had a $75 rebate, I decided to give it another try. I've added Talo grips, a one piece stainless steel guide rod and purchased two extra magazines. I added Pearce grip extensions to all of the magazines. The 8 round magazines with the grip extensions make the Shield feel great in the hand.

I've really learned to love this utilitarian piece of Tupperware. I've always liked single stack autos for their thin profile but wish the Shield grip was just a smidge thicker. It is also a little top heavy, which I personally prefer.
Never thought I could like a plastic pistol but the Shield is proving to be a capable and likable defensive firearm.

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otis

I'm curious as to why you didn't just buy a Glock initially?

A Glock and a Shield are no more synonymous than an S&W revolver and a Ruger revolver. It would be like me saying..."S&W revolvers have been around forever, were widely used, and seemed to have held up over time", so I think I'm going to get a revolver, but then I go out and buy a Ruger.

And if I then had problems with that Ruger revolver and sold it, I highly doubt I would buy another one like you bought another Shield no matter the rebate. Just seems an odd approach to me, but I hope this Shield works out better for you in the long run.

The Glock was much more expensive than the Shield, particularly with the rebate factored in and the Shield felt much better in the hand than the Glock. I was not comparing thr Glock to the S&W. I was stating that the Glock was an example of polymer pistols being reliable and tough in comparison to an all steel revolver. Or that was the point I intended to make. I think the Shield was on sale for $375 before rebate. The price factor was what made me take a second look at the Shield. Glad that I did. The Glock 43 was pushing $500 in my area at the time. It was after I sold my first Shield that I was able to discover the cause of the slide locking up. I had the same issue with my current Shield. I have not experienced the slide locking up since I installed the one piece guide rod.

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otis

Otis24, I am also an old school kind of guy with a preference for DA revolvers. I purchased 9mm and 45ACP Shields during the $75 rebate period. They are both excellent carry gun but, like you I found the grip a bit too thin to my liking. I purchased Hogue Handall beaver tail grip sleeves for both gun. It solved the grip problem completely as well as improved my accuracy. An added benefit is that they absorb some of the recoil.

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I will check those out. Thanks!

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otis

Yea Ill second the Hogue grips and they do "thicken" up the grip. In combination with the Pearce extensions it will feel like it just "grew" there in your hand

I never considered a Shield until I was offered one in 9MM in a trade. It came w/factory night sights, three mags and no safety. Just got back from the range today and so far 300 + rounds of FMJ & HP, no problems. Very accurate out to 15 yards but I have to be able to stay on paper out to 25 yards for LEOSA this summer. I have XLG hands and added a Pachmeyer Grip Glove and Pierce Grip Extensions to the 7 round mags so now it’s a perfect fit.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Old Cop, the Pearce grip extensions work really well on the 8 round mags as well, even though they aren't advertised for that.

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otis

Question otis24: Will the Pierce grip extension take up the extra space on the mag like the sleeve does? My concern is over insertion of the mag w/o the sleeve.

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Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

I leave the sleeve in place and just put the extension on. It adds downward length and doesn't affect how the sleeve fits.

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otis

Glad you like your Shield, I like mine too. I looked at the 9 of and on for a long time and finally decided on the 45. Just felt too good in my hand not to buy it . Best wishes with yours!

The .45 was just coming out when I purchased mine. I wanted something cheaper to shoot.

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otis

With any luck, I will be be picking up a K22 Masterpiece on Wednesday.That will scratch the old school revolver itch!

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otis

I find that my .45 Shield's trigger feels a lot like a decent DA revolver's. It handles much the same and has sights I can pick up very well.

I bought a Glock 43 . Really like it. But then I tried a Shield. It was even better. Kept the 43 but its a spare. I EDC the Shield.