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  #1  
Old 05-23-2017, 02:35 PM
Druggist50 Druggist50 is offline
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Hello all! I just purchased my first handgun: a shield 9mm. With the price I couldn't say no. Are there any upgrades or accessories you guys would consider as must-haves? I think I will consider talon grips and a magazine extender for the shorter magazine. Is there anything else I'm missing?
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:36 PM
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Ammo


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Old 05-23-2017, 02:49 PM
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Wait until you've learned to shoot your new pistol and put about 500 rounds down range before you start thinking about 'upgrades'.

Spend your money on ammo and instruction.

After you've gained skill and experience with your pistol, decide what you need to add or change (if anything).
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Old 05-23-2017, 02:56 PM
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Ammo, a few extra magazines and some good training.
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Old 05-23-2017, 03:09 PM
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A M M O
M A G S
T R A I N I N G

The only 3 must haves. Everything else is optional

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Old 05-23-2017, 03:18 PM
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Would have to agree with you on the Talon grips and the other posters here about becoming proficient with your handgun before you start adding "optional items". Extra mags - Yes.... Practice ammo - Yes and give lots of time and research in holster purchases based on how you intend to carry your firearm.....
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Old 05-23-2017, 03:54 PM
JHB51 JHB51 is offline
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Ammo, magazines, and training only. Nothing like seeing some one that buys a new gun adds a bunch of aftermarket unnecessary junk then post a question why doesn't my new gun work.
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:00 PM
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Training....Who needs training? Got a TV? All the training ya need! Sideways gangsta style is my fav.

No, seriously get some training!
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:11 PM
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I wouldn't do any upgrades yet, get trained first.


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Old 05-23-2017, 04:15 PM
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I agree to shoot as is and anything that needs changing will become apparent. If you are going to carry get a good gun belt and holster.
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:21 PM
SmithNWesson SmithNWesson is offline
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I actually like the shield as is, so i do not think there are any "must have" upgrades.

I agree with most. Fire it a few hundred times and see what you do not like. I live in Massachusetts (10 lbs trigger) so i am going to eventually upgrade the trigger.

Buy mags, ammo, targets and hit the range
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:45 PM
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With hands the size of mine, the base plate extension for the 7 round mag was a must.
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Old 05-23-2017, 04:52 PM
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Get an Uplula Mag loader and a few extra mags. You'll spend more time shooting and less time reloading at the range.


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Old 05-23-2017, 04:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KPWants View Post
With hands the size of mine, the base plate extension for the 7 round mag was a must.


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Upgrade Your M&P Shield With Apex Trigger Kits – Apex Tactical Specialties
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KPWants View Post
With hands the size of mine, the base plate extension for the 7 round mag was a must.
Why buy a plate extension when the 8 round magazine is the same size as the 7 round magazine with the extension. Just carry the 8 round magazine and buy a few more. The Talon Grips are a must have in my opinion.

Last edited by Raisin; 05-23-2017 at 05:14 PM.
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Old 05-23-2017, 05:17 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigDog48 View Post
Get an Uplula Mag loader and a few extra mags. You'll spend more time shooting and less time reloading at the range.Amazon.com : Maglula UpLULA Magazine Speed Loader 9mm-.45 ACP UP60B : Gun Magazine Loaders : Sports & Outdoors
The Maglula upLula is much less expensive on Ebay.
MagLu la Up LU LA Universal Pistol Magazine Speed Loader 9mm to 45ACP USA | eBay
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Old 05-23-2017, 06:19 PM
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Like a previous member said, a good holster, gun belt & ammo along with some training
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Old 05-23-2017, 06:30 PM
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100-B51
Apex Action Enhancement Trigger & Duty/Carry Kit for M&P Shield
Truglo pro I-dot night sights
Talon rubber grip
Magguts +2
Formal training
Practice
Calm demeanor
Good judgement
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Old 05-23-2017, 06:56 PM
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Absolutely the Talon grips. The Shield is a little slippery.
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Old 05-23-2017, 08:05 PM
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There is no one upgrade you have to have. The shield is a pretty decent gun out of the box. But I do agree ammo and either training or practice are all good things.

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Old 05-23-2017, 08:17 PM
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I really can't imagine starting out shooting a subcompact 9mm for a first gun. My first was an old Mark I, and mostly rifle shooting back then. You gotta get familiar with guns in general. Not that the Shield is a bad one to start with, it just seems like jumping ahead of yourself, learning wise. I really hadn't shot handguns much for several years before I finally got a carry piece a couple years ago; got an SR40C. That was a little bit of a shock and in retrospect, should have gotten the 9 and worked up to 40, 45, etc.
Anyway, train lots and lots and lots.


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Old 05-23-2017, 08:27 PM
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The Talon grips look good, but it was cheaper to put a short piece of "skater tape" (aka 3M stair safety tape, from Lowe's or Home Depot) across the front strap for extra grippiness. (The first time I did this, I just wandered into a Skateboard shop and asked them for a small piece of tape, which they gave me for free! A store-bought roll of 3M stair safety tape should last a lifetime).

I like the Pearce pinky extension at the bottom of the seven round magazine. These cost less than $10.
I also agree with the bulk of the advice in this thread, though: shoot it a bit before you see what else you might want to add. And buy ammo first!

I am adding a Sintercore end plate with "wings" (called the "Deadfall") to my new Shield 9mm to make it easier to operate the slide; it is on backorder and due in June. That cost $29.00. (Update: the introduction of this item was cancelled on May 30th, based on "lower than anticipated interest and unexpected engineering challenges." A company named Wright Shooting also makes something called the TacRack which does the same thing, and is available now, for about the same price. I'd provisionally recommend the Tac Rack, which is fairly large, if you have trouble racking the Shield's slide all the way back.
Then there is the issue of the Apex trigger. That might be a good thing to add later, but that depends of whether you like your Shield the way it is. I don't think the Apex trigger is "required" to make the Shield a good gun; it is just a matter of preference. But you do need to shoot it a while to see if adding the Apex trigger is a good idea for you.
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Old 05-23-2017, 08:35 PM
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I am going to agree with most of the above. The only really have to have accessory is a magazine loader, which you will need less and less as you break in your magazines. Don't worry too much about adding stuff to your pistol until you get a few hundred rounds thru it. So, as others have said, buy magazines, ammo and some competent instruction.
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Old 05-23-2017, 10:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W Rover View Post
I am adding a Sintercore end plate with "wings" (called the "Deadfall") to my new Shield 9mm to make it easier to operate the slide; it is on backorder and due in June. That cost $29.00. A company named Wright Shooting also makes something called the TacRack which does the same thing, and is available now, for about the same price. I'd provisionally recommend either one of these if you have trouble racking the Shield's slide all the way back.
i just stumbled upon the Sintercore site last week but was turned off a bit due to the back order. would be interested in your review on the Deadfall wings. one thing of note is that both Deadfall designs for the glock and shield are non "lip racking" wings, so if you like racking off your belt or holster, your are better off with the TacRac designs which have a grove to catch on a lip to rack against.

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Originally Posted by robertrwalsh View Post
I am going to agree with most of the above. The only really have to have accessory is a magazine loader, which you will need less and less as you break in your magazines.
x 3, ive loaded at least 1000-1500 rounds of just 9mm through the maglula loader for my glocks (not counting the random 40/45 mags loaded occasionally) and it works just as well with my new shield 9 that came in last week. just checked the order date on the maglula was feb 2003 and it works just as good as day one. save time and your thumbs for more important things like pointing downrange.

this is one accessory which unlike other items once you buy it, it stays in your rotation regardless of what you shoot. and i'll still echo every post on this thread, instruction mod first before anything else.
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Old 05-24-2017, 12:21 AM
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Here is all you need. A Uplula mag loader, a pinkie extension for the seven round mag and an inner tube for the grip.

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Old 05-24-2017, 06:16 AM
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I put some Talon on my 9mm but the .45 I just got I want do nothing to it but buy more ammo.
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Old 05-24-2017, 04:33 PM
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Guess I dont really upgrade any of my handguns.

Maybe accessorize a little, as I make sure I have several mags for each, and for the 9's an Uplula loader.
After that, my coin goes to ammo and range time.

I don't have need to change any actual components, as I can do from pretty good to very well with them all in stock form. And I can jump from a stock full size MP with its "regular" trigger to my PC Shield with its improved trigger, without any issues. Maybe that came with range time...

just my .02
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Old 05-24-2017, 07:15 PM
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Been shooting my M&P 9 since Jan 2017 and have only added the pinky extension on the 7 round mag. Got the Mag up loader but training with brass dummy rounds had me pulling back the slide and cycling the weapon with no problem. Ammo, learning the weapon, and going to the range is what has helped me a lot. Dry fire with the brass dummy rounds invaluable. Good gun belt(trakline/Kore) with a good holster a must for CCW before messing with the gun operation.
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Old 05-25-2017, 08:19 AM
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I have a different opinion on the Shield after reading many a thread on bent magazine springs and experiencing that in my Shield I recommend two things. One wolf mag springs or MagGuts+1 or +2 kit. Both of these mods have been flawless for me. I also added Talon grips. The other area where the Shield may have some issues is the recoil spring. I went with stainless steel guide rod and spring co. I don't shoot +P and it has been perfect
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Old 05-25-2017, 09:29 AM
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They just came out with a SS guide rod for the .45. I am tempted and believe that I will end up with it.
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Old 05-25-2017, 01:58 PM
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I just LOL at everyone falling over themselves to grab a Shield, at these low prices, only to want to spend another $100-$200 on "improvements". Sounds like you maybe should have purchased a different gun.


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Old 05-25-2017, 06:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Raisin View Post
Why buy a plate extension when the 8 round magazine is the same size as the 7 round magazine with the extension. Just carry the 8 round magazine and buy a few more. The Talon Grips are a must have in my opinion.
I bought an extension because the 7 round mag was included in the purchase of the weapon. I have since bought six 8 round mags.
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Old 05-25-2017, 10:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eahicks View Post
I just LOL at everyone falling over themselves to grab a Shield, at these low prices, only to want to spend another $100-$200 on "improvements". Sounds like you maybe should have purchased a different gun.


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If we had bought a different gun, we wouldn't have the extra cash for improvements. A gun with all the improvements included is too expensive, so we couldn't say, "at that price why not." In the end, we all end up gun broke.

It's called "enabling."
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Old 05-26-2017, 10:29 AM
jim46ok jim46ok is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rpg View Post
Wait until you've learned to shoot your new pistol and put about 500 rounds down range before you start thinking about 'upgrades'.

Spend your money on ammo and instruction.

After you've gained skill and experience with your pistol, decide what you need to add or change (if anything).
That makes too much sense. For us all. I am 70, been shooting since about 7, and just 3 years ago took an NRA basic pistol course. Thought a "refresher" might be enlightening. It was, and reinforced a few safety procedures I was a bit sloppy on.
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Old 05-26-2017, 11:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigfutz View Post
If we had bought a different gun, we wouldn't have the extra cash for improvements. A gun with all the improvements included is too expensive, so we couldn't say, "at that price why not." In the end, we all end up gun broke.

It's called "enabling."


LoL... you still don't get my point. Why do you feel the need to "improve" every gun? Get one that fits what you need and you won't need extra cash for improvements.



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Old 05-26-2017, 11:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SwflG17Guy View Post
They just came out with a SS guide rod for the .45. I am tempted and believe that I will end up with it.
Who has this? Have you got a link? After my original RSA came apart, S&W sent me a replacement, but I want to replace it with an after market RSA.
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Old 05-26-2017, 11:28 AM
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Quote:
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LoL... you still don't get my point. Why do you feel the need to "improve" every gun? Get one that fits what you need and you won't need extra cash for improvements.



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Any suggestions as to the perfect gun to buy?
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Old 05-26-2017, 11:31 AM
eahicks eahicks is offline
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Perfect for you? I have no clue what you like. For me? I just got one.... not really perfect, but it's a Shield! .45! And I feel no need to change anything on it. Added a Hogue beavertail grip and that's it. Trigger is great, sights are fine.


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  #39  
Old 05-26-2017, 12:09 PM
gqllc007 gqllc007 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bozz10mm View Post
Who has this? Have you got a link? After my original RSA came apart, S&W sent me a replacement, but I want to replace it with an after market RSA.
Go to Amazon and search for Stainless Steel Guide Rod for Shield
It should pop right up
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Old 05-26-2017, 01:31 PM
SwflG17Guy SwflG17Guy is offline
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Stainless Steel Guide Rods - Sig Glock Beretta SS Guide Rods
This is where I was talking about. I have been watching for them and it just came out this week. I will have one as my original is slightly bent on the thin end and doesn't want to stay put in the slide when putting it back together.
It still works fine though.
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  #41  
Old 05-26-2017, 01:32 PM
SwflG17Guy SwflG17Guy is offline
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Double post
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Old 05-26-2017, 10:30 PM
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dan323 dan323 is offline
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For my shield i did put on the Talon Grips. I also Ordered 2 - 10 round magazines from Promag on ebay. They work great for range practice. The only REAL upgrade I did was to put on Tru-Glo fiber optic sights. I have a few hundred rounds through it now and it run everything I feed it. I also track my ammo usage with a app on my iPhone so I can keep count of rounds fired. Enjoy !
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  #43  
Old 05-30-2017, 01:56 PM
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S&W Rover S&W Rover is offline
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Originally Posted by oloung1 View Post
i just stumbled upon the Sintercore site last week but was turned off a bit due to the back order. would be interested in your review on the Deadfall wings. one thing of note is that both Deadfall designs for the glock and shield are non "lip racking" wings, so if you like racking off your belt or holster, your are better off with the TacRac designs which have a grove to catch on a lip to rack against.
On 30 May 2017, Sintercore announced cancellation of the introduction of the Deadfall device, except for the Glock version, base on "a combination of lower than anticipated interest and unexpected engineering challenges." So there will not be one made and sold for the Shield.
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  #44  
Old 05-30-2017, 04:20 PM
mattwings mattwings is offline
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Like anything else, guns are very personal. For me, night sights (TFO) and a Talon grip were "must haves". I like the color and added pop of the sights, I was going away from a frame mounted laser that was on my last .45 and some abiliy to aquire and aim at a target at night was important. I find the stock .45 texture a little much for conceal carry or long range visits as well, so the Talon grip added a bit of girth and a familiar and comfortable feel. Again, that is my personal preference. Enjoy the hobby, sport, whatever you call it and however it works for you!

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Old 05-30-2017, 09:00 PM
oloung1 oloung1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by S&W Rover View Post
On 30 May 2017, Sintercore announced cancellation of the introduction of the Deadfall device, except for the Glock version, base on "a combination of lower than anticipated interest and unexpected engineering challenges." So there will not be one made and sold for the Shield.
that is too bad... was hoping the shield version would make it into production. the owner is funny AF on r/gundeals though.
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  #46  
Old 05-31-2017, 02:28 PM
ArmedWithKnowledge ArmedWithKnowledge is offline
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Default My upgrades

My Shield 9mm has the following upgrades:

-- Apex Duty/Carry Kit (Apex Tactical)
-- Stainless steel guide rod/spring (Stainless Steel Guide Rods)
-- Truglo Tritium Pro Night Sights (Truglo)
-- Rubber textured Talon grip tape (Talon Grips)
-- Magguts ZeeSpring +1 kit for my two 7-round magazines
-- Wolff Gunsprings +5% springs for my two 8-round
magazines.
-- Pearce Grip extenders for my two 7-round magazines

Seems like a lot, but with the price I paid for it new, and the $75 rebate (which I'm still waiting for lol), I've turned a sub $300 handgun into something nipping at the heels of a Sig Sauer, but for a little more than half the cost.

I did the bulk of the installation myself, however I had a gunsmith install the sights/striker block and then do a full inspection/safety check. So far it's had 200 rounds of Federal 147 grain flat nose through it without a single malfunction. I'm still going to put another 200 rounds of FMJ and another 200 of the HST JHP through it before it becomes my carry gun.

I think the only "Must have" upgrade out of the bunch is the rubber textured Talon grip tape, but I strongly recommend using a heat gun (as opposed to a hair dryer) to apply it.

If you do add any mechanical upgrades, make sure you fully test it before carrying. If you're unsure, have a gunsmith look at it first.
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  #47  
Old 06-11-2017, 01:31 AM
Will41 Will41 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KPWants View Post
With hands the size of mine, the base plate extension for the 7 round mag was a must.
I also have large hands but like the small size of the 7 round mags. I really cant see a big difference between shooting the 7 or 8 round mag. There might be a very small edge to the 8.

My wife prefers the eight and will not even shoot the 7. It seems like most people here also prefer the 8. I don't add the extension to the 7.

Hogue beavertail grip is a nice upgrade. Thats it for me. I always considered Apex but after reading the problems here I don't think I will.
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Old 06-11-2017, 02:56 AM
fdw fdw is offline
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I would shoot the heck out of it. (1000s of rounds). If it ain't broke....
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Old 06-11-2017, 08:42 AM
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Jeppo Jeppo is offline
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Since I discovered Talon grips, I've put rubber ones on every M&P I own. Actually, will put them on my new BG .380 this morning. To my mind, this is the best $18 improvement out there.

Also, I've found that I can't drop the 8 round Shield magazine without a major disruption of my grip (fat hands?). Am I the only one? For that reason, I carry with the 7 and have an 8 in the pocket.
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Old 06-11-2017, 08:52 AM
Arik Arik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Will41 View Post
I also have large hands but like the small size of the 7 round mags. I really cant see a big difference between shooting the 7 or 8 round mag. There might be a very small edge to the 8.

My wife prefers the eight and will not even shoot the 7. It seems like most people here also prefer the 8. I don't add the extension to the 7.

Hogue beavertail grip is a nice upgrade. Thats it for me. I always considered Apex but after reading the problems here I don't think I will.
I see a big difference in shooting my Glock 43 with and without the pinky extension. Without, shots are off target. With, shots are center mass

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