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Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols All Variants of the Smith & Wesson M&P Auto Pistols


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Old 08-12-2018, 10:17 AM
Echo47 Echo47 is offline
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Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit  
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Default Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit

I've been carrying my concealed handguns on belt-looped leather holsters for years, but am now thinking for 'install-ease' a paddle-holster might be as secure and fit the criteria of 'install-ease' but am having trouble finding one for a Shield in .45ACP. Listed on-line, the holster manufacturers do not list the Shield by caliber, and it was my understanding that the Shield in 9mm and .40S&W utilize a smaller frame than the .45 Shield, so I am concerned the holster will be either a tight fit or too small for my .45 Shield. Please correct me if I am wrong. (I saw one owner of a .40 Shield say the holster 'should' fit the .45. "Should" could be problematic!
In searching for a paddle holster, I am finding many will only fit up to a 1.75" belt. What's up with that?
Or maybe I should just stick with my tried-and-true DeSantis leather belt-loop holsters.
Echo47
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Old 08-12-2018, 11:34 AM
Jaysq Jaysq is offline
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Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit  
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Wright Leather Works makes a paddle holster for the Shield in .45ACP. I have two of their "Predators" and the workmanship is 2nd to none.
Outsider™ Paddle Holster - Wright Leather Works LLC
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Old 08-12-2018, 12:27 PM
chopshopcop chopshopcop is offline
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Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit  
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After I made detective many years ago, I wore a paddle holster for most of my remaining time on the job. While I can't help you with a specific brand to fit your weapon, I can share some things I learned.

The strongest, longest lasting holster had a plastic paddle. The paddle was fairly wide and rode comfortably on the hip. It was attached to the leather with 2 hex head screws but the cant wasn't adjustable. The flare at the bottom was well rounded and didn't dig or shift.

Because it was plastic, it didn't breathe and if worn next to bare skin, held moisture, felt clammy in hot humid weather and would stick to the skin. The retention hook was good, held quite securely, almost too much. To remove it, I had to pull the holster away from the hip with one hand and push back on the paddle with the other to clear the retention hook over the waistband. Not too bad with jeans but the softer fabric of dress slacks often caught on the hook. I don't think the holster could ever have been snatched off, but it had only a simple thumb snap to hold the pistol anyway, so handgun retention training was mandatory. In addition, over time the flexing of the paddle and the leather at the attachment point fatigued the leather so much that it developed a split in the leather just below the screws. I still have it and sometimes wear it to the range but I don't trust it anymore for EDC. Now I had to remove my holster as much as 3-4 times a day just handling prisoners and such, so mine probably saw more flexing than the average, but it's something you should know. I wore that one for at least 5 years so it had a good run.

My second holster had a leather paddle, it wasn't as wide and the flare at the bottom was more angular than rounded. It didn't ride as well as the other and the flare dug into the body, especially when driving. The leather was more comfortable in that it could breathe somewhat but some moisture would accumulate and be absorbed by the leather. It got a little musty smelling but Febreze helped. The biggest complaint was that it required the same procedure to remove and the repeated flexing caused the leather paddle to break off entirely within a year or so.

I tried to use the paddle from the first one on the second but the attachment points didn't line up, so it got trashed. After that I just went back to a belt slide for on duty use, as IWB, shoulder holsters, etc were prohibited. That's pretty much how I still carry now (been retired nearly 6 years), it has as much to do with years of training and muscle memory as well as personal preference.

Don't want to put you off the idea of paddles if that fits your needs, but did want to give you points to consider. Hope this helps
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Old 08-12-2018, 10:15 PM
eahicks eahicks is offline
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Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit Shield .45 frame size and paddle holster fit  
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You’re correct... anything that is for the 9 or 40 is too small for the 45. But, most all of my Shield 45 holsters will also hold the 9 and 40.


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Old 08-12-2018, 10:29 PM
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andyo5 andyo5 is offline
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I have found that my .45 Shield fits nicely in the two holsters that I bought for a Glock 26.
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