I'm interested in finding out real world reliability, but also shootability, of a Sheild in 45 ACP for a male with XL glove-size hands. The price is surely right.

Have one, have shot it at 100 yds and hit 55 gal drum easy. Up close at practical distances is ok, trigger leaves Much to be desired. Plan on selling it as LW Commander is way better.

That is very helpful. Thank you.

I've put a few rounds thru mine. I found it to be very reliable - even breaking-in, no issues or problems with any of the ammunition I used. It struck me as kind of a "soft shooter" - recoil is more of a push than a jolt. Of any of my 45s, it's certainly one of the more pleasant to shoot. I don't carry it much because I prefer a couple of my 3rd Gen 45's and 9's for that, but I do take the Shield to the range whenever I go because It's just a fun little gun to shoot. I think you'll be pleased with it.

I've got one my wife bought me (WHAT was she thinking! ). I have north of 300 rounds through it with the only malfunction being the first time I tried to charge it with a mag of 230 RA45T. That round hung up. But since then, zero malfunctions. I do keep it cleaned and lubed.

It is accurate enough. Using 230 Federal ball it will do 2 inches at 15 yards. This is a late production...August 2021? 2.0 on the slide. Trigger is...meh. Spongy, but the reset IS audible and tactile. It will stay stock as I will not put any money into a cheap plastic gun.

I use it strictly at work and as a training aid at the range. I am not a fan of strike fired plastic. So this will be the only one I own. Sub $400 it is fine, for what it is. I wouldn't pay any more for one. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Again, thank you all!

Mine has been very reliable and controllable. I have no complaints. It is the only .45 ACP that I have pocket carried. If you are in the Albuquerque area you are welcome to shoot mine.

Have one that has less than 300 rounds through it.
Like it a lot, no problems, reliable & points good for me, like my Colt 1911 did.
To me, like it way better than the 45 glocks I had.
To Me, felt recoil isn't more than the 9 I sold.

I have one that the box says was from 2017. Have about 2,000 rounds through it without any malfunction (admitting that 90% of that was factory ball). Cost under $300 when I got it (with the $75.00 rebate). Comfortable to shoot for such a small .45. Trigger is the standard plastic pistol “Meh”, but I wanted an inexpensive striker .45 that I can take with me when I fly by airline without worrying too much if it gets lost/stolen. Wanted it over others (like Glock) as I like thumb safeties.

Back when they first came out (and had that rebate) I bought one as a gift for my son. I took it out just to make sure it worked (was going to be carried). I ended up having so much fun with it that before I knew it I had to go out and buy another one for my son. Great little pistol. I also owned a Sig P220. When the time came to reduce the herd I kept the Shield over the Sig. I did install the Apex sear which is a great trigger enhancement for a very reasonable cost. A LOT softer shooting than I was expecting. Forgot to mention that I bought the thumb safety models and they have about the nicest safety I've run into on any pistol.

I have “several hundred rounds” through mine. (I am not a round counter, except for certain rifles.) It’s accurate and easy to shoot. I don’t recall ever having a hang-up, and that’s saying something because almost all of my shooting is done with lead bullet handloads.

The Shield 45 is a nice little gun, but if you can use a Commander for the same purposes, I too would rather have the Commander. If the Commander is a bit too big, that’s when the Shield would come into play, IMO. I also agree with John that the Shield .45 is a use-as-purchased piece. I don’t see the sense in spending a bunch of money on accessories, and really, I think the gun is fine as-is. If you need night sights, I guess that’s one thing, but all the other monkey business stuff, not so much.

Since you mentioned glove size, I'm assuming you have concerns about the grip. I too have XL glove-size hands and I find the grip a little thin but comfortable. The recoil is also comfortable.

I should mention that I use the extended baseplate for the magazines or else my little finger has nothing to do.

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Inconsistently consistent

I have the Shield 45. I have put approximately 1,000 rounds through the beast.
No problems after limp wrist issues early on. I shoot it very well, without issues.
Would not hesitate to conceal carry.

I forgot to address the glove size thing. I agree with rock doc. I usually wear XL or XXL gloves and can get along just fine with the Shield .45.

If you object to the grippy texture of the frame, which my daughter does, you can add a Hogue Handall or something similar to solve that matter and give yourself a slightly bigger grip at the same time. She does not have large hands but can manage her Shield .45 with Handall just fine.

Very good, everyone. I think I'll try one (since they cost about 5 tanks of gas).

Naturally, we will expect an evaluation from you. Pretty sure you’ll like it.

I have nearly 8,000 rounds through my Shield 45. I like it a lot, and carry it often. I wouldn't do so unless I found it to be both accurate and reliable. Here's my report:

Shield 45
Purchased February, 2017
Round count: 7,661
Accuracy scores (Percent of shots from my last 15 range visits that hit inside a 4"x 4" square): 15 yards, 404/565 = 72%; 20 yards, 369/728 = 51% These were taken two-handed, standing unsupported.

I bought this Shield because of the many favorable reviews on the Forum. I love this gun. It’s easy to carry (I carry it in my right front pocket in a DeSantis Nemesis holster), its recoil is surprisingly mild, and its 15-yard accuracy is astonishing. The attached target photo shows one of my better days at 15 yards (40 rounds) with my Shield 45. I can’t believe that it is so accurate with such a short barrel. It outshoots ever other pistol I have, including my SIG P320 compact. The only exception is my FNX 45 Tactical with its 5.25” barrel and Vortex red dot.

I did have the original magazine followers, so I had a bunch of failures to feed initially, but after I received the redesigned followers, the FTFs went away, and it has been very reliable since. The factory trigger is just fine with me. While it is not as good as the excellent trigger in my P320, or the single action of my FNX, it is good enough that I've never felt a need to replace it.

I added a Hogue grip which has helped to improve my accuracy. My main challenge is shooting one handed. The combination of a small gun and a big round means you need a very firm grip and a firm trigger pull, or you’ll limp wrist it into a failure to feed. But those have diminished with practice. Overall, however, I have no reservations about carrying my Shield 45. Even though my M&P 40c usually gets chosen for my daily carry, it’s because of its greater round capacity, not because of its greater ability. Anyone considering the purchase of a standard Shield should consider the 45 first. It is superior to the 9 in every way, except capacity. And to me, it’s worth giving up one extra round for the superiority of the 45.

Attached Images

IMG_0106.jpg (86.5 KB, 625 views)

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What, me worry?

Mine has probably 150-200 rounds of totally trouble free rounds down range. After buying a Glock 27 about 20 years ago, I was sort of expecting a similar recoil response. However I was totally surprised by how soft shooting it is.

It's my main "hot weather" carry gun because of its size and it's plastic. (sweat issues) I wipe it every few days and have yet to see any sign of rust or problems of any sort. It's darn accurate for it's size too.

I'm switched over to the 4516 for cold weather carry now, but 45 Shield is my second favorite carry piece. For a striker fired gun, I was impressed. The only other striker fired handgun I have is a PMR (22 magnum yard gun) My Shield is a keeper.

But I'm a 45 guy at heart anyway. ;-)

I have the Perf Ctr version and I love it. No issues and I swear it shoots softer than my 9mm Shield. Maybe the porting?

Thank you very much, but I'm near Ruidoso. Very kind offer!

I really like mine. It shoots my cast bullets very well. My favorite plastic pistol.......I have never and never will own a "block".

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S&W Accumulator

I have had one for about 4 years and put about 2000 rounds down the tube. It is the best gun I have ever had, I can shoot it at 25 yards very well and the recoil is minimal. I have large hands and it fits very well with no issues. I have not had any issues at all with it and I shoot only reloads so I would say this is a good choice.
Toolfreak

To date I have 475 rounds through my Shield 45 ACP and it has been flawless so far. At the time I bought it I had been carrying a Glock 36. I sold the 36 because I didn’t need two very similar 45 ACP guns, and so far I have not been sorry . I do have X-Large hands and no problems with grip. I think the Shield handles recoil a bit better than the Glock.

I don't keep track of the number of rounds through any of my guns. I have had my Shield .45 for several years, have several hundred rounds though it, have size XL or XXL hands, and like it very much. It's my bedside gun. Big punch in a compact package. S&W had to send me the upgraded followers and springs when I first got it, and it's been reliable ever since.

Just an amusing story, that prompted me to buy it. Sitting in my living room, talking to my girlfriend on the phone after 9pm. A pair of headlights comes up my drive, and makes the turn out of sight, out to my barn. I hang up, and got my "ready" gun to go investigate, which was a full size M&P .357 SIG. Then realized I didn't want to go outside with a gun in my hand, and it was too large for my back pocket, so I went outside with my Bodyguard 380 in my pocket. Turned out to be a confused old lady who thought my drive was a road (not the first time). So....I decided I wanted something that would drop in my back pocket, and I could have my hand on it, but still have serious punch. S&W had the $75 rebate on, and buying on line my total out of pocket cost was just under $300.

I carry it infrequently, preferring a J frame or when pocket carrying my Bodyguard. But I have nothing bad to say about my Shield. Although.....I have a Charter Arms Pitbull as a truck gun. If I didn't already have the Shield, being a revolver guy at heart, I might have a second Pitbull.

I own two Shield 45s, which attests to how much I like this model. No reliability issues with either and both are very accurate. Both have the Apex trigger and Ameriglo I Dot sights. Didn't feel the need to put the Apex sear in as the factory sear breaks crisp. A little polishing to the USB and they were good to go.

The key is remembering it is a lightweight, polymer, short barreled 45. Can't emphasize enough to match the ammo to the firearm. Both mine love 185 JHPs around 800-900 fps. Accurate and manageable.

BTW: I do have numerous 1911s, including a couple officer models. While I do love my Sig Ultra, the Shield 45 is easier to carry, just as accurate, and not as finicky. In the event the Shield 45 gets confiscated, stolen, or damaged, not a big deal. Go buy another one. That Sig Ultra gets confiscated, stolen, or damaged, every bit of $900 goes with it.

25 votes for the 45 Shield......Yea!!!!

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S&W Accumulator

Skip the 45, get the 9mm.

Even better, the P365. 10 round mag in the gun, 15 round stick mag in the pocket.

I have the 2.0 PC version. Approximately 2,000 rounds through it and no problem.

My first shot from it at 10 yards was dead center.

I carried it all of last week and sometimes use it as a pocked (cargo pants) backup Excellent shooter and never a problem.

I, at one time, also had a 2.0 with green laser and it was also an excellent and very accurate gun. Traded it soon after the Plus came out because I was miffed that S&W did not come out with higher capacity mags for the other Shields.

Also have a 1.0 Shield 40 and it is another excellent weapon.

My only complaints are that there are not any higher capacity mags. I have many, but would like higher capacity for backup carry.

Have 4 of them thar shield 45's, the first one is sort of a test bed. When I got it I put through my new gun routine:

750 rounds ball, slide removed and wiped clean every 100rds
250 rounds defensive carry ammo.

To me, gun is only GTG if it fires both strings with no malf.

All my Shields are top quality guns, this here particular Shield 45 has now reached nearly 9k rounds with all types of ammo save steel cased and it's not once malfunctioned.

Several years now with Shield .45 as my EDC mostly in the desert southwest. A few thousand rounds through it and a couple dozen shot shells in there too.

It still operates real nicely even when relatively filthy. If it didn't then I wouldn't own it. My favorite little EDC. Not an heirloom, but a very nice small .45 that just " works " .

It's officially ordered. Should have bought one in 2020.

Big hands you'll for sure want the +1 baseplate (7 round instead of 6 round). My hands aren't that big but I find I like the extra finger length better.
This metal floorplate that keeps the mag at 6 rounds should feel the same on your fingers at the front of the grip as the extended +1 plate but it doesn't.
I got it thinking it wouldn't print as high in the holster, because it didn't protrude as much at the back, and that if I needed a reload all the rest of the mags would be the 7 round.
But I recently changed it back over to the +1 so now all my mags have the good feel.

I've had this .45 about 2 1/2 years and have put maybe 700 rounds through it.
Only issue I had was the Speer Gold Dot would sometimes hang down in the mag and not let the next round up high enough to chamber.
New style followers took care of that, shoots Gold Dots fine now.

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U. S. Army Veteran

I have the PC 4" Shield 2.0 in .45. Nice gun, reasonably accurate in my hands. It had some initial teething pains (feeding issues), but I seem to have gotten it past those. Unfortunately, I shot it side-by-side with my Plus. It was not until that point that I realized how much better the Plus trigger is. If I were looking at a Shield 45 today, I'd hold out a little while and see if they put the new trigger in it. Either that or order an aftermarket trigger.

The .45 Shield is the only Shield that I've never felt the need to change the trigger on. The few that I've shot are great, as good or slightly better than the PC 40 Shield I had.
No need for a new trigger, they've already had them.
You must have got one with a less than stellar trigger that slipped through the cracks Spats.

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U. S. Army Veteran

The trigger is why I bought the MA-compliant model with a safety (11704) - most of what I read about the no-safety models was iffy on how well they liked the 2.0 trigger.

I think I bought mine in 2017. We carried M&P 45's in my former career, the only plastic framed handgun I ever liked and could shoot well. I bought a 45 Shield, as somewhat of a retirement gift to myself and is the only plastic framed handgun I own. Like others above, I don't count rounds, but guessing somewhere around 500 rds of reloads, factory, etc - every bullet type available for 45ACP, including lead RN and SWC style - not a single malfunction. Guessing I have the updated followers and springs, as I've had no issues. I know mine is before the 2.0 came out. It pains me to admit it, since on the rare occasions I actually do carry - this is the one, but I have never cleaned it yet. Thanks, Bill in MA

Got mine soon after they came out, have several hundred rounds thru it. It's taken over as EDC from my Shield 9, which is saying something. My Gen 1 Shield 9's been my EDC since it came out. Both are accurate, and as reliable as the sun rising in the East. I'll put it this way the Shield 45, (and the 9), is the last SD handgun I'll ever buy. It's that good.

The sting of having not bought sooner is now fading.

As far as I know, all .45 Shields are 2.0. Older Shields may not be stamped 2.0, but they have all the same features.

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U. S. Army Veteran

It's my favorite .45. Soft shooter, accurate and not a finicky eater. I have a 1.0 and 2.0 9mm Shields I like as well. I like the idea of the Shield Plus, but I don't need 4 of them.

When the gun gets here and you’ve got a hundred rounds through it, that will be forgotten. (More or less. )

Changed the followers right in the beginning. 798 rounds of various fmj and jhp through it without a single issue. Only mods were a talon grip early on, and an Apex enhanced trigger that Scott Folk recently saved my bacon with. Haven't gotten a chance to try it out yet, but feels a lot better than the hinged one. Surprisingly accurate from 10 yds. with very manageable recoil. My only regret is that I didn't get two.

I have a little over 1600 rounds through mine. Still have not had the first malfunction. Pretty accurate too. I have used several different well known brands of ammo, ball and hollow point with no problems.

Benf1,
You caught me interest about changing your followers.
Should I be concerned about mine on a new gun. Thanks

Probably not the new ones. The early models had some kind of problem with the followers. S&W sent me replacements at no charge, just had to ask for them. I never had any problem with the original followers tho.

See this thread for more info. Post #5 has pics of the difference.

45 Shield Mag dropping- Bad followers?

Biku324, in an earlier post I mentioned my daughter and her Shield45. We went to an indoor range last evening and she had the Shield and her stainless PC1911, which incidentally is just a super 1911. She had a box of my handloads with H&G 68s and HP38. I noticed she only fired ten rounds from the PC1911 before she put it aside. I guess she was satisfied with her results.

The Shield takes her a few rounds to get her grip settled in and used to the trigger. Her last six rounds, on a fresh target were all in the black on a 50-ft NRA B3 target. The black on that target is 3-inches. Her group, centered slightly left, appeared to be about 2-inches.

I don’t brag on my own shooting but I have to say, for no more than she shoots, that girl knows how to lay them in there. I complain a lot about the “cheapness” and unsightly appearance of these new plastic guns, but have no doubt - they will do the job. We’re waiting for your impressions.

BTW, regarding the magazines, she has four. Three are fine. One consistently fails to lock the slide. She has had the gun a while (HWZxxxx vintage), so I suppose it needs the newer followers. They all feed fine and the guns (both hers and mine) have otherwise been trouble free and shoot to the sights.

pppphhhhhhtttttt!

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S&W Accumulator

If a Shield 45 is from 2018 or newer, it should have come with the updated followers. Here is an old post with clear photos of the old and new Shield 45 followers. I did not take these photos, but they are the best ones I could find on the Forum:

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What, me worry?

Indeed.

I was contracting until fall 2020 in SE Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans doing police development. Nothing I saw in the field, post-shootings reports, or post-shoot interviews in any of the countries in those regions led to a different conclusion than what I saw here when my agency switched to 9mm, then switched to 45 within 2 years due to inadequate 9mm performance in every 9mm shooting.

However, there was an incident in 2015 at Mamasapano, Maguindanao, Mindanao wherein Philippine authorities killed the bombmaker Marawan (Zulkifli Abdhi); more that 40 Philippine National Police Special Action Force troops were killed trying to exfil from the raid. One SAF member allegedly escaped being assassinated by ****, BIFF, and private militias (who executed immobile, wounded SAF members left on the field - verified by forensic examination of bodies) by submerging in a pool and breathing through a vine. He had an M9 and one spare mag; once the main opposing force left in pursuit of the main SAF body, he followed at some distance to get to safety. He allegedly used his M9 to execute wounded ****, BIFF, and private militiamen left in the field as payback, allegedly killing eight. He arrived safely back where the deloyment started with 11 rounds in one mag remaining.

If you need to execute helpless enemies with headshots and still have rounds left over, the 9mm with ball will serve you well.

**** = Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Apparently that is a banned acronym here, and for good reason.

So, what you're saying is the price has gone up 50% in the last year?😊