Higher Capacity Shield...

[nanney1]

For the record, I wasn’t advocating that S&W simply make the Shield a double stack. I was wondering when will they do whatever magic or voodoo that Sig and Springfield did to get that many rounds in such a small mag.

I previously owned a M&P 9C M2.0 3.6” and that pistol is much bigger and thicker than a Shield in both grip and slide. Really not comparable. The same would apply to the newer 3.6 SC due to the thickness.

To equal Sig and Springfield, S&W would have to make the Shield smaller than it currently is with more capacity. That is what I’m wondering... Whether they will go that route anytime soon?

 

[Smoke]

I thought the hicap Shield was called the M&P 9C ?

That's what I thought

 

[Cellar Hound]

I’m not saying that capacity isn’t important but the average number of shots fired in a gunfight is about 3.59 (2.6-4.6 depending on which study you read). I will always choose to carry a gun that can be adequately concealed, has an effective caliber for self defense, and with which I maintain the highest level of proficiency. There’s a reason why J-frames are still carried on a regular basis.

 

[Dave Lively]

I thought the hicap Shield was called the M&P 9C ?

I have an M&P 2.0 compact, a Glock 43 and a Sig P365. The M&P compact is much larger and heavier than the G43 and P365. Its not in the same class as the Shield and similar sized guns. The size and weight difference might not seem like much on paper but makes a big difference when being carried.

My 2.0 Compact is larger than the 2.0 Subcompact or original compact but doesn't weigh much more. And it is the extra weight that makes a difference to me. The 2.0 Compact needs a stiff gun belt but the lighter guns can be carried with more comfortable flexible belt and a good holster.

With an empty 10 round magazine my Sig P365 weighs 18.5 ounces, my 2.0 Compact (4 inch) weighs 26.8 with an empty 15 round magazine. That's 45% heavier. Loaded with 11 and 16 rounds of ammo the P365 is 23.6 ounces vs 34.1 for the M&P with 16 rounds, once again 45% heavier. I think the sub compact is only a couple of ounce lighter but do not have one to weigh.

Please don't suggest getting a "good stiff gun belt" and carrying the heavier gun. When it comes to comfortably carrying a gun those are part of the problem, not the solution as far as I am concerned. I know most people don't seem to mind the stiff belts but they literally rub me the wrong way.

 

[Smoke]

It's been my experience that if you ever have to use your gun in self defense, even if no shots are fired, you find a way to make a larger gun work.

Having said that it's also been my experience that Glocks tend to be more compact and lighter than their S&W counterparts.

I don't see a noticable difference in weight and size between my Glock 26 and a M&P Shield. I also find the Glock to be more versatile (as is the 9C) because I can use any 9 mm double stack Glock magazine in it.

 

[song dog]

3 million, probably closer to 3.5 now.

This, Sig & Springfield even with their higher mag capacity can't catch up with the Shield higher market share.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

Carried a Shield with 8 round magazine for six years. Went to a 43x and love it. Same size as a Shield with 8 rounder, but you get 10. Now there is a flush-fit 15 rounder for the 43x. It's amazing having 16 rounds in that size gun. Fits my hand perfect like my Shield did.

 

[billjr47]

State limitations

This, Sig & Springfield even with their higher mag capacity can't catch up with the Shield higher market share.

A lot may have to do with the mag 10 round restrictions many states already have and others to follow. I know I'd love to get the new Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8" Compact, but it has 14 rd mags which are illegal in Connecticut. In my case 10 round mags are the best I can hope for and am limited to the SW shields the way they are. Like someone alluded to if Springfield (and possibly Sig) came out with more 10 rd options I believe SW would have some competition in this area.

 

[220-niner]

I recently got the Magguts kit to make my 8 round into a 10 round +1.
Seems to cycle well by hand and I'll get a chance to check it out this week on the range. All reviews I read are for flawless operation but I'll see for myself soon.
10 +1 seems the be a good option for a gun this size. A few years ago a 5 or 6 round magazine was standard in a gun this size.

Edit 10/27
Just shot 200 rounds through it and it was flawless with a variety of ammo brands and types.

 

[IntegraRC]

S & W really should be looking into this segment. I get that most people are satisfied with their shield’s, but if no one ever pushed the envelope, then we’d all still be carrying SAO revolvers. Not only that, but if Sig and Springfield already have these platforms, imagine what they’re working on now. If S & W doesn’t start thinking about it, they’ll be so far behind the competition, and it’ll take years to catch back up.

BTW, my carry rotation includes a M&P340, a bodyguard 380, and a P365. I carry the largest that makes sense for what I’m wearing and doing.

 

[OldGoat]

If you just gotta have a little more Shield capacity (~2 rounds or +25%) for slightly marginal larger print, the XTech Tactical mag extension ~$20 is the way I found mo$t effective.

 

[BBMW]

I disagree with this. Smith spent years and vast amounts of money establishing the Shield brand. They're not going to want to waste that.

SIG and Springfield are now challenging that brand (and very successfully.) If Smith wants to compete, they need to get over the engineering hurtle of making a pistol within the size envelope of the current Shield, that has a flush fit magazine capacity of 10 rounds (in 9mm.) If they don't do this, they are going continue to lose huge market share, as they done since the P365 came out. This isn't really optional for them.

A doublestack Shield would no longer be a Shield, but a wider pistol.
So as scott said above, if S&W were to come out with a higher capacity pistol it would be an entirely new model and they'd call it something else.

 

[LCC]

We have so many choices in compact/semicompact/microcompact these days it's an extensive catalog of it's own...at this point of saturation it would likely be a slim to zero return on investment for a manufacturer to invest in design, tooling and marketing for placing yet another model into that mix.
Unless it's a phaser, of course.

 

[Buford57]

Here ya go!!

ProMag S&W Shield 9mm 50 Round Drum Magazine BLACK Polymer DRM-A15 | Cheaper Than Dirt

Looks like I'll need bigger pockets.

 

[IntegraRC]

We have so many choices in compact/semicompact/microcompact these days it's an extensive catalog of it's own...at this point of saturation it would likely be a slim to zero return on investment for a manufacturer to invest in design, tooling and marketing for placing yet another model into that mix.
Unless it's a phaser, of course.

I believe blockbuster video and Motorola said something similar to this..

Ok, I don’t know if they actually said that, but the point is the moment manufacturers stop innovating is the moment their product starts to die. You can bet someone is working on an even larger capacity than the P365 and hellcat at the moment. The competitors are ahead and are probably working on something even more innovative. If S&W refuses to keep up with what’s already out there, imagine how far behind they’ll be in 5 years.

 

[CB3]

There is competing, which is trying to make the same basic product but with some differences, and there is innovating, which is bringing a new product to a new market. Innovation beats competition, generally.

The Shield is an innovative product line that gained a huge market share quickly. Now it is a competitive product, still with a big lead. To change this product to compete against the competition? Eh. It is still the leader and will likely remain so as the market apparently likes it. Lots of profit still rolling into S&W from this product line without changing it.

Better to innovate a new product/market and get ahead again.

Like the two EZ’s. They are just getting going, and the competition has yet to produce equivalent products. Guess whose going to have over a million units sold before competitors try to get their left over market share?

 

[LCC]

There is competing, which is trying to make the same basic product but with some differences, and there is innovating, which is bringI got a new product to a new market. Innovation beats competition, generally.

The Shield was an innovative product that gained a huge market share quickly. Now it is a competitive product, still with a big lead. To take this product and compete against the competition? Eh. It is still the leader and will likely remain so as the market apparently likes it.

Better to innovate a new product/market and get ahead again. Like the two EZ’s. They are just getting going, and the competition has yet to produce equivalent products. Guess whose going to have over a million units sold before competitors try to get their left over market share?

very well said, made the point better than my feeble attempt.
Sig demonstrated innovative thinking with the 365 and it's unique magazine and modular fire control that can be changed from a 10 shot micro to a 12 shot micro-plus in under 5 mins. For many of us it's been a game changer in EDC.
Brand loyalty retains customers, innovative designs attract new customers.

 

[IntegraRC]

I agree that the EZ’s were an innovative product that the competition hasn’t answered yet. In fact, I have one.

The caution I would give to S&W is to not fall into overconfidence in the marketplace. If they don’t advance with the competition, they will one day be obsolete. Even Glock tried to give a half-answer with a their “X” bandaid. Are we all that confident that S&W has more market loyalty than Glock where they can get away with NO response?

I’m really not trying to beat up on S&W. In fact, they may even be diligently working on something right now. I own more Smiths than any other manufacturer. In fact, I’m carrying a Smith right now. The truth is that market loyalty is not enough to sustain a business. Look at Harley Davidson for example. All businesses continually need new customers to survive.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Why don't cha just buy a small 9mm glock and use their 33 rd magazine in it?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Everybody wants a gun that looks cool, holds 17 rounds of 45 ACP, can hit a fly in the head at 40 yards, weighs 6 ounces, fits in their pocket, has no recoil and cost $120.