Shield 9mm vs. my Airweight snubby (M638)

At current prices, a shield is affordable enough to have one in addition to your J frame . For that matter, carry both .

Your (primary) carry gun should be the one YOU shoot the best. Best meaning in order : First shot hits, ability to make hits at medium distances, and reasonably good control with good defensive ammo . On relection, not really in order. #1 is first priority, #2 and #3 both need to be at least acceptable.

Between JFrame and subcompact 9mm, the answer for Me is .... Neither. I don't pocket carry, and slightly larger pistol(s) work for me. 2In K Frames, Single stack 4inch-ish semis.

Arik said:

It's not as worthwhile as some think. Of course this will be different for everyone but you have to do the math first. Not all good deals are good deals when all is said and done. For me shipping and transfer kills any kind of deal.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

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For me, the savings on tax cancels out the shipping cost. FFL charges $25. So bottom line is $240 after rebate. Still an outstanding deal.

I fully appreciate the tactical advantage a semi auto gives you in a fight, but for my purposes all the 9mm are just too heavy for pocket carry. My current EDC is a no lock 340M&P, and based on my experiences as an LEO a revolver is where my comfort level is. If I were to go back to law enfrocement (doubt anyone is interested in a 70 y/o who walks with a cane) a double stack semi auto makes sense. I also have an LCP (not the new model) that is carried when I need to wear dress slacks or a suit & tie (not that often).

I have had a 442 for 20+ years and still find it easier than my Single Stack 9 at times to conceal. I tried the Shield 2 years ago when I was looking for a single stack and it was my #2 choice but after I put a PPS in my hand and reviewed the reliability numbers that was my choice. With the Shield going for $215 (less if you want 40) for 9 or 45 its very attractive. Pocket carry goes to the 442, hybrid IWB carry goes to the Shield. Why not own both?

Well I'll be firing a Shield 9mm (friends) for the first time shortly. I'm looking forward to it. Will it dethrone my 638 as my cc? It's up against stiff competition...but I sure liked handling it at the local shop.

Shield = fairly light and short trigger (mine doesn't have a safety lever)
Revo = heavy and long trigger

If you're going to pocket carry, I wouldn't want a short light trigger.

I have a shield 9.

Another consideration. You may want to check out the Walther CCQ. 8+1 and to me feels better in the hand. I think you can only get it with the stupid thumb safety.

I really don't consider a shield for pocket carry. I'm not a large guy and cannot really get a shield in my pocket of my jeans. Maybe a jacket pocket.

Do it. I have had a 442 Pro for a couple of years- just picked up a Shield on the first day of the rebate. My Shield 9 is 50x more accurate in my hands than my aluminum J frame.

Backlighting said:

The snubby M 638 is my preferred cc handgun but after handling a Shield 9mm I was really attracted to the overall thinness of it. It's even easier to conceal in the waist or pocket. I'm on the fence as to replacing the snubby since I like the obvious revolver advantages of no failure to feed issues and a simple trigger pull is all that is needed to cycle another ftf round (light strike or a faulty round).
The Shield, however, does offer more rounds and more power.
With the S&W rebate, and purchasing from a local shop I could get it at around $335 net. Nice price for a nice gun.
Decisions, decisions.

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Would someone who has a Shield 9mm weigh it fully loaded please. Curious, since I don't have one. I want to compare the weight difference to the 638 fully loaded. I believe my 638 is 4oz.lighter, unloaded, to that of an unloaded Shield 9mm. Thanks.

Telecaster said:

Shield = fairly light and short trigger (mine doesn't have a safety lever)
Revo = heavy and long trigger

If you're going to pocket carry, I wouldn't want a short light trigger.

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I carry a G33 in a Kramer Leather pocket holster the most of any of my sidearms; probably 10X as much as anything else. The trigger is not a worry. Pocket carry without a holster is almost never a good idea (I would say "never", but someone will force feed me a correction involving a some low occurrence but possible scenario, so ...).
The "power" issue of .38 vs. 9mm/.40/.45 is not significant; the ergonomics of a pistol vs. a snubby really come out in favor of the pistol. A snubby should be as mechanically accurate as any other revolver, but the short sight radius and awful sights are not your friend. The reloads also come out in favor of the pistol, so even for my lowest threat scenarios in which U use a fanny pack (walking the dog, and going to the gym), I tend to use a pistol over a revolver.

I'm unfamiliar with a "Shield", but cannot imagine a better concealed carry personal protection gun that a J-frame S&W .38 Special. It probably wouldn't suffice for the Internet complete world disorder paranoiacs, but for reasonable persons that practice shooting skills regularly, a J-frame is more than adequate.

I'm 65 and usually carry a Smith Model 36 snub J frame and have for quite some time - an easy carry. BUT . . I also have a 9mm Shield that I like very much that I switch back and forth with the J frame depending on where I'm going and what I'm wearing. I carry OWB and cover with shirt tail or jacket. All I can say is that I like BOTH of them for CCW and wouldn't give up one for the other . . . they both are good. My advice . . . keep the J frame and get the Shield - you won't regret having both.

After two years of ownership I sold my Shield, kept my 340PD.

bedbugbilly said:

I'm 65 and usually carry a Smith Model 36 snub J frame and have for quite some time - an easy carry. BUT . . I also have a 9mm Shield that I like very much that I switch back and forth with the J frame depending on where I'm going and what I'm wearing. I carry OWB and cover with shirt tail or jacket. All I can say is that I like BOTH of them for CCW and wouldn't give up one for the other . . . they both are good. My advice . . . keep the J frame and get the Shield - you won't regret having both.

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Yeah. I know. I won't regret owning both.
I will be firing my friends Shield in a few days. He hasn't fired his yet and I'll set the 10" gong (we're in the desert) at 10, 15 and 25 yards. I'll also be bringing the Airweight. It'll be nice to compare both...at the same outing.

jesus Shield all dam day long,
more rounds
quicker reload
more accurate
more fire power
etc etc
The Shield is every bit as reliable as any revolver IMHO. Revolvers can and have failed, Semi autos can and have failed. But its putting rounds on target as quickly and as many as possible.
My Shield 9mm (40 and 45) have been 100% reliable 100% of the time. But so have my revolvers, it all comes down to training i guess

1SG
Out

Telecaster said:

Shield = fairly light and short trigger (mine doesn't have a safety lever)
Revo = heavy and long trigger

If you're going to pocket carry, I wouldn't want a short light trigger.

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This is the reason I kept my original LC9. I can pocket carry it and it has a long trigger pull. For IWB, I much prefer my Shield.

The true cost of a semiauto

At these prices, I too have been contemplating picking up a Shield, or even a Walther PPS M2 ($100 rebate). I normally carry either a J Frame of some iteration, a model 64, or a Sig P250 subcompact. Even in subcompact guise, the Sig is a bit of a chunk, so I don't carry it that much, despite the fact that having 12 rounds of HST feels very comforting.

I'm just wondering if a single stack 9mm offers enough capacity advantage over a 6-shot revolver to invest the time and money to this platform. Yes, the entry price is cheap, but with a new semiauto, figure that I need to successfully burn at least 100 rounds of range ammo and a minimum of a couple mags of my carry ammo through it before I feel comfortable carrying it. And add to that a few extra magazines (5 total for each pistol is my standard), and the rounds to test their reliability. And let's not forget a new holster (or two). Factor all of that in, and the choice doesn't seem as economically clear cut. I've never owned a striker-fired pistol, and even if I don't end up carrying it, having another range toy might be fun.

After all of that, I'm still on the fence. So I'm asking: what do you all think?

Kifaru said:

At these prices, I too have been contemplating picking up a Shield.

I'm just wondering if a single stack 9mm offers enough capacity advantage over a 6-shot revolver to invest the time and money to this platform. So I'm asking: what do you all think?

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After a life and death encounter using your personal self defense handgun: "Dang it! I had more cartridges than I needed!" Said no one, ever.

What is the likelihood you will need more than six rounds (or 5) to solve a personal defense problem? I am not preparing for the most likely event, I am preparing for the most threatening event.

So, statistically, I don't care. I do not want to be that statistic at the end of the continuum where there are multiple attackers shooting at me and I am shooting back, probably somewhat inaccurately as I run like hell, and miss a fair amount. Why NOT carry the greatest number of rounds possible to be prepared for the widest range of unlikely events possible?

A 9mm Shield or similar semi-auto can be very reliable, relatively compact, and definitely have higher capacity while being much faster and easier to reload. The standard flush 7-round mag plus one in the chamber gives you 33% more capacity than a 6-shot revolver, and a quick reload with the 8-round mag bumps you up to 16 rounds available rather than 12.

I carry 10+1 in my Shield with a 10-round backup. That is a significant increase in firepower over a 6-shot revolver. I don't find the extended mag difficult to conceal, but I don't pocket carry.

Any additional gun you buy to replace or supplement your current one will come with associated costs. The initial costs to try something new are lower than the justified end costs if you choose to carry it. If you don't like it, sell it and lose $100 or so. It does cost something to try new guns, unless you can borrow from a friend.

Therefore, to answer your question, yes, I think it is worth it to try a Shield. I think the advantages outweigh the cost disadvantages, and I really prefer greater capacity for personal defense.

Backlighting said:

Would someone who has a Shield 9mm weigh it fully loaded please. Curious, since I don't have one. I want to compare the weight difference to the 638 fully loaded. I believe my 638 is 4oz.lighter, unloaded, to that of an unloaded Shield 9mm. Thanks.

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I'm wearing my 4-day-old Shield around the house breaking in the belt loops on an equally new Don Hume holster. The gun is loaded with 8+1 rounds of 147g Federal HSTs, and weighs just a hair under 25 ounces according to my kitchen scale.

There were no failures of any type during the first ~100 round range session with Gold Dots and Federal HSTs in 124 and 147 grain forms, and my bulk produced 124g IDPA JHPs, but it needs lots more shooting before it's ready for real concealed carry.

I never carry in a pants pocket, but suspect that the gun's too heavy for that mode. Probably too big, too, as I can get all fingers on the grip when the 8-round magazine is used. Which makes the grip longer than the one on a Glock 26.

It is a VERY comfortable gun to shoot, despite the fact that the 124g premium loads both produced more energy (according to my chronograph) than the current Remington +P incarnation of the 38 Special FBI load out of a 638 - which combination is absolutely NO fun to shoot.

Backlighting said:

Would someone who has a Shield 9mm weigh it fully loaded please. Curious, since I don't have one. I want to compare the weight difference to the 638 fully loaded. I believe my 638 is 4oz.lighter, unloaded, to that of an unloaded Shield 9mm. Thanks.

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I don't have the 638, but I do have the 642 and loaded with 158 grain bullets, it weighs in at 17.5 Oz and my Shield loaded with the 7 round magazine + one in the chamber, with 125 grain ammo weighs in at 27.9 Oz.