Shield vs. Glock 43

ColbyBruce · Jan 4, 2019

These two guns are so similar it is mind boggling that the S&W can be $150.00-$200.00 cheaper than the Glock.

Looking them over and handling them, I can only think that both of them would make the greatest .22 LR semi auto pistol since the demise of the Beretta 70/71 series.

Faulkner · Jan 4, 2019

The real question should be Shield vs Glock 43 vs Ruger LC9S. In my opinion, Ruger wins (and I'm a fan of Glocks).

About $65.00 less than a G43, very comparable in size to both, holds one more round than G43, and as reliable as the G43.

murphydog · Jan 4, 2019

I have nothing against Glocks (or obviously with S & W products

) but I find the former’s pricing structure odd. They may get the LE market by low bids but seem to make up by high commercial MSRPs and sales prices.

ColbyBruce · Jan 4, 2019

Faulkner, I am not much of a Ruger fan, though I do have a snubbie for an ankle gun.

I do admit to purchasing a SR22 with the bright yellow frame as a retirement gift for a friend back in September. He moved to eighty acres in western NC. If he drops that gun in the woods, pasture, stream, or barn he should be able to find it. Actually, Stevie Wonder could find that thing.

RobzGuns · Jan 4, 2019

Had the G43 hit the market back in 2012, when the Shield did, I probably would have come home with the G43... But it didn't. Back then, the Striker action choices (in ths size) were the XD-S and the Shield. Even the Ruger LC9S didn't come out until a couple Years later. While LC9S trigger may be nicer than the (original) Shield's, the recoil didn't feel nearly as smooth.

For me, both the Shield and the G43 feel very smooth to shoot, but as much as I like the G43, I don't like it enough to trade my Shield for one.

LVSteve · Jan 4, 2019

You could throw in the Kahr CW9 just to muddy the waters some more.

While LC9S trigger may be nicer than the (original) Shield's, the recoil didn't feel nearly as smooth.

I don't like the recoil impulse on the LC9s either, even after fitting a Hogue. It gets nasty with 147 gr ammo for sure. The Kahr is much tamer, but it is also much harder to rack with its beefy recoil spring.

EdinDenver · Jan 4, 2019

LC9s was sold at the LGS a couple weeks ago...gladly picked up my check yesterday. My only complaint about the LC9s was the safety - it's small and cumbersome. Love the Glock 43 with night sights. Extended mags make for a decent option at home with 9 rds. Factory stock mags make for a decent option to carry. I have no experience with the Shield and have no opinion.

S&WOkie · Jan 4, 2019

I prefer the Shield.

I carried a G43 for a few months and decided it was too small for my hands.

I am also very tight with my money so the price difference for M&Ps in general usually makes the choice easier for me. That being said, I did pick up a steal on a G19.5 for my last gun purchase.

diyj98 · Jan 4, 2019

I've owned the Shield, LC9, and the Glock 43. I didn't like the LC9 tiny safety like EdinDenver mentioned. The Glock was slightly smaller than the Shield and I had a number of other various Glocks, so I kept the Glock and sold the others.

JaPes · Jan 4, 2019

RobzGuns said:
Had the G43 hit the market back in 2012, when the Shield did, I probably would have come home with the G43... But it didn't. Back then, the Striker action choices (in ths size) were the XD-S and the Shield. Even the Ruger LC9S didn't come out until a couple Years later. While LC9S trigger may be nicer than the (original) Shield's, the recoil didn't feel nearly as smooth.

For me, both the Shield and the G43 feel very smooth to shoot, but as much as I like the G43, I don't like it enough to trade my Shield for one.

Your sequential experience is the exact opposite of mine. When I decided I needed a single stack 9mm, the choices were G43, Shield, and XD-S. Even though trusted friends who know me advised that I would like the Shield better over the long run, I was dead set on buying a G43. After about 6 months, I realized I should have listened to them.

I liked the Shield 9mm more than my G43, but the differences weren't enough to push me into trading/selling my G43. Then the Sheild 45 came out. Bye-Bye G43.

Edit to add:

I traded into an XD-S 9mm while I had the G43. I can't remember what the deal was, but I was definitely on the up-side. I had it for a month. I upgraded the trigger. I shot it. I just never liked it. I can honestly say that I just don't get along with XD's.

Kanewpadle · Jan 4, 2019

I’ve shot both the Shield and G43 extensively. The 43 suits me better. I’m not a Glock fanboy. I like all guns. But if I need something Glock related, my LGS has it. Can’t say that about most other brands.

ColbyBruce · Jan 4, 2019

I have some trigger time on the various Walther, Kahr and XD pistols of similar size and I would take a Shield or Walther PPS before any of the others; a Walther PPS M2 over the Glock 43 and pray I didn’t have to choose between a Kahr or XD.

alwslate · Jan 5, 2019

ColbyBruce said:
These two guns are so similar it is mind boggling that the S&W can be $150.00-$200.00 cheaper than the Glock.

Well you know what they say"you get what you pay for". I have
a G43 and have no complaints. The Shield has been out for a
while and I have seen so many complaints on here about them
that I have never even considered buying one.

Breakaway500 · Jan 5, 2019

I sold my G43 and now carry a...Random P64 in its place. Yes I am strange...

Muss Muggins · Jan 5, 2019

ColbyBruce said:
Looking them over and handling them, I can only think that both of them would make the greatest .22 LR semi auto pistol since the demise of the Beretta 70/71 series.

I have always wondered why Glock hasn't entered the .22LR market yet . . .

GeoJelly · Jan 5, 2019

I don't yet have a Shield - but I have both an LC9s and the newer EC9s. I also have a G43 and either of the Rugers are better in my eyes. As mentioned, one more round, steel mags, the safety, and especially the ergos. That said, the Rugers do have a more challenging takedown procedure, and I don't think they are built to last multiple lifetimes like the Glocks. Speaking of takedown procedure, albeit off-topic, I really like what Mossberg has done with their MC9 (I think) where you lock the slide back and remove the striker assembly ...

Valmet · Jan 5, 2019

I’m a Glock fanboy from way back but when it comes to the small, single-stack 9s, I actually prefer the Shield myself.

ColbyBruce · Jan 5, 2019

Muss Muggins said:
I have always wondered why Glock hasn't entered the .22LR market yet . . .

Me too. I had a AA .22 conversion kit for the Glock 26/27/33 and it was unreliable on my two 26’s and my son’s 27 and 33. A few years ago I bought a AA kit for the Glock 29/30 and it runs great. I bought a 29/30sf frame and now have a complete pistol.

Bulldawg Dad · Jan 5, 2019

I have owned 2 Shield 9's and shot a T&E LC9 when they were first introduced. I never could feel real comfortable with the Shields and opted not to purchase the LC9 after the T&E program. I sold my 2nd Shield to purchase my G-43 and have never looked back. I've carried Glocks on duty since 2001 and the G-43, albeit smaller, works and shoots as good as my other 14 Glocks (not to mention the G-48 I have on order). Yes, I guess you can call me a Glock fanboy. The only other Polymer Pistol I own is a newly acquired S&W M&P 2.0 9mm that I won at a Pistol Tournament (shooting my G-34). To each, his own.

I will say that the exchange of ideas and likes on S&W Forum is more civil than on Glock Talk.

LVSteve · Jan 5, 2019

ColbyBruce said:
.....and pray I didn’t have to choose between a Kahr or XD.

Can we assume you have an extreme dislike of long triggers and long resets?

Shield vs. Glock 43

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