This is why I stick with a Shield over a P365

Do you still carry a Shield?

  • Yes

    Votes: 82 62.6%

  • No

    Votes: 49 37.4%
  • Total voters
    131
  • Poll closed .
Either one is a great choice. And bonus, you don’t need to scrounge the world looking for discontinued parts.
 
BloodyThumb said:
I never really understood the desperate need for validation in a lot of threads, not necessarily this one. They all are tools. We all have different needs, we all have different uses, we all have different experience levels, we all have different hand sizes and other physical considerations, and we all have different needs with the respect to the opinions of others.

To me those opinions are valid, again as tools. I LOVE the input of others when trying to make my own mind up. Once I find what fits MY needs, MY intended role, MY skills, abilities, and limitations both physical and otherwise, I make a decision. Beyond that I have little need to be validated in my decision by seeking like opinions or defending my decision to someone. That's just me.

As for this discussion. I tried the Shield (gen 1), was issued the G43, borrowed and spent a couple weeks with the LC9, I tried the P365 and P320 Subcompact when it first came out. I also borrowed the little Springfield entry (XDs?) before the Hellcat came out. I made my decision before the Hellcat came out or I would have tried it as well. One of my limitations is that anything under the 9mm is not ALLOWED for me as a duty backup. I tried one of the little SIG SA 1911-ish models. I even spent about a half hour trying to get a borrowed KelTec to run for me, just to give it a spin.

After multiple qualifications with my choice, in which I shot nearly identical scores as I did with my old G19, I am very happy with my decision and have let my practice sessions and qualification scores validate it for me since along with the demonstrated reliability through several thousand rounds.

Personally I think everyone should self validate in much the same way, but then none of my guns are girls, or boys, or brothers and sisters in some "family" I keep in my safe either. :-)

For the record, my choice was not the Shield, but the Shield was in fact my second favorite. I did and do still like it very much and kept that one. On almost the other end of the ranking was the G43. Very few who were issued them really liked them (all using the G17 as duty weapon). They were replaced after about a year for anyone who wanted something else. I now have two copies of my first choice (which was NOT what I could have been issued) and hope to retire using them as my duty backup and near-year-round off duty.

ANY of the ones I tried would have played the role I have for them. The opinions of others helped me greatly to decide what to consider. My choice was based 100% on my hands on time with them.
Click to expand...


I've read this post three times and I still don't know what you picked. Mind you, I haven't had any coffee yet.
 
You don't need coffee. That was my (kinda sorta) intent. I did not say outright. I was hoping to drive home the point that nothing is a "good for us all" answer.

For the record though, the P365 is my duty backup and either it or a P365XL are carried most often off duty. I do carry something else off duty when I KNOW I am going into an area or situation with a higher probability to encounter unpleasantness. However, if I wind up there unplanned with either of the little SIGs, I feel nearly as prepared as I would with anything short of a rifle or shotgun.

I have never tried anything this small before that I can honestly say that I LIKE as opposed to "nice to have when I can't carry something bigger".
 
I bought the Shield 2.0 about 3 1/2 years ago -- the P365 had just come out and was experiencing its early release problems with the striker, trigger, etc. Those problems have been resolved, and the P365 is a fine little pistol. That said, I see no reason to change. My Shield has been flawless through thousands of rounds (with proper maintenance) and I am used to it. It is my EDC and like an old friend. The three extra rounds offered by the P365 are not enough reason for me to change my carry. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
 
I have a shield 1.0 and i like it as it does the job and ive had it for 8-10 yrs. Ive extended the mag and added a grip so ive kind of defeated the original size intent, but at this point if i buy a new EDC i may go with the subcompact 3.6” 2.0 or a hellcat, but i havent held a HC yet. I prefer M&P but im open to try new things.


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After reading the OP, I noted that none of the thumbnails show a Shield along with a 365. None appear in the thread. If I had both guns I would post some.
 
Agree. Whatever you feel comfortable with --and are proficient -- then that should be "your" gun of choice. All these gun mags that write about "this is the gun for your" is very transitory -- like for 1 month -- next month they will try and sell you another "shiny object". My preferred is a compact/officer 1911.
 
skwchock said:
Agree. Whatever you feel comfortable with --and are proficient -- then that should be "your" gun of choice.
Click to expand...

^This. My choice hasn't even appeared in this thread, the Walther PPS M2. I handled one my buddy owned and thought "nice trigger, grip a bit meh". Then Palmetto had them at fire sale prices so I thought WTH, I'll try one. First range trip and I totally sold. Handles recoil far better than the LC9S, has a trigger easier to learn than the Kahr CW9, and is far easier to maintain than an R51.
 
My take is simple- use what works for you. Period. I’ve had a Shield 1.0, G43 and now carry a 365. It simply works better or as well as the others did for me.

None are “bad” and one or the other may work better for one given differences in hands, shooting styles, risk acceptance, etc.

As long as the guns are reliable and reasonably accurate, it comes down to preferences and “fit”. In this case I had all three until someone wanted my shield and G43 more than I did. I don’t miss the shield nor G43
 
peterGun said:
I bought a Shield9 before the P365 came out, actually picked the Shield over a G43.

Still carrying a Shield, no reason to switch.


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My experience is almost the same.

I chose the Shield over the G43 and never looked back. Then, I got my 365 and made the change.

I pocket carry and there is a significant difference. I still have my Shield and like it a lot, I just prefer the 365.
 
I’ve owned several different Shields and loved them all. I currently have a 43x that works well for me for a few different reasons probably only applicable to me. I will probably recommend a Shield to most shooters over a 43 or 43x. The P365 is just a little different it is larger but with a reasonable trade off. The Shield shines in its economic value and combat duty reliability in a small platform. The P365 just costs 20% more to own with initial price and accessories.

The attraction to the P365 to me is the modular platform. You can custom a grip without “destroying” the firearm.
 
First, my current carry gun is a 642. I haven't shot a striker gun that I like. I did find out by accident that a Shield EZ is hammer fired and the trigger pull ain't the mess that a striker is. The Shield has a grip safety, does not eat my trigger finger the way a Glock does. My EZ is back at S&W, hopefully they will regulate the sight, it hit about 4" low at 7 yards.... I may carry the EZ, will have to get a holster, carry the 642 in my pocket.
 
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I carry a gen. 1 shield 9mm, have for years. Its my go to. I bought it when they first came out, so it has a thumb safety, which I can live with if I bought it again I would buy one with-out. I've up graded the sights with a front fiber optic and black for the rear. polished the trigger components and added an Apex enhanced trigger.
 
I Voted No

My reserve deputy duty weapon 40 years ago was my now 60 year old 19 (forced to carry 110 gr 38 Silvertips). Being reserve I could only carry on duty. My Bullseye and defensive autos are full-size 1911s. So naturally when I got CCW my EDC was 342 and/or 642 in pocket and/or on ankle. Wanting a little more power and easier reloads I searched in vain for a 940 I could buy. So first compact was Shield 9 PC. New to 9s I shot it with Win 124 Nato rds! Sold it and tried several different 9s. Liked R51 but could not reasonably reassemble it. Bought Sig 938 but could not reliably draw (from anywhere) and release safety. Now have 365XL. Like that it is thin, but don't like flared magwell. So keeping XL for OWB. Going to buy 365 SAS for IWB and pocket/ankle backup to XL. Whew! Hope this is not longest post in this thread.
 
I own both of them. My 9mm Shield is a 1.0 bought in 2013. I’ve carried it for a great many miles with no modification and with great satisfaction. (I also own a Shield .45 which I like very well.) I have fired both a great many rounds with no hiccups.

I bought my gen 3 P365 in early 2019 mostly out of curiosity. Again, no complaints. The two pistols perform the same function for me but fit slightly different niches and do that very well. I’m glad to own both, and I have no desire to replace them as carry guns. If I feel like doing so, I may carry my model 640-1 or a model 642. I’ll usually carry whichever one of these choices for a month or more, but I find that I carry the two semi autos these days more than either of the two revolvers. The transition between the two requires very little conscious thought for me.

I haven’t been able to shoot or carry any of them for over a year now due to the debilitating effects of the Gillian Barre that came upon me in October 2019. For one thing, I don’t have the strength or dexterity in my hands to press the trigger correctly or to properly grip either one. I can tell you that this has been a very difficult situation for me to accept. Been in therapy for what seems like forever, but I’m glad to report slow and steady progress. One of these days I’ll be shooting and carrying again as well as standing up and walking. Thank goodness for a good wheelchair but I’ll sure be glad to park it!
 
OP says he doesn't need more than 8 rounds to "break contact."

How does one know that? What if you've expended 8 rounds, and the fight's not over?

That's the sole reason I sold my Shield and got the 365. I don't know how many rounds I'm going to need. The answer might be "all of them," in which case 11 in the gun plus 15 in the reload is better than 8 in the gun and 8 in the reload.

It's why I sold my 1911 EDC and got an M&P. 18 and 17 beats 7 and 6.


Relying on things going your way, or conforming to a pre-existing scenario, can get you killed.
 
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kthom said:
. . . Been in therapy for what seems like forever, but I’m glad to report slow and steady progress. One of these days I’ll be shooting and carrying again as well as standing up and walking. . .
Click to expand...


Ken, I am new to forum but know that we all will be cheering you on when that day comes. And I will be praying for your speedy recovery.


Dave
 
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