Shield 9mm Holster, extra 8 rd mag

[ron4735]

Folks, I would much appreciate your recommendation for: 1) a carry holster for this 9mm Shield....leather or plastic; best name brands? 2) should I buy the extra 8-round mag from S&W store or a local gun shop? I'm wondering if a gun shop would sell an inferior 3rd party mag as opposed to an OEM mag from S&W? Thanks in advance for all of your previous warm welcome comments and responses to my "rookie" questions. Where better to go than to owners?

[MarTay6]

Hi, Ron-
1st of all, you have to ask yourself- how do I want to carry this pistol?? The style will be your first determination. I.E., IWB (in-the-waistband), OWB (outside-the-waistband)... shoulder, ankle...
Kydex is a good holster material, leather- not recommended if you sweat or it's going to get wet... There's also a holster disguised to look like a cell phone case, wears on your belt... might be a choice, depending on your dress. Called the 'Sneaky Pete'.
Re. magazines- if you're not sure it's a genuine S&W mag- and that's what you want (good choice, btw!) then you're best getting it from an authorized dealer or direct from S&W.
Good pistol! Shoot it, enjoy it. Become very familar with it.
Wes

[B3500]

If you have not carried before you will need to do some research on the different carry methods and then pick one or two that interest you.

You will also need to understand how much you want to spend and how long you are willing to wait for it. Me, I would probably shy away from a $130+ holster as you may find it ends up being tossed in to the box-o-holsters. Better to fill it with cheaper flavors until you find the method that works for you.

If wearing one somewhere around the belt line interests you, then get a good belt and I would say try a clipless pouch type like a Remora or Sticky holster types as they are pretty cheap and they allow you to try various positions and cant around the belt line. If you find that works and you want to attach it to your belt, then you can narrow your search down to those types that fit your new found criteria.

In the long run it's rare anyone gets out of filling the proverbial "box-o-holsters" in their search for holster nirvana.

For magazines for a carry gun and not a range gun, go OEM. There are lots of reputable sellers out there.

[CatSnipah]

There have been a ton of these threads lately.

I'd recommend using the search function for the site and reading through all of the great recommendations and advice on holsters for the Shield.

[ron4735]

I came to the right people for expert information. I'm still searching and will go to the links mentioned. I have a CCDW.

[dullh]

So far, no 3rd party is offering an 8rd Shield magazine that I know of...right now they're all OEM.

If Pro-Mag starts offering them, I would avoid them.

Pro-Mag = Pot Metal Garbage

[C/O]

Try these guys.
http://overwatchholsters.com/collect...the-treadstone

[vipermd]

ron4735:As stated above it is unlikely this will be your "last" holster. I dislike plastic/polymer due to it's effects on the finish. As stated above: buy a holster from wally world/or wherever, carry it around the house concealed, then outdoors. Most important is a belt, I suggest an AKER which can be purchased through Galls, about 45$, polymer inner liner that keeps the gun/holster from sagging moving. I have tried the " thick/wide" belts that always sag. I have a photo of a 500 SW in hip holster on this belt in one of the threads here. They withstand daily use with heavy to very heavy guns, so the shield will not be a problem. After you get used to how it feels to carry you will start getting a better idea of what you want. Be Safe,

[8th SPS USAF]

Blade-Tech makes OWB , and now Blackhawk makes a SERPA for one.
Mags just watch the For Sale parts sections on here and other forums.
Good luck I have two Shields one CCW one BBQ gun

[cleans up]

I carry with a bianchi right now, model 10t I think. It's marketed for the glock 26/27 and fits the shield well with a bit of massage for the trigger guard. Not the best holster out there but also not a ton of $. I'm a big supporter of kydex as it doesn't collapse, but it doesn't always feel good either. A hybrid is a great thing, just be sure it has the slick leather side to your body. As previously stated either buy cheap, or flexible until you know more where you'll carry and get a better idea what your really looking for.

I've never seen an aftermarket mag for the shield. I wouldn't buy one anyway. Stick with the real thing, if there out there it can't be worth the savings.

[gnystrom]

I am a PJ Holster fan but I did just pick up a Garrett's Silent Thunder Solo for my Shield. Leather lined Kydex. Almost as quick on and off as the PJ's but it is not one to use if you are doing a lot of re-holstering as it is half leather/half Kydex so it will collapse a tiny bit when the firearm is drawn. So far this is the most comfortable easy on/off holster I own. Both PJ and Garretts are very well thought out products.



Tuckable Kydex and Leather Holsters: Silent Thunder Fusion Model | Garrett Holsters

[JLM]

Originally Posted by 8th SPS USAF

I have two Shields one CCW one BBQ gun

A shield BBQ gun? Intriguing... Got any pics?
Thanks

[Jaysq]

Welcome to the forum.

Here's my 2 cents worth. The Shield is a very easy gun to conceal. No matter if you decide on IWB or OWB, you are going to have to wear something that will cover the exposed portion of the gun, such as an un-tucked shirt. So why not go for comfort and wear an OWB holster. In the summer I wear a lightweight Hanes tee from Walmart. They are much thinner than their regular tees and come in an assortment of colors. I tuck this in and wear a button type shirt over it left unbuttoned and un-tucked. It easily conceals and it is also not hot.

I have a Wright Leather Works leather holster and I have a couple belts. With jeans, I wear a Wright Leather belt which is 1/4" x 1 1/2" solid one piece bull hide. With shorts, I wear a Wilderness Instructors belt. Both belts work great

[roccity9]

I have a IWB from Hidden Hybrid Holsters.. Love it !! Also have a OWB leather holster I wear once in awhile in cooler weather.. As for 8 round mags..I found ALOT of good deals on eBay.. all for under $35 with free shipping.. Brand new Factory S&W !!

[mustangman]

I carry leather OWB RH cross draw. I had Clark Fork Leather adapt his Avenger to suit my needs. Cross draw probably wouldn't be my first choice, but I am paralyzed from the waist down, which means I'm always seated, therefore its the most comfortable and easiest to access. If given unlimited options, I would probably still go with the OWB though, seems like it would be more comfortable than IWB. When presenting my firearm, I bring my left arm up across my body at a 45, like I'm doing a reverse pledge, stopping my hand center chest, I grab my gun with the right hand, keeping it against my body, muzzle down, and pull up and across under my left arm. Once my hands line up, I break my right wrist, wrap up with left hand, bring muzzle up and push forward. If done correctly the muzzle is never pointed up more than a few feet from you, until you bring it up to target. I'm no expert by any stretch, and this takes a lot of practice. Even though it seems labor intensive, to me its the safest way, and can be done quickly. Practice, practice, practice.

Avenger Holster | Clark Fork Leather
Magazine- M&P Shield 9mm at Quantico Tactical

[PastureOfMuppets]

Ok, I see this a lot... people saying "X works for me" without explaining really why.

I'm going to try and lay it out a little bit so I can keep this post in my copy and paste and add to it as I think it through and shape it a bit more

First things first... take a look at your lifestyle. For example... if you are in and out of areas where you can't take your firearm you will need to remove the holster a lot; so something that is quick release would suit you - a clip, a paddle or soft pull-the-dot belt loops.

If you are somewhere a little cooler in the summer than say... California or Miami, can you wear a cover garment like an untucked shirt, light jacket or photographers vest without overheating or more importantly... standing out? In that case, if you want the quickest and most reliable access you may want to look at an Outside-The-Waistband holster.

For inside the waistband, do you drive a lot? If so you may want to think about trying Appendix carry - something there is a lot of debate about and some people are wary of because where the gun is always pointing. Cross draw is not unheard of for people that rack up the miles as well, but there are inherent safety issues with muzzle discipline to consider before deciding if it's for you. I don't recommend it - particularly for a non-expert shooter... but I'm not the boss of anyone.

IWB as someone mentioned, in a very hot climate leather can indeed end up wet, but it's not the case for everyone. You will know how much you tend to sweat or you may need to gamble if that's what you think you will prefer.


The cardinal rule of carry though, is buy a good solid belt.

Someone earlier gave a link to Overwatch Holsters, that's a good one for IWB... but I am a little biased there as it's mine. For what it's worth, all I seem to be selling lately is the clip on IWB for Shields - the clip is working out for people that don't take the holster off at all - including me. I am starting to be of the mind full loops are only worth worrying about on OWB holsters... and even then there are some great looking solutions out there I haven't tried yet.

[mustangman]

[QUOTE=PastureOfMuppets;137906468]Ok, I see this a lot... people saying "X works for me" without explaining really why.

I edited my above post.

[mailman390]

I use the N82 Tactical Pro holster...super comfortable and body sweat never touches your gun...for mags you can try 44MAG.com - Wholesale Rifle and Pistol Magazines or http://www.gunbot.net/mags/

[OldCat]

I have a Galco King-Tuk and find it very comfortable and secure. The leather side covers the whole gun and feels good against my skin. I have a bit of a beer belly so appendix carry is uncomfortable for me. I also have a Remora that is easy to use but doesn't have as good retention and hard to reholster.

There are a lot of 8 round mags on ebay, even factory packaged.

[PastureOfMuppets]

Originally Posted by mustangman

I edited my above post.

Thanks. Great explanation... and a part of the reason I try and make sure I don't tell anyone not to use any method as a final word - there's a lot of situations out there where using an uncommon method is the best way to go for a situation.


I adapted a holster and sat practicing that for a few minutes. I'll take it to the range soon as I haven't yet, but it's entirely possible I will have to teach someone having to work from the same position.