Picked up my Shield in 9mm from my LGS. I had a chance to pick it up after work and go straight to the range. This was one of the last two left @ my LGS. Well, after first opening up the box and shooting the first magazine of TulaAmo 115gr, all I can say is WOW!!!!!!!.

The quality just totally impressed me and surpassed all my expectations. Now I know why all the rage on the S&W M&P Shield. I'm lucky to get one of the last one around my area.

I apologize ahead of time for my cell phone pics, didn't have my camera handy at the time.





Now the range report. Shooting indoors between 25 to 30 ft, I was shooting TulaAmmo and S&B both in a 115 gr. A total of 100 rds with absolutely no failures of any kind. I feel that this Shield can eat anything you throw at it. Unbelievable!!! . I have experienced in the past with bad primers with TulaAmmo in 9mm, but that's par for the course for a well known issue, but in this case no problems at all.

Note: I didn't even field strip and clean the Shield yet, I was testing out the Shield with no break down and still with factory lubricant of some kind hence the pics with factory oil all over the slide.

Meanwhile just starting to get use to how it reacts and get myself acclimated with the 3 dot white sights and muzzle flip, it was totally controllable and very enjoyable to shoot and started to get the POA/POI right as time went along. As you can see one of my first rounds of shot, then I gradually got better and more accurate the time went along.





I have to say , I'm totally happy that I made this move to purchase the M&P Shield in a last minute decision. I think I did well and I think people should get a Shield if they're looking for a totally reliable CCW in a 9mm format as an alternative. Coming from past troubles with a Beretta Nano, this is good news and a turn around with my luck.

Meanwhile while I was home, I discovered that my Desantis SuperFly pocket Holster that I had purchased for my Nano, also fits surprisingly well with my Shield. Didn't think it would fit, but I was ecstatic when I tried this.




Then while experimenting with my PJ IWB kydex holster for my Beretta Nano, my Shield surprising fits well also with just the right retention and perfect un-holstering with no problems and holds very well while holding the Shield upside down to test retention and it was good.



Although not perfect shaped on top of the slide of the Shield, but just enough room to clear the slide and front sights . Not sure if anyone has tried this , but it's a nice surprise that I can utilize my current holsters with my Nano with my Shield.

So all in all, I'm beyond impressed and super happy about this Shield. I waiting for my set of TA37 Trijicon night sights I ordered from BudsGunshop.com for $99.00 and get them installed asap.

This is definitely a pistol to get!!!

Excellent. Good shooting and enjoy the new pistol!

Rotty:

I am happy to see you on the M&P forum. I knew the shield would deliver for you because there are too many positive posts to deny the Shield the honor of Gun of the Year. I can shoot Federal Champion that gave me fits with my Nano all day long and my groups with the 3 dot sights are tighter that any Nano shots and even with my Big Dot Sights I can still group decent shots (see target shots with both sights)

I pocket my Shield every work day for 10 hours with no problem and the low profile rear sight of the big dot makes for a quick pocket draw.

The Desanti hoster picture is the 3 dots and the Galco holster picture is the Big Dots. Yes, you give up tight groups but I can nail the black of the targt front sight shooting at 7 yards with Big Dots with self defense speed.

Russ

Big Dot 7 yards.jpg

S&W Shield De Santis The Nemesis Holster.jpg

Congrats on your Shield! I too think it should be up for "Gun Of The Year"

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Glad ya like it. Yea, mine has eaten everything so far too. I tried tulammo today and didn't have any problems.

Rotty, I complement you on a superbe report. And pictures are worth a thousand words !
I too, love shooting my M&P Shield 9mm. However, had to send it back with some issues of "failure to fire". Hope S&W can fix the problem. Also had a problem with my M&P 40c takedown lever and that was corrected.
Can't wait ( couple more weeks) to get my Shield back !

Thanks for the report! I'm eagerly awaiting a Shield in 9mm to show up at my LGS. I'm on a waiting list and hopefully I get the call sooner than later.

Bought mine the first week of May and have over 400 rounds of various types and weights of 9mm through it without a single malf. My Shield is replacing my Ruger LC9 as my EDC...

Just wanted to add...

Serial number : DXT02xx
Date Test Fired: 5/24/2012

Rotty37, How much does the Superfly print in the front pocket, does the flap help? Thanks!

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Prints and carries like you have a big wallet in your pocket if you can get of image of that. Which I like with most of the khaki pants I wear, they're perfect for pocket carry.

And now that the summer is around the corner ( warmer weather ) I usually wear cargo shorts, which mostly of my shorts have huge front pockets anyway. The flap does help a bit but you can option out and remove the flap if that's your preference (attached with velcro). So with cargo shorts there's no problems.

Definitely not made for jeans.

Just to add, a good custom made thick belt for your slacks or shorts is recommended and your GTG Helps out withand offsets the weight. I've purchase some good belts from A&G Custom leather. He has a nice option for good quality leather carry belts with a quick ship options that I love.

Quick ship leather belts, custom gun belts by A & G Custom Gun Leather

With those two combos, best option to pocket carry with slacks or shorts.

Thanks for the reply! As you said not meant for jeans, and that's my prob, I think it just prints to much in jeans with my Nemesis.

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

That's good to read. At least they're still currently pumping them out.

Update: Went to the range today 6/8/2012 and tested more ammo.
Ammunition used consist of:
*50rds Blaser Aluminum 115 FMJ *Aluminum Casings
*50rds Tulammo 115gr FMJ *Steel Casings
*50rds Sellier & Bellot 115 Grain FMJ
Range: Indoor
Max distance: 50Ft
Distance used in test: 25ft - 27ft

I started with my first 50rds with Blaser Aluminum ball ammo in a 115 gr FMJ. I notice that my accuracy was off when is started shooting this ammo until I started my next 50rds with TulaAmmo and all I can say is that Blaser Aluminum was do inaccurate it was way off my POI@ 25ft.




I first thought that one of my sights, either front rear, came loose during my last range session being that my accuracy was way off in my first two targets I used. But then when I shot with the 115gr Tulammo 9mm ammo, I notice that it wasn't my sights, its was the poor quality ammo I was using in this case Blaser Aluminum 115gr FMJ.




Then using Sellier & Bellot 115gr FMJ...



Well during that time, one of my former students came to shoot his 45acp reloads, he saw me try out my M&P Shield and had shot a mag load and was totally impress with the quality and accuracy. He now wants one in a 40S&W.

While I was using the rest of my ammo ( at this time the rest of my 50rds of Sellier and Bellot) he apparently went out to his car and came back with 16rds of 9mm reloads. The specs were 128 lead ball. I didn't know what type powder or primer he used for the 16 rounds, but it was stout and controllable. I shot 8 rounds on a different target, then I change the target to a fresh one. Loaded up 8 rounds on the extended mag and then.... , well...... pics says alot........




This M&P Shield is amazing!!!!! A total of 266 rds of various cheap 9mm ammo with NO FTEs!!! And I was totally surprised how well it did with the Blaser Aluminum. Since aluminum casing are softer than brass, I thought I wold have problems with extracting issues. Well this pistol does well with not so high quality and dirty 9mm ammo.

This pistol is fun to shoot !!!

Looks like you had fun! Love the last target

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John 3:16, Carry Everyday!

Rotty

I see a smiley face with that last Target. After what you went through with not one but two lemon Beretta Nanos you were due a good reliable shooter that can put a smile on a Target which mirrors the one on your face.

Russ