After much looking, I really like the way a Shield fits my hand and am interested in your thoughts on your Shields. Any preference on 9, or 40? I preferably like the 9, but I have an arsenal of both. What about the footprint and for a concealed carry holster, IWB and OWB, what has been your experience. How do you like your Shields? It felt good in my hand. So far no luck in a range that has one to try out. I believe with my big hands, the 9's recoil would be the weapon of choice. I wish it came in a 2 tone but that is okay, I have a TUFF1 grip picked out for it. Look forward to hearing from you, thoughts on holsters would be awesome. And tell me how do you like the way that puppy shoots. Thanks guys or gals.

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Southern by the Grace of God!

I love my 40 Shield....... Very light recoiling pistol imho

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Imperfect Servant of Christ

Interesting observation, I really want to shoot one before purchasing. I like your signature. Thanks for the reply.

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Southern by the Grace of God!

I love my 40 Shield. I carry it in one of three different holsters, a Desantis Ankle holster, or a Desantis hip holster, or a BlackHawk #4 pocket holster. The pocket holster gets used the most with the 6 round mag, I wear carpenter jeans so I have big pockets and the gun does not print through my pocket. I think the recoil of the 40 is good in this gun, and I have no problem shooting golf balls at 15 yards all day long. Good Luck on your choice, you should like the Shield.----Riflemann

IMHO. I find the Shield 9 the perfect match for my CCW and is so comfortable that I forget it is even there ( well I don't really forget it is there ). I have full confidence in the performance of the Federal Tactical LE HST 124gr 9mm in close self defense situations. Mild enough recoil in the 9mm for quick follow-up shots.

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44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

I have the Shield in 9mm. I like it very much. I don't have a Shield in .40 S&W so far, so I can't speak to the recoil. However, I do have and XDs in .45 and find it to be quite controllable and accurate.

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Dave Frost

I have the 40 and to me its the perfect size pistol for EDC.

I have the Shield 40. I love it.

Holsters: Desantis Nemesis (pocket), Desantis Tuck This II (IWB), Crossbreed (ankle) and Old Faithful (IWB).

Recoil isn't bad IMO. I wear (somewhat) tight t-shirts and have no printing issues with either one of my IWB's.

Now this is what I am talking about, good info.

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Southern by the Grace of God!

I have a 40 and pocket carry w/ the 6 round magazine. As for printing...I carry a cell and keys in one pocket, the holstered Shield in the other. It looks like I have SOMETHING in both pockets. Maybe a wallet?

In cargo shorts, no one will ever notice. In tight fitting jeans, I carry IWB @ 6:00. Use a Sticky holster that works for both.

I can't really comment about the Shield, but I can add my opinion on holsters. In regard to the "footprint" you inquired about, there are a lot of things for you to consider. Those include your build, how you normally dress, your activities, and your budget. My personal favorite for IWB is a Milt Sparks SSII. I can wear my M&P 45FS all day and then some in this rig, which includes a Milt Sparks belt designed to support the weight of the pistol. I also normally wear untucked button-down shirts and/or jackets as the weather dictates. I have carried this full sized pistol under a polo shirt, but I'm sure it prints just a little bit more. I have used IWBs (leather and kydex) with metal and synthetic clips and found that, 1) without a good belt clip, they shift around; and 2) I usually want to put the gun away a lot sooner than I do with the SSII. I have carried AIWB (appendix carry) for some guns, but now believe that if you do, you should break down and buy a holster specifically designed for that method. I don't have much experience with pocket holsters, but for a small frame pistol, they are an option. Again, its based on what you wear, etc. Get busy and spend some time surfing the net looking a custom leather makers, i.e. Milt Sparks, Kramer,. Blade Tech, Comptac, Crossbreed, to name a few. Don't let the prices scare you, but be sure that the holster you're looking is something that will work for you. Always remember that even with a good rig, you still may have to adjust yourself somewhat. For what its worth, I have a couple of boxes of holsters accessories in my closet that I bought for whatever reason to try when I should have gone to Milt Sparks from the get-go.

.40 Shield for EDC and of course u can convert it to 9mm for plinking at the range. 2 guns in 1, u can't go wrong with that idea.

Plus when the SHTF again and ammo becomes scarce. The benefits of having either caliber is better than being stuck to 1 caliber.

I carry a Shield9 in a Kholster IWB all day, every day and find it very comfortable. To me shooting my Shield is a joy.

To the OP, where in NC are you located? I frequently shoot at the Dirty John Range near Wayah Bald near Franklin, and have a 9mm Shield you can try. My favorite LGS had Shields in both calibers for $399.99, I can check on the availability tomorrow. Gun prices are high in NC, in my opinion.

I do not have a holster for my Shield yet, I Mexican carry it.

[QUOTE=


I do not have a holster for my Shield yet, I Mexican carry it.[/QUOTE]

Seriously?

I am on record as not a fan of Remora or Sticky, but they are 10000 times safer than Mexican carry and only cost 25 bucks...

What would you recommend to the OP?

Since Mexican carry is a form of appendix carry both Blade Tech Holsters and Silent Thunder Holsters - Concealed Carry (IWB and OWB) - Garrett Industries, LLC are good choices. There are several more on the market too. Just do a search for "appendix carry holster".

Raven, MT, Armordillo, JM and many others make fine quality kydex holsters designed for AIWB...

I run the MT, but plan on ordering a Raven soon...

I have a 9mm Shield and love the little thing. Never was a fan of the small Glocks or any of them for that matter since i have been a 1911 guy for many years. Glocks do not point well for me and feel much too thick and bulky. The Shield feels just right. Many IWB and OWB holsters available. I have one of each type and like them both.
Purchased the 9mm since it was available at the time and the .40 was not out yet. I debated over waiting for the .40 to come available but decided on the 9mm for more rounds in mag and cost of ammo. I have shot a .40 since and feel that it is very controllable.

Tom

I have the Shield in .40 and most often carry it in a Foxx Hybrid holster with the gun at about 3:30. This has worked out really well for me. I've carried a variety of guns since I first got my CHL about 12 years ago and I think this one has been the best compromise between power and comfortable carry.

--gordy

I had a shield in .40. I had to send it back as the recoil dislodged the magazines and the slide would lock open. They fixed it by using a punch and extending the recess that locks the mag in the mag well. IMHO the shield is too light weight for .40 cal and I could not shoot it accurately. I sold it and recently got a shield 9mm. With 147 grain plus p fed HST's there is no mag drop issue and I can shoot out a paper target in the same holes. As this is just my experience, I say the 9mm is best as it has not needed any special love from s&w. for carry I use a versacarry which is so minimalist if you have it In the right spot you forget you even have it on. Crossbreed supertuck works well but versacarry runs 20 ish bucks while crossbreed runs 80 or more. Good luck on your decision.

I have a Shield .40 and love it. My wife has a Shield 9mm and she can manage it very well. In terms of recoil, I don't notice a huge difference at all (220lbs) but my wife (120lbs) claims there is a difference, but it might be simple perception. Either caliber, the Shield is a great gun. Get what fits your inventory the best. 9mm holds one more round but ammo is scarce right now. I can find 10 boxes of .40 for every one box of 9mm currently.

As for holsters...I have one by HiddenHybridHolsters and love it. Great quality and it can be used as an IWB or OWB so it's a good value.

I thought I would add my 2 cents worth. I'm not a fan of IWB, so I generally wear my Shield 9 in a JM Custom Kydex OWB holster. These are by far the best and most comfortable, close to the body OWB I've tried.

I didn't think I would like Kydex, but I have to say it's totally tight to the body, has excellent retention (with the added benefit of a retention screw) and completely concealable with a shirt over the pistol.

John of JM custom kydex is a stand up guy and makes and awesome holster. I also have one for my M&P 9c.

I have no affiliation with JM Custom Kydex....just a happy "concealed carry" person.

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S&W Girl, for sure.

Changed my mind, going with the M&P 9c. Will give John a call at JM Custom Kydex. Thanks for the advice and all the input guys.

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Southern by the Grace of God!

Shield 9 - IMO the best overall ccw on the market. Accurate, easy to shoot, great trigger, bet your life reliable, and with modern 9mm - plenty of firepower.

Holsters - Theis IWB (very nice crossbreed type holster with less wait, horsehide, and less $$) and sometimes a desantis sof tuk

Printing issues - none. I typically wear business casual, blue jeans, or cargo shorts, and I can easily hide the shield. Also, it's comfortable for all day carry.

Great choice. I also carry my 9c sometimes. It conceals very well also, and gives you 12+1 rounds in a flush mag and you can carry a 17 round mag for your spare if you'd like

You will LOVE that 9c!!! Its AWESOME!!!

It's must cheaper to buy the best to begin with.