Shield or Taurus Millennium G2 9mm

I've been looking at the Shield in 9mm for a CCW. It seems to be a very good pistol. Today the Taurus Millennium G2 also in 9mm came on my radar as well. Sooooo What do all of you think ? I know there are a lot of Taurus haters out there but I can't find anything bad in print or video about the gun. I looked at one today at my local gun shop. It seems really nice and feels great in my hand. It as well as the Shield have some terrific features. I would love some feedback from people who have shot and or owned these two pistols. I plan on going to the range and renting both to see for myself which one I think is best. Thanks,
Jim

Honestly I think you answered your own question. Renting and shooting both would be the best comparison, especially since they would be in your hands. I love my shield and for me it was a good choice.
Good luck and I think either is a good choice.

I have had some bad experiences with Taurus...they were a few years ago, so maybe things have changed, but it's all I have to go on.

I've looked at the Millennium G2, and it's a good looking pistol that fits well in my hand. It's priced very competitively ($329 at Academy) and it gets lots of good reviews. There are several things that concern me about Taurus:

1) They don't generally pay for shipping back for service (they have on a case by case basis, but it's not a given.) Academy says they will ship back to the factory for the first two years (or that was what I was told a year or so ago) so that would be an advantage if you bought it at Academy. S&W does pay for shipping both ways, consistently.

2) Taurus CS has been notoriously bad, and very, very slow. S&W is generally fast to repair and return guns.

3) Taurus products don't generally hold their value (if you think you might be selling or trading in the future.) This model might, since it is generally seen as a good gun, but overall, Taurus guns don't have the resale value of S&Ws, Rugers, SAs, etc.

4) Taurus has been very strict (read that as no sale) about selling parts...they are supposedly taking a look at this, per an article by their CEO, but I'd be concerned about being able to source recoil springs, magazine springs, etc...which are wear items. I don't want to send my gun in to have the recoil spring replaced!

Right now, Academy has the Shield on sale (no, I don't work for Academy) for $425, which is about $25 cheaper than the best price I've found around here. So, the Shield is about $100 more (on sale.) The Shield holds 8 rounds (max) and the G2 holds 12. The Shield also comes in 40, if you want that caliber. I don't think there is a G2 model in 40, but then I haven't checked to see.

There are two things I do like about the G2: the safety is actually big enough to use, and the G2 has second strike capability (I know some don't think that is a good thing, but I like it.) I don't know how many aftermarket parts will be available for the G2 (sights, holsters, etc.)

All things considered, I think I'd go with the Shield. If money was an issue, though, the G2 seems to be a good choice...just make sure you buy it at Academy (and confirm their shipping policy) or a local gun shop that will ship it back to Taurus for you if it's necessary. If you have to pay for shipping yourself, it can run $60 or more.

I wanted to add, in fairness to Taurus, that Ruger and S&W can be equally picky about selling some parts. For example, Ruger will sell the springs and cups for the SR series striker, but they will not sell a complete striker. Their reason: if the striker fails, they want to inspect it to see why. (Then why sell parts for it?) I know this for a fact, since I contacted them about buying a striker for my SR9. I've also read (but can't confirm) that S&W won't sell a striker for it's SDVE series (I don't know about the M&P series strikers.)

So, this may not be unique to Taurus alone. Still, even if I have to send my S&W polymer guns in to have the striker replaced, I feel more confident in S&W than I do Taurus, in terms of shipping costs and repair turn-around time.

I have had three Taurus products. All have been very, very reliable. I have a PT-1911 that has well over 10K rounds through it. I own many S&Ws but all are revolvers except a couple of 3rd gen autos.

I've gotta back up taurus here. Seeing as noone has lol

I have a Millennium Pro 45. I've had it for 5 years. I got it for around $280 i want to say at my LGS.

It fires anything you feed it, its accurate, lightweight and compact. Mags are easy to find, it will also fit any holster made for the M&P compacts :-D So holster selection isnt difficult

Day i got it it came with no safety lock keys, Taurus shipped me some for free, 6 to be exact within 3 days of calling.

About a year ago it started ejecting very strange and had a lot of FTE's *gun is older than 5 years and HEAVILY USED*. I called Taurus up, told them what happened and they had me ship it in *yes i had to pay but it was like $12*.

About a week later a rep CALLED ME. didnt email but called at 11ish AM. Told me it was in the hands of one of their gunsmiths and they would notify me of any findings within 48 hours. less than 24 later they called back and said the ejector was worn, they would replace it.

Had the gun back in my hands inside 18 days. 100% fixed, they even sent me a free mag with it

Now had this been another company that did not carry the lifetime warranty that Taurus did, I would have not paid the $12 shipping, however I would have paid for the extractor, the labor to find the issue, the labor to fix the issue etc. The warranty saved me almost $70.

No matter what you do to a taurus, they will fix it, i've had friends blow theirs up with reloads, they gave them new ones, they never charge for repairs or replacement if the gun is damaged or deemed unfireable.

They have a bad rap because for a while they put out a few bad guns, but who hasnt? Look at the issues other guns have, glocks blow up, so do shields. Sigs have firing pin issues.

I would say buy the taurus, or a ruger, they back their product like taurus does. IMO the warranty is the key. Lifetime gun :-D

Smithsrevenge said:

I called Taurus up, told them what happened and they had me ship it in *yes i had to pay but it was like $12*.

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I'm glad (sincerely) that you had a good experience with Taurus. Question: where did you get it shipped for $12? Even my LGS charges more than that...at (they say) their costs. But then, they use UPS or FedEx, not USPS.

I own a Taurus PT709 and a 9mm Shield. The 709 is essentially a single stack version of the Mil G2. I agree with GKC's comments. Currently, Taurus will pay shipping for 90 days after purchase, after that it will cost you $60-70 to legally ship your gun to Miami for warranty work. Reloads void the Taurus warranty, don't brag about your reloads to Taurus CS. A few months back, Taurus restricted almost all parts although they are reviewing that policy, model-by-model. Parts are now available for the US-made PT738 but critical stuff, like a sear, is still restricted and there are no third party parts for Taurus. There are third-party (e.g. APEX) parts for M&Ps. I like my 709 and my Shield. But I would not consider buying another Taurus until their parts are readily available.

Jim...I'm a S&W guy and have a 669, SD9VE, & M&P FS. Last May I was seriously looking at the Shield but the trigger was way too stout for me. At my LGS, in the case right next to the Shield, was a Bersa BP9CC. The factory trigger was very nice, not to mention the grip feel. Took home the Bersa. I know that Taurus is in the process of "cleaning up their act", but it may be worth it to pursue it. Is the gun you are referring to the PT111 G2? That caught my eye recently, but 4 9mm's are enough for me!

NevadaBob said:

At my LGS, in the case right next to the Shield, was a Bersa BP9CC. The factory trigger was very nice, not to mention the grip feel.

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I bought one of those when they first came out...and the trigger on mine was TOO light! I don't have a trigger pull gauge, but it couldn't have been three pounds. That's just too light for a carry gun with no safety. I traded it back in before I even fired it, and my LGS gave me full credit for it on the trade. How's the trigger on yours?

I don't know if mine was unique, because I've never seen another one in any of the shops I frequent. Bersa makes good guns and they have good CS...the only problem I've ever read is finding magazines is difficult. If mine had had a thumb or grip safety, I would have kept it, because it was an excellent size. They have one now with an OD green frame, which I like.

Don't trust your life to a Taurus.

There is nothing wrong with Taurus. My issue with Taurus is their triggers, they are usually heavy and suck. If that doesn't bother you or you find a lighter triggered one, I've always had good luck with them from a reliability and service standpoint.

jim.c:

You display the Air Force symbol by your name.

You can buy Shields at First Responder pricing for $335.

I bought three of them at that price.

And the Shield has a lifetime warranty where S&W pays the shipping.

Good luck with your decision!

.

I've had some bad experience's with Taurus hand guns. I will not buy any more Taurus handguns. hth.

S&W45Colt said:

There is nothing wrong with Taurus. My issue with Taurus is their triggers, they are usually heavy and suck. If that doesn't bother you or you find a lighter triggered one, I've always had good luck with them from a reliability and service standpoint.

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Too each their own but I'll stand behind my statement. I've owned more than six Taurus revolvers back when I thought S&W was overpriced. More than 1/2 of them had to go back for "free" factory repairs .(Several more than once.) Had a brand new Taurus 85 blew up in my hand on first firing. ( Due as it turns out to improperly cut forcing cone.) Maybe they are better now but maybe not. I'm done taking risks and will not buy any economy brand for "serious use".

I smell a marketing rat. Anyone else?

Wee Hooker said:

Too each their own but I'll stand behind my statement. I've owned more than six Taurus revolvers back when I thought S&W was overpriced. More than 1/2 of them had to go back for "free" factory repairs .(Several more than once.) Had a brand new Taurus 85 blew up in my hand on first firing. ( Due as it turns out to improperly cut forcing cone.) Maybe they are better now but maybe not. I'm done taking risks and will not buy any economy brand for "serious use".

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Don't misunderstand me, they clearly are not S&W's and I traded my last one away recently. The oldest Taurus I've owned was probably a 2006 or so one, I can't address their earlier quality.

Don't get me wrong, I'd buy a 441, if given the chance. The other one I'd look at is the 44M, I've had two of those that were pretty nice as well. In general though, I do not disagree with you, my carry guns are S&W's. The other brands have been the hide out gun, rarely shot variety with the exception of the 44M's.

If the price difference is truly a deal breaker, get the G2 or an SD9VE. However, if the price difference is not a deal breaker there isn't really a competition.

Get the shield or better yet the M&P 9c (if you can save for it).

Here is the problem I have with unproven platforms:
You can save $100 by getting the G2, but you aren't ready to bet your life on it. So you put 1000 rounds through the gun just to convince yourself that it can do the job effectively negating the cost savings. Now this doesn't mean you shouldn't practice with the shield, just that I get peace or mind in fewer rounds with a proven platform.

I know some people will think that you should be putting 1000s of rounds down range every year in whatever gun you choose, but let's be realistic. Many people only get out to shoot a couple times per year - in that case, I think people should bet on proven platforms.

I have a Taurus 38 spl revolv and its a nice little gun. I rented a Taurus 40 cal and thought it was sloppy ( IMOO ).
I love my SW MP40C

GKC...My Bersa pull is sitting at a pinch over 4. I like the reset travel, very short! It's a keeper. The OD one, which I don't have, is a beauty.