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02-01-2014, 09:07 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
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Bought a Shield as my "gray area" pistol... Range Review
Not that I needed another gun, but I broke down a purchased a Shield 9mm. Part of the reason is how much I appreciate the design of the Bodyguard 380 I already have. I like the design of the new M&P pistols. I have a 27 handgun collection and some of my smaller pistols are a NAA 22mag Pug, Bodyguard 380,and a P938 that fills the pocket pistol category. I have always admired the Shields ergos and thinness but never considered it a pocket pistol but more of a light weight carry duty gun.
The Shield is what I would call my "gray area" pistol. It can be used as a pocket pistol but its a bit big. It can be used as a service pistol but its a bit small. Its right where a Glock 26 is and I sold mine because it was too thick. I have a few Glocks and never liked their pointing angle but they always went bang so they served their purpose. Now the M&P have become my Glock replacement firearm except they point more natural. This is why I purchased the Shield as a G26 replacement. Great gun for on the hip or in the waistband. Tough and reliable, yet light enough you can carry it about anywhere. I also like the safety on the Bodyguard and Shield in some carry conditions. I am more inclined to pocket carry this gun in a emergency without a holster or shove it in a coat pocket if needed. I would never consider pocket carrying a G26. If you train on a 1911, the M&P Safety is a non-issue to use. It tucks back in so close to the slide that it is almost invisible.
At the range I put 200 rounds through it without any issue. I even tested to see if I could get it to jam by weak wristing and riding the slide. The only thing I was able to do was to ride the slide stop with a high grip and that would not allow the slide to remain open at the last shot. I tried 135+p Critical Duty, 124+p Golden Saber, 124+p PDX1, 115 +P Barnes Tac-XPD, WWB,Federal FMJ, Herters FMJ. All functioned flawlessly. The 135+p Critical Duty shot a bit left as did the PDX1. The lighter 115 +P Barnes were tack drivers and had the less felt recoil. The 124+p Golden Saber was almost as good as the Barnes.
I did have to move the front sight a very slight bit left. I mean a very slight bit. With its sight radius, you don't have to move the front sight more than 1-2mm to make a impact change. It was one of the toughest ones I have done and that is saying something considering all the handguns I have adjusted. I was gonna put a set of night sights on it but I really like the sight picture, low profile and quality of the S&W metal stock sights so I may not. Trigger broke clean at about 7-8lbs. I would lighten it to a honest 5lbs but I want to keep this gun lawerproof so I am not touching it. My wife shot it and she had no problem taking out the center of a IPSC target her first time with the Shield. Her weapon of choice is a HK USP Compact 9mm.
I carried it all day in a nylon Uncle Mikes Sidekick hip holster size 16 and it disappeared. No weight and rode close. Perfect carry rig for hiking long days in rough terrain. The Uncle Mikes Sidekick Size 16 IWB is also the perfect fit for Shield.
I am very satisfied with my "gray area" Shield. Should be a great trail gun as well as a light weight EDC.
Two magazines of WWB:
as a comparison,
My Bodyguard:
P938
Last edited by TheMystro; 02-01-2014 at 11:54 PM.
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The Following 3 Users Like Post:
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02-02-2014, 07:40 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Missouri
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Excellent write up. Happy shooting.
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02-02-2014, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Central Ohio
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Great review.
It's a fantastic firearm, the best small "pocket" auto still chambered for a serious cartridge I've ever shot.
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02-03-2014, 06:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lockback
Great review.
It's a fantastic firearm, the best small "pocket" auto still chambered for a serious cartridge I've ever shot.
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I suggest shooting a PM9 if you haven't. The trigger break is smoother (due to the longer pull) and I find I'm more accurate with the PM9 than the Shield due to the softer break. It's also noticeably smaller than the Shield which is a big deal to some of us.
Still, the Shield is a great pistol, no doubt.
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02-03-2014, 06:56 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Clearwater, Florida
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I have the Shield 40 and a Shield 9mm, absolutely love both firearms. Extremely durable; haven't had any problems with the guns at all. I've also shot the Bodyguard; didn't really care for it. Plus, the .380 ammunition is expensive.
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02-03-2014, 06:56 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NavalOps
I have the Shield 40 and a Shield 9mm, absolutely love both firearms. Extremely durable; haven't had any problems with the guns at all. I've also shot the Bodyguard; didn't really care for it. Plus, the .380 ammunition is expensive.
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Agreed on the Bodyguard. I had one, and loved the size. But it was just awful to shoot.
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02-03-2014, 07:44 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Missouri
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamG
Agreed on the Bodyguard. I had one, and loved the size. But it was just awful to shoot.
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I have a BG380 and it's great for the pocket, deep concealment, or BUG. It shoots very accurately for its size and is a great companion to the Shield. I like shooting it, but it's not pleasant and so I don't shoot it a lot. However I like shooting the BG380 better than the 638 Airweight I used to carry.
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02-03-2014, 08:36 PM
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The Bodyguard 380 is signifagantly smaller than the Shield. It is truly a pocket pistol.
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02-03-2014, 08:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMystro
The Bodyguard 380 is signifagantly smaller than the Shield. It is truly a pocket pistol.
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Yep, the BG380 is a real pocket pistol. The Shield is really too big for pocket carry. Heck, my PM9 is close to being too big, but just shy. Of course, some of you will argue that the Shield is fine to pocket carry, which of course is a case of to each his/her own.
PM9 vs Shield size:
http://s307.photobucket.com/user/nob...b32b0.jpg.html
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02-04-2014, 01:36 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WilliamG
I suggest shooting a PM9 if you haven't. The trigger break is smoother (due to the longer pull) and I find I'm more accurate with the PM9 than the Shield due to the softer break. It's also noticeably smaller than the Shield which is a big deal to some of us.
Still, the Shield is a great pistol, no doubt.
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Also, that little PM9, as short as it is, has the same length barrel as the Sheld, 3.1", plus a Lothar barrel with polygonal rifling. I prefer to pocket carry an M&P9C, but for certain situations, it's just too chunky. In that case, I pocket carry a PM9 in a Nemesis, and also a New York reload, a P9, IWB, plus one or two 7-round reloads, which work in either gun.
Life is good.
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02-04-2014, 01:37 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vigilant
Also, that little PM9, as short as it is, has the same length barrel as the Sheld, 3.1", plus a Lothar barrel with polygonal rifling. I prefer to pocket carry an M&P9C, but for certain situations, it's just too chunky. In that case, I pocket carry a PM9 in a Nemesis, and also a New York reload, a P9, IWB, plus one or two 7-round reloads, which work in either gun.
Life is good.
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I use the Nemesis, too!
Life is indeed, good!
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02-14-2014, 10:10 PM
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I apology if this is the wrong place for this post. I am new to forums. 5 days ago I brought a mp shield 40. I brought full size mp 9mm before Christmas and loved it so much I brought a mp shield 40. I ran about 150 rounds through it with 0 problems. I was really liking this gun until this last 50 rounds. fell out of battery 3 times, 1 misfire and the extended mag won't seat and have to slap it in to get the gun to fire and it won't seat completely.....calling S and W next week. Anyone else having this problem? Newbie needs help.
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02-14-2014, 10:51 PM
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Start a new post with this. You will get more people seeing it.. Odd it just started.
Quote:
Originally Posted by newbie123
I apology if this is the wrong place for this post. I am new to forums. 5 days ago I brought a mp shield 40. I brought full size mp 9mm before Christmas and loved it so much I brought a mp shield 40. I ran about 150 rounds through it with 0 problems. I was really liking this gun until this last 50 rounds. fell out of battery 3 times, 1 misfire and the extended mag won't seat and have to slap it in to get the gun to fire and it won't seat completely.....calling S and W next week. Anyone else having this problem? Newbie needs help.
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Last edited by TheMystro; 02-14-2014 at 10:54 PM.
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