First range trip, pics, CA Compliant S&W 9mm Shield

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tedburns3

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This is a work in progress. In a word, the pistol is an OUTSTANDING 9mm handgun.

This was my first shooting of the firearm. I believe that I shoot it better than my Beretta and SA XD. Shot it at an outdoor range with wind blowing. Scroll to second post for targets @ 15 yds. For me, this was good. One shot a second. No failures of any kind. Was more concerned about operation and reliability than accuracy, but I am pleased with this first outing.

Shot <50 cartridges-excuse- took a bunch of photos there, below.

Ergonomics- 5 Stars
Recoil - a 'dream' - 5 Stars
Trigger-excellent 6.6# (only measured twice)- 4 Stars
(Update trigger pull weight- after 135 rounds, averaging 5.75- 6 lbs., no modifications).
Overall- 5 Stars

Cons: quite a time seating 7 rd magazine with +1
Initial shot fired (only), hot brass struck me in face below my right eye. Eye protection is really important.
Problematical for most women and handicapped or weakened men due to strength initially required in manipulating/retracting the slide and engaging the slide stop.

Comments welcome, especially concerning the contents of the photos- if anything seems out of sort, etc. Gun ran flawlessly. Talon rubberized grips on frame. FrogLubed prior to first range trip. Will do another FL heat application tonight- that should do it! I've color-filled slide with three coats of silver nail polish- doesn't 'take' as well as white, and my color balance was 'off' a bit because the silver looks better than depicted.

May shoot again tomorrow. Really don't think I could be happier with this first outing- and this is from a left-handed shooter! The gun isn't really designed for people like me!

I think this may become my favorite shooter of all! Been shooting for about 25 years.

LOTS OF FUN!



















 
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Normal primer strikes for Shield?



15 yards, first target shot on right-Fed target ammo; second target on left, WWB, superimposed over previous shooter's targets. My targets are 8" diameter:

 
Yes those are normal primer strikes from a shield. Every shield I've seen including the two I've had did that. That question gets asked often on gun forums.
 
Thank you.

As I recall, very similar strikes occurred with my Kahr CW9, and were even mentioned in the instruction manual.

I did not notice any reference in the Shield manual, but I did not go over it with a 'fine-toothed' comb- yet.
 
Congrats, glad to see you got her out to turn and burn a little. Good job and good shooting. Love the Talon grips. Did you just run it with the safety off?
 
gunny4053 said:
Congrats, glad to see you got her out to turn and burn a little. Good job and good shooting. Love the Talon grips. Did you just run it with the safety off?
Click to expand...

Thank you, gunny!

As a left-handed shooter, I thought that I would not bother using the safety at all.

While at the range, though, and out of habit with my Beretta, which has an ambidextrous safety (unlike the Shield), I found myself chambering the first round, clearing the firearm, etc. with the safety ON. This is just my uber-safe way of doing things despite being left-handed shooter and the 'inconvenient' location of the safety.

Sort of wish, though, that the Shield came with a red 'Fire' indicator.
I tried some nail polish in that tiny little area but then chickened out before it had a chance to dry.

As with the Beretta, whether carrying it or using as a HD gun, the safety will otherwise remain OFF, and Shield will reside in a pocket holster. Beretta and the Shield are opposite positions with safety OFF, but I'm not too concerned about the difference.
 
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I like to avoid any possibility of NDs through inadvertent pulling of the trigger while chambering a round, clearing a loaded firearm, or field stripping it, whether human factor or outside factors. Engaging the safety affords that opportunity/additional tier of safety beyond the 4 basic rules, assuming it's operative! Some think it's not necessary. I say use the safety if it's available. It's there for a reason.

Not to be underestimated, it is also helpful to engage the safety while holstering. Just remember to disengage it immediately thereafter.

However, I've chosen to leave the safety OFF when placing it in a pocket holster. I expand the holster's opening with the off-hand, and gently slip it in with my strong hand. All the foregoing performed while outside the pocket. I don't let my fingers get anywhere near the trigger or trigger guard when holstering or un-holstering.

If there's no safety, recommend holding only the handle of the firearm while holstering.

To each his own, though.

Cheers,
 
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I have no problem with the safety, as my Shield has one as well. I use mine religiously, but would feel just as comfortable if it was the non safety model. Awareness and using a consistent set of procedures is definitely the way to prevent stupid and potentially tragic mistakes. Since I use a Sticky holster, I insert my firearm into the holster first, then place the whole affair in my waste band or pocket. Keeps my finger out of places it shouldn't be and discharged bullets from violating portions of my anatomy that I wish to keep in one piece. ;)
 
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Great posts and pics! Thanks for sharing.

About the red nail polish for "fire", I wouldn't bother. It's visually on the wrong side for us lefties. Kinda like the loaded chamber indicator thing, I'd rather go by feel to make sure the safety is clicked where it should be.

Talon grips look great. I've got 2 pieces of skateboard tape trimmed and relieved to fit on the fore and aft "outlined" patches. I have small hands, so I prefer to keep the grip slim. PLus, those are about the only area my hand make any real contact.
 
gunny4053 said:
I have no problem with the safety, as my Shield has one as well. I use mine religiously, but would feel just as comfortable if it was the non safety model. Awareness and using a consistent set of procedures is definitely the way to prevent stupid and potentially tragic mistakes. Since I use a Sticky holster, I insert my firearm into the holster first, then place the whole affair in my waste band or pocket. Keeps my finger out of places it shouldn't be and discharged bullets from violating portions of my anatomy that I wish to keep in one piece. ;)
Click to expand...

Is the safety ON or OFF when you place it in the Sticky holster? Just curious as to how you do it.

As a left-handed shooter, I insert and carry with it OFF. I can't realistically justify as a southpaw training and carrying with it ON. It is plainly too awkward. If one is right-handed, that might be a viable option.

(As a southpaw, that's another reason that I sold my Polish P-64- safety is on left side of firearm, and there's issues with that handgun if it's carried with the safety OFF. There's apparently no automatic firing pin safety if dropped).
 
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gunny4053 said:
Awareness and using a consistent set of procedures is definitely the way to prevent stupid and potentially tragic mistakes.
Click to expand...
+1. There may be more than one "right" way, but key is to pick one and stick with it.
 
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