HarrishMasher
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I generally do most of my posting in the revolver forum 1980 to Present. I'm on a big revolver kick these days, and I generally use a revolver for CCW. I mostly carry my 386 Night Guard, 386PD, and sometimes one of my smaller J Frames like my M&P340.
I do however, occasionally carry a semi-auto. It is either my 9mm Shield or my FDE Glock 19.
The thing is, the 9mm Shield is truly the perfect carry gun in my opinion. It is compact, 100% reliable, surprisingly accurate, and points very well with the Pearce grip extension installed. It is also much easier to carry than a double-stack 9 like the G19. I have about 800 rounds through my Shield. I have run all kinds of ammo through it. Never a hiccup. Mag dumps are flawless.
I am also blown away at how accurate this little gun is. I can put up some tiny groups at 25 feet.
I decided my little Shield deserved some love and made some nice mods to it that i wanted to share with you.
First I installed a set of Warren tactical Sights:
Warren Tactical - Home
I really like this set up and run these sights on a number of other guns. Its the fiber optic front sight and black rear combination. Very reasonable priced as well. You can get them for $63 shipped on Ebay.
Though I thought the factory trigger was pretty darn good, that didn't stop me from fiddling with it. In my experience Apex Tactical makes some really good trigger parts for both Smith autos and revolvers.
First I decided to replace the factory plastic trigger with the Apex Action Enhanced Trigger.
Basically a well machined and ergonomic aluminum trigger for the Shield.
https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid77.html
I think the Apex aluminum trigger looks and feels great.
But the Apex trigger itself makes does not make any difference in trigger pull. You have to also purchase one of their spring or spring and sear kits. Most folks purchase the Duty/Carry Kit. But I was feeling a little frisky and decided to install their Competition Kit:
https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid36.html
The Competition Kit, once installed, leaves you with a less than 3lb trigger pull. It is not recommended for carry, at least not by Apex's lawyer
My lawyer seemed to think I would be fine with such a light pull, so I installed it
The finished product is pretty amazing. It is a really fine trigger. Those of you who own a Shield know when you first pull the trigger there is about a quarter of an inch of pull with no resistance to get to the breaking point. No different with the Apex kit. But it is very different after that.
Once you get past the initial slack in the trigger, it breaks so cleanly, crisply and lightly with zero creep. The reset is mind-blowing. After firing, you let out about an 1/16" of an inch and the trigger firmly resets and sets you up for another light, crisp, and creep free pull. Absolutely amazing trigger. Words won't really do it anymore justice, you have to experience it to believe it.
It is getting harder and harder for me to not carry my Shield. Though I carry my revolvers more, the Shield as configured is the ultimate carry gun for me. Maybe someday I will figure that out and carry it more.
I also can't believe these guns can be had for $350. A real bargain. That's why I didn't hesitate to put in $225 in mods. Plus a nice IWB Kydex holster.
I do however, occasionally carry a semi-auto. It is either my 9mm Shield or my FDE Glock 19.
The thing is, the 9mm Shield is truly the perfect carry gun in my opinion. It is compact, 100% reliable, surprisingly accurate, and points very well with the Pearce grip extension installed. It is also much easier to carry than a double-stack 9 like the G19. I have about 800 rounds through my Shield. I have run all kinds of ammo through it. Never a hiccup. Mag dumps are flawless.
I am also blown away at how accurate this little gun is. I can put up some tiny groups at 25 feet.
I decided my little Shield deserved some love and made some nice mods to it that i wanted to share with you.
First I installed a set of Warren tactical Sights:
Warren Tactical - Home
I really like this set up and run these sights on a number of other guns. Its the fiber optic front sight and black rear combination. Very reasonable priced as well. You can get them for $63 shipped on Ebay.
Though I thought the factory trigger was pretty darn good, that didn't stop me from fiddling with it. In my experience Apex Tactical makes some really good trigger parts for both Smith autos and revolvers.
First I decided to replace the factory plastic trigger with the Apex Action Enhanced Trigger.
Basically a well machined and ergonomic aluminum trigger for the Shield.
https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid77.html
I think the Apex aluminum trigger looks and feels great.
But the Apex trigger itself makes does not make any difference in trigger pull. You have to also purchase one of their spring or spring and sear kits. Most folks purchase the Duty/Carry Kit. But I was feeling a little frisky and decided to install their Competition Kit:
https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid36.html
The Competition Kit, once installed, leaves you with a less than 3lb trigger pull. It is not recommended for carry, at least not by Apex's lawyer
My lawyer seemed to think I would be fine with such a light pull, so I installed it The finished product is pretty amazing. It is a really fine trigger. Those of you who own a Shield know when you first pull the trigger there is about a quarter of an inch of pull with no resistance to get to the breaking point. No different with the Apex kit. But it is very different after that.
Once you get past the initial slack in the trigger, it breaks so cleanly, crisply and lightly with zero creep. The reset is mind-blowing. After firing, you let out about an 1/16" of an inch and the trigger firmly resets and sets you up for another light, crisp, and creep free pull. Absolutely amazing trigger. Words won't really do it anymore justice, you have to experience it to believe it.
It is getting harder and harder for me to not carry my Shield. Though I carry my revolvers more, the Shield as configured is the ultimate carry gun for me. Maybe someday I will figure that out and carry it more.
I also can't believe these guns can be had for $350. A real bargain. That's why I didn't hesitate to put in $225 in mods. Plus a nice IWB Kydex holster.
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