I'm getting ready to order a M&P Shield 9, I can get one with or without the safety, would like some input , this will be my EDC when it is broken in. When I carry the Missus Bodyguard or my Bersa I don't engage the safety in the holster but do when they are in the drawer.

I owned two with the safety. When the safety less version came out, I sold both and replaced with the no-safety version. All three were equipped with Novak sights and the Apex carry kit.
If the safety tab was bigger, I might have considered keeping one. As they were, for me, it is too small for use.

YMMV.

I'm leaning toward getting the one without the safety.

I like the safety on when holstering. Clothing could get caught in the trigger housing and cause an accidental discharge. As soon as the gun is safely holstered I simply stick my thumb between the gun and the holster and flip the safety off. The lever is unobtrusive and takes a firm press to activate so it's not going to activate by itself.

I use the safety on my 40 Shield all the time. I practice drawing & sweeping the safety off quite often. I don't have any problems with the dimensions of the lever at all. It's just me, maybe, but I prefer having a safety. Best of luck on your choice!

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

My .40 has a safety. I don't care one way or the other. Guess it gives more choices to have a safety.

You have to ask yourself if you'd feel comfortable with a Glock (or other pistol) which does not come with a safety.
If yes, go for the NTS version.
If no, go for the TS version.

When I got mine in May '12, there was no option. If there was the option, I would have gone for the NTS version.
But... The safety is so unobtrusive, I'm not going to trade/sell my perfectly good Shield (For a Loss) just to switch.

The safety is small and actually not easy to engage. If you
are comfortable without one (as many pistols do NOT have them
today such as Glocks, for example) -- just ignore it. I certainly
would not sell mine that came safety equipped just to buy one
without that feature.

Whichever makes you feel comfortable enough to carry it. Mine has a safety because there was no choice when i got it.

+1. Took the words right out of my mouth. Flicking the safety off becomes second nature with practice, and I personally like the little extra peace of mind it gives me. To each his own though.

Mine has the safety, if I bought a new one today it would have the safety. I have owned and used 1911's since 1970 so sweeping off a thumb safety is a natural move. If it wasn't I would practice until it was. Getting old and don't change my ways very easily.

Why have another thing in the way of using a defensive handgun? Why have another point of possible failure?

There's not a lot of need in modern defensive/duty guns. The full-size M&P has it available because some departments require them on duty guns and some people who have had to use a manual safety most of their lives want them.

I get the clothing thing, but if habit of making sure the safety is on is put into making sure clothing is out of the way...

I am left-handed and am trying AIWB carry. I wore it all day yesterday and after a while I almost forgot it was there.

I'm using a Blackhawk #5 and am wearing it in a crossdraw position.

I leave the safety on. I can easily flick the safety off with my thumb or index finger before drawing.

If carrying IWB or OWB at my usual 9:00 position I don't use the safety.

I like the AIWB carry because I can actually have my hand on my weapon, ready to draw, and it does not look like I'm reaching for a gun.

Joe

You mean Shield with three safeties or four, the latter including an external, manually operated safety, don't you? Give me the former, all day and twice on Sundays.

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I do not feel the requirement for an additional safety on my Shield, or any other striker fired pistol, other than the other safeties on the pistol already. The long, fairly stout trigger pull is another "safety" IMO. I might consider a manual safety on a pistol that is pocket carried without a hoster (!), but that's about it.

However, I can understand why some do want a manual safety, and that's find as long as they practice always using the safety...putting it both ON and OFF. I didn't get a Shield until I could get one without the safety....I was afraid it would go to the SAFE position inadvertently and I could not fire it when I needed it.....and in my stress I would forget to push the safety to OFF. I own other SD pistols which do not have a safety and I think it's important to be consistent. That's the same reason I didn't get a DA/SA pistol, although there are several available that would make wonderful EDC pistols....I want the consistency. Someone with one EDC pistol has different needs/wants than someone like me who owns several SD pistols.

I see no problem with the manual safety. The way I look at it is, if you need it you got it. If you don't, then don't use it. I never use mine, but it's there if I decide I need it for some reason. When I bought my first Shield, that's how they came. If I were buying for the first time today, I would most likely opt for the no safety version. But, that's just me, cause I never use it anyway.

It would be totally embarrassing if you drew your gun in response to a bad guy, and in the heat of the moment, you forgot that the safety was on.

On the other hand, it would be totally embarrassing to have a negligent discharge, that could have been prevented with a safety.

Pick your peril.

I prefer the thumb safety mostly for holstering purposes. You just have to train yourself to flip the safety off as part of moving into the ready position.

I have had one issue with the Shield's thumb safety though. I've been using a Crossbreed Supertuck holster that is fit for my 9c with the Shield until I can get the right one. The 9c being a bit wider, the Shield rides slightly looser in the holster, and a couple of times the thumb safety has disengaged in the process of holstering the pistol. If you do use the safety, expecting it to be engaged when it isn't is a big potential problem.

Absolutely. This is not combat, people. The first responsibility of a civilian carrying concealed is to avoid negligent discharges. The safety is an essential part of that. The idea that a civilian who is carrying needs to be able to present and shoot so fast that the tiny increment of time to operate the safety is an issue is simply illogical. I'll point out that in the US Army even in security situations we carried our .45s with the safety on. I did it in situations where the need to quickly present and shoot was always an immediate possibility.

If you worry about being able to operate the safety under stress I submit that you are insufficiently well trained to operate a lethal handgun under stress.

Your first duty as a CCW licensee is to avoid accidental discharges. Carrying a semi-auto without safety on (if you are carrying with a chambered round) is in my opinion highly unwise.

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

The Shield is lightweight and thin enough that it could be called a borderline pocket gun. Sometimes pocket guns ride outside a holster.

Personally, I always carry mine in a holster and I have to recommend you do the same.

At the same time, I understand the utility of having a pistol that hangs out with your wallet, pen knife, and car keys. The reality is that true pocket guns like the BG380 and LCP sometimes go from the kitchen counter to the jacket pocket, to the glovebox, to the pants pocket, to the tackle box, and back. In my opinion, the Shield is a little big for this role, but if you ever intend to use it that way it would be totally irresponsible to do so without a manual safety engaged.

I sure wouldn't want my wife tossing one in her handbag with no safety. I've seen how much **** she keeps in there and I can just imagine an ink pen or lip balm getting inside the trigger guard.

The thumb safety on the Shield is firm enough that it is not going to actuate itself. Try one out at your LGS if you don't believe me. Also, the habit of sweeping the thumb safety off is a good one to develop. If anything slows you down in a self defense situation, it will be your own failure to recognize the threat or hesitation to respond to it, not the thumb safety.

Again, I choose not to carry without a holster, but I support your right to decide for yourself and to do so responsibly. If you think you might ever want to pocket carry, then the thumb safety is a must.

If Pocket Carrying, one's defensive pistol should be the ONLY thing in that pocket... Even when in a holster. Having other miscellaneous items in the same pocket as one's pistol is asking for trouble and (IMHO) irresponsible.
I can actually Front Pocket carry my Shield and have done so for well over two years. While I do NOT engage the Safety, it IS in a pocket holster. When I transfer from pocket to any of the places you mention, it's IN the holster.

Same goes for Purse Carry... The pistol should be in a designated section BY ITSELF, not in a section that has a myriad of other stuff... regardless of Safety or No Safety... If possible, in a holster that can be affixed (Velcro/sewn in/etc) inside that section. "Self Defense" Purses on the market do have a designated section for one's firearm.
Actually, I recommend against 'Off Body' (purse) Carry... But that's another subject completely.

No, number one it looks very awkward to manipulate, number two I’ve seen people engage them without meaning to

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Retired Career Security Guard

I totally agree. Just to clarify: when I said "hangs out with" I was just talking about living in the same pile as all the other everyday carry items and getting grabbed on the way out the door. I know someone who does this and he is as responsible as they come. I wasn't talking about cramming all that stuff in one pocket which would be ridiculous and dangerous.

A lot of people seem to like the uncle mikes sticky padded pocket holsters, but I've never tried them.

I've been carrying mine for over a year now IWB, OWB and am now trying AIWB, always in a holster and have never had the safety engage or disengage by itself... just sayin'...

Which can all be done without the need for a safety

Well, I'd probably agree if I carried only ONE handgun type concealed (section I put in bold above). And, if I were carrying a SA like a 1911 I for SURE would use a safety. But there is a huge difference between a SA and (most) striker fired pistols like the Shield and most DOA pistols. IMO there is NOT a reason to have a manual safety on those.....much as there is no reason (IMO) to have a manual safety on a revolver. But, we each have our own ideas on that.....but I do have to argue with your statement that carrying a pistol like the Shield without using its manual safety indicates one is insufficiently trained as you stated before.....and I do not agree that those of us who carry a Shield or similar with a round chambered (someone might carry WITHOUT a round chambered!) and does not use a safety is unwise.

It may not be combat, but I sorta think it's not all that different a lot of the time......that's the point; we don't know what's going to happen.

Thank You for the input, still not sure which way I will go, leaning toward no safety now, going to place the order with CTD tomorrow morning. Now the part I hate, having to wait for it to arrive.

In my opinion the safety is worthless, just something else to forget to engage off, and another part that can fail and cause a malfunction. I wouldn't run a gun with a safety or a decocker anymore, I just don't care for them.

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M66, M&P 360, 642, M85 UL/Ti

I have the Shield 9mm with the safety and the first time I fired the weapon after owning a Khar and Beretta Nano I was greatful for the safety. The Shield stock trigger is too light not to use the safety in my opinion.

Russ

Ugh... Cheaper Than Dirt is your only option???
They have a terrible reputation, especially for Price Gouging ammo during shortages.

If you can't find a price as good someplace else, then Oh Well... but I wouldn't give MY money to those weasels.

I could not agree more^^^^^ I will not even look at there web site.

Cheaper Than Dirt?

Lower Than Dirt.


Personally I would avoid them like the plague and go business with a company that respects the firearms industry, and more to the point... it's customers. Even if it means paying some dollars more.

I have & carry a shield 40 in a iwb holster. Mine has an external safety & I use it. I also have a M&P 45 fs that doesn't have an external safety but I don't carry it concealed & have an owb for when I do carry it. Something about sticking a loaded pistol inside my waistband makes me want that extra reassurance that it won't go off! Many of the newer jackets have a "barrel" type of draw string adjusters that have been known to get caught inside the holster causing accidental discharges (Glock leg). Always feel then look to make sure my holster is clear & my safety is on before re holstering. So far no leg trauma for me!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

I like one type and my son likes the other. It is nice that the Shield offers a choice.

I have one without and love it but I have heard that it's not a problem the ones who have it.

I placed the order with CTD, hope I don't have any problems, I have a friend who had bought several guns from them. I didn't have any choice on the safety, they didn't have any available with the safety except the CA and MA compliant Shields so I got the one without the safety, I'll try not to shoot myself in the leg or somewhere else if it's in the waistband.

I have a Shield 9 with the safety and use it when I pocket carry in a DeSanti holster. I have no problem clicking it off when I draw the gun and like others said it is strong enough not to move by accident in most cases.

Not to jump on the bandwagon, but is CTD really your cheapest choice? They list it at $361, plus $10 shipping, plus whatever fees your local FFL charges (if any). I paid $359 + tax for my Shield earlier this summer at a local gun shop. You may speak with some gun shops in your area and see if they'll match CTD's price, or even their price including shipping ($371). Or heck, even their price, including shipping, plus the $20 FFL charge or whatever it is ($391).

You support your local gun shop and you'll get your gun sooner!

I bought one with a manual safety, and never use it when carrying it. It rides in a kydex PJ Holster, so the safety never sees the light of day anyway (always hidden behind a shield of kydex so to speak). There's practically zero chance of it self-engaging how I carry it. I do keep the safety engaged when handling it loaded, loading/unloading, etc. But I click it off when it goes into the holster.

Get your DD214 out and send it to Discount Guns for Sale - Buds Gun Shop to get approved for their "Qualified Professional" discount. Just an honorable discharge is all you need. Shields for $335 shipped. Get em fast, they don't last long.

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SC
30yrs. EMS & Emerg. Mgmt.

I have a FS and compact M&P and neither of those have the TS. When I bought the Shield I chose to go with the one with no TS. I was looking for consistency with the other M&Ps we have.

Thank you for the heada up on the vet discount, I just submitted my DD214 to Buds and waiting for approval, I can still cancel the CTD order. I bought our Bodyguard .380 from Buds.

Or just send them a copy of your ID card, that's what I did. The prices are not always less than their (Bud's) regular prices, but Bud's is a TERRIFIC company with generally the best prices around. I was surprised when CTD had the Springfield XM-S 9mm for about $25 less than Bud's. I could have waited to call Bud's and asked if they'd match CTD's price; they probably would, but I was in a hurry and just ordered from CTD.

Bud's is always my first place to check prices and availability.

I said DD214 because I assumed he was a vet vs. active duty/retired. Us regular vets don't have ID cards. Buds is the only place I've found that offers the S&W discount program to any HD vet, not just active or retired.

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SC
30yrs. EMS & Emerg. Mgmt.

The shield safety is a good design. Small and out of the way if not used, but easy to sweet off if used. I like the safety for certain situations like when carried in a winter coat pocket that does not allow a holster, In a center counsel of the car, in the nightstand.

The Shield safety is so small and unobtrusive, I'm having trouble understanding what difference it makes. Don't like it? Don't use it.

My advise (worth what it cost you) is to get the Shield with manual safety. As someone mentioned, it is small. As a result, you can take it or leave it, it is never in the way. If, on the other hand, you prefer to use the safety for holstering, storage or transporting, you got one to use.

Whether you get the safety version or not, it is important to train with the gun you buy. Having a safety is meaningless if you can not work it efficiently. Same goes with a gun with no safety. In a time of need fumbling with a safety on the former is no better than shooting yourself in the leg with the latter.

Out
West

I already owned 5 Beretta pistols equipped with thumb safety, so my choice was easy when shopping for a Shield9. Likewise, also ordered my M&P 45c with TS. Consistency is generally a good thing...

Get the one with the safety. Use the safety or don't use the safety your choice. I've been carrying mine for almost a year, and have yet to accidentally engage the safety. I practice draw often, and my thumb automatically sweeps the safety off.