Shield in 45 thought

[ultratec00]

This has been brought up in a few posts, but with the craze for compact 45s, can see a definite market for a Shield variant in 45. I have an XDS45, and there's not a whole lot of size difference between it and my Shield 9mm. Wouldn't be a stretch to see S&W come out with 45 Shield, 3.3" barrel and a 5 round single stack (6 total with one in the chamber) w/ 7-8 round mag option.

My little XDS45 is a shooter, but will rack you in the palm depending on what ammo is being used. I would expect a shield 45 to be a little more ergo dynamic and shooter friendly.

[KSDeputy]

Kinda sounds like the CS 45 I carry.

[RobzGuns]

While it's a popular notion, for S&W to come up with a Shield45, it would take a 'ground up' rebuild, 'beefed up' from the 9/.40 platform. SA built the XD-S for the .45 platform, making a 9mm 'refit' a relatively easy Next Step.

Have you noticed that as long as the LC9 has been on the market, they haven't come out with a .45 version either? Of course... Ruger usually lets someone ELSE to the major R&D, then takes several years to make the other Brand's platform work for them (ie: LCP, LC9, LC9S, LC9-Pro)

[ultratec00]

The XDS45 has been out for a while. Internally there are obvious differences, but both are still polymer frame/steel slide firearms.

Originally Posted by RobzGuns

While it's a popular notion, for S&W to come up with a Shield45, it would take a 'ground up' rebuild, 'beefed up' from the 9/.40 platform. SA built the XD-S for the .45 platform, making a 9mm 'refit' a relatively easy Next Step.

Have you noticed that as long as the LC9 has been on the market, they haven't come out with a .45 version either? Of course... Ruger usually lets someone ELSE to the major R&D, then takes several years to make the other Brand's platform work for them (ie: LCP, LC9, LC9S, LC9-Pro)

[RobzGuns]

Originally Posted by ultratec00

The XDS45 has been out for a while. Internally there are obvious differences, but both are still polymer frame/steel slide firearms.

Right... But SA started with a build that could handle .45, then ran the 9mm and .40 slides/barrels to work on it... Knowing that their .45 platform would be able to handle the smaller 9mm/.40 'power'.

For S&W to add .45, they'd need to 'beef up' the existing Shields' frames. They can't simply make a .45 Slide and Barrel and slap in onto the Shield9/40. In effect, start from scratch

Perhaps someone with more engineering know-how can explain it better.

[MyDads38]

I for one, wouldn't be interested in a Shield 45. In 45 acp, a commander size platform would be the smallest pkg. I personally would want. I prefer a FS pistol for the 45 caliber. That's why I only have 2-45's; a FS 1911 and FS M&P 45. But there are folks who like smaller platforms, so who knows?

[ultratec00]

I have a couple commander size 1911s and three officer size 45s (1911s and XDS45), not including my M&P 45s or my 3rd gen S&Ws. Like any firearm, choosing the correct ammo makes a lot of difference. Personally, I shoot 185 HPs pushing 900-1000 fps in all my 45s. Seen too many people trying to shoot 230 +P+ out of an officer model and wonder why it is uncontrollable. My little Sig Ultra, RIA, and XDS45 are not only accurate, but very reliable.

Obviously offering the shield in 45 would require a modicum of NRE (non recurring engineering for engineering types like myself). Looking at the the Shield and XDS, there's not a hill of beans difference between the two. There are two M&P frame sizes (9/40 and 45). Wouldn't be a stretch to see the same in the shield line. It's not whether it's possible, it's whether there's enough of a market to make it profitable. Given the craze for compact/officer size 45s, my guess is a shield 45 would be fairly popular.

Originally Posted by MyDads38

I for one, wouldn't be interested in a Shield 45. In 45 acp, a commander size platform would be the smallest pkg. I personally would want. I prefer a FS pistol for the 45 caliber. That's why I only have 2-45's; a FS 1911 and FS M&P 45. But there are folks who like smaller platforms, so who knows?