Rastoff
US Veteran
I bought a Shield chambered in 9mm. I resisted it for a long time. Alas, a local store had them on sale for $100 less than normal and I couldn't pass it up.
Just got back from the range and couldn't be happier with it. Fired 50 rounds of the el-cheapo Winchester FMJ stuff and it worked perfectly.
I tested some issues that get brought up regularly with the Shield:
"The mags cannot be loaded to capacity."
I was pleasantly surprised to find the mags easy to load. I have large hands and usually find loading 9mm rounds more difficult. They are small buggers and I almost always bump my thumb on the mag tube. These were easy enough that I didn't damage my thumb. The last round in both the 7 and 8 round mags was tough, but not too bad.
After loading a couple mags by hand, I used the UpLULA. They are super easy with that; even the last round.
"The slide won't lock back."
This is actually a complaint common with most small guns. They have a very stout recoil spring and that makes the slide difficult to push all the way back.
I did have some trouble with mine, but not like you think. I'm a lefty. As such, I usually use the knuckle of my trigger finger to press up on the slide stop to lock the slide back. Well, the slide stop pad is just a tad further back on the Shield that many other guns. This makes it more challenging to press the slide stop up when locking the slide back manually. I have been about 50% successful with my left hand. I've had no trouble with my right hand or with an empty mag inserted.
"Can't disassemble/reassemble the slide."
I actually found the gun just as easy to disassemble as any other M&P. Now, I've been reading this forum for a long time now and knew the proper orientation for the RSA. I'm not going to attempt to induce a problem by using a different orientation. Suffice it to say, this may be a quirk that S&W should address, but is easy enough to operate if you follow the general wisdom and orient the spring like this:
Note the position of the large spring end.
"The slide stop is too difficult or impossible to press."
Yeah, mine is tough too. Even with the mag removed, the slide stop is really tough. Yes, I can do it, but the overhand rack is much easier. I don't normally use the slide stop to release the slide so, this isn't a big deal for me. Still, it is very tough on this little gun. I attribute it to being new and such a powerful recoil spring.
For the California people:
"That stupid loaded chamber indicator (LCI) is in the way!"
I have to say, I never noticed it. For those not in CA, this is what it looks like:
Yes, it's large and obvious. However, with the correct sight picture, you can't see it at all. I was going to swap it out for an Apex LCI eliminator, but, after shooting the gun today I see no reason to spend the money. Yes, I know some just can't stand it, but for me it's a non issue. If it's in the way, you're not using the proper sight picture.
OK, there you have it. My first impressions of the Shield now that I actually have one. It's a good little gun. In fact, I've said this before and I'll continue to say it, I think it's the best of the small guns. So, I'll just leave you with this:
Just got back from the range and couldn't be happier with it. Fired 50 rounds of the el-cheapo Winchester FMJ stuff and it worked perfectly.
I tested some issues that get brought up regularly with the Shield:
"The mags cannot be loaded to capacity."
I was pleasantly surprised to find the mags easy to load. I have large hands and usually find loading 9mm rounds more difficult. They are small buggers and I almost always bump my thumb on the mag tube. These were easy enough that I didn't damage my thumb. The last round in both the 7 and 8 round mags was tough, but not too bad.
After loading a couple mags by hand, I used the UpLULA. They are super easy with that; even the last round.
"The slide won't lock back."
This is actually a complaint common with most small guns. They have a very stout recoil spring and that makes the slide difficult to push all the way back.
I did have some trouble with mine, but not like you think. I'm a lefty. As such, I usually use the knuckle of my trigger finger to press up on the slide stop to lock the slide back. Well, the slide stop pad is just a tad further back on the Shield that many other guns. This makes it more challenging to press the slide stop up when locking the slide back manually. I have been about 50% successful with my left hand. I've had no trouble with my right hand or with an empty mag inserted.
"Can't disassemble/reassemble the slide."
I actually found the gun just as easy to disassemble as any other M&P. Now, I've been reading this forum for a long time now and knew the proper orientation for the RSA. I'm not going to attempt to induce a problem by using a different orientation. Suffice it to say, this may be a quirk that S&W should address, but is easy enough to operate if you follow the general wisdom and orient the spring like this:
Note the position of the large spring end.
"The slide stop is too difficult or impossible to press."
Yeah, mine is tough too. Even with the mag removed, the slide stop is really tough. Yes, I can do it, but the overhand rack is much easier. I don't normally use the slide stop to release the slide so, this isn't a big deal for me. Still, it is very tough on this little gun. I attribute it to being new and such a powerful recoil spring.
For the California people:
"That stupid loaded chamber indicator (LCI) is in the way!"
I have to say, I never noticed it. For those not in CA, this is what it looks like:
Yes, it's large and obvious. However, with the correct sight picture, you can't see it at all. I was going to swap it out for an Apex LCI eliminator, but, after shooting the gun today I see no reason to spend the money. Yes, I know some just can't stand it, but for me it's a non issue. If it's in the way, you're not using the proper sight picture.
OK, there you have it. My first impressions of the Shield now that I actually have one. It's a good little gun. In fact, I've said this before and I'll continue to say it, I think it's the best of the small guns. So, I'll just leave you with this:
