Another Shield .45 review

quicksilver

quicksilver

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Gun Review: Smith & Wesson Shield .45 ACP (VIDEO)

Final thoughts

Smith & Wesson struck a delicate balance between incorporating what shooters loved about the 9mm and .40 models and integrating new aspects into the .45. Though I wasn't a fan of the aggressive texturing or the trigger, the new Shield has many other facets that make it an excellent, concealable gun for .45 fans.

Shooters looking for the reliability and size of the Shield but with a little more kick will find the .45 version right up their alley.
 
I'm assuming you're Ms. Billings? Nice, detailed review, and a welcomed perspective from a female shooter. :)

I'm male, but also have small (and admittedly calloused) hands (I take a size 8 in gloves), and I initially found the stippling to be "too much of a good thing." Flattening those little "peaks" with a piece of old tile seemed to make it just right for me without marring the frame or removing material and allowed me to use a firmer grip without experiencing the same palm irritation you did (it's not just you).

I'm not a huge fan of the .45, but I didn't experience any pain or discomfort from the recoil. However, the muzzle rise did make for some challenging controlled pairs. I chalk it up to the recoil impulse of a slow and heavy round; a bit of a push as opposed to a brisk snap. Doesn't help that the Shield is muzzle light platform.

Trigger feel is a subjective thing, but having been around Glocks a bit, pre-loaded striker fired pistols like the Shield don't bother me. 1911 adherents will, of course, cry blasphemy, but does anything really come close to its trigger? ;)

Would've liked to see more on accuracy as another commenter noted, but I imagine it wasn't easy to give a fair assessment of that based on the overly aggressive grip texture. I can tell you from my own experience, though, that the .45 Shield is capable of superb mechanical accuracy at "realistic self-defense distances" if the shooter does their part.

Thanks again for sharing!
 
The Shield 45 is on my short list. Already have the 9 and .22 compact. Thanks for the review.
 
The new Shield 45 filled a unique EDC need for me. It was the same weight of my Glock 27, had a capacity of 7+, and I really needed to trim down to 1". Admittedly, the height is something you might have to contend with. Choose wisely on your holsters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I just had the opportunity to shoot my new Shield 45, and it was impressive. Recoil was more than manageable and accurate. I had 1.5" groups at 7yds, and 3" groups at 12yds. This was the first 100 rounds through it also, with more practice I should get better. I can't believe I scored this thing for $349+tax, what a value. I bought a OWB leather holster that I with be returning, it's not snug enough to my belt line. I can use the other two holsters from my Shield 9, so until I find something better for OWB I will use them.
 
I put about 100 rounds through a Shield .45 a couple of days ago. I found it to be accurate, reliable and easy to handle. Recoil was more than manageable and felt less snappy than the Shield .40s I've shot. It's a very nice pistol, and will become one of my EDC guns.
 
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