milling a Shield Recomendations?

Steved13

Steved13

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I bought a second PC Shield. When it gets here, I'm going to send out my current EDC PC Shield and have it milled for a Jpoint reflex sight.

I'm looking at Suarez International, Bowie Tactical, and Galloway Precision. Bowie Tactical is quite a bit more than the other 2 but they mill in Bosses for the sight so I see the added expense, but not sure I need it. Advantage of the Bosses are, it "probably" won't need to be readjusted after removal and reinstall for battery change, but you need to check anyway. The other 2 are just about the same price, but Galloway has the best turnaround time.

I've heard pretty good things about all 3 and not any bad.

Anyone have a recommendation or warning?
 
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Rastoff said:
I've never seen a tiny pistol with an optic on it. I wonder how this will affect the function?
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There is actually quite a bit of meat on the top of the Sheild slide, obviously they don't get into the workings. The Jpoint weighs only 1/2 once. No complaints from the ones that have been done that I've seen.
 
armorer951 said:
Speaking from inexperience here, but couldn't you use the JPoint M&P dovetail adapter?
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yes you could, if you wanted to. Milling the slide, lowers the axis to the barrel, allows for co-witnessing of the stock sights, keeps it more compact, and definitely seems more secure to me. Also adds to the appearance rather than detract IMHO.
 
I have a Vortex Viper on a PC 9L with tall suppressor sights that co-witness, you would have to cut really deep to co-witness with stock PC shield sights.
 
Whiten said:
I have a Vortex Viper on a PC 9L with tall suppressor sights that co-witness, you would have to cut really deep to co-witness with stock PC shield sights.
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As I said the Shield is pretty meaty on the top, and that is only half of the equation. If the base of the sight were paper thin you would need to mill at all to do it. The jpoint has a very low height on the base. All three of the companies in my OP confirmed it will co-witness with stock sights.
 
I think it would be worth the extra $ to get bosses put in. There is a lot of force on the optic from the slide moving. It should keep the optic in place and hold zero better.
 
armorer951 said:
More inexperience here sorry........Seems an odd modification for a handgun designed for back up or concealment, and, aren't reflex sights designed for competition guns?
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almost everyone will at some point suffer from presbyopia. In my case it's gotten to the point where I cannot see the sights clearly enough with my glasses on,and I can't see the target well enough further than 10 yards without my glasses. Anything more than 4 feet is very clear with glasses, yet starts getting fuzzy without.

The reflex sight changes the point of focus for both sight and target to the targets distance. Once you get used to the reflex sight it is faster acquisition which is why it is well received in competition. In an SD situation, you are able to keep your focus on a target, both eyes open, full field of view, and therefore greater awareness of surroundings. While someone is focused on their front sight, it's not as easy...and when your eyes are old even harder still.
 
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Here is a Glock 26 with a J Point milled. Picture from Suarez blog. I am not sure who the owner of the pistol is, but the pistol has a threaded barrel and proper sights for the red dot (or a suppressor).
 

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armorer951 said:
More inexperience here sorry........Seems an odd modification for a handgun designed for back up or concealment, and, aren't reflex sights designed for competition guns?
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I suspect the original purpose was for competition. The "forward thinking" on the topic, however, is that red dot optics will start to slowly appear on defense pistols, first in the private sector, and then gradually into agency use.

The US Military would not have anything to do with optics on combat rifles 20 years ago, even as the Steyr AUG and the Enfield SA80 and others were being fielded. Now, however, every soldier in the field has an optic of some type, whether it is Aimpoint or Trijicon, or "other." In fact, it would be almost unthinkable to send a soldier into battle without an optic on his rifle.

The same advantages are there for pistols, and I think red dots on defense pistols and LE pistols are the coming thing. Both eyes can remain open, the field of view is wider, the shooter can keep eyes on the target, etc.

As is typical with these types of roll-outs, the gun makers have no clue how to market the idea, the focus now being on competition use.

As soon as an agency of at least moderate size issues pistols with red dots, and as soon as other agencies see that the devices can stand up to LE use and that they improve the scores of the troops, especially the low-end shooters, the agencies will begin the process of adopting the devices.

Just my thoughts and prediction. :)
 
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If this is purely a self-defense/concealed carry pistol, my recommendation would be to not waste your money.

The red dot will be of no real value in any likely civilian self-defense scenario involving using a concealed firearm due to the compressed time frames and close distances. Suarez himself has essentially said the same in numerous statements.

If proactively engaging terrorists and active shooters is on your list of things to do, then it might have some merit, but I would recommend going with a different pistol altogether rather than a tiny, single stack Shield.
 
I should have been more clear I apologize. My mistake has taken the thread off topic.

I'm asking for recommendations, or any experience with a gunsmithing machine shop that does this type of work and/or any feedback on the 3 mentioned in the OP.
 
Actually, I should apologize, having taken the initial "exit ramp" from your topic, prompted by my curiosity and pre conceived notions about the reflex sight.
As Briscoe Darling would say, "more power to ya."
 
Steved13 said:
almost everyone will at some point suffer from presbyopia.
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Ain't that the truth. I have the same issue.

Thanks for posting those pictures. I had never seen one before.

I've heard very good things about Bowie. I haven't had any work done by them myself, but those I know that have (internet conversations), have been very pleased with their work.
 
So, did you go with Bowie or? I'm shopping around for a place to mill a slide for an RMR install.

One place I am looking at is AETi. ATEi | Turning good guns into combat weapons systems

I called the company yesterday to ask a few questions. Great experience. The lady who answered the phone was patient, knowledgeable, courteous, and offered no pressure to order anything. Just happy to answer my questions.

The online reviews I've seen concerning AETI are overwhelmingly positive. My own very brief experience is very good. Don't know if they do the Shield mod you want or not, but might be worth a call over there. Nice folks.

BTW, thanks to Steved13 and Rastoff for some input about RMR's. Very helpful.
 
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