Review of M&P Shield 9mm

I read and concur with everything you said. The same cons you describe exist with my Shield as well, and many of the issues still exist with my Shield after a few years of owning it. It is a good gun for sure and I have enjoyed owning it for the most part. It's my every day carry piece. Take down and reassembly isn't bad. Better than other guns I've owned, not as easy as others. I must confess something though. I spent some time with a Walther PPS-M2 the other day and I am seriously thinking about replacing my Shield with that gun. Non of the cons mentioned about the Shield seem to exist on the M2. Feels better in my hands, racking the gun is very easy and smooth as butter, far better than the Shield. Better fit and finish IMO. Everything about the gun to me is better than the Shield. I even like the trigger better in the Walther. From what I experienced with the PPS-M2, there seems to be no need for a "break in period".
 
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After 8,000 rounds it continues to go like the Energizer Bunny. In my case things really got much smoother and loosened up around the 2,000 round point. Have not changed anything except using a bicycle inner tube slipped on the grip for better traction.
 
A few points only IMHO.....

You can alter your slide operation to more easily rack guns with stiff slides.

I find it very comfortable to shoot for a smaller pistol. I have a Kel Tec that is BRUTAL. I reload and I've made some pretty stiff stuff. Being a great carry gun it is a little narrow across the back of the grip which is uncomfortable but not badly so.

I think the trigger is VERY good for a DAO.

Using an Uplula loader solves those nasty stiff mag problems.

True that if you don't reassemble it very carefully, the spring will jump the track and lock up the pistol. Disassembly is pretty easy. Much moreso than my 3rd gen that takes holding the slide open partially while removing a siff pin.
 
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The Sintercore Deadfall charging wing accessory announced a few months ago predicted June delivery for the Shield. As of today 6/7/17 their website shows availability only for standard Glock slide plate covers.
 
I don't see a TacRac offering for the Shield. Their standard M&P product is $30.
The Sintercore (Glock) is $20, so I assume the announced Shield product will be similarly priced when available.
 
Review of M&P Shield 9mm

CB3 said:
I don't see a TacRac offering for the Shield. Their standard M&P product is $30.
The Sintercore (Glock) is $20, so I assume the announced Shield product will be similarly priced when available.
Click to expand...


http://www.mountsplus.com/AR-15_Accessories/AR-15_Scope_Rings/191-TR-MPS.html
ad5fd8c138f77f1c5d91ebabad9bc402.png


You seem like a hard man to please.
 
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There is indeed a TacRack product for the Shield 9/40.

Sintercore announced in May that they will not make a DeadFall version for the Shield (or M&P).

I bought the TacRack product and it works. It is not small and subtle, but it provides a good grip in the slide. The photo above shows it perfectly.
 
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CB3 said:
The Sintercore Deadfall charging wing accessory announced a few months ago predicted June delivery for the Shield. As of today 6/7/17 their website shows availability only for standard Glock slide plate covers.
Click to expand...

Product cancelled!
 
Fired another 200 rds in my Shield. About 500 rds downrange, total, no problems of any kind. This is one of the things that make it a great pistol - it is reliable. Many small pistols are not.

It is also accurate, if I do my part.

Overall, the Shield gives me 15 rounds (7 + 8) in a small, and especially a thin, package. I read about too many situations out there that tell me the 5 shots in the J frame might not always be enough... although the J frame will remain my go-to pocket gun (particularly during the summer).
 
Initial Results 9mm Shield

Just bought one and only had time to shoot 40 rounds down range, but I had a great experience. In fact, I was so impressed with the gun that I took advantage of the sale price by ordering a SECOND one this morning. Based on my initial experience, coupled with the outstanding reviews like this one, the Shield may replace my G43, and I'm considered to be a GLOCK fanboy.

I agree with a lot of the OP's comments. And compared to the G43, the takedown and loading the Shield's mags are a pain. But, these annoyances will dissipate or go away with use. Most importantly, this gun feels like it was crafted for my hand. My hand gets a good shooting grip on it right out of the holster - no fumbling to "get a grip". There's less perceived recoil than the 43, the accuracy is comparable and it just feels more to me like a gun "should".

I couldn't get enough of it - hated to stop shooting it! Although it's not technically a range gun, part of the reason I bought a second one is to shoot the snot out of it and not feel guilty about beating up on a sub-compact CCW gun. Practice-Practice-Practice is what it's all about for me and any CCW gun, and this one allows for that. I may lose my GLOCK Fanboy status, but it will be worth it if this gun continues to impress!

I'll post more range reviews/results when I have the time.
 
veprjack said:
Just bought one and only had time to shoot 40 rounds down range, but I had a great experience. In fact, I was so impressed with the gun that I took advantage of the sale price by ordering a SECOND one this morning.

Most importantly, this gun feels like it was crafted for my hand . . . and it just feels more to me like a gun "should".
Click to expand...

Now THAT'S a great review! With a very reasonable conclusion--at these prices, buy another!

When I was looking to replace my favorite Beretta Storm Px4 9mm about 5 years ago I tried many pistols from different manufacturers, including (again) the Glock line and just did not like the feel in my hand.

The moment I touched the FS M&P, it felt "right" like no other pistol. S&W has done some things with dimensions and angles that others have just not yet figured out. The Shield follows in the same vein. I now have three FS and have bought three Shields, although I gave my first one with the safety to my daughter for carry.

While performance reliability, accuracy and other features are all important, the feel and comfort of a gun are the beginning point to liking it. IMO M&P's lead the pack right now.
 
Yes - we are on the same page!

I just got back from the range and put another 80 or so rounds through it without even a hint of a hiccup. And, my initial feelings about the gun were validated - which is a good thing since I ordered around $150 in accessories, not including the second Shield :)

So far we're up to around 120 rounds and it's heading towards CCW status quickly. I'll have to put some defense rounds through it because so far, it's been all ball - Winchester, S&B, and American Eagle ammo, some of which is over 10 years old!

Any experience with 147gr ammo in the Shield? I've never shot it, but have heard it's a good round for compact guns if it will feed. I'm thinking of trying some Hornady Critical Defense, Duty, etc. too. I don't shoot +P in my small carry guns and don't think I lose much by not doing so. I think Gold Dot makes a defense round specifiically for smaller guns and I may try some of that too.

THANKS for sharing!
 
veprjack said:
Yes - we are on the same page!

I just got back from the range and put another 80 or so rounds through it without even a hint of a hiccup. And, my initial feelings about the gun were validated - which is a good thing since I ordered around $150 in accessories, not including the second Shield :)

So far we're up to around 120 rounds and it's heading towards CCW status quickly. I'll have to put some defense rounds through it because so far, it's been all ball - Winchester, S&B, and American Eagle ammo, some of which is over 10 years old!

Any experience with 147gr ammo in the Shield? I've never shot it, but have heard it's a good round for compact guns if it will feed. I'm thinking of trying some Hornady Critical Defense, Duty, etc. too. I don't shoot +P in my small carry guns and don't think I lose much by not doing so. I think Gold Dot makes a defense round specifiically for smaller guns and I may try some of that too.

THANKS for sharing!
Click to expand...



147 gr is all I run now for target in my Shield 9. For me it is more accurate. I had a hard time grouping with 115 gr, mostly with Win white box and Rem. But no issue with any lighter grain defense rounds.


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Review of M&P Shield 9mm

Just realized.... for the price of a Glock 43 (the Shield 9's direct competition as far as I am concerned), you can buy TWO Shields right now.


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eahicks said:
Just realized.... for the price of a Glock 43 (the Shield 9's direct competition as far as I am concerned), you can buy TWO Shields right now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Which is why my G43 is on Gunbroker!:D

One Shield is on belt and the other one is on its way to my FFL! Then, of course there's a new holster, mag holder, Talon grips, CT Laser, XS Big Dots, etc. I can take a perfectly great gun at $230 and turn it into a $600 gun in about 5 minutes! And Worth Every Penny...
 
veprjack said:
Which is why my G43 is on Gunbroker!:D

One Shield is on belt and the other one is on its way to my FFL! Then, of course there's a new holster, mag holder, Talon grips, CT Laser, XS Big Dots, etc. I can take a perfectly great gun at $230 and turn it into a $600 gun in about 5 minutes! And Worth Every Penny...
Click to expand...

I'm living that dream too. Night sights, talon grips, extra mags, Apex trigger kit... I'm not going to add it all up. Worth every penny since I am completely happy with my Shield 9.
 
Accessory Addiction!

I haven't been this excited about a gun in a LONG time! Man, it just melts in my hand. I can't walk by it without fondling it! I'll wear it out just moving it in and out of the holster! I'd have to get a full auto Krink in 5.45 to set the bar any higher.

Those sneaky S&W marketing people lured me away from my beloved GLOCKS with a price that couldn't be resisted. NOW, instead of a GLOCK21, I'm looking at the S&W full-size .45 version; nutnfancy did a fantastic review on it. See, now that I know there are guns other than GLOCKS that actually go BANG when you pull the trigger:rolleyes::rolleyes: I am taking the blinders off and taking a look at more and more. Don't get me wrong, GLOCK is still the AK of handguns and the 19 is my "go to war sidearm" but.........

Anyway, I've only had the gun for a couple of weeks and have already been to the range FOUR times (I've dry-fired it so much I wake up with my support hand pulling my shirt up):D - coming up on the magic 500 rounds without a hiccup. I found that I have to put a set number of rounds in my range bag or I won't stop shooting until the range closes! lol... Seriously, I can't stop shooting it. FOR ME, the PERCEIVED recoil is very similar to my 19. Frankly, I swear I can get faster follow-up shots with the Shield:eek:

I'm going to lose my GLOCK Fanboy status if I don't stop gushing about the Shield - and I'm not sure I care. hahaha

Damn S&W marketing guys are a sinister bunch. I can't thank them enough! I thought "Idiots will close their doors selling guns that cheap" - they had the last laugh on me! Devious, sinister, but brilliant.
 
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