Not being a semi auto guy, I am contemplating on buying an M&P Shield 1.0 9mm pistol.

Looking for reviews, pros and cons. What ammunition to use to alleviate FTF and FTE problems

Thanks in advance for suggestions and do’s a don’ts.

my shield 1.0 eats all I feed it, no problems what so ever.

Same with mine, eats brass, aluminum steel, all of it.


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My Shield 1.0 (was a PC model) had over 2k rounds thru it and had zero malfunctions. It wasn't a rimfire lol.
Only ammo concern was if I followed manufacturer recommendations as some brands were labeled not for use in ported barrels. And I tended to follow that.
Only reason I no longer have it is I went to an EZ due to an arthritic thumb/wrist.

But it never had any Ftf or Fte issues.

If you can find a 1.0 at a decent price I would say get it. I bought my first Shield 1.0 right after they first came out. It has never given me any problems and I like the Shield so much that I currently own three, two in 9mm and one in 40.

In this day of micro-compacts I still think it is hard to beat a Shield. The Shield has a proven track record to be reliable and is small enough to be concealable yet large enough to be able to shoot well.

Arthritic hands is a concern for me, I failed to mention that in my post.
My left thumb has been operated on, which alleviated most of the pain, but now my right thumb joint is going. Not sure if I will have that one operated on or not.

The Shield can be hard for some to rack. If you find that to be the case then try the push/pull method to rack the slide. I have also found that a slide racker such as TacRack or Recover Tactical can be beneficial.

I have a 2.0 and no issues at all. It’ll eat ammo that my 1911’s choke on.

I also have arthritis in my hands but not quite to the degree I need surgery. Unfortunately the Shield is harder to rack. My biggest problem is gripping the slide. Some days I just don’t have the grip so I’m thinking of doing an old trick on my Shield. On 1911’s that didn’t have front strap checkering skateboard tape can be used to provide extra grip. I’m thinking of cutting a couple of small pieces to put on the slide for better grip.

My issue is left thumb/wrist joints as well; bone on bone so while thankfully not my strong had it still comes into play. I will be looking into surgical options on it.
If I had no thumb pain/limitations I would still have my PC. But for me this is also a hobby so except for the recent period with ammo shortages and range closures; I shoot a lot and enjoy it. So it wasnt a matter of racking once and leaving in a holster to get by. The EZ allows me to do what i want.

I will also add the std Shield mags can be known to be harder to load, so the Uplula magloader can be a thumb saver.

I love my 1.0 9mm Shields. I have had three and bought another for a grandson. They have all been trouble free with good ammo.

Because it is a compact gun, recoil and magazine springs are fairly heavy and when new tight. This has been discouraging for some, especially with hand strength problems. The grip surfaces are also too slick in some folks’ opinions, and triggers often need breaking in to get rid of grittiness.

The 2.0 version addressed these problems.

You do not say how you will use this gun—concealed carry, home defense, range plinker? There may be others you should look at, including both the .380 and 9mm EZ models, because of hand strength issues.

More info = better advice.

My main option for obtaining the M&P would be CC when on the road and out of state. I had revolvers, even small ones, but they were just too heavy for MY needs and wants, a little bulky to.

But then again, as I’m getting up in age, and like some who don’t want to admit it, needs/wants do change. Sometimes I think, do I really need this? Would it be more if a burden on me? Or, maybe just travel smarter and avoid trouble areas as much as I can and only travel during the day.

Being unarmed is not what I want to be, but if confronted by more than one or two people, I would be at an disadvantage with a 7/8 round magazine.

I got my Shield 1.0 in April 2012, over 30K rounds through it and the only malfunctions were 'User Induced'. As others have mentioned, it eats anything.

It IS tough to rack, but there are assists out there to make that easier for older hands.

The only modification I've done to it has been the Apex 'Fully Machined Sear' for about $40.

Over 3Million (maybr more like 4Mil by now) shields have been sold over the last 9 Years, so they must have done something right.

The prices of the 1.0s aren’t stellar right now. I’d personally look for a Plus as they are pretty close to the same money around here. Better trigger, higher capacity for a carry gun.

If you just wanted a range gun, I’d say EZ all the way.

Good luck in your search.

Bought mine 8 years ago still going strong with original RSA. When new would jam with JHP no problems after few hundred rounds FMJ.

My wife has had surgery for Carpel Tunnel in both wrists and her hands are sensitive. She has the M&P 4.25 and Shield 1.0 in 9mm and says she doesn’t experience any pain when shooting them. We both like the less aggressive grip texture on both guns.

Ron instead of pulling the slide back hold it in place with your weak (left) hand and gripping it normally with your strong hand (right) PUSH forward on the lower receiver (or frame). This will help to overcome your pain in your hands and right thumb.

I would suggest renting or borrowing one and shooting it first. I bought one because it fit my hand, I liked the fit and finish. It's a great gun, but when I went to the range it jumped around in my hand every shot. I basically had to use a death grip to keep it under control and follow-up shots were difficult. It has a strong recoil spring and I could see it being difficult to rack the slide for some people. I'm a big guy, big hands, with a strong grip. Just make sure it works for you.

I have one that I purchased early on when they were a lot more money and then did a bunch of stuff to it, Apex Duty Carry Kit, I Dot sights and talon grip. Love the little thing. I have lent it out to students on the range many times and it is one of the guns that I recommend along with the EZ for those with problems such as you are experiencing. Now that the Plus is out, I would seriously consider one of those with the improved trigger and capacity.

I bought one a few years back, Mass model with heavy trigger. I put a Apex duty/carry kit in mine, and made a world of difference. Always functions, even with cheap pro-mag magazines. Shoots anything I put in it, don;t recall ever having a problem.

The slide is harder to rack than some others (Shield EZ or even the 2.0 with upgraded slide serrations), and it has a bit more recoil than heavier steel 9mm's...

I guess it's all subjective. I would recommend anyone buying a shield for ease of use, reliability, and (generally) price but its snappy, and if you have weak hands/wrists racking the slide may be difficult.

I have owned my Gen 1 Shield 9 (and 40) for several years and carry it daily. No issues at all (with either) and they eat everything including lead bullet reloads. Also own the 45 but haven't shot it much. I have no intention of getting into the Shield Plus at this time, I have a Gen 1 compact (12 round) and 2.0 Compact (15 round); so if I need more firepower, I'm covered. :-)

My 1.0 is from 2014. No issues with any 9mm. However, I shot very little aluminum and no steel.

Yes, racking slide on my Shield 1.0 is a problem as others have noted. So I installed an ArachniGRIP...we'll see. I like the Recover Tactical as a solution, too. I was considering the Shield EZ, but these slide solutions seem best vs. $pending $ for another 8 shot Shield.

I have a 1.0 Shield 9 with almost 6,000 rounds through it. It is an outlier among Shield 9s because it has had too many failures to feed and to eject throughout its life to suit me. However, after extensive (and expensive) testing, I found two self-defense rounds that have worked flawlessly with it. The first is Hornady Critical Duty 135g +P, which has gone 387 rounds without a failure. The second is Federal HST 147g, which has gone 225 rounds without a failure. For range ammo, I like Winchester NATO 124g. I've had some FTEs with the NATOs, but they are far more accurate from my Shield than any other FMJs I've shot.

If you are not yet completely committed to a Shield 9, I suggest looking at the Shield 45. It is superior to the Shield 9 in every way but capacity.

Here's a more detailed review from an earlier post of mine:
Long-Term Report on M&P 40c, Shield 9, & Shield 45

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What, me worry?

Thanks for all the guidance. I will read and reread the thread before making any decisions.

Much appreciated to all.

So far I've only shot IMI and Blazer 9mm through my 2.0 shield, with not one issue. I've got some brown box military 9mm somewhere just aint got around to using it yet but based on current performance, I don't see an issue.

I've had one for a while, put a Magguts +1 spring in the two 8 rd. mags and a Houge grip sleeve on it and carry it everyday, reliability is why. It just plain eats everything. Accuracy is decent and it isn't a boat anchor to carry but it reliability has kept the newer higher capacity 9mm. off my hip.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Here is a DARN good deal on a Shield 1.0 with 4 mags: $300

FS: S&W M&P Shield 1.0 w 4 Mags $300 | VA Gun Trader

The Shield 1.0 is a solid choice. I've had one in 9mm since about 2017 and I've never had any trouble with it. I'll be selling it soon, but only because: (a) I upgraded to a Plus; and (b) I have a friend of about 40 years that wants it.

I find the comments about the snappy recoil being a problem not to be a case with my wife and daughter.

I have given my wife and my daughter each with a 1.0 9mm Shield and they both like them.

My wife has had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and surgery on a shoulder to free up a tendon so she has difficulty finding a handgun that she can shoot without it causing pain. She enjoys shooting both her 1.0 4.25” M&P and 1.0 Shield. Both are 9mm. She says they are both pain free for her to shoot.

She learned to chamber a round by holding the slide in her left hand and pushing the frame forward with her right.

Daughter has no issues with her Shield.

Everyone has different tolerance to pain. The polymer M&P and Shield are the only handguns she can shoot pain free.

I bought mine about 20 years ago - used. It has not missed a cycle since then mostly with less expensive target ammunition. No upgrades, original 1.0 and cleaning. The price gap has widened so far now between the 1.0 and 2,0 that the 1,0 is a solid chance.

Attached Images

9MM M&P.jpg (36.4 KB, 57 views)

Theoretically, and in actuality, you rarely have to rack the slide on a semi-auto pistol. Sound crazy? Well, think about it.

When you buy a new gun, you will need to lock the slide back. Then, other than a few occasions, that could the last time you need to do it. Just follow these procedures-

1. Once locked open with the slide stop engaged, insert a loaded mag. Don’t attempt to press the slide stop down, it’s a slide stop, NOT a slide release. It will work as one, but why? Remove an empty or no magazine, insert a fresh one, hold the gun in either hand, pointed safely, and grab the extreme back of the slide on the sides, by the rear sight, whatever and pull back a slight distance, then immediately let go. Hold on as the full power of the recoil spring will slam the slide forward and feed a round off of your loaded, full, and inserted magazine.

2. Shoot the gun until empty or if practicing, save one or two, remember it’s not dry, remove the quasi-dry or not mag, insert a new one.....start shooting again. Do that all day, never rack the slide.

3. At the end of the day, shoot your last magazine dry. Remove it. Check the chamber for empty. Then put it away, slide locked to the rear. It can remain locked to the rear for, guessing.....fifty years. Then next time you use it, see #1 above.

4. Cleaning- The Shield is a magnificent, reliable firearm. One of the reasons is it has few, tight tolerances. Tight tolerances need regular cleaning. A plastic gun is sloppy by comparison, and actually that is a good thing! It doesn’t need cleaning after every range event! It doesn’t. You can shoot 500 or more rounds through this great weapon and never clean it. That said, don’t do that. But you don’t need to ever disassemble it! Yes, never. There are wonderful aerosol cleaners that strip every bit of residue out. All you need to do is clean the bore and the bolt face. Bolt face with a light cleaner and a tooth brush. Every time is good, but not essential. As far as lube points, all can be reached WITHOUT disassembly.

So, with all the above, you have not once racked the slide to the rear other than the first time when you bought it.

Practice makes perfect!

Note- do none of the above with a precision, target, competition firearm. But the Shield is a different animal, and as such, works with simplicity with a common sense owner.

Jim

Mine continues to perform well. Very dependable and slim for carry. I've never had feed issues or failures to eject. The 8 round magazine with a +2 Mag-Guts spring gives you a respectable and legal 10+1 capacity. As newer models come out these older models become more attractive from a price standpoint. I like Hogue Hand-all grip on mine. It provides a better grip for me than the rougher 2.0 version grips.

I can't comment as to the 1.0 but the 2.0 shield 9mm with thumb safety, I bought last month came with 3 8rd and 1 7rd mags and shoots anything in the magazine. Got this one for $350 plus 15 transfer and it was in as near NIB as one could be. I love this one so much, I just took a guy up on his selling his near mint shield 2.0 9mm with 6 mags for $300 plus transfer fee. Only changes I've made to these two are the following:

1. Added a charging handle to the rear end of the slide
2. Outfitted the mag plates in Red aluminum Hyve baseplates.

Both shoot pretty darn near point of aim. So far I've used brass cased ammo from major company's, to belom 9mm to steel cased, in the case of the steel case, I just wanted to see if it would handle them as I prefer not to use steel plated.

95% of my ammo inventory is IMI 115 to 158gr, mostly because IMI is my preferred ammo.

Now I'm intrigued enough to want a shield in 45 and lo and behold, there just happens to be one posted on my forums classified pages.

Hello...did you see or get to handle 1.0 vs 2.0... basically the grip texture changed but besides that they're pretty much the same... Mags are interchangeable. I preferred the grip on the 2.0 better for me my original 1.0 I had stimpled because I felt like it would slip out of my hand. But regardless I don't think you will be unhappy with either one....

Ive had one for two years. Very nice gun. User friendly. I wasnt crazy about the trigger, so I installed a Hyve adjustable trigger. Great shooter and very accurate. I shoot 147gr out of mine with no issues.
Just picked up the Sield Plus a few days ago. Havent had a chance to shoot it yet.

Mine have been flawless. Ammo wise it’s been all the Vista brands (speer, federal, blazer) plus s&b, winchester, and hornady. Brass and aluminum. 115, 124, and 147. Accurate too.

Two gripes. It’s a bit harder to rack compared to a glock or a sig. and, if you do your own spring replacements, you’ll need to make/buy a slave pin, otherwise the trigger spring is a pain.

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Vegan by proxy.

The S&W M&P Shield 1.0 9mm works... Mine has been 100%. No need to move "up". Shoot it. Train yourself up. Practice with it. Carry it with confidence.

My Shield 1.0 runs anything I put in it, I've had it for 7 or so years. 124s, 115s, hand loads or factory it just runs.

Ron In MD: MUST READ !!!!!

Got a Shield 1.0 in 9mm when they first came out (night sights/extra mag package from factory) it was my ccw and I loved it! Then last year due to increasing arthritis problems in both hands, I started having real problems in racking the slide. I sold it and got a 9mm EZ.

Take it from me and others, the arthritis is only going to get worse. I went to a surgeon that specializes in hands and he gave me two options for my little finger (that was locking up and is in the 8-10 pain range at times), surgically freeze the joint or a flexible joint replacement.

To address your original post: like others that posted here, I never had any problems with any ammo I shot (Winchester, Speer or HST. 115 or 124gr, reg or +P velocity).

You can’t go wrong with the Shield 1.0 !!

I bought my 1.0 about a year after theycame out and the prices had come down. Not at the bottom but not a premium either.
Mine has been flawless. It has an Ameriglo front site and Magguts +2 kit on the 8 round magazines so it carries 10+1.
Since the prices are not at the low 200 range that they were a few years ago (in a different world), I'd get a 2.0 or Plus if I was buying now. I would spend close to the value of the gun in ammo to thoroughly test it for carry, and the Magguts kit for each mag is over $30 delivered so the slightly higher price makes makes them much more attractive now. The trigger and texture are better too.

I've had my completely stock Shield 9 v1 since 2017. No malfunctions of any kind, ever. Simple as that.

I'm currently lusting after the Shield 9 Plus Performance Center for absolutely no good reason except for gun lust. I love my Shield and it absolutely disappears while I'm wearing it at the 3:00 position. Of course it's there if I need it and I'm confident that when I squeeze the trigger it will go bang.

I'll sell it to help fund the Plus. What person needs two carry guns?

I learned to shoot with my Gen 1 Shield, and it's probably got about 1000 rounds without missing a beat.

Over the months I've part timed at a range I've picked up close to 100 rounds of 9mm rounds that you could tell the primer had been struck, but hadn't fired. We call it range candy and my Shield eats it up without fail.

Having said that I've shot the Plus and the much improved trigger and extra mag capacity will cause me to trade my Gen 1 on one soon.

My Shield 1.0 acquired in 2017? runs flawlessly. Only "upgrades" are XTech mag extension on 7 shot mag, Talon grips, Arachnid? slide tape. Having a hard time ju$tifying expen$e to sell/trade just to get a new Shield Plus. I would like the Plus wider grip and nice trigger, but doubt the added capacity is that nece$$ary. So, would appreciate input from others here which way you have decided to keep 1.0 vs getting a Plus deci$ion. Regards...

I bought a Shield 9mm 1.0 in 2015 ... a Shield 45 acp 1.0 in 2018 ... a Shield 380 EZ in 2018 ... a Shield 380 EZ Performance Center in 2020 ... and a M&P 2.0 9mm Compact in 2021. I have never had any issue with any of them but I have yet to shoot the 9mm Compact.

I have been fortunate to not have any arthritis or any hand issues but like others have said, the 1.0 9 and the 1.0 45 are much more difficult to work the slide "compared to the EZ's and the 2.0 9 Compact." I have used the first 380 EZ for conceal carry for the past few years because #1 "I shoot it well" ... #2 "it conceals easily" ... #3 "I sold the Shield 1.0 9mm to my brother a few years back."

If I had to choose one to just shoot at the range, it would be the .380 EZ PC. If I had to choose just one for EDC, it would be the 2.0 9mm Compact (if I end up shooting it as well as the .380's.) I have heard/read very good things about the Shield Plus so do not overlook them.

Just spent a few hours at the range with my Shield 2.0 and my M&P Compact 15rd.

The Shield, after 600 rounds of ammo ranging from 115gr fmj to 158gr FMJ I found it gave the best groupings using Israeli 158gr FMJ. With SD ammo I shot 200 rounds of 96gr frangible and while snappy, accuracy is dead on. I found the sure grip wracking handles I installed on the slide rear made charging the weapon as easy as a shield ez.

The M&P Compact 15rd I found after 600 rounds shot best using Geco 124gr and IMI 147gr. It functioned almost the same as the sheild using the fragmentation ammo.

Both guns I've left alone mostly, the Shield has Red aluminum baseplates on the magazines and the suregrip on the slide rear, otherwise it's stock.

The 15rd compact is 100% stock.

My Shield 9 Gen 1 .. retired my Glock 43 ...Just a great pistol

2016 M&P Shield 9 1.0 has experienced no problems whatsoever. I added TruGlo Tritium night sights, CT Laserguard Pro LL-801G laser/light, and Talon black rubberized grip. Shot thousands of rounds, many different brands, weights, and bullet types of major manufacturers without any problems. Find what works best for you and your Shield.

I bought a 1.0 back in December of 2019 and have fired over 1000 rounds. They have been all kinds of manufactures and all kinds of bullet weights and I have had ZERO malfunctions. I didn't need another ECD but the little Shields were so inexpensive I just couldn't turn down buying it. I basically put my $700+ Sig P938 in the safe after buying the 1.0 . The sad thing is I just ended up with a Shield Plus after doing some trading and will be retiring the 1.0 now after I get some rounds through the Plus to make sure it's just as solid.

Well, after much thought and reading here on the forum, I went ahead and bought the SW Shield 1.0.
It was a local sale, complete with box, probably paid too much, $500.00 with a extra lighter spring, 350 rounds of ammo, and transfer. With the price of ammo, what I paid is probably right on the money.

If thats brass ammo .. in todays market .. thats easily $200 for ammo .. so you alright…

Just got my hands on a Shield 45acp with 2 6rd mags and 3 7rd mags, leather IWB and the guy tossed in a box of field and stream 45acp for 500.00. Can't wait to get this puppy to the range and try her out.