Brother_Love
Member
I am about to get a Shield Plus with the optics ready slide. What optic do you use and recommend for the shield? I would like to stay as small as possible but still easy to see. Thank you , Mac
The first thing you want to do is to make sure that the Shield Plus you are purchasing is the new production that has a flat optic cut instead of the sloped optic cut that often doesn’t properly zero with many popular optics.
If it’s the old version I’d either not buy it or be prepared to send it to C&H to have it milled properly.
As for optics in that footprint, I’ve used the Sig Romeo Zero (yuck) , the Holosun 507K and the EPS Carry. There’s also those I haven’t tried which includes the Shield RMSC and possibly other optics.
I like the 507K (I’ve owned one) and it’s a good optic, but I have three EPS Carry optics and I really like them. They have an enclosed emitter which is not only good for environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature (condensational fogging) but clearing debris as well.
The 507K is still a great concealed carry optic because with a concealed handgun it is largely protected by weather and body heat makes condensational fogging virtually impossible. The only real downside in that capacity is the fact that one has to be more dedicated to clearing debris from the window and emitter area. To me that’s not a really big deal, but since the EPS Carry exists, I go with that.
I have been really trying to like my Shield Plus with a 507K and the C&H plates but just can't for the reasons SoCalDep has mentioned. The slide is not machined level, and S&W really missed the boat with that optic cut. So far mine, even with McMasterCar replacement screws and thread lock, will not stay tight. It won't get to POA/POI, and even maxed out is several inches high at 15 yards. I am either going to scrap the idea, or get the slide machined for use without the adapter plate.
I've read some good reviews on the Leupold Delta Point Micro Red Dot in several gun mags. I'd be giving it a close look if I were in the hunt for a RDS.
They're made for Glock and S&W M&P (not CORE) at this time. Oh, Amazon has them on sale right now.
Anyone know if there is serial number break from sloped cut to straight cut? Tried searching for it with no luck. Thanks
You would think S&W would warranty these pistols and repair the cut or fit it with a new slide.
First I’ve heard of this issue, and I agree a serial number break would be helpful. I haven’t tried to mount an optic on my Plus yet.
S&W really missed the boat with that optic cut.
Is this elevation issue something you can see without installing an optic to know if it's an issue or is it so slight you cannot tell? Thanks
While I never heard about the issue, the Shield Plus with optic cut was first released around Oct 2021. I purchased my optic cut Shield Plus in March of 2022 which is approximately 6 months after the Shield Plus with Optic cut was first released. The cut is flat.
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If that CTC is your optic and fits flush the cut is not flat. The CTC optic is made sloped and the optic cut was made (initially by S&W) to accommodate it at the expense of the better and more popular optics.
I’m now the owner of a sloped Shield Plus slide that was given to me by a frustrated deputy. It’s real and it’s a huge failure by S&W - and the fact more people aren’t pissed disappoints me with firearms owners.
My CT Rad Micro Pro is NOT sloped nor is the Shield slide cut. I think I'd know better than you as I am the actual owner and user of both. I will take a caliper to mine later as well as to my other optic cut handguns for comparison on any angular difference.
I also have a RAD Micro Pro installed on my Springfield Hellcat OSP, and it fits and functions fine. The CT optics also attach directly to the slide of the Springfield's Hellcat as it uses the same JPoint/RMSc footprint. CT Pro optics are the around the same price $300 +/-, uses similar materials, and has similar features to other competing open optics. I wouldn't have purchased or used them if they weren't reliable optics with simular built quality as other options on the market....
You are mistaken, and the optics aren't designed for exclusive use or to accommodate the Shield Plus and alleged angled cut that you speak of. S&W purchased Crimson Trace back in 2016, the CTS-1550 (CT's first micro red dot) was released in 2018, the Shield Plus optic was released in 2021. S&W's CT always manufactured their red dot in the past and present and the red dot predates the existence of the Shield Plus and the alleged sloped cut.
You seem to be the only one complaining about and who I EVER heard upset and alleged that the Shield Plus having a sloped cut. I Googled it, and it seems only a handful of others have mentioned this vs the hundreds of thousands Shield Plus sold. Other gun owners aren't upset about it because your personal experience is in the minority and not the overwhelming majority.