I’m looking to get a small carry 9mm with optics and I’ve narrowed my choices down to a Ruger max9 or a shield plus OR. Looks like the Ruger is $300 and the shield with optics slide is $450. Is the smith worth an extra $150 over the Ruger?

Never had a Ruger but love the Shield.

The grip is a natural pointer and makes accuracy outstanding.

Never had an optic on mine but can only make it better.

I currently carry the SIG 365 line but have no intention of letting my Shields go.

Agree with the natural pointing of the shield.

Mine have been extremely reliable.


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I've tried all of the Ruger 9mms and each (to me) had much harsher perceived recoil than the Shield line.

Maybe rethink the need for an optic though. After shooting my Shield Plus with an EPS-Carry, I find it's nothing more than the 'Next Generation' training aid, to help one perfect their Draw/Presentation (and looks Tacti-Cool). I will be selling my optic.

While some swear by having an optic, others have proven that for Self Defense purposes, one doesn't need ANY sights to achieve good Center Mass groups at 30'.

Just my opinion... Your Mileage May Vary.

If the Shield comes with optics ... then , to me , Yes it is worth the extra $150 ... Buttt ( there's always a but )...
Look also at the improved Shield-Plus ... have been reading some good reviews .
The writer / tester reported a good trigger and accuracy ...
He liked the flat trigger and several upgrades .
Be sure and look at it too .

My old retina scarred , glaucoma ridden eyes require an optic nowdays to hit almost anything ... so I will not be getting rid of optics any time soon ... if I'm Lucky !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

I believe I recently saw the 9mm Springfield XDM Elite Compact OSP available for about $350 with a possible multiple mag offer...

A HandGun Hero comparison with both the Shield Plus &/or the Ruger Max9 is an eye-opener, IMHO. Size-wise I think it will be quite a surprise for many: the XDM also has a much better trigger than both of these.

Cheers!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

Given the choice of the 2 the OP mentioned, I'd go with the Shield Plus for the concealable factor as well as capacity. That said, I don't have either of the OP's choices but carry my Shield 9 1.0 with 8+1 and 2 spare 8 mags. I also have another 8 round mag and another single mag carrier I can add if conditions warrant.

Glock Glock Glock Glock Glock

Even if you have to go with a reputable used one.

(Never thought I'd be saying that - until I got a brace of them.)

I truly enjoy my range time with my Shield Plus with the red dot optic.
I plan on switching to green.

kingston73 You should be able to decide what to buy with out asking others .

Only small handgun's I have range time with are my wife's kimber ultra 9mm but not light by todays standard and my wifes P365xl that has a green K sized circle dot on it and a wilson grip module . There's also the hellcat model . Save your money and buy the best handgun for you .

Pay attention to dot optics as lens coatings and quality along with reviews can vary . If your skilled now with a dot optic great but do not want a carry gun with a dot optic unless your skills and split times or as good as with open sights . a 22lr handgun with a low cost dot optic is a great way to become good with a dot optic .

As I usually recommend in this situation, if you have a rental range or someone who has both or other models, give them all a try. You may find one just plain works better for you, and it may even be the less expensive model. Good luck in your decision.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I recommend the very best 9mm M&P there is, what you want to do if get an M&P40 2.0 along with a KKM .357 SIG Conversion Barrel, that's the best 9mm M&P option currently available. You're welcome.

But seriously, a cheap M&P40 police trade-in can be converted to 9mm Parabellum as well as .357 SIG with simple drop-in Conversion Barrels, effectively giving you 3-in-1, so that's generally what I recommend.

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Shooting Comfort is bilateral.

Of the two, the M&P would be my choice.

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SFC, US Army, Retired

I have PC Shield 4" with RDS. It carries, points and shoots well. With my eyes, the RDS is a considerable bonus. It has nothing to do with "tacti-cool", which to me is a term similar to "Fudd", designed to insult people whose value set is not the same. It is about improved performance for the use intended.

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NHI, 10-8.

....380 and 9mm. Something I like about them is the trigger. They do have a double action trigger, but it seems to function as something closer to a single action. Not much travel and set point is light. Of course they have the toggle trigger for safety and aren't known to discharge without pulling the trigger or dropping them. The .380 Shield EZ also has a grip safety in addition to the manual safety. I have an old style Shield 9mm and a 9mm EZ and all work and shoot well. Oh, and a plus is that my wife shoots all of them well, also.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

For self defense I agree.

There is a reason competition shooters use optics. And they work well for a lot of people. But due to my astigmatism and the less than perfect optics on the Holsun 507 I tried on my M&P 2.0 OR Compact they are not for me.

When people complain about it taking time to find the red dot the standard internet reply is they need more training. Train enough and the red dot will automatically appear on the target every time you draw.

At that point why do you need sights of any type for shooting center of mass at 7 yards?

Going back to the OP question, if you are not planning to spend a lot of time dry firing and practicing with live ammo don't let having an optic influence your decision. Optics are not magic, you don't just put one on your handgun and become a fast, accurate marksman. That still requires a lot of practice.

I went in the opposite direction, started with the P365 but fell in love with how the Shield fits in my hand.

It also conceals better, at least for me, and I like the positive striker block.

I’ve never handled the Ruger.

All that being said, go handle them all and shoot them if possible.

A clear favorite should emerge.

[Edit] S&W often offers rebates and bonuses like extra free magazines.
Keep an eye out for those, might make your decision easier.

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Richard

Shield EZ has a single action trigger.

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Release the Kraken

That fellow up there who's wondering about the need for sights to shoot center mass at 7 yards has a point! I decided to get proficient at point and shoot---never mind sights. I started out with a full size silhouette at 10 yards---and almost immediately needed to go to a smaller target or a longer distance. Neither one of them worked---I could still hit what I was looking at---never mind sights. I decided there must be something about stance, a fixed hold (two hands with elbows locked into my sides), moving my whole body, and a fixed stare at the target that worked like a charm!

There's probably a name for all such as that, and somebody here almost certainly knows what it is, and can describe it a damn sight better
---and I can tell you it works!

Sights are all well and good for bullseye targets at 25 and 50 yards, but the mere thought of practicing/depending on them in a combat situation is ludicrous!

Ralph Tremaine

I shot in my first IPSC match with a 5" 1911 in the late '70's and a pro shooter , asked me if I would like some advise and told me to move faster
and worry less about accuracy . The A zone on the target was all I neeed to hit and learn to not look at my sights but focus on the target I should be able to see my side in my peripheral vision . He also told me sights are for target shooting and this was shot as if the targets were a threat so work at glancing over the sights and focus on the target. I found these matches had far to much sit and wait time and last interest quickly .

Some years later I was reading one of the gun rags when I notice a store on Flash Sight Picture shooting style for defensive practice and I read it over several times before I flashed back to that man at the range some years before . This article was from a different man but it has stuck with me for my 37 years of carry and more as a walk and stalk hunter for hogs before that . Now sights and dot optics are great But you need to master a Threat Focused skills first for defensive needs and there's any number of videos to watch that cover shooting with No Sights or Threat Focused shooting . Become good with focusing on a target and changing a dot optic can be easy if needed .

You are not going to be making sniper shots at 100 yards or have time for turning on batteries with a small handgun, would an optic not be more of a hindrance clearing your holster than a help in actual use for this type of gun?

This has been called "body positioning" or "point" shooting. Took classes from a proponent of the technique, it works for most people.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Wow!!!! Just wow

You lost me when you said "optics".....sorry!

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Come and take it!!

Big guy checking in, I have the usual suspects for sub sub compacts. G43 is small and shoots nice but Shield feels better in the hand. But I pocket carry in shorts (I'm retired!) so opted for a PM9. Recoil is not bad and carries like a dream. When I wear jeans I vacillate between the shield and G43. So there is another curve ball for ya!

You right, they are internal hammer fired. But my original Shield 9mm is striker fired and the trigger is very agreeable.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My PC Shield Plus 9mm is my primary EDC. No optics. I usually carry the Shield in a small pocket holster (either a Sticky Holster or a Malabar Leather bullhide pocket holster), but occasionally use a CrossBreed AIWB. An optic, even a small one, would not allow me to draw as quickly from my pocket. For up close and personal applications, i.e. self defense @ 7 yds or less, I don't believe an optic is an advantage. My FO sights and/or point shooting have proven more than adequate during my practice sessions (thank goodness I've never had to experience a real-life confrontational situation). However, with that said, to each his own. I do have an optic on my full-size M&P 10mm 2.0 that I keep handy for home defense or in my vehicle while traveling, but I rarely carry it except in an OWB holster while out in the wilds.

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There is no best. Just alot of good ones, just pick what is best for you.

I have owned most of the more common "micro 9s" over the years. As a retired police officer and range master, I had the good fortune to come into contact with most of them. In those days, we were alway looking for a good, compact 9mm for a BUG and off-duty gun. I was carrying the Ruger LC9 at first, but then in 2012 the Shield came out and I have not been without one since. I have tried each new popular model as they came out, including the G43, P365, G43X, Shadow Systems CR920 and probably some I don't even remember. Each had it's virtues, but the Shield improved with every generation until we got to where we are today, the Shield Plus. I have to say, I shoot better with this pistol than any of the others. The new trigger improved the trigger pull and feel greatly. The accuracy, reliability and durability are also excellent. I don't think I've can remember ever having a malfunction in any of the many Shields I've owned. I can't recommend anything else as even close in all areas of consideration.

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Dave Frost

Simple- the 3914DAO.