Whit
Member
Anyone have one of the 15 round Shield Plus mags? If so, what has your experience been? Is it reliable? How does it fit the pistol? Is it difficult to load by hand? Would like to have some info before buying one. Thanks.
15 Round Shield Plus Mags
- Thread starter Whit
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I have a couple I use for range duty. I've had no issues with them -- they fit just fine, but obviously are longer. For carry, I use the 10-round mag.
Edit - I forgot to mention, I use an Uplula to load all magazines, so I don't know how difficult it is to load them by hand.
Edit - I forgot to mention, I use an Uplula to load all magazines, so I don't know how difficult it is to load them by hand.
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bigjoe001
Member
I have a few I got from the rebate last year. They work fine and fit fine with no gaps, and I've had no issues at all with them. As mentioned, they're a little longer, and marginally so than the 13 rounders I use for carry purposes. I do use an Uplula to help load them since the last round or two gets pretty tight but that is a minor inconvenience. I wasn't really aware of them till I got the ones back from the rebate, and I have been pleased with them.
N4KVE
Member
Same comment as the post above. But I hate them, being so big, & can’t find anyone to trade straight up for the short ones, so they sit unused. GARY.
Well Armed
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I don't understand the purpose of buying a small carry gun for concealment and weight savings, and then carry a big and heavy oversized magazine inside the gun or as a backup for only a gain of 2 rounds.
The chances of every firing even one shot in self-defense is possible but improbable. (The overwhelming number of civilians will never fire a shot in their lifetime and even law enforcement in their careers). Compound onto that, the chances of needing all 11 (10+1) or 14 (13+1) rounds to stop the threat is even less likely and drops the odds even more. Then add having gone through the first 11 or 14 rounds in the gun, having to reload, and then getting to the point to where the last 2 extra rounds offered in the 15 round magazine will be the difference between life or death.... IMHO, this obsession with capacity and gaining 1 or 2 extra rounds is starting to get ridiculous. Next, people will be spending even more money to alter the 15 factory mag to with aftermarket parts that will add +1 or +2.
The chances of every firing even one shot in self-defense is possible but improbable. (The overwhelming number of civilians will never fire a shot in their lifetime and even law enforcement in their careers). Compound onto that, the chances of needing all 11 (10+1) or 14 (13+1) rounds to stop the threat is even less likely and drops the odds even more. Then add having gone through the first 11 or 14 rounds in the gun, having to reload, and then getting to the point to where the last 2 extra rounds offered in the 15 round magazine will be the difference between life or death.... IMHO, this obsession with capacity and gaining 1 or 2 extra rounds is starting to get ridiculous. Next, people will be spending even more money to alter the 15 factory mag to with aftermarket parts that will add +1 or +2.
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N4KVE
Member
My thoughts, exactly. I was hoping they’d send me short ones. But you know what they say. “If it’s free, you can’t complain”. GARY
outta_ammo
SWCA Member
I carry with the ten-round in place, but if I'm going to carry a second mag it'll be the 15.
kstewart61
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They work great except when they are new you will need something to help you load the magazine like a maglula the springs are super strong.
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I have had issues with my 15 rounds magazines. The spring appears to be the same as the one in the 13 rounder. It does not seem to have enough power to hold the slide back/open after the last round is fired.
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MikeNV
Member
I know I'm getting in here a little late but thought I would offer a few comments. I have 8 S&W 15 round 9 mm magazines that fit three of my guns - 2 Shield Pluses and an Equalizer. I use them primarily for range shooting. I hate to waste range time reloading. Magazines are like guns, you can never have too many.
The OP asked if they are reliable, yes, all of mine have been very reliable as far as fit, feeding, holding the slide open when empty and extraction goes. My only issue has been difficulty getting the last round or two loaded, especially when they were new. I would say they are difficult to load by hand, but then I'm old. An Uplula is the only way I load 9mm magazines and the last round or two can still be difficult. They do loosen up somewhat after several reloads.
I also use the 15 rounders in my compatible house guns - guns staged strategically around the house for self defense, loaded with hollow-points. I don't carry anything with 15 rounds - my favorite carry gun is a M&P 2.0 with either a 7 or 8 round mag to keep the weight down.
The OP asked if they are reliable, yes, all of mine have been very reliable as far as fit, feeding, holding the slide open when empty and extraction goes. My only issue has been difficulty getting the last round or two loaded, especially when they were new. I would say they are difficult to load by hand, but then I'm old. An Uplula is the only way I load 9mm magazines and the last round or two can still be difficult. They do loosen up somewhat after several reloads.
I also use the 15 rounders in my compatible house guns - guns staged strategically around the house for self defense, loaded with hollow-points. I don't carry anything with 15 rounds - my favorite carry gun is a M&P 2.0 with either a 7 or 8 round mag to keep the weight down.
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I have several and no issues at all with reliability.. they can be a touch hard to load the last few rounds, especially when new. I too carry mine with the flush mag, and have the 15 as my spare. The chances of needing the spare are slim, but I always carry one just in case.
MikeNV
Member
S&W includes a 15 round mag with the Equalizer (also comes with a 10 and 13). But you can buy the 15 round mag separately and it fits in the Shield Plus series.
I agree with all the other posts about the fit and function of the 15 round mags - mine are reliable.
The only other piece of info I can offer is the added grip extension makes it more stable.
I have the Equalizer. It and the Shield Plus share the same mags. With the 10 round flush mag I don't shoot it as well as with the 15, however as others pointed out - the concealability is down the tube with the 15.
I also have a single stack Shield in 9mm. I find the exact same thing with it - I shoot it better with the extended mag.
I will say I don't find much of a difference in carry ability between the Shield and Equalizer. I'd rather have the double stack mag in the Equalizer thus its my preferred carry pistol now. Prior to that was a Kahr MK9 with a 6, 7, and 8 round mag. I still like the Kahr and will carry it, but I have been really happy with the Equalizer for a lot of reasons as of late - with the 10 and 15 round mag capacity being one major one.
The Uplula is the only way I can get the last 3 or so rounds in the mag. I do hand load a lot, but I found how stiff the mags were and since the first time loading them I've always gone to the Uplula (S&W includes one with the Equalizer purchase) to finish out all the last few rounds, regardless of mag capacity. It is just too hard to do without some assistance. And yes - it can be a challenge even with the Uplula until you get the technique. If you are shooting outside and have a small portable table it might be an issue. The more stable the table/desk you use the easier it will be.
