Edmo
US Veteran
I picked up a copy of the 9mm Shield yesterday and got out to one of the local indoor ranges today. I'm normally a GLOCK auto guy and this is my first S&W auto although I've owned five S&W revolvers.
Overall I'm pleased with the gun. I fired just over 150 rounds of mixed ammo... All brands fired were accurate in the gun and functioning was 100%. The ammo included: Winchester White Box 115 FMJ, American Eagle 115 FMJ, Hornady 124 XTP, Speer 115 Gold Dot, and Remington 124 Golden Saber. Below are some initial impressions...
Trigger: Very nice trigger and trigger reset for a small gun. Compared to my GLOCKs, the trigger was a smidge heavier, but nice and provided an even pull throughout the whole stroke. The reset was shorter than the other small 9mm handguns I've tried, however it is still requires a tiny bit more forward trigger travel to achieve reset than my GLOCKs (just a "smidge"). The reset is still shorter and more positive than other 9mm guns I have tried in this size class (Kahr CM/PM9, KelTec PF9, Ruger LC9). I'm expecting the trigger to smooth out even more with a few more rounds through the gun.
Recoil: I generally shoot guns with a bit more recoil and have developed a level of tolerance for handgun recoil. I wasn't expecting to see a huge level of snappiness, but with the size of this gun I was expecting a bit more than I got. Even though it is a small gun, recoil is very manageable and bordering on "light" if you are like me and used to a bit more snap. In this one small sample the Gold Dots and Golden Sabers were both equally accurate and the Golden Sabers seemed to give a smoother push for recoil. Nice job on the recoil management S&W!
Ergos (added on edit): Being a GLOCKer and used to the chubby and grippy texture of my Gen4 GLOCK grips, I came away wishing this pistol had a bit more texture to the grip polymer. It wasn't bad, but a little more texture would be nice. However, one place I would eliminate the texturing is at the back/bottom of the trigger guard where my middle finger rubs. This tended to be the one location of irritation after my range session. After a few more times to the range this area might see some smoothing work with sandpaper. Otherwise, the grip and controls are what I expected from the gun. Now to the one of the gun's downfalls - ambi controls... I'm a lefty and none of the controls (except the trigger) are lefty friendly?? Come on S&W, you can do better than that! Additionally, since it is right hand use only, as far as I'm concerned the safety can be deleted. Hopefully someone will come up with a safety blocker or delete kit to eliminate the chance that it will be ON when I need it to be OFF.
Accuracy: OUTSTANDING!! I was not expecting the gun to be as accuate as it is. Just like with any small & light handgun, it is easy to induce bigger groups with slight twitches and movements as you work the trigger. My practice with an aluminum J-frame has helped me in this department. Below are two targets: One with WWB and the other with Gold Dots both shot at 21'. Both targets were shot standing on my hind legs unsupported, so the gun is easily capable of much better groups than I can make.
Conclusion: After running 150ish rounds through it, I'll give my initial thumbs up. The Shield is a light and thin 9mm which will carry well and give good reliable accuracy when needed. I think S&W did good with this one, but I'll give it some more range time before I commit fully. Earlier this year with the same amount of ammo through it I commented on how good a S&W BG38 Bodyguard was running, but it quickly turned into a lemon and had to be destroyed! This Shield has all indications of being a good one and it will likely turn out to be one of my often carried guns.
On edit: I had no issues with mags falling out due to recoil as reported by some Shield owners. I noticed some 40 S&W Shields have been reported to do this with a few 9mm Shields also reporting problems. So far, with 150 rounds no problems with my 9mm...
Edmo
Overall I'm pleased with the gun. I fired just over 150 rounds of mixed ammo... All brands fired were accurate in the gun and functioning was 100%. The ammo included: Winchester White Box 115 FMJ, American Eagle 115 FMJ, Hornady 124 XTP, Speer 115 Gold Dot, and Remington 124 Golden Saber. Below are some initial impressions...
Trigger: Very nice trigger and trigger reset for a small gun. Compared to my GLOCKs, the trigger was a smidge heavier, but nice and provided an even pull throughout the whole stroke. The reset was shorter than the other small 9mm handguns I've tried, however it is still requires a tiny bit more forward trigger travel to achieve reset than my GLOCKs (just a "smidge"). The reset is still shorter and more positive than other 9mm guns I have tried in this size class (Kahr CM/PM9, KelTec PF9, Ruger LC9). I'm expecting the trigger to smooth out even more with a few more rounds through the gun.
Recoil: I generally shoot guns with a bit more recoil and have developed a level of tolerance for handgun recoil. I wasn't expecting to see a huge level of snappiness, but with the size of this gun I was expecting a bit more than I got. Even though it is a small gun, recoil is very manageable and bordering on "light" if you are like me and used to a bit more snap. In this one small sample the Gold Dots and Golden Sabers were both equally accurate and the Golden Sabers seemed to give a smoother push for recoil. Nice job on the recoil management S&W!
Ergos (added on edit): Being a GLOCKer and used to the chubby and grippy texture of my Gen4 GLOCK grips, I came away wishing this pistol had a bit more texture to the grip polymer. It wasn't bad, but a little more texture would be nice. However, one place I would eliminate the texturing is at the back/bottom of the trigger guard where my middle finger rubs. This tended to be the one location of irritation after my range session. After a few more times to the range this area might see some smoothing work with sandpaper. Otherwise, the grip and controls are what I expected from the gun. Now to the one of the gun's downfalls - ambi controls... I'm a lefty and none of the controls (except the trigger) are lefty friendly?? Come on S&W, you can do better than that! Additionally, since it is right hand use only, as far as I'm concerned the safety can be deleted. Hopefully someone will come up with a safety blocker or delete kit to eliminate the chance that it will be ON when I need it to be OFF.
Accuracy: OUTSTANDING!! I was not expecting the gun to be as accuate as it is. Just like with any small & light handgun, it is easy to induce bigger groups with slight twitches and movements as you work the trigger. My practice with an aluminum J-frame has helped me in this department. Below are two targets: One with WWB and the other with Gold Dots both shot at 21'. Both targets were shot standing on my hind legs unsupported, so the gun is easily capable of much better groups than I can make.
Conclusion: After running 150ish rounds through it, I'll give my initial thumbs up. The Shield is a light and thin 9mm which will carry well and give good reliable accuracy when needed. I think S&W did good with this one, but I'll give it some more range time before I commit fully. Earlier this year with the same amount of ammo through it I commented on how good a S&W BG38 Bodyguard was running, but it quickly turned into a lemon and had to be destroyed! This Shield has all indications of being a good one and it will likely turn out to be one of my often carried guns.
On edit: I had no issues with mags falling out due to recoil as reported by some Shield owners. I noticed some 40 S&W Shields have been reported to do this with a few 9mm Shields also reporting problems. So far, with 150 rounds no problems with my 9mm...
Edmo
Last edited:
