Am I crazy for buying a Shield?

[lankox]

I'm looking to pick up my first handgun in CA and after shooting the Shield, Glock 26, Glock 19, and SA XD I want to buy the Shield. After doing a lot of research, I have the following concerns:

1. A lot of people say you are crazy to buy a subcompact as your first gun.

2. I'm going to Frontsight training in May and people say you are crazy to take a subcompact to a 4-day training course.

3. It seems a lot of people view the Shield as a great BUG or great gun for the ladies or a great gun for summer wear when printing is a major concern but not a great gun for a man and EDC.

Would love to hear your thoughts on the above points.

I'm favoring the Shield because of price, safety features, and how small and light it is. I want to have a gun that is comfortable to carry all day and is easy to conceal.

 

[Wingmaster]

I have one and I'm not crazy. LOL

I think it makes a great carry gun.

Wingmaster

 

[B0308]

Well, maybe not crazy, but many new shooters find a slightly larger pistol with a bit more grip and longer sight radius easier to handle. Either a solid .22 or a G19 might be easier to master, but given time and ammo maybe you can make it work.

I have two Shield 9's so think it is a great compact pistol. If you have a good local friend, instructor or coach, it might be worth the time and $$ to get some basic instruction with the Shield and become familiar with its operation, malfunction clearance and good trigger control, before your trip to front sight.

Good luck in your choices, welcome to the Forum and stay safe.

 

[Pef]

I find my 9mm Shield to be an easy shooter. Some small pistols can be pretty snappy, but I've not had that problem with my Shield. Granted, it is not like shooting a full sized, all metal gun, but it's fine for me.

If that is going to be your main carry, then I see no problem in training with it at a course. How else can you become proficient in your tool of choice.

As for a not a great gun for a man, but good for the ladies, that makes no sense. Someone puts a 9mm hole in me I don't care what gun was used to make it.

Opinions, everyone has at least one...

 

[RobzGuns]

If you're crazy, all I can say is 'Welcome to the Asylum'!

For MANY Subcompacts, those concerns are true, as many subcompacts are very rough when it comes to perceived recoil and dependability. Some that come to mind are the P-11, PF-9, LC9, Nano and more. Until I got my Shield, I my EDC was a PF-9, but I only shot it enough to stay proficient with it, then I'd move on to my G26 or XDMc for the rest of the session. At that time, my 'training class' pistol was my XDMc, then I'd apply the techniques learned at the class, to my PF-9. Why? The PF-9 is what's considered a 'Carry a Lot, but shoot a little' type of pistol... Harsh.

To me, the Shield is probably the mildest shooting Subcompact on the market. To me, it shoots as mild as my G26 and ALMOST as mild as my G19. My Shield is my EDC and sometimes, it's the only pistol I take to the range, for several Hundred round session. I consider the Shield an All-Day-Shooter and would have no qualms whatsoever taking it to a 4-Day intensive shooting class like Frontsight.

Just make sure you have plenty of mags to rotate through (at LEAST 6), so you don't slow down the class by needing to reload mags so often.

AND... Buy an UpLula mag loader! It will definitely help reload all those mags.

 

[coachcash86]

It's the only gun I own (9mm). I cut my teeth on a full size M&P .22 loaner from my father in law. When I was ready for my own, the Shield was the best of both worlds for me. It's small enough that I can conceal, and I feel more than safe having it as a home defense gun.

1. I personally think it's a stretch to consider it a sub-compact as I can't even fit it in the back pocket of my relaxed fit khakis.
2. I can't attest to a 4 day training, but I've put about 200 rounds through it in a couple hour range visits with no complaints. I'm not an experienced shooter and I can keep everything inside an 8" target at 10 yards.
3. Shooting is like beer…shoot/drink what you like an don't worry about what other people think. Keep in mind that most folks on here are law enforcement, and so something the size of the Shield is only sufficient as a BUG when you're used to full size .40 or .45 all day everyday.

You can't go wrong with the Shield. Now your only other decision is .40 or 9mm. I went 9mm because of the cost of ammo and having an extra round in the mag.

Good luck.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Howdy from South Carolina, and welcome to the forum.

The Shield is a good carry choice, and can certainly be shot all day, without problems. I don't find it enjoyable to shoot, compared to all-steel full-sized choices, but it's not a problem.

Might want to get a grip sleeve, and a Maglula Uplula.

 

[BC38]

I don't have one, but if you're crazy, then so are at least 999,999 other people.

I'm referring to the fact that S&W recently announced that they had built/sold their 1 millionth shield.

I figure that any handgun that has sold that many copies must be worth having. So if you're crazy you're in good (or at least plentiful) company...

 

[hoc9sw]

I have a 9mm Shield for EDC. I am happy with it, and it shoots as well as I shoot it.

If it is to be your only gun, run a few hundred rounds of 124g FMJ through it before paying for a 4 day course. True for any firearm, you need to be sure it runs right before you depend on it. Mine went back to the mothership. Hope you don't have issues, but all new things out of the box need to be checked out. The weak spot is the Recoil Spring Assembly (RSA) - as soon as you have a serial number, call Smith CS, and (politely) ask for an RSA, and explain the "only gun / 4 day course" situation. They should be able to send one for free. I try to have a spare RSA for any subcompact I have for EDC.

I would want a larger frame for a multi-day course, just because I have arthritis, but I do put 200+ rounds downrange during any trip, Shield included, so it is not implausible.

It is a valid firearm, and anyone who would chide me as having a girly gun would get it back in their face. Put a mag of 147g in that baby and hang on for a ride.

Mind you I carried my Army issue 1911 (.45) for many years, but arthritis is winning, so I stepped down a bit.

I agree on getting extra mags. In my world, 5 per weapon is a minimum. Check for sales online, and grab a few extras.

 

[TTSH]

Would love to hear your thoughts on the above points.

It certainly wouldn't be my first choice for a first gun, particularly given your training plans. I can think of a few dozen better choices (for a first gun) without even trying hard.

But different strokes for different folks. Whatever floats your boat.

I can't wait to hear your choice for a second gun.

p.s., The wife and I each own a 9mm Shield... but it sure as heck wasn't a first gun for either of us.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Nothing wrong with the shield. They have sold buckets of them. I have one in 9mm and like it just fine. It fits my hands well and shoots good. It would not be my FIRST choice for Front Site as something a little bigger and heavier will be easier to shoot but if that is your carry gun I would not have any problem with it. Make sure to take extra magazines and a magazine loader. May is a very good month for Front Site, weather is likely to be decent. It is a great way to spend a week.

 

[TTSH]

It would not be my FIRST choice for Front Site...

It might not even be allowed. From their website:

What Handguns We DO NOT ALLOW

• A handgun with a trigger press weight of less than 4 lbs. For Double Action (DA) pistols, this refers to the initial trigger press (hammer forward/decocked)
  
• Single action revolvers
  
• "Pocket Pistols" such as very small weapons, especially in .22, .25, .32, or .380 calibers

Some examples of "Pocket Pistols":

• Kel-Tec P11, PF9 or P40
• Kahr Micro (.380 or 9mm)
• Ruger LC9
• Smith & Wesson Bodyguard
• Sig Sauer P238
• Taurus Millennium or Slim 709
• Walther PPS
• Similar types of pistols

 

[Wishoot]

Like others have said.

It's wouldn't be my first choice for a first hand gun, but you could do a lot worse.

It may take a while to master, but with practice, the Shield is more than capable of ripping up a bullseye.

 

[hstrawn]

EXCELLENT choice. Many of us are 'crazy' about ours. And I don't believe the Shield is considered a 'pocket pistol' -- the Bodyguard yes but the Shield is, as many before have described, a "little big gun". (and my buddy X-Marine Mike chose the Shield as his first auto pistol--Go figure).

 

[Hhenry]

Another welcome and another vote for the Shield

 

[FederalHST]

TTSH brings up an important issue - What Front Sight allows you to bring is one issue and may determine what you need to bring. Maybe that can be borrowed or rented if you are unsure what you want at that time.

What you want to carry every day is another issue. Over the years I've tried various brands until I've settled on the one I'm most comfortable with (for now?). Your needs may change too so what you want to carry may change.

My biggest concern with the Shield is the capacity. If you were in a situation that was more complex than just a one-on-one conflict, a higher capacity handgun may save your life. The XDM I had was 19+1 almost 3 times the Shield. I plan on using the shield for OTB (on the body) carry but when I travel I bring a higher capacity handgun with me AND carry the shield OTB.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have purchased three 9mm Shields with the thumb safety. One for me, my daughter, and daughter-in-law. I would of bought a .40 S&W no safety version, but got a Sig P239 .40 S&W at a good price. The Shield is a fine pistol.

 

[rwsmith]

The Shield is a 2 purposed gun around here......

It's primary purpose is SD but it's also a 'fun gun'. It's fun and enjoyable to shoot. After I get my practice in, I will keep on shooting for fun. Not so with my Kel Tec P11. it's ONLY purpose is SD. It is NOT fun to practice with. Not in the slightest.

 

[TTSH]

Let me ask this of the folks here in this thread: Was a Shield anyone else's very first gun purchase?

No, I didn't think so.

 

[Rockdoc16]

Well my daughter is 35 and was not a shooter (up until a few months ago), when she decided to learn to shoot a pistol, and will be taking the CHL course in a couple of weeks. She bought a shield and began to shoot. Last week I went with her to an instructor for some handgun instruction and practice. The instructor was amazed at how well she could shoot. She was right on the money with the shield at 15 yards. I was pretty impressed myself. So much so that I went and bought a shield myself. It's shoots as well as my other longer sight radius pistols (M&P 9, Glock 22). The shield just happens to be a pistol that shoots really really well for a small gun. I'm sure it's going to be my carry pistol and favorite pistol in general. Well done Smith & Wesson!