Anybody not thrilled with the Shield?

[Wee Hooker]

I was one of the lucky few in my state to be able to get my hands on a Shield this month. ( They are really TRICKLING into MA.) I basically bought it out of curiosity and opportunity converging in the same place and time. Anyway, after some fondling, inspection and a range session, I'll say that: a) It shoots well enough b) is well made enough c) packs decently d) just doesn't excite me. Guess it's just too close ( in every way) for me to reach past my beloved M&P9c when it comes carry time. I just like the M&Pc better and don't feel the need for the marginally thinner & lighter Shield. I'm not bashing it here, just commenting. I've now owned the Shield only two weeks and I'm already thinking about recouping my funds in a resale.
Just wondering if I'm odd man out in not being in lust with this new, and very capable handgun.

 

[danysw]

Count with me, we are two. I have the Full M&P 9 and my beloved M&P9 Compact which is my EDC. Having 6’ and 200 pounds. I found that using any holster (and I have many) my 9c disappear under my cloth, I’ve shoot the Shield many times and as all subcompacts in less accurate than my 9c and always have 12+1 rounds ready with me. Due to those factors I don’t feel the necessity of buying/carrying the M&P Shield even though I agree is a very nice little beast.

 

[RussC]

I was one of the lucky few in my state to be able to get my hands on a Shield this month. ( They are really TRICKLING into MA.) I basically bought it out of curiosity and opportunity converging in the same place and time. Anyway, after some fondling, inspection and a range session, I'll say that: a) It shoots well enough b) is well made enough c) packs decently d) just doesn't excite me. Guess it's just too close ( in every way) for me to reach past my beloved M&P9c when it comes carry time. I just like the M&Pc better and don't feel the need for the marginally thinner & lighter Shield. I'm not bashing it here, just commenting. I've now owned the Shield only two weeks and I'm already thinking about recouping my funds in a resale.
Just wondering if I'm odd man out in not being in lust with this new, and very capable handgun.

Wee

I pocket conceal my Shield so thin is in even if it is just a little thinner.

Russ

 

[Fat B]

I agree with you to a point. The Shield doesn't gain much by leaps and bounds but it does gain a little. Someone who is 150 pounds such as myself has to take all they can get. 20% thinner isn't much but it helps.

Or to look at it a different way: The M&P9C isn't a pocket gun for sure. The Shield really isn't a pocket gun but could be if you had large pockets. That 20% makes a difference.

It's surprising. The Shield is only .25 inches thinner (or abouts there) yet the M&P9C looks like a pig when compared to the Shield in pics from behind. The Shield does fit the bill of the smallest pistol I can get in 9mm that is still pleasant to shoot. And since I don't care much about round count (7 in the gun and 8 in the spare are plenty for me), the Shield is a better option for me. YMMV.

 

[oneminute]

No, you are not the odd man out.

The Shield is a fine weapon but it does not do anything better than a larger piece that holds more ammunition.

The only advantage it has is that it is narrower than any other M&P. That means it is easier to shove into your waistband or tighter pockets.

 

[pazzo]

Disagree. For those of us who live in temps of over 85 deg for 330 days of the year, the thinness of the shield is much easier to conceal under a t-shirt.

Also, the Shield is more accurate than the MP9c's I've had, not to mention a better stock trigger. I'm a fan of single stack guns and the Shield did so many things right and stole the show from Kahr, Beretta Nano etc.

Mine has been as solid as my P239, which cost 2x more.

 

[N4KVE]

I don't own either gun, but at work I get to shoot both. The M&P9c just feels better in my hand. End of story. If you sell your Shield now, before supply catches up with demand, you'll probably get all your money back. GARY

 

[ken158]

I bought my second one yesterday... now I have a 9 and a 40.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Wee

I pocket conceal my Shield so thin is in even if it is just a little thinner.

Russ

Good discussion point on the pocket carry. FWIW, I tried pocket carry once and found it a little large/heavy for that method. If I pocket carry. I usually do so with my Bodygaurd 380 or 360pd. Both are a little lighter and smaller in the pocket. Again, not saying it's not suitable for this, just that I found it not to fill a niche that needed filling.
I guess I should also mention that I'm 5' 8" & 210 and don't find anything comfortable for IWB carry. Perhaps I'd feel different if I carried that method.

 

[Wee Hooker]

If you sell your Shield now, before supply catches up with demand, you'll probably get all your money back. GARY

Yea, thinking that. It would be nice to break even. However, got bored the other day and dropped in a spare sear and spring left over from a M&P pro rebuild. The trigger is now at about 4# and too light. Need to crank it back up a few # before I advertized it.

 

[RobzGuns]

The Shield was not built to compete with the M&P FS or C.
It was built to compete in the market that sells to the LC9, PF-9, PPS snf Nano crowd. For those that want a single-stack 9mm and those who CAN pocket carry that size pistol.

The new trigger, manageable recoil and the ability to front pocket carry was the reason I bought the shield, rather than the others listed above. I don't need another double-stack.

If you can't pocket the Shield and CAN conceal a double-stack easily, there's really no reason for you to get a Shield (unless you simply WANT one to complete 'the set').

 

[Shielded]

I actually pocket carried my Shield all day a couple of Saturday's ago, & found it did very well & this was walking for about 6 hours. I was pleased

 

[S&W Rover]

The Shield is getting high marks overall (with a few potential issues) and seems to outclass its direct competition. But I agree with the OP; for me, it doesn't work well, although I thought it would. I sold my Shield 9 for what I paid for it; it was an early one I lucked into through Bud's (I guessed they had a few, even though none were on the web site, and they confirmed it when I asked).

This is not a mark against the M&P Shield; it is a niche pistol that works well if you want a thin IWB or even belt-carried pistol, or one you can put in a jacket pocket; it is not so hot in a pants pocket.

My CCW remains a S&W Mdl 642, which fits in my pants pocket in a pocket holster. If in the field where a larger pistol can be carried, I'll go with a full size M&P (probably the .40 S&W).

No knock on the Shield; I think S&W's execution on this was excellent - the pistol seems to work and be accurate. But it doesn't fit what everyone needs. Little risk in buying one, though, if you can find one, because for the foreseeable future, it can be resold at what it cost.

 

[Maddmax]

(unless you simply WANT one to complete 'the set').

BINGO. I also love shooting and I do carry it. But it's also for my set which is complete until the next one pops out.

 

[RussC]

Good discussion point on the pocket carry. FWIW, I tried pocket carry once and found it a little large/heavy for that method. If I pocket carry. I usually do so with my Bodygaurd 380 or 360pd. Both are a little lighter and smaller in the pocket. Again, not saying it's not suitable for this, just that I found it not to fill a niche that needed filling.
I guess I should also mention that I'm 5' 8" & 210 and don't find anything comfortable for IWB carry. Perhaps I'd feel different if I carried that method.

Dave

I had to change out the Shield stock sights for XS Big dot due to the rear sight catching on my pocket.

Is it the most ideal picket gun? No

However, if you want to carry 9mm in your pocket you have to weigh reliability with weight and size and I found 9mm pocket guns that really are pocket guns (I.e. Kahr, Diamondback etc ) are not as reliable.

Each to their own. I have gotten use to pocket packing my Shield and I know because I have tried pocket conceal of a Glock 26 which is a double stack which is only 1/4 inch thicker but that extra looked ridiculous in my pocket.

Russ

 

[Electraclyde]

I agree, it is a very good gun in many ways, but not a great gun in any one thing.
Last friday while at the range I loaded the 9mm shield with the 7 round magazine and one in the pipe. From low ready with the safety on, I fired the 8 rounds from 25 feet at a paper plate against a timer.
I then repeated that same thing with my Springfield EMP 9mm. The group size with the EMP was less than half the size of the shield group and was done in 1/3 less time.
I sold the shield today for what I paid for it.
Good gun, not a great gun.

 

[RussC]

I agree, it is a very good gun in many ways, but not a great gun in any one thing.
Last friday while at the range I loaded the 9mm shield with the 7 round magazine and one in the pipe. From low ready with the safety on, I fired the 8 rounds from 25 feet at a paper plate against a timer.
I then repeated that same thing with my Springfield EMP 9mm. The group size with the EMP was less than half the size of the shield group and was done in 1/3 less time.
I sold the shield today for what I paid for it.
Good gun, not a great gun.

Electraclyde:

You can't compare a $1,000 handgun to the Shield for timed shooting drills and shot placement.

Dollar for dollar the Shield is an excellent gun and serves well as a ccw.

The EMP will have less recoil due to the extra weight so of course you will get on target quicker with followup shots, thus reducing shot time and paying more than twice as much better give you tighter groups.

Russ

 

[Smitty357]

The way I see it, i carry both the Shield and a full size. However, the full size I carry is a 1911. I see no point in a 9c because its the middle of the two. If i want something large and accurate, i just take the 1911. If i want something small, very concealable, manageable ammo, and thinner I just carry the Shield.

Both work very good for their intended purposes. But like I said, the 9c is just pointless in that battle. We can compare apples to oranges (shields to 9c's) all day long. Everything has its up and everything has its downs. In the end, it depends on what you want to wear that day.

IMO, most people excuse to buy a 9c (for CCW). Is simply beause they cant get their hands on a Shield, and they dont feel like waiting. But as i said, thats just my opinion.

 

[blujax01]

Different strokes. I'm glad S&W has made such a popular hand gun. Folks like the Shield a lot.

Maybe if the Shield had interchangeable grips and it could get some palm swell...

But for now, I don't like the way it feels in my hand. And that's a huge % of whether I buy a gun or just look.

Luscious carries a 9C every day and I"m waiting for a Lobo holster for my 45C.
And Shields are commonly available at several local retailers.

 

[growr]

The shield does nothing that my 3913 doesn't do even better. And I really LIKE M&P's I have 4 of them....but for concealed work...nothing has improved on the King of them all....the 3913!

All these years and many models later....no one, not even S&W themselves have improved on this fabulous handgun!


Randy