Marshall Tom
In response to your questions.
I have been shooting Glock in IDPA competition for going on 19 years now.
Glock is a great gun (1st thru 3rd Gen) IMHO. but as a lot of people have posted before, they have their issues.
Spent shell locations can be very problematic. Hot casings down the shirt, next one hits the guy next to you at the range... you get my point.
The Shield is probably the most consistent ejection I have ever seen, I was actually amazed.
Now I know all we keep hearing is great things about this gun, but I really tried to find an issue with it but I could not.
The safety is a complete non-issue, I tried to imagine a grip, or condition where it could be accidentally engaged either thru firing or presenting from concealment, and because of its design (very low profile) i cannot see an instance where that might happen. Not saying it won’t, but I can’t see it. It has a VERY positive engagement off and on.
I actually like to use it as it is perfectly placed to disengage with the thumb quite easily.
Here’s the main thing I noticed on the gun after 400 rds. without a single issue of any sort.
Because of the way I train, I do allot of controlled group drills, firing the second shot ASAP after acquiring the front sight.
With every Glock I have ever shot, regardless of the type of sights used, under the initial recoil, the gun raises on an even plane. in other words the muzzle does not rise above the rear of the gun, they both lift equally. Hope that makes sense!
The Shield seems to flips the muzzle but barely, basically pivoting at the wrist, whereas the Glock, for me anyway, pivots more at the elbow.
And before anyone starts flaming me about how I shoot, let me get to my point!
Whether it is grip angle, and they are different. Or it is the internals; the Shield has the internal chassis system, whereas the Glock does not. Seems to me the Glock frame might flex more than the Shield under recoil. I don’t know as I am not an engineer.
All I do know is this, the Shield is faster on follow up shots than any Glock I have ever owned, might be the trigger, and the Shield has a great trigger.
I managed to keep all rounds (16) in a 4" Shoot N See at 7 yds. using controlled group drills.
Crazy accurate and controllable for a 3" barrel.
Really doesn’t feel like I am shooting a polymer gun at all, feels more like an alloy frame to me.
I always have my doubts about a "new" gun, but this is not new, it is a refinement of the M&P design.
Basically, I wanted to dislike this gun because I have been a Glock devotee for a long time, but S&W totally got this right as far as I am concerned.
After 400 rds., this is my new CC gun, IWB appendix carry. a simple T shirt and it’s totally hidden with complete confidence.