Considering a Shield and have many questions

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Marshal Tom

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I presently do not own any of the plastic guns, only revolvers after many years of carrying a 1911 daily. I have been considering a shield and have read a bunch on the internet etc. For those who have one, how do you like it. Want to know pros and cons. Compare to your Glocks. How does it shoot. Tell me all about it please. I would use this for CCW but not pocket carry, have an M&P 340 for that.
 
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Tom, Hello first I am going to advise that if you do want this type of gun I would caution you to wait about a year before getting one. Usually with first production models they usually have problems with them. I would say let all the kinks come out and be fixed before you take that step...I too want a new sheild but I will wait the year before getting one. I am also a revolver guy and have carried revolvers most of my life. I also shoot Glocks at wirk as I am forced to carry one. I will say that I have shot both the M&P and the Glocks. I think they both have good ergonomics, I do not like the trigger on either gun and I do not like plastic guns as I had a Glock 21 blow up in my hand..(again I am a revolver guy they are all metal and I have never had a problem out of one.) I am forced to make the switch as plastic guns seem to be the wave of the future. I did take a chance and bought a Sig 290 and I really like it even though it is plastic...It fits in my pocket a little better than my S&W 642. I have heard great things about the little gun so far, maybe S&W kept the sheild off the market until they worked out all of the kinks unlike every other company,,,only time will tell.
 
Try to find a range near you that has one as a rental gun. Easiest way is to shoot one.

There are several posters on these forums that have the Shield with one even having more than 1000 rounds through his and he absolutely loves it. Has gone through all 1000 rounds without a hiccup.

S&W warranty/customer service is so dang good I wouldn't even concern myself about waiting to buy one if you've handled one and like it. If I had read even one smidgen of bad about the gun I'd say different but there is absolutely not one bad thing I've read/seen about these guns.

Good luck!!
 
panamajack310 said:
Tom, Hello first I am going to advise that if you do want this type of gun I would caution you to wait about a year before getting one. Usually with first production models they usually have problems with them. I would say let all the kinks come out and be fixed before you take that step...I too want a new sheild but I will wait the year before getting one. I am also a revolver guy and have carried revolvers most of my life. I also shoot Glocks at wirk as I am forced to carry one. I will say that I have shot both the M&P and the Glocks. I think they both have good ergonomics, I do not like the trigger on either gun and I do not like plastic guns as I had a Glock 21 blow up in my hand..(again I am a revolver guy they are all metal and I have never had a problem out of one.) I am forced to make the switch as plastic guns seem to be the wave of the future. I did take a chance and bought a Sig 290 and I really like it even though it is plastic...It fits in my pocket a little better than my S&W 642. I have heard great things about the little gun so far, maybe S&W kept the sheild off the market until they worked out all of the kinks unlike every other company,,,only time will tell.
Click to expand...

Normally I would agree too, but this is not a "new gun". It is identical to the M&P series just a bit slimmer. All of the trials and tribulations from those have been applied and used on this pistol as well. Also, the reviews and experiences people keep posting seem to indicate that this gun was done very well. I have not read a single post about any failure to feed, extraction or double feed issues nor failures of the slide locking back on a full mag or not doing so on an empty one. One guy has over 1,000 rounds through his even. You can rest easy buying this one new, I sure did - and you've got some of the best customer service in the industry at your disposal should you need it from Smith & Wesson.
 
panamajack310 said:
Tom, Hello first I am going to advise that if you do want this type of gun I would caution you to wait about a year before getting one. Usually with first production models they usually have problems with them. I would say let all the kinks come out and be fixed before you take that step...I too want a new sheild but I will wait the year before getting one. I am also a revolver guy and have carried revolvers most of my life. I also shoot Glocks at wirk as I am forced to carry one. I will say that I have shot both the M&P and the Glocks. I think they both have good ergonomics, I do not like the trigger on either gun and I do not like plastic guns as I had a Glock 21 blow up in my hand..(again I am a revolver guy they are all metal and I have never had a problem out of one.) I am forced to make the switch as plastic guns seem to be the wave of the future. I did take a chance and bought a Sig 290 and I really like it even though it is plastic...It fits in my pocket a little better than my S&W 642. I have heard great things about the little gun so far, maybe S&W kept the sheild off the market until they worked out all of the kinks unlike every other company,,,only time will tell.
Click to expand...
I completely disagree. The Shield has practically the same internal makings as the larger M&Ps. It is simply a single stack M&P .. nothing really new. What kinks are you talking about? I know several guys who have bought the Shield and not one has reported any issues. They love it, stating that the Shield is very accurate and dependable. I have close to 1000 rnds through mine mostly with reloads .. not one hiccup!
 
I have been reading all the posts on the forum and also have looked at all the reviews on the net. So far it looks extremely good. I have been a bit devided between the .9mm and the .40cal but I think that the .40 makes more sense in some ways even though I have never been a big fan of the .9mm. I am also considering the soon to be released Springfield XDs. Keep the comments coming!

Tom
 
I rented a Shield recently and can attest to all the good things posted, at least for the short run. If you want one I see no reason to wait, the price will only go up and the customer service @ S&W is excellent.
 
I come from where you are coming from. For years the only plastic pistol I owned was a KelTec .380 some time ago and more recently a Ruger LCP. I've always preferred and only owned J- and K-frame revolvers as well as a couple of S+W "3rd Gen autos" and 1911's and a BHP. I've always wanted to like Glocks because of their well-deserved reputation for reliability, simplicity, ruggedness, etc. My only problem was I just didn't LIKE Glocks. I had been looking at the M&P line for a while but never really took the plunge. I even happened on a really good deal on a full-size 9mm and turned it down. I was always kind of interested in the M&P9c, though, and finally happened on a deal I couldn't pass up on one, "used, but barely fired". The gun shop owner told me someone ran one box of range ammo through it, decided they didn't like it and traded it right back in on something else. Not hard to believe as this was in early Feb 2012 and the fired case envelope is dated late-November 2011.

Anyway, even though I was looking forward to getting it, I immediately liked the M&P9c way more than I ever thought I would. It has proven itself to be 100% reliable so far, is easy to shoot accurately and I love the way it looks and feels. I just bought a "Shield" Friday and ran an initial 200 trouble free rounds through it yesterday. It carries more easily than the 9c being noticeably slimmer, shorter and lighter, but so far has proven itself to be just as accurate and reliable as well as handsome and feels good in the hand. No, it's not a true pocket pistol, I wasn't looking for one. (Like many guns, it COULD be carried in the pocket for a brief run to the store or what-have-you, but not what I call a true pocket pistol.) Like my other favorite S+W models, the 3913 and 3953, I feel it's a great gun because it is small, thin and light enough to be a great carry gun while being "substantial enough" to be fun to shoot many rounds through in a single range session.

Many on this forum and others have lamented the discontinuation of the 3913 (as well as other fine 3rd gens). It's extremely doubtful for many reasons (mostly financial) that you'll ever see them produced again, but maybe S+W really has been listening and is offering us the next best thing. My 3913, BHP and 1911 aren't leaving me anytime soon, but the Shield isn't, either, and in the immediate future will see most of my holster and range time.
 
panamajack310 said:
I have heard great things about the little gun so far, maybe S&W kept the sheild off the market until they worked out all of the kinks unlike every other company,,,only time will tell.
Click to expand...

Maybe you guys did not read my last line....I do not care if it is a single stack version of the M&P the dimentions have changed and other mechanical and engineering factors are involved....The bottom line is it is a new production gun and is based off of the full size design of the M&P...Now I refer to the last sentence I wrote.....
 
Old cop said:
I rented a Shield recently and can attest to all the good things posted, at least for the short run. If you want one I see no reason to wait, the price will only go up and the customer service @ S&W is excellent.
Click to expand...

pretty sure that the price will go down... very few people actually pay msrp for a gun unless it's new and hard to get a hold of. I am sure they will be in the 370's in a year or so.
 
My wife and I both carry a M&P9c, they have both been completely trouble free for the past 5 years. I bought a new Shield last Tuesday, took it out and we both shot about 50 rounds a piece through it. Yesterday my wife bought her own Shield and we took it out this morning and ran 50 rounds through the new gun. At 25 yards her first target wound up with one big hole in the center of the target and there was a big smile on her face.

The Shield breaks down just like every other M&P. The Shield has a Thumb Safety, where my 9c does not.

The Thumb Safety does not lock the slide, but rather blocks the Sear from movement, so it can be unloaded and cleared with the safety on. The Ruger LC-9 locks the slide and must be moved to the Fire position to unload and clear the gun. The Ruger also has a Magazine Safety; the Shield does not. There is no Internal key lock as well; the LC-9 has an Internal key lock.

The recoil of the Shield is just like my M&P9c. The trigger is crisp with a good reset, the same as my 9c. I will run another 100 rounds through the gun before I replace my 9c as my daily carry gun, but I don't anticipate any surprises for the new Shield. I have been carrying it in a Blackhawk size 3 pocket holster in my daily uniform of shorts and T-shirt. It also fits in my Crossbreed SuperTuck IWB and my Galco Stinger OWB holsters.

The store where we bought both guns is now sold out...the sold almost 30 guns in less than a week.
 
I would say S&W knows what they're doing. I think there is indication enough that with the factory test fire dates of many of the Shields on this forum being in February, S&W might just have done some testing on this pistol before releasing it to us all. The Bodyguard 380 and M&Pc series offered plenty of experience to S&W on how to construct a small, lightweight, polymer framed pistol effectively.
 
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I don't usually like to be a Beta tester either...but as others have said, this being another iteration of the M&P line, and given S&W's great service, and the already extremely positive reports on the Shield, I bought one and then a second one for my wife. I really like everything about this pistol, so much so that I am letting my M&P 45 and M&P 9c go...I want to focus on 1911s, and carry the Shield. I think the Shield feels better in the hand than any of the other M&Ps anyway.

That way, I only have to stock two kinds of magazines: those for my 1911s, and those for the Shields...plus my wife and I can share magazines for the Shield (she will normally use the 7 rounders, and I like the 8 rounders, but if we are in a zombie shootout, we can share!)
 
Since the OP asked for input from people who actually have and shoot the Shield, I will give my opinion.
I have over 1/2 half of a Folgers coffee can full of empty brass that has cycled through my pistol. All but 75 jhps were my reloads.
I have had zero failures of any kind.
I think the Shield is the best shooting small pistol I have ever tried. Low recoil and flip and as accurate as any gun I own. I would recommend anyone looking for a small carry gun to try one out.
I have a couple of Kahrs for sale....
 
Thanks for all the input so far. What about the .9mm vs. .40cal? Some feel that it is better suited to the .9mm due to less recoil etc. I have never been a big fan of 9mm but in this particular gun it might just be a better choice.

Tom
 
Forget the Shield and get a full size M&P.Either that or just get a M&P compact if you want a smaller gun.
 
Personally I think the Shield is an awesome weapon. It's small and light and comfortable in my hand. If I had one criticism of the weapon is that it's built for a right hander... and I'm a southpaw. But, to be honest, the lack of an ambidextrous safety and right side mag release is little more than an annoyance to me. I purchased this weapon purely for concealed carry. If I can't drop a target in 8 rounds then I've got a bigger problem since I don't plan to carry a spare magazine. ;)

Unfortunately I can't assist you with comparing the Shield to a Glock since I dislike Glocks. I own one only because my better half wanted one... and whatever momma wants momma gets (or I don't)! My large frame weapon of choice right now is an old Spanish Star BKS. It's a single stack 9mm based on a 1911-style frame. It's light, comfortable in my hand, and fun to shoot.. That said I'd still rather carry the Shield... :D
 
I doubt the OP is going to find much if any feedback of the .40 S&W version of the shield - from what I have read they haven't shipped yet. In any case, all of the reviews I have read are for the 9mm version.

Mine is the best shooting small handgun and the best new handgun I have ever owned. I shoot it noticeably better than 9cs I have rented, and equivalent to the full size. 150 rounds through it so far without any trace of a hiccup. Smith are going to sell a lot of these. The only role I don't feel it serves well for CC is as a pocket pistol. However, for an IWB 9mm it is awesome and will replace quite a few LC9s, Taurus 709s, PPSs, CW9s, etc.

Tommato
 

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And the accuracy for 25 yds is amazing! I really think the grip mag design has a lot to do with it, keeping the recoil low for consecutive shots on target. What I been reading the nay-sayers for the most part haven't even fired a Shield, where as we have.
 
Hickok45 just posted a 30 minute video on Youtube. Amazing shooting and explanations and size comparisons for the Shield.
 
I just posted my review of the Shield on this site.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/245911-left-handers-perspective-m-p-shield.html

I put over 400 rounds through mine so far and no issues whatsoever.

As far as the argument of .40 vs. 9mm, that is a whole other religious discussion. I did some research on what the FBI and Los Angeles police department published on the calibers and different LE ammo. I chose to go with Federal HST's in both my 9mm and .45's. There is not a statistical difference on wound lethality between the .40 and 9mm. 9mm is cheaper and more fun to shoot so I chose that caliber.

Anyway, I am happy to try and answer any questions you have on the Shield. Just let me know.

Jack
 
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.
 
Very, very nice but.....

Mine shoots 100% on any ammo I put through it. It is ergonomically wonderful and easy to shoot, easy to conceal.

It is just about my favorite CCW gun...if only I had not been ruined by my HK P7. After the P7, nothing else will quite measure up, but the Shield is 2nd place in my book.

Mine has a serial number of XXX00003 (I put XXX in there in place of the letters) so I think it is an early manufacture, but I don't know what the letters mean so it could be a later series.

I say get it as soon as you can find one in stock anywhere, you won't be sorry. Smith & Wesson knocked it out of the park on this one.
 
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Just got back from the range with my Shield, M&P 9c, and M&PFS 9. No hiccups with any of them, first time I have fired the FS & Shield. The Shield & 9c shot to point of aim and the sights were easier to see with 62 yr old eyes(maybe the shorter sight radius, I don't know), FS shot a bit low. I sold a HK p7 and bought the FS and the Shield. The Shield smaller thinner and lighter than the P7 & it does not get hot after 50 rounds. I don't know, maybe plastic is better for me, even though I always have loved 1911's. Bottom line is I am happy!
 
After talking about it, I had to go shooting today. I shot both the shield 9mm and my P7. They both shoot great and conceal well. I did notice the P7 gets warm but I put a whole box of 50 through it as fast as I could (only have two 8rnd mags so I had to stop to reload them) and it got warm but not hot at all. Of course so did the shield (barrel and top of slide in front) but not quite as much. I buy the cheapest ammo I can find (Federal white box at $220 per 1000 rnds) and both of these guns just eat it up.

I did notice the recoil is different. The P7 has a sharp recoil but less movement up and back than the shield. It comes back on target easier too. It is 1/2 pound heavier so I attribute it to that and the low bore axis. Still the Shield is so much nicer to shoot than my late and un-lamented Ruger LC9. That gun was easy to conceal but I just hated shooting it and was not very accurate with it.

I needed to check sight alignment anyway as I just put night sights on it. I went ahead and ordered the green Meprolight night sights that fit the full size M&P. I lose about 1/3inch of sight radius but I have the ledge shape to the front of rear sight that allows you to pull back the slide on a pocket or other object. The rear sight of the Meprolight sights comes out exactly flush to the top of the slide and the sights are bigger than the stock 3-dots. I like it better really, but it does not look as sleek as the stock sights. Overall, I am pleased with the night sights...just need a good holster to make this my EDC for a while (need to take the P7 out of rotation to get that Robar finish I have been craving).

I would like to hear more about people's holster experience for IWB or OWB carry.
 
My Shield is working really well for one application I have that my other guns just weren't working for...in my motorcycle jacket pocket. While it's not a pocket gun, a motorcycle jacket is a different deal. Mine is a flap-type pocket with zipper, velcro and a snap at the front to aid in keeping the velcro stuck if you don't have it zipped. That's how I carry it, velcroed and snapped. I carry it slide down, grip to the rear. I can get it out pretty quick.

Before this I was forced to carry an old IRMA .25 I have! No good. I traded my 638 (too small to get ahold of for me) in on an SP-101 .357 2 1/4" DAO. I like it, but just too heavy for my bike jacket, so this is nice. I've also found I can carry it in my jeans without a holster if I put the muzzle in the watch pocket and the pistol under my belt.
 
weaverman said:
My Shield is working really well for one application I have that my other guns just weren't working for...in my motorcycle jacket pocket. While it's not a pocket gun, a motorcycle jacket is a different deal. Mine is a flap-type pocket with zipper, velcro and a snap at the front to aid in keeping the velcro stuck if you don't have it zipped. That's how I carry it, velcroed and snapped. I carry it slide down, grip to the rear. I can get it out pretty quick.

Before this I was forced to carry an old IRMA .25 I have! No good. I traded my 638 (too small to get ahold of for me) in on an SP-101 .357 2 1/4" DAO. I like it, but just too heavy for my bike jacket, so this is nice. I've also found I can carry it in my jeans without a holster if I put the muzzle in the watch pocket and the pistol under my belt.
Click to expand...
May I suggest that it would far safer to get a good IWB holster instead? Guys have stated that it IWB very comfortably and disappears. You won't risk it falling out of your belt either while on your bike.
 
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