NewToGuns17
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Are there any upgrades that you guys find essential to the shield (9mm to be specific) that you would recommend to anybody who has one? Magazine upgrades, trigger, barrel, etc?
Essential Shield Upgrades?
- Thread starter NewToGuns17
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Rpg
Member
From your screen name, I assume you are relatively new to shooting.
If that's correct, spend you money on good instruction and ammo. You may also benefit from some additional magazines (not upgraded magazines).
Once you've put 500 rounds down range, then decide what additions you need (if any).
At this point, ammo and instruction should be your focus.
If that's correct, spend you money on good instruction and ammo. You may also benefit from some additional magazines (not upgraded magazines).
Once you've put 500 rounds down range, then decide what additions you need (if any).
At this point, ammo and instruction should be your focus.
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lgjhn
Member
I totally agree with Rpg. Proper instruction, safe practices and ammo...lots of ammo. Clean & lube the gun per the Owner's Manual. 9mm Shields tend to come from the factory pretty dry with only some rust portectant on em. Clean & Lube it properly. It will save you a lot of grief. Once you get 400-500 rounds down range, you'll have a much better feel for what you might need, if anything. I'm a big fan of Talon Grips and Heine straight eight sights. I put the Talons on when I bought my 9mm Shield and the Heine sights won't be available till fall. The 500 rounds will break the gun in nicely. I did pick up some extra 8-round mags only because I caught em on sale. Otherwise, I'd just use what came with the gun. Mags are stiff when new. Load em up and leave em that way to relieve some of the spring tension. A UpLULA loader is a nice friend to have when loading those stiff mags.
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This.
There is no substitute for training and practice. Break in your gun, break in your grip, break in your trigger finger, break in your shooting eye.
I would avoid all steel cased and all Russian ammo. You can find brass cased ammo at affordable (~20¢/round) prices from CCI (Blazer), Speer (Lawman), Remington and Winchester if you shop online. Stock up, and go to the range with a good supply each trip - NOT with a singe 50 round box you had to go shop for on the way to the range. You want to be in a position to shoot a lot if you decide you want to. And if you decide not to, unshot ammo is easy to carry home and is ready for the next trip.
Most of all, once you have enough training to know you're a safe shooter - HAVE FUN.
As advised, once you have shot your gun a while and feel how it works for you, you will be in a position as a new shooter to compare to other guns. Borrow or rent guns with different set ups, feartures, sights, triggers, etc., and see which of those features helps you shoot better.
Add upgrades to your gun one at a time to see if you get the desired effect. If not, remove them. The best to try first should be replaceable with original parts.
Most mass manufactured guns become better shooters with upgraded parts, or at least easier to shoot or operate well. Adding upgraded parts is not an indictment against the stock gun. It is personalization that makes you a better shot, therefore safer with that gun.
It's fun and interesting to add rims/tires to a new truck, along with a cold air intake and a freer flowing exhaust. Special seat covers, wiper blades, enhanced steering wheel--all enhance your experience with your truck.
Same with the gun. Be ready to start coughing up some change if you really get into upgrading--as much or more than the original cost of the gun. Always be sure first that each upgrade produces the same or better performance. Some can actually make you go backwards on reliability.
Add upgrades to your gun one at a time to see if you get the desired effect. If not, remove them. The best to try first should be replaceable with original parts.
Most mass manufactured guns become better shooters with upgraded parts, or at least easier to shoot or operate well. Adding upgraded parts is not an indictment against the stock gun. It is personalization that makes you a better shot, therefore safer with that gun.
It's fun and interesting to add rims/tires to a new truck, along with a cold air intake and a freer flowing exhaust. Special seat covers, wiper blades, enhanced steering wheel--all enhance your experience with your truck.
Same with the gun. Be ready to start coughing up some change if you really get into upgrading--as much or more than the original cost of the gun. Always be sure first that each upgrade produces the same or better performance. Some can actually make you go backwards on reliability.
Jeppo
Member
I currently own 4 Shields and will probably buy another couple this week. Other than extra FACTORY magazines, the Talon rubber grips are always my first M&P upgrade.
Ranger17
Member
Only things I bought when I picked up any of my handguns were additional mags, an Uplula loader (one covers all my 9's) and of course plenty of ammo. I like to practice, and I like to shoot for fun.
So if one is new to gun ownership, as others have noted spend the coin on ammo, practice and training. Said ammo would include the usual range/practice stuff; and as one gets closer to being ready to use their gun for carry (and or home defense), practice with the self-defense ammo that will be loaded for that purpose.
I dont modify my guns, others do; but before a new shooter looks to modify a new gun they should become proficient with it first. Then make the decision to accessorize or modify as desired.
So if one is new to gun ownership, as others have noted spend the coin on ammo, practice and training. Said ammo would include the usual range/practice stuff; and as one gets closer to being ready to use their gun for carry (and or home defense), practice with the self-defense ammo that will be loaded for that purpose.
I dont modify my guns, others do; but before a new shooter looks to modify a new gun they should become proficient with it first. Then make the decision to accessorize or modify as desired.
OP
NewToGuns17
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Is there a quick loader besides uplula made specifically for the shield mags?
There is a Caldwell mag charger, but I don't believe it's shield specific.
As for upgrades, the most valuable and longest lasting are those made to the shooter. Investing in ammo and training is a good thing.
About the only upgrade to a shield I would consider is sights. That would be after I sent a few hundred rounds down range and decided I needed them though. My shield still has stock sights, my glocks do not.
As for upgrades, the most valuable and longest lasting are those made to the shooter. Investing in ammo and training is a good thing.
About the only upgrade to a shield I would consider is sights. That would be after I sent a few hundred rounds down range and decided I needed them though. My shield still has stock sights, my glocks do not.
Jeppo
Member
I have the Uplula and love it. Pretty essential for my 17-round magazines but I don't always bother with it when loading Shield magazines. For sure it does work with the Shield.
Arik
Member
Ammo! Shoot it a lot to see what you NEED!
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Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Targets Guy
US Veteran
A mag loader is essential IMHO.
Next is a mag extender for a seven round mag for your pinkie finger.
After that you are in high cotton.
Next is a mag extender for a seven round mag for your pinkie finger.
After that you are in high cotton.
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Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Talon grips and an UpLuLa loader.
Will41
Member
Hogue 18400 Handall sleeve Grip and UpLuLa loader. But, my wife likes the grip stock. The grip is too thin for me, so I add the Handall.
Ranger17
Member
I'd suggest to stick with the Uplula ( Universal) loader; it works for my full size MP's double stack mags and my Shield's single stack as well. Sort of a "one size fits all"....
If you have the loader that can cover a wide range of mags to use on your Shield now, you're likely covered for any future gun purchases... cuz there will be future purchases.
Just sayin'
I did the Handall also. We got our initial guns back when they didnt have the Beavertail.
You'd love the beavertail even better
TG mentioned pinkie extentions. Nice for those of us with large hands.
UpLula...good for your 9's up through your 45's
Crazy not to have one
Only problem with an UpLula is your sooooo efficient reloading that you can flat go through a buncha ammo on a range outing!
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Please do not take this the wrong way, but I have never understood the reasoning for buying a budget level pistol then spending countless $ to try to make it perform like a top tier gun would when in the long run you still only have a budget gun with extras. Those extras rarely increase the resale value and never increase trade in value at a gun shop. If you want a top performing pistol buy one from the start and you will always have a top performing pistol that should you grow tired of later will have a much higher resale value than a hopped up Shield ever will. In the end it's cheaper to just go for the better model. Please don't ask how I know this.. There's no substitute for experience.
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