Finally bought a Shield in .45

[Daryl Licht]

I'm mostly impressed with it so far, but have only put 120 rounds thru it. Most of that has been 230 gr. ball, but it has been good with 230 gr. Federal HST ammo as well. It is the manual safety model, I'm starting to wish I'd been more patient and waited to find one without the thumb safety. None of my other M&P's have the TS.

The pistol shot a couple of inches to the left at 10 yards. I haven't been shooting my best lately but was confirmed by another shooter who was shooting well at the time. After a sight adjustment it shoots to POA.

I picked up an extra 7 round magazine when I bought it. With the two 7 round mags I have the gun functions flawlessly. The 6 rounder has a couple of problems, which pains me because when I start to carry it I would prefer the 6+1 for slightly better concealment. When charging from the magazine, then topping it off and reinserting, the slide hangs on the top round in the mag after the first shot. And, without fail, the slide skips over the third round down in the mag. While it's field stripped, the follower does not push the slide lock up properly, so it's most likely a bum spring. I'll see if I can get a couple more of the 6 rounders.

Overall I'm happy with the gun. As soon as I can get some more magazines and put some more of my carry ammo thru it I'll be carrying this one quite a bit.

 

[mckenney99]

Disassemble the malfunctioning mag and thoroughly debur the interior and follower, also check to make sure the spring is installed properly. S&W's blind monkeys seem to take great pains to install the springs backwards.

 

[kraynky]

Good choice for a carry gun in my opinion. Mine was purchased about a year after they first came out, and has been my most often carried weapon of choice. Great caliber, very reliable and accurate as well. While I'm not a huge fan of striker fired handguns, the Shield 45 seems to suit me.

In the colder months I do revert to some of the 3rd gen Smiths (because I like 'em), but the Shield 45 is so easy to carry in my Lobo Enhanced Pancake holster, it sees a lot of the town.

Congratulations!

 

[lkabug]

Over a 1000 round down range from mine. Have never had an issue of any kind.
You will enjoy yours also.

 

[msp2640]

Congrats on your new 45 Shield. I bought mine about 5 yrs ago, maybe 4-500 rds thru it so far with everything from 230 fmj, lead reloads and carry ammo JHPs, zero issues! It is the only pistol I carry, when I actually do carry. I agree about the losing the finger extension clip. I called S&W CS about buying a standard floorplate to convert my 2nd clip to the regular capacity and do away with the finger extension and they sent it to me at no cost. I offered to pay, but they just took my info and sent it. It was within a month of me buying it, so I'm not sure if that courtesy is still extended. Best of luck with it! Bill in MA

 

[Valmet]

While I’m more of a Glock guy, the .45 Shields are very nice pistols. A close friend of mine ccw’s one and swears by it.

 

[WVI]

My LGS has one in the PC, non ported version....man I feel it calling when I walk in there...Biggest mistake was getting rid of a M&P 45C...

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Bought one when they came out. With the rebates it came in at about $250 shipped. Not the best $250 I've spent but it's up there in the top 5

 

[Daryl Licht]

I'm going to check around town and see if I can a couple more 6 rounders, if not available here I'll order them.

Thanks for the tip on checking the spring installation and the deburring. I'll give those a shot.

 

[ultratec00]

Own two and wouldn't give up either. Both have been proven reliable and extremely accurate for their size. Each has an Apex trigger w/ Ameriglo I dot sights. Round of choice is 185gr JHP pushing ~900Fps.. Very manageable and accurate. Can't emphasize enough, it's a short barreled polymer 45. Ammo selection is critical.

 

[jjmIII_Ruger]

...w/ Ameriglo I dot sights.

I LOVE the I-dots. Have them on my Shield+ 9mm. The Shield (and +) is the best carry gun ever made IMO. Very reliable and soft shooting. I'm sure S&W would help you with your bum magazine.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/customer-service/contact-us

 

[357 shooter]

After buying the 1st generation Shield in 9mm I became a big fan and not long after the 45 came out I had to have one! Great shooter and felt recoil is far less than expected from such a light compact 45.

The trigger is the best of any of my defensive centerfire pistols. I wish my Glock 34 had a trigger this good. It even blows away the SA trigger in my $999 Sig P226.

 

[Guevera]

I’m happy to see this thread as I used to have the ported Shield in .45 and didn’t like the porting or the colored sights and sold it. Just picked up the regular 2.0 version and like it a lot.

Question: is the Apex trigger modification worth the (pretty expensive) price? I’m not enamored of the factory trigger.

 

[ultratec00]

Unless you know someone who has an M&P with an Apex trigger to feel the difference, hard to make that assessment. I first tried the polymer apex trigger on my M&P 45 as a whim and much preferred it to the stock hinged trigger. The stroke is shorter and wall much more solid. This from a person who hated the glock "tab thingy", but it's very tolerable on the apex. Interesting to see S&W transitioning away from the older hinged trigger system on their later models.

Unfortunately the only apex trigger option for shields is the aluminum model, which is noticeably more expensive. I don't believe Apex still offers a polymer option for the 2.0 series or ever offered on for the Shield series.

I’m happy to see this thread as I used to have the ported Shield in .45 and didn’t like the porting or the colored sights and sold it. Just picked up the regular 2.0 version and like it a lot.

Question: is the Apex trigger modification worth the (pretty expensive) price? I’m not enamored of the factory trigger.

 

[MPWhite]

I too really love my new 45 Shield 2.0; to the point it is now my regular carry. I am out at the range about 3 times a week, and each time, it is a pure pleasure and much enjoyment.

 

[GaCop]

I purchased a used Shield 45 yesterday and took it to the range today after a good cleaning and lube. Accuracy with factory rounds and handloads is excellent at 15 yards. My only problem is a really bad trigger slap! after 50 rounds, my trigger finger is so sore!? Would the APEX trigger eliminate that?