First time gun owner, need your advice

[amthar]

Hey all - first time poster, and first time gun owner. I purchased my first firearm about 4 months ago (home defense shotgun) and immediately started looking for a daily conceal carry handgun.

I saw a Shield 9mm the day after release, a LGS had ONE in stock (it was already promised to someone, however), and I was so new at the whole handgun scene that I wasn't ready to jump on it.

April 19 I put a 50% down on a Shield 9mm, and the dealer said I will get the first one they get. The problem is, it's been almost 2 months and they say they have not received a single one. I swung by the shop yesterday and they said "We have no idea when we will get one in, but they are allocated to us by our distributor." I pressed them some more (including the owner) who continued to say they have NO idea when they will get one in.

I have since figured out that their distributor is Davidsons.

I called S&W today and spoke with "Paul" in customer service, who was really nice and said that they are running 3 shifts at their production plant and pumping out Shields as fast as they can. He also stated that my local dealer should be able to call their distributor and get a fulfillment date on their order - a hard and fast date. This is contrary to what the LGS was telling me.

I read about Davidsons allocation system and as I'm sure you all know, it works on giving their big customers first go at popular guns that come in from the manufacturers. I didn't know this when I ordered my shield, and unfortunately this LGS I ordered from is brand new and my guess is a pretty small fish in the Davidsons dealer pond.

So, my question:

1. Should I get aggressive and try and find a Shield somewhere else? Perhaps try and order one through a retailer who is a big buyer from Davidsons?

2. Should I press my LGS to find out an actual date?

3. Should I just hold tight and wait (indefinitely)?

4. Some other option that I'm not thinking of

I'm sure you all have been around this block before, so what did you do? I find it amazing (and disheartening) that the LGS has only received TWO Shields, EVER.

Thanks all.

 

[Shielded]

For what it's worth my LGS has only gotten 3 Shields in (as far as I know, I go by once a week when I'm able) and I lucked out on getting the 2nd 9mm. First thing of course can you get your 50% down back? If so I'd look elsewhere for one & if you find one get it, then go and get your money down back, that way you leave the door open if your LGS gets one in while your looking. At least that's what I would consider doing. Good Luck!

 

[FilmMkr]

This frenzy will eventually die down and there will be P L E N T Y of Shields to go around. Right now they're like Beanie Babies or Tickle Me Elmos.

I'm looking for one, but I'm okay if its six months before I get one.

 

[blackdeuce]

You might keep your eye on Gunbroker. I see three 9mm on there now, but they are auctions, so I don't know what they will sell for. There are several Shields in 40S&W.

 

[NCW Ray]

I just received an email from Shoot Straight in Lakeland, Fl confirming they have the Shield 40's in stock, I didn't ask about the 9's. You could Email [email protected] and see. He responded to my email in under 1 minute!

 

[mudman bob]

I agree with finding out if your down can be taken back in full. They should have a policy of time for a full refund. I found one and they are out there. Good luck and welcome to S&W.

 

[amthar]

I called several other local gun stores after posting this and one of the stores has received several shipments of shields. Their last shipment included 10. He actually put me on his waiting list and as soon as he gets another shipment and he's going to call me and let me come by and pick one up. I figure if this works out before the shop that I put my down payment with works out and I'll just get my down payment back. Several other stores had display models that they were not willing to sell and most of them had at least received one or two shipments even if it only included one shield in it.

Normally I'm a pretty patient guy with this kind of thing but considering this is my first and only handgun purchase and I'm sitting here with a concealed carry permit ready to go I'm a little anxious to get this gun in my possession.

 

[patbelly]

Good advice so far. BTW, you picked a fantastic gun for a CCW!

 

[M29since14]

I think you have things figured out and it does not sound likely your local dealer will get your Shield any time soon - but he just might! You never know.

Pressing for a date is a waste of your time. You know people can (and will) tell you anything to get you off their back, if only temporarily. I wouldn't bother with that. I think your dealer is telling you the truth. He doesn't know and there is no way for him to find out.

If you want your money back, ask for it. If the dealer says no, rather than make a big deal of it, I would just ask to either apply it to another purchase, or just wait. Surely you both can work something out.

With new models, you have to be prepared to look around and wait a little while. Giving the dealer a deposit on a gun like that is probably a mistake. He doesn't need it. If he gets the gun and for some reason you no longer want it, he almost certainly can sell it. The model is in demand. So I wouldn't have offered/given a deposit, but now that it is done, I would keep it civil and investigate my options. I would not hang my hat on some imaginary date. I think that was a diffusing technique "Paul" was using to get the heat off of him and on to someone else.

Have you considered another model to amuse you until the Shield is delivered? You might enjoy shooting a full-size M&P9 or something similar until then, and you probably would not regret buying it later on.

 

[Edd Harbin]

amthar , where are you located ?

 

[amthar]

Btw, thanks for all the great replys. If I dont address you specifically, it doesn't mean I disagree with you. All of this is perfect info and what I was looking for.

The problem with one gun now and the Shield later is the domestic budget committee. She's only starting to warm to gun ownership and I know for a fact trying to go that route will result in drama I don't want

I am located in Raleigh, NC.

 

[Lost Lake]

I make gun decisions without consulting the committee. It's easier. One week I had three guns come in at once and she was a bit amazed... Mad? Not really. Amused? No. She doesn't understand why a guy needs more than a dozen or so guns. I mean once you have all the calibers covered, why duplicate? So I don't run it through committee.

Grab a Shield where you can and get your cash back if that LGS doesn't come through first. He's not out anything. As a last resort take your deposit back in ammo or accessories. Next time don't pay 50% down, just promise you'll be there as soon as he calls.

 

[RussC]

Gunvault

Btw, thanks for all the great replys. If I dont address you specifically, it doesn't mean I disagree with you. All of this is perfect info and what I was looking for.

The problem with one gun now and the Shield later is the domestic budget committee. She's only starting to warm to gun ownership and I know for a fact trying to go that route will result in drama I don't want

I am located in Raleigh, NC.

amthar:

I understand what you are saying. We live on a budgert and I have one conceal carry gun (shield) and I have no plans to purchase a second.

May I suggest when you do get the weapon look into a Gunvault for the night stand. I picked up the low profile that has a cable you can secure to the bed frame for around $80 on Amazon. (Don't get the finger print reader. Waste of money and not very reliable. Get the low profil that can fit under the car seat. Great for packing cash on vacation) My wife and I are the only ones who know the combo and the backup key is hidden in another room.

I never unload my gun. When it is not in my pocket it goes directly into the Gunvault still in the Desanti model E1 holster chambered and on safety. (I was told on another gun forum repeated unloading is not good for the shell in the chamber and at $1 per round for Gold Dot I don't want to be trading out very oftern)

I can hold my Springfield XD 45 and Shield in the Gunvault. The barrels are pointing away from my head when I am in bed.

Turn the audible noise to silent when you depress the combo buttons and choose an easy combo that will enable you to have access in the dark to your gun in 2 seconds. (I would not program more than 4 numbers)

Russ

 

[M29since14]

Well, I know a little bit about those difficulties with the Finance Committee, so I can understand the problem with converting that deposit to a "second" pistol. On the other hand, if enough time elapses between this pistol and the time the Shield rolls in, it might be a mitigating factor - especially if you take her shooting a few times and she enjoys it. I have "taught" a few women how to handle a pistol who ended up being pretty fair shots, and even those who weren't necessarily great at it still enjoyed shooting my Model 41 or K22. Maybe I should have suggested you get a .22, while you are waiting on the Shield. Give that some thought.

 

[amthar]

Hey all, I wanted to give you an update. Persistence pays off and I have a Shield being transferred to a LGS and it should be there Wednesday.

First huge shout-out to NCW Ray for posting the lead about Shoot Straight Lakeland. After NCW Ray posted this lead I emailed Steve @ shoot straight and responded back in minutes that he had both 9mm and S&W40 Shields in stock.

I called him today and I had the Shield purchased in a matter of minutes. He said that yesterday several out-of-state people called asking for the Shield so apparently some of you on this thread decided to take this route as well I HIGHLY recommend working with this guy - he was both pleasant to speak with and anxious to help anyway he could.

I ended up spending $33 more on the gun and around $50 between shipping and transfer fee, but now I actually HAVE one and it should arrive right before my birthday on Thursday

As for the 50% down with the other LGS - lesson learned. I will not be doing that again. I'm going to attempt to get that back from them next week once the gun arrives, I don't foresee a problem getting it back.

So, thanks all for the awesome advice!

 

[Shielded]

Good for you, & welcome to the Shield, & M&P family, and of course Happy B-Day, what a great present to yourself. Good luck on your deposit, be pleasant, but firm.

 

[blujax01]

All's well that ends well.

And if you don't nickname it "Tickle-Me-Elmo" you have learned nothing from this thread.

 

[125JHP]

Getting a "family" .22 is still a good idea...
Mainly it will save ammo costs when practicing - which you should do lots of.
It will be much easier to teach your wife to shoot and yourself too since you are a new shooter. There are lots of reasons and a M&P 22 would be similar to your Shield.

 

[StatesRightist]

Get your money back and tell them they have given you poor service on this round, but don't burn a bridge. Then watch Gunbroker, you'll have one within 2 weeks....as long as you have another LGS to ship it to, that is, Lol.

Oops, missed the happy ending...Congrats!!

 

[Houdini1953]

There is nothing much more exciting than the feeling of purchasing your first handgun and you made a choice for your first (with more to follow it's addicting) purchase that you will not regret.

Congratulations to you and your family, practice often and get some training to help make this one of the best decisions you could ever make as an adult!