I picked up my S&W Shield in 45acp.

[old-school]

This morning, I was able to pick up an S&W Shield in 45acp (the first ones I have seen). I have been carrying a Glock 36 in an IWB holster for almost 4 years and have had no issues with it, except for its width. I like the 45acp for CCW, but the G-36 is a little too wide for me to carry every day (Yes I know that there are some macho guys out there who carries the Glock 30-30s-30SF in an IWB holster every-day with no problems- to each there own).
It have also been said that the shield 45 is essentially the same dimensions and weight as a G36, but the 45 shield is slimmer, which should make it a better carry piece. The shield is even slimmer than the Glock 43 per their web page (Shield is noted as –Frame width .99” and the Glock 43 is 1.2”).IMHO-The 45 shield is a little too big for a pocket carry (but I do have an LC9s pro which is about the right size).I took photos of the shield 45 to my shield 9-pretty damn close. The upgraded grip texture feels pretty good,I normally like Talon grips but after some range time ,I will know better It will take me a few days to get to the range, when I do, I will post a range report.

 

[old-school]

photos

more photos- I am having trouble up-loading photos

 

[Dave Nowlin]

I just picked one up at my LGS today also. It is larger than my Sig 938 but smaller than my Sig 239. I suspect I will pocket carry mine in denim cargo shorts. It is in my pocket at present in a Remora holster. I am going to carry .45 acp +P with Barnes 160 grain all copper bullet. The actual bullet is almost the same length as a 230 gr. lead core hollow point so it should be accurate and have low recoil for such a small light pistol.

 

[McE]

Thanks for all of the comparison pictures thus far.
Any chance you can take comparison pics to the Glock 36?

 

[maineultraclassic]

I've got 4-5 LGS looking for me..............and they can't get one yet.

Where are you located?

 

[BigCityChief]

I picked up my S&W Shield in 45acp.

Good for you! None anywhere to be found in my neck of the woods. I'm green with envy!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shakyshoot]

Don't youse guys ever shoot a new gun? I want range reports dangit. I've bought 2 .45's in less than a month and I'm itching for the trifecta.

 

[Out West]

Lucky you. Did you pay full retail? I'm wondering if S&W intends to price the 45 Shield in line with the 9 and 40. I hope so.

I'd also like to know how it shoots: what's the recoil like? I read one reviewer who said it was mild for a 45. Post up a range report. I'm sure we'd all like to know more.

Out
West

 

[Targets Guy]

Will be interested in the range reports.

 

[bigchuck83]

I too am interested in range reports, I plan on hitting a few gun stores on Thursday, if i come across one of the M&P 45 shield i may wind up buying one.

 

[ABMI]

I picked up mine today, very impressed, it actually feels better than my 9mm being a little wider and the stippling type finish is great. Shooting it was very mild for a compact 45, I think I can actually shoot it as good or better than the 9mm. Ran 50 rounds through it without a hitch. I didn't take any pictures of the group's but it shoots tighter than I can. I'm going to try to put a couple more boxes through it in the next day or so & I'll get some dead target pictures to post. All in all very impressive, I think I'll keep it��

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Congrats for those who have one. All I've seen are safety models so I'm not that jealous.

 

[ABMI]

Thanks, I actually ordered it "wit" so I have the option of using it or not, I guess if I was a southpaw I'd order it without a safety. Good luck to everyone looking, I ordered it about a month ago & was surprised when I got a call yesterday.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

Thanks, I actually ordered it "wit" so I have the option of using it or not, I guess if I was a southpaw I'd order it without a safety. Good luck to everyone looking, I ordered it about a month ago & was surprised when I got a call yesterday.

I don't want the safety because of it's size and stiffness. I'm a 1911 guy, but the M&P safeties aren't in a natural enough position or size for me. This goes for the full size model safeties as well.

 

[Dave Nowlin]

I also am a 1911 guy and got the only 45 Shield in my LGS and it had the safety. Actually I think the safety feels better than the one on the 9mm Shield I used to have. I followed the instructions given by Burwell on improving the trigger. Now the overtravel has been reduced and the trigger feels better. I fired 6 rounds of 200 grain semi-wadcutters to function check the pistol and it fed and ejected flawlessly. Glocks I have had in .45 acp (3rd & 4th gen) tend to have brass to the face issues. I have learned how to improve the extractors on them to stop this problem but they should never have left Glock with these problems. The one XD I had in .45 wouldn't feed lead semi-wadcutters. It would jam every time. That is why I chose that round for function checking the pistol. I fired the first 2 rounds slowly and then fired the last 4 quickly. Ejection was perfect and recoil wasn't bad either. I did add a piece of grip tape to the front of the triggerguard as recommended by Jerry Michulek. It does allow for less muzzle rise and faster follow up shots. I paid $419.95 for it.

 

[Magload]

I also am a 1911 guy and got the only 45 Shield in my LGS and it had the safety. Actually I think the safety feels better than the one on the 9mm Shield I used to have. I followed the instructions given by Burwell on improving the trigger. Now the overtravel has been reduced and the trigger feels better. I fired 6 rounds of 200 grain semi-wadcutters to function check the pistol and it fed and ejected flawlessly. Glocks I have had in .45 acp (3rd & 4th gen) tend to have brass to the face issues. I have learned how to improve the extractors on them to stop this problem but they should never have left Glock with these problems. The one XD I had in .45 wouldn't feed lead semi-wadcutters. It would jam every time. That is why I chose that round for function checking the pistol. I fired the first 2 rounds slowly and then fired the last 4 quickly. Ejection was perfect and recoil wasn't bad either. I did add a piece of grip tape to the front of the triggerguard as recommended by Jerry Michulek. It does allow for less muzzle rise and faster follow up shots. I paid $419.95 for it.

Jerry still uses the support hand index finger to the front of the trigger guard and the way he shoots I sure wouldn't change it.

 

[Dave Nowlin]

I just returned from the local gun shop where I bought the Shield. I asked the owner if he had dry fired it before I picked it up to see what the trigger felt like. He said he had and he had compared it to the various 9mm and 40 S&W Shields he had in the showcase. He said it had a better trigger than any of them. I then told him I had worked the trigger and asked him to dry fire it again. He dry fired it several times and then said it now had a better trigger than any striker fired pistol in his store. He said he was impressed with how good it felt. It now had almost no overtravel and had an even better break than before and seemed a little lighter than before.

 

[kmanick]

and so it begins
I've been told ...one year out for Mass compliant.
So................I bought an XDM 3.8C .45 last weekend off of a local cop and I freaking love it, LNIB. My first .45, it's not much bigger than an M&PC in .40.
I can't wait to try one of these shields in .45
.45acp ain't cheap though, I may have to break down and learn how to do reloads.

 

[richcory]

I would like to check one out but I'm afraid if I do I'll buy it, and that won't go over well

Cory

 

[old-school]

Yes the 45acp is a little more, but if you watch where you buy your ammo it is not too bad ,last week@ Walmart I picked up box of 100 9mm for $24.64 and a box of 100 45acp for $37.97- so $13.33 more per 100 for range ammo.