I went to the dark side and bought a Shield

[Jim1392]

Being a revolver guy all my life I took the plunge and bought a shield 9mm. I carry a 640 Pro now and even when my Department went to the option of carrying automatics I stayed with my S & W Model 10 4". But with all the good reports on the Shield I figured I would "just do it".

Well today was my first range trip with the Shield and it ran perfect. I fired 150 rounds of Speer Gold Dot LE 124 grain rounds without a hiccup. A little expensive but I figured if I was going to carry this gun I want to make sure it has no problem with the rounds I decide to use. My wrist is a little sore but remember I'm no spring chicken. I shot a little to the left of point of aim, but I know it was me, not the gun . Once I adjusted my trigger finger my groups got much better.

I figure another range trip with another 150 rounds will at least give me a comfort level to carry it. How many rounds did you guys who EDC the Shield fire before you felt comfortable enough to carry it?? Also, I know without a picture it didn't happen.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have purchased three Shields in two years, all 9mm with the thumb safety. The Shield is a nice gun, and I am contemplating buying a .40 S&W without the safety to carry hiking. I use DeSantis holsters for mine.

DeSantis 118 X7

DeSantis 019 X7

DeSantis 028 X7

To be honest, I am not a fan of IWB holsters and did not like this one. I gave it to my son, who sometimes carries the Shield I bought for his wife.

 

[CaptRon956]

Any pistol I carry usually goes thru a "break in" process before carrying, around 200-400 rounds or so. I clean my pistols after each time at the range and the mags as well. Here's a pic of my EDC Shield. Alien gear cloak tuck 2 IWB holster & the other one upper left is the OWB holster.

I wanted to add that to date I have fired at least 4000 rnds thru my shield 9 and it has performed flawlessly. I participate in IDPA matches weekly with it now, and it's my main EDC. The ammo I currently use in the matches is winchester train 147 gr. and my carry ammo is winchester defend 147 gr.

 

[oldafsp]

I did a 250 round break in/practice with mine. A couple of days later I wanted to see just how fast I could get with it.

Tomorrow it will see it's first IDPA match.

 

[CaptRon956]

I did a 250 round break in/practice with mine. A couple of days later I wanted to see just how fast I could get with it.Tomorrow it will see it's first IDPA match.

I've just started using my EDC shield 9 in weekly IDPA matches here at our local range and I can tell you that this is where the shield shines...

Get yourself a good OWB kydex holster, I suggest the OWB from alien gear, a sturdy belt and dual mag holsters and you'll be all set. You need at least 3 of the 8 rnd mags.

 

[Magload]

I have a 40 will 3 of the 7 round mags work for IDPA?

 

[oldafsp]

I use my own patented method for firing a newly purchased handgun.

1 Tupperware or other plastic container.

50 assorted rounds of various weight and bullet design. 115,124, 137, fmj, hollow points ect.

Load magazines with these rounds mixed. No particular order.

Fire at will.

If it passes this test it's good to go in my book.

 

[oldafsp]

The Shield can be used in two different divisions. CCP or BUG-S.

In Compact Carry Pistol your maximum rounds per magazine is 8. You start the stage with 8+1 and two 8 round mags.

In Back Up Gun you are limited to a maximum of 6 rounds, no +1 on the start and a total of 3 6 round loaded spares.

So, yes in Bug-S you can use your 7 rounders.

 

[Elliot45]

I broke mine in with about 300 to 500 rounds of 124 grain bullets from Freedom Munitions (online) ammo. The trigger and action have smoothed out which has helped a lot in increasing my accuracy with it. Right now I'm using Remington HTP 147 grain JHP for self defense but may consider others. This has become my main C&C gun and I feel very comfortable trusting it with my life, so much so that I've sold some others I owned. BTW, the only lubricant I've used has been FrogLube which has worked very well. No misfires or stovepipes after 500 rounds. Regards, Elliot45

 

[CaptRon956]

I have a 40 will 3 of the 7 round mags work for IDPA?

yup, 3 should do it.


To oldafsp,

we have a local shooting club that gets together every week at the indoor range (outdoor range has converted into a swamp w/all the rain) and the class they put my shield 9 in was SSP. I ranked #4 out of 7 last night.

 

[PirateJim]

Three hundred rounds without trouble generally gives me a warm fuzzy feeling about a pistol. Nothing wrong with being a 'revolver guy' but a good running pistol is a good thing. Be careful though, they can be addictive.

 

[oldafsp]

yup, 3 should do it.


To oldafsp,

we have a local shooting club that gets together every week at the indoor range (outdoor range has converted into a swamp w/all the rain) and the class they put my shield 9 in was SSP. I ranked #4 out of 7 last night.

That's a good showing for competing against full size guns Ron. Nice job.

If you compete in CCP with your 8 round mags you will have a better playing field, as you are only competing with other shooters in your division and classification.

As good as the Shield is, it is not in the same class at 20 yards as the Pro 5 inch or the G34 5 inch. And if you shoot in a sanctioned match, that's what you will be up against.

The next match you shoot ask them to put you in CCP. That's really where you should be, unless you want to shoot BUG-Semi auto. And technically that class does NOT reload on the clock.

They are still trying to sort out all the rules in BUG, and I am sure that there will be changes coming down the pike as they say.

 

[CaptRon956]

That's a good showing for competing against full size guns Ron. Nice job.

If you compete in CCP with your 8 round mags you will have a better playing field, as you are only competing with other shooters in your division and classification.

As good as the Shield is, it is not in the same class at 20 yards as the Pro 5 inch or the G34 5 inch. And if you shoot in a sanctioned match, that's what you will be up against.

The next match you shoot ask them to put you in CCP. That's really where you should be, unless you want to shoot BUG-Semi auto. And technically that class does NOT reload on the clock.

They are still trying to sort out all the rules in BUG, and I am sure that there will be changes coming down the pike as they say.

yeah most of the guys I'm up against are shooting .45cal 1911 style pistols. Maybe a 9mm here or there but usually a full sized. there was a fellow last night that was shooting a 9mm springfield xds 3.3 and in all honesty, I ranked just above him. He was using 9mm 124. nato rnds that on occasion would not go bang when he pulled the trigger. My guess is the nato rounds have a harder primer. I was using freedmon munitions 124. gr FMJ's that performed flawlessly.

What I would really like to try is my Bersa thunder .380. I really feel that pistol would do very well in its class.

 

[Bob O]

I started carrying mine (.40) after the first box of 50 rnds. I have about 250 rnds through it since December, no problems to speak of.

 

[M&PGuy2014]

Congrats on the new Shield

Yup, looks and performs just like the one I have on my hip right now..

One of, if not the best polymer single stacks out there IMO. May it serve you well.

 

[Kframerbluvr]

A .40 Shield will be my next handgun purchase. Local police supply store sometimes has them for $299 for first responders. My last S&W bottom feeder was a M459 I bought new in 1987 for off-duty carry. Looking forward to getting back into the fold...

 

[GreenGoblin227]

I have a M&P Shield 40 for daily carry IWB with Tru Glo and a full apex kit with flat trigger. It's dead on. Also have Talon Grip tape Grips.

I just got a 2001 SW 340PD Airlite.

 

[Jim1392]

I have a M&P Shield 40 for daily carry IWB with Tru Glo and a full apex kit with flat trigger. It's dead on. Also have Talon Grip tape Grips.

I just got a 2001 SW 340PD Airlite.

I've only fired 150 rounds out of my 9mm right now and I like the sights so far. I'm thinking about changing them though and those Tru Glo's look nice.

 

[CaptRon956]

I was so happy with my Shield 9 that I went out & picked up a Shield 40. ran 200 rounds thru it w/o a single problem. I have no problems carrying it. My carry ammo in the 40 lately has been federal 135gr. hydra shoks

 

[Protected One]

Being a revolver guy all my life I took the plunge and bought a shield 9mm. I carry a 640 Pro now and even when my Department went to the option of carrying automatics I stayed with my S & W Model 10 4". But with all the good reports on the Shield I figured I would "just do it".

Well today was my first range trip with the Shield and it ran perfect. I fired 150 rounds of Speer Gold Dot LE 124 grain rounds without a hiccup. A little expensive but I figured if I was going to carry this gun I want to make sure it has no problem with the rounds I decide to use. My wrist is a little sore but remember I'm no spring chicken. I shot a little to the left of point of aim, but I know it was me, not the gun . Once I adjusted my trigger finger my groups got much better.

I figure another range trip with another 150 rounds will at least give me a comfort level to carry it. How many rounds did you guys who EDC the Shield fire before you felt comfortable enough to carry it?? Also, I know without a picture it didn't happen.

Dark Side????....If you bought a Shield that means you've seen the light!