I'm an idiot-Shield Plus story *update post 18*

[S&W Fan]

**Range trip in #18**

I recently sold a Sig 365 XL. Nice pistol, just didn't do it for me. Stopped in one of my favorite shops earlier today and was thinking about whether to get another Shield Plus (1 is none, 2 is 1-right??) They had 2 in the case, I looked over the one without the tiny little thumb safety, said I'd think about it.

Went back later today, the young guy asked if I wanted it and I said yup. He pulled it from the case, put it in the box and I stepped up to the computer to do the state instant background check/4473.

It normally takes about 10-15 minutes but today was busy evidently and checks were taking an hour at the end of the day. I looked in the box to verify it had the 2 mags but I didn't pull the pistol out of the plastic bag because I already checked it out earlier-uh huh. Well you know the rest of the story. Got home to run a patch down the barrel, wipe down the slide/frame to put some Break Free on them and whaddaya know-it's the model with the thumb safety LOL. My bad, I know I should've checked it just to make sure it didn't get dropped or banged on the case.

Oh well, for me the safety is so small I couldn't ever engage it in a crisis moment, my other one doesn't have the thumb safety so I'm just not going to use it on this one. You'd think after buying guns for 44 years I'd know better!! Can I call it a "senior moment"?

As the tatoo on the goofy kid in "We're The Millers" said, No Regerts .

 

[swsig]

My 1.0 Shield 9 came with a bent recoil spring assembly. It was early in the Shields's production run, and there were few spares in the S&W system. It took over three months to get a proper replacement. Since then, I have field stripped and examined the internals every gun I have bought before accepting it. I thought by doing that I might come across as persnickety, but I've never had a clerk object, so I must not be the only one who does this.

 

[biku324]

I recently sold a Sig 365 XL. Nice pistol, just didn't do it for me. Stopped in one of my favorite shops earlier today and was thinking about whether to get another Shield Plus (1 is none, 2 is 1-right??) They had 2 in the case, I looked over the one without the tiny little thumb safety, said I'd think about it.

Went back later today, the young guy asked if I wanted it and I said yup. He pulled it from the case, put it in the box and I stepped up to the computer to do the state instant background check/4473.

It normally takes about 10-15 minutes but today was busy evidently and checks were taking an hour at the end of the day. I looked in the box to verify it had the 2 mags but I didn't pull the pistol out of the plastic bag because I already checked it out earlier-uh huh. Well you know the rest of the story. Got home to run a patch down the barrel, wipe down the slide/frame to put some Break Free on them and whaddaya know-it's the model with the thumb safety LOL. My bad, I know I should've checked it just to make sure it didn't get dropped or banged on the case.

Oh well, for me the safety is so small I couldn't ever engage it in a crisis moment, my other one doesn't have the thumb safety so I'm just not going to use it on this one. You'd think after buying guns for 44 years I'd know better!! Can I call it a "senior moment"?

As the tatoo on the goofy kid in "We're The Millers" said, No Regerts .

Mine is that model - it's great!

 

[Three Tees]

Simple fix - just don't engage the thumb safety - it's striker fired and safe either way. I have both issuances - one without and one with the thumb safety. Neither one has been a problem, safety or not. They both go bang when the slide is cycled and the trigger is pulled. I carry the non-safety one with me whenever out-and-about and, when I feel the need, I just cycle the slide on a full magazine and its ready-to-go with a round in the chamber. Otherwise, I carry chamber-empty as an added measure of precaution.
During a recent attempted carjacking in which the goblins wanted my new Ford pickup and were yanking on my locked driver's side door to take possession, I just grabbed my Shield 1.0 from the console, cycled the slide in plain view of both of these cretins and they were gone in a New York second! They left their baseball bats behind 'em lying on the street and did the 100 yard dash going away from my truck in about 3 seconds flat! I thought they were training for the Olympics! Auto insurance by Smith & Wesson is pretty cheap in these here parts...

 

[Paul in Nevada]

Personally, I think S&W got it right with the safety on the Shield. It's small enough that you can ignore it if you don't want to use it, but easy to swipe off if you you choose to carry it engaged.

 

[robrossk]

My Shield 40 version 1 has a safety. I don't even realize it is there.

 

[S&W Fan]

Yup, it's very easy to ignore. This is the only M&P I have/had with a thumb safety. My other Plus doesn't, I don't intend to use this one. Frankly for me at least it's so small I can't engage it easily nor disengage. I'm an old 1911 guy (since age 12, now 65 haha) so I'm quite used to thumb safeties-don't see a reason for them on a striker fired gun but that's a whole other can of worms LOL.

No intention of getting involved in a "yes/no" debate on them. The one interesting thing is that this new one has a nicer trigger during dry firing than the other one I have does.

The proof if the trigger makes a difference will be found at the range on Sunday.

Thanks for all the responses, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

 

[gc70]

I bought my first Shield before S&W made a model without a thumb safety. The safety was so small I thought I would not use it. Them I discovered the slide could be racked with the safety engaged.

After a little experimentation, the thumb safety was always disengaged when the gun was holstered and being carried. I would engage the safety before unholstering the gun for administrative handling and disengage the safety again after reholstering the gun.

 

[AppStFan]

Congrats on a great purchases. I can certainly relate to your comment about a "senior moment". The great thing about the safety on the Shield is that it's small enough to not be obtrusive should you decide to use it or not.

 

[NCBeagle]

I think those of us who buy a lot of guns have experienced something similar. Maybe not an unexpected safety, but something. I get so excited about findng that "odd" revolver or "special edition" that I jump on it like its going to run away. I've had an after purchase surprise or two. trying to slow it down.

 

[wbwanzer]

The proof if the trigger makes a difference will be found at the range on Sunday.

Thanks for all the responses, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Let us know how she goes.

 

[ImDrRich]

I never use the safety on my Shield 2.0. I keep my finger off the trigger until the right time - that's my safety.

 

[DILLIGAS]

Let me make you feel better. 3-4 years ago a friend called me as he was leaving a gun show. He wanted to stop by a show me his new Shield. The look on his face answered my question as to why he chose the .40 cal. He thought it was the 9mm. Thats a senior moment

 

[The Norseman]

Safety Check

Better safe, then sorry!

I like safeties, especially those internal ones.

Anyway, congratulations on your new purchase.
Please give a Range Report when you shoot
it.

 

[josywales]

I recently sold a Sig 365 XL. Nice pistol, just didn't do it for me. Stopped in one of my favorite shops earlier today and was thinking about whether to get another Shield Plus (1 is none, 2 is 1-right??) They had 2 in the case, I looked over the one without the tiny little thumb safety, said I'd think about it.

Went back later today, the young guy asked if I wanted it and I said yup. He pulled it from the case, put it in the box and I stepped up to the computer to do the state instant background check/4473.

It normally takes about 10-15 minutes but today was busy evidently and checks were taking an hour at the end of the day. I looked in the box to verify it had the 2 mags but I didn't pull the pistol out of the plastic bag because I already checked it out earlier-uh huh. Well you know the rest of the story. Got home to run a patch down the barrel, wipe down the slide/frame to put some Break Free on them and whaddaya know-it's the model with the thumb safety LOL. My bad, I know I should've checked it just to make sure it didn't get dropped or banged on the case.

Oh well, for me the safety is so small I couldn't ever engage it in a crisis moment, my other one doesn't have the thumb safety so I'm just not going to use it on this one. You'd think after buying guns for 44 years I'd know better!! Can I call it a "senior moment"?

As the tatoo on the goofy kid in "We're The Millers" said, No Regerts .

I literally did the same thing yesterday at a gun show, but with a 365. I was picking it up for my wife and don't feel the need for the external safety. Fortunately, she prefers it.

Moreover, I went back to the same dealer and bought a 365X. His prices were the best, but I meant to ask for a new, unhandled one, he had under the counter and forgot. No harm, at least I confirmed they were late models, from within the past 6 months.

 

[grizz700]

My Plus has the safety. Same as everybody else, never use it and there is noway it is going to get activated because it is harder than heck to engage.

 

[Bloody Sunday]

Simple fix - just don't engage the thumb safety - it's striker fired and safe either way. I have both issuances - one without and one with the thumb safety. Neither one has been a problem, safety or not. They both go bang when the slide is cycled and the trigger is pulled. I carry the non-safety one with me whenever out-and-about and, when I feel the need, I just cycle the slide on a full magazine and its ready-to-go with a round in the chamber. Otherwise, I carry chamber-empty as an added measure of precaution.
During a recent attempted carjacking in which the goblins wanted my new Ford pickup and were yanking on my locked driver's side door to take possession, I just grabbed my Shield 1.0 from the console, cycled the slide in plain view of both of these cretins and they were gone in a New York second! They left their baseball bats behind 'em lying on the street and did the 100 yard dash going away from my truck in about 3 seconds flat! I thought they were training for the Olympics! Auto insurance by Smith & Wesson is pretty cheap in these here parts...

Don't know if you saw that ASP video of the armored car money carriers in South Africa, but it made a good case against condition 3 carry.

 

[S&W Fan]

Just got back from the range. The trigger on this one is definitely nicer than on the other one I have. I'm not going to make any changes to this pistol-very rare for me LOL. I had a mix of Federal, Norma and Blazer brass; both 115 and 124 fmj plus some Gold Dot 135 +P. All ran great.

The pic of the IDPA target is from the first 10 rounds at 10 yards. Took me a minute to work on my grip and trigger squeeze. After that it was much better. Ran some drills and couldn't be happier. I didn't touch the safety at all. Great little blaster. I also picked up an extra 13 round mag for it.

 

[Will41]

. Since then, I have field stripped and examined the internals every gun I have bought before accepting it. I thought by doing that I might come across as persnickety, but I've never had a clerk object, so I must not be the only one who does this.

I do the same thing. I have seen plenty of new guns with problems that need sent back but they still try to sell them.

 

[sotexas]

Just got back from the range. The trigger on this one is definitely nicer than on the other one I have.]

I agree. I have the plus PC in both sizes and find the trigger better than my 2.0 PC's. I really enjoy the 4" although the 3.1 goes on the ride more often.