Is the shield .45 good to go?

[Echo40]

I forgot about the trigger, but then again, my 1.0 model is a Performance Center model so it already has an improved trigger, and trigger snobs hated the 2.0's trigger as well, so it's just sort of slipped my mind.
Heck, trigger snobs even hate the Shield PLUS trigger which is supposed to be the best yet, so apparently nothing short of some goofy-looking aftermarket brightly colored aluminum trigger with an even goofier name will ever satisfy them.

 

[M.Yurco]

I had an early Shield .45. The factory sent me new magazine followers on two occasions. It also went back to the factory 3 times.It would constantly drop the magazines.It was obviously a lemon. Surprisingly, Smith and Wesson would do nothing to resolve this issue.They told me it was because I was a left handed shooter.
I was in Law Enforcement for 33 years, and I am a firearms instructor.I asked them what would happen if a right-handed officer was injured and had to shoot left-handed.They had no answer.

 

[rubiranch]

I have two M&P 45s, a full size and a Shield with the 3.375" barrel.
Both have been flawless.
I carried a 642-1 for years and bought the Shield with the intension of replacing
the 642-1 and making the Shield my EDC.
After a few months I went back to the 642-1 due to the weight of the Shield.

I've been told more than once by people I consider experts in their field that
if you get into a gunfight and don't win with your first three rounds there's a good
chance you're not going to win so I don't know what the advantage is when
it comes to a hand gun that holds 20 rounds.
I think the Shield 45 is an excellent choice for your EDC.

 

[Bore Snake]

Thanks Sandog and Forte.

Being that I built the AR-45 pistol, I wanted a "companion" Shield .45 to go with it. I found an 4.6" LE version, (model 11884), with 3 mags. Not sure what these normally go for, but considering current political circumstances and that these are getting hard to find, I wanted to verify mag compatibility before committing to purchase.

If anyone is curious, the AR-45 build is as follows:

Palmetto lower with Aero LPK
Wilson .458 Socom upper receiver, (XL Aero)
Wilson UPK
CMMG RDB BCG and 16" barrel, (cut to 10.5")
GHW Tailhook Mod 1 brace, (buffer tube cut down to keep under 26" OAL)
Trybe 9.25 forend, (Optics Planet brand)
Magpul accessories
Sig Romeo 5
Stern Defense AD-MP.45 magwell adapter

Stern said their adapter wouldn't work with the CMMG Radial Delay BCG because the adapter was made for blowback style bolts. I played with the seating depth of the magwell adapter, and modified the adapter where the standard mag catch engages.

It runs like a top. Only thing is... that the LRBHO isn't functional at the moment. I may take the time at some point to make that functional somehow, but I really don't miss it at this point.

If anyone wants to see a pic, I will try to figure out how to pull that off the phone and post it.

So what is current average market pricing on a new Shield .45 2.0 ???

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

And always remember. A 9mm MAY expand. But a .45 will never shrink.

 

[Univibe]

And always remember. A 9mm MAY expand. But a .45 will never shrink.

Also remember: after you've fired 11 rounds, with 9mm you have 7 more. But with .45 you're out.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Also remember: after you've fired 11 rounds, with 9mm you have 7 more. But with .45 you're out.

IF....You haven't extinguished the problem in 11 rounds you need to go home and practice more. IF you're still standing.

A magazine change takes all of 3-4 seconds.

 

[Bore Snake]

Also remember: after you've fired 11 rounds, with 9mm you have 7 more. But with .45 you're out.

Not with 14 rounders.

 

[Bore Snake]

Well....

The M&P .45 2.0 is ordered and shipped. Should have it in hand by the 6th. Model SWLE 11884 does come with 3 mags, and the enhanced full length stainless chassis system. I assume that means it's more durable/ longer life? The extra mag and the enhanced chassis seem to be what makes it LE.

I probably overpaid... but I bought somewhat local and had to pay state tax... and it was one of the only places I found online, (after an extensive search), that actually had the model 11884 in stock.

 

[sandog]

Also remember: after you've fired 11 rounds, with 9mm you have 7 more. But with .45 you're out.

We're talking Shields here, not FS pistols. The 9mms only hold one more round than the .45.

 

[rubiranch]

Well....

The M&P .45 2.0 is ordered and shipped. Should have it in hand by the 6th. Model SWLE 11884 does come with 3 mags, and the enhanced full length stainless chassis system. I assume that means it's more durable/ longer life? The extra mag and the enhanced chassis seem to be what makes it LE.

I probably overpaid... but I bought somewhat local and had to pay state tax... and it was one of the only places I found online, (after an extensive search), that actually had the model 11884 in stock.

You're going to love it.

I ordered two magazines from Lawmen's Supply back in June and after waiting nearly six months I found some on eBay and cancelled my order with Lawmen's.

Well the two I ordered and cancelled from Lawmen's arrived yesterday along with a bill.

Not sure if I'm going to keep them or return them. Not so sure if I need 7 magazines for a gun that I never shoot.

 

[Echo40]

Well....

The M&P .45 2.0 is ordered and shipped. Should have it in hand by the 6th. Model SWLE 11884 does come with 3 mags, and the enhanced full length stainless chassis system. I assume that means it's more durable/ longer life? The extra mag and the enhanced chassis seem to be what makes it LE.

It is to my understanding that the full length chassis was added for the sake of improved rigidity of the frame, not durability, although it probably does make the firearm more durable as a fringe benefit.

Apparently Smith & Wesson had received some feedback from Police Departments who issued the M&P40 1.0 which indicated that when fitted with a heavy laser/light, the dust cover would flex under recoil, resulting in the laser/light being thrown off zero or possibly even damaged over time. The full length chassis on the M2.0 models was to address this phenomenon.

What makes it an LE (Law Enforcement) Model is that it comes in a plastic clamshell case with 3 magazines and comes fitted with tritium night sights, whereas the standard model would come in cardboard box with 2 magazines and standard sights.

 

[Bore Snake]

You're going to love it.

I ordered two magazines from Lawmen's Supply back in June and after waiting nearly six months I found some on eBay and cancelled my order with Lawmen's.

Well the two I ordered and cancelled from Lawmen's arrived yesterday along with a bill.

Not sure if I'm going to keep them or return them. Not so sure if I need 7 magazines for a gun that I never shoot.

CDNN has a bunch of 14 rounders in stock right now for $35 a mag. I have a few on the way from them as I type this.

You can never have too many mags.

 

[Bore Snake]

It is to my understanding that the full length chassis was added for the sake of improved rigidity of the frame, not durability, although it probably does make the firearm more durable as a fringe benefit.

Apparently Smith & Wesson had received some feedback from Police Departments who issued the M&P40 1.0 which indicated that when fitted with a heavy laser/light, the dust cover would flex under recoil, resulting in the laser/light being thrown off zero or possibly even damaged over time. The full length chassis on the M2.0 models was to address this phenomenon.

What makes it an LE (Law Enforcement) Model is that it comes in a plastic clamshell case with 3 magazines and comes fitted with tritium night sights, whereas the standard model would come in cardboard box with 2 magazines and standard sights.

Well the 11884 came early, (but I still have to wait to pick it up), and it came in the cardboard box and has standard sights. The box does say 11884 for the model, and it did have 3 mags. (shrug)

 

[WPWarhawk]

I had an early 45 Shield. Liked it so well that I bought one of the Performance Center versions, with a 4 inch unported barrel. This one is really sweet.

 

[Spats McGee]

It looks like I'm the odd man out here. I have 3 Shields:

1) Shield 1.0, 9mm -- About 3.5 years of carry and ~750-800 flawless rounds.

2) Shield Plus, 9mm -- 150 rounds through it (100 FMJ + 50 Speer Gold Dots). Ran perfectly.

3) 4" PC Shield 45 -- Not so perfect. Feeding issues. I ran about 300 rounds of 230 grain ball through it, thinking maybe it was a break-in issue. No dice. Sent it back to S&W. They replaced the locking block and maybe something else. I'm about 100 rounds post-TriptotheMothership, and still having feeding issues. It's an accurate, soft-shooting pistol, and I like it, but I get some kind of misfeed about every 2-3 magazines.

 

[rubiranch]

but I get some kind of misfeed about every 2-3 magazines.

I had a Glock 36 .45 like that and I gave it to a friend who was aware of the problems I was having.

I figured if it didn't work when it was brand new it never would.

I replaced it with my Shield 45 which IMO a much nicer and better gun.

 

[rubiranch]

CDNN has a bunch of 14 rounders in stock right now for $35 a mag. I have a few on the way from them as I type this.

You can never have too many mags.

I bought mine to use as my EDC so for me I wouldn't need higher capacity magazines.

And since I went back to my 642-1 for my EDC I'm hot sure just
how much I'll ever shoot my Shield 45.

If I'm just shooting for fun I like shooting my full size M&P .45.

 

[rubiranch]

You're going to love it.

I ordered two magazines from Lawmen's Supply back in June and after waiting nearly six months I found some on eBay and cancelled my order with Lawmen's.

Well the two I ordered and cancelled from Lawmen's arrived yesterday along with a bill.

Not sure if I'm going to keep them or return them. Not so sure if I need 7 magazines for a gun that I never shoot.

I did end up calling Lawman's and paid for the magazines.