Keep Shield or upgrade to Sig P365?

[Flintlock1]

I don't see it as an "upgrade" and so won't be buying one. I am very happy with my Shield 45 and plan to keep it.

Same here. Even if I did buy another gun, it wouldn't be a replacement of my Shield-9 V1.0. It does everything I need it to do - fire everything, everytime - all original stock components except I added leather grip panels. It is a defense/close combat pistol and doesn't need precision sights or a feather trigger. Any additional money would likely go to a CZ-75 Compact. But it still would not replace the Shield in my belt.

 

[BE Mike]

I don't think the MSRP will change. S&W is just lower priced overall. The Glock 43 is around the price of a 365 and it is just as popular as the Shield.

Some things that separate the 365 from the others is dovetailed metal front sight, and it is a Nite Sight. I'm not bashing the other two, just showing that there is not a direct comparison when considering price point.

 

[Mister X]

Despite not liking how it felt in my hand, I'd still like to shoot one since being comfortable in the hand isn't an accurate indication of how it shoots for a given individual.

I am still reading continuing problems with the p365 on the sig forums, so it would be some time before I'd seriously consider purchasing one and I'd have to certain the issues are corrected.

The trigger was also shorter and lighter than I prefer for a defense weapon, so that could be a deal breaker for me, especially if there are no acceptable options to change it. One thing I do really like about Glocks is that the trigger is easily modified DIY with OEM parts.

 

[Doug M.]

I own none of the two, but two reasons I see it an upgrade, from what I gather, are superior trigger action and increased magazine capacity with smaller size.

*
Two big problems presented.
1) It is a new model, and buy a new model anything is often not prudent. A year or two of hard use by plenty of others is a good idea. I've had this experience with a semi-tractor (first year Mack CH) and a car (first year Ford Focus).

2) After the 320 debacle, which is still rippling out and a long way from resolved, I am among many who are concerned enough about Sig QC/QA and honesty/integrity that I would not buy anything from them at this point.This has been discussed at length on another forum that is populated mostly by hard use military and LE folks, and the conclusion is pretty ugly. I have friends who have been involved in testing and review in several settings, and their reports are not good. Remember that it utterly failed the FBI testing, and the Army lowered the standard so the 320 could pass.

While I don't have a use for a Shield at this time, there is no question in my mind that if a use arose for which it was a good fit, I would have no real qualms about buying one.

 

[BE Mike]

*
Two big problems presented.
1) It is a new model, and buy a new model anything is often not prudent. A year or two of hard use by plenty of others is a good idea. I've had this experience with a semi-tractor (first year Mack CH) and a car (first year Ford Focus).

2) After the 320 debacle, which is still rippling out and a long way from resolved, I am among many who are concerned enough about Sig QC/QA and honesty/integrity that I would not buy anything from them at this point.This has been discussed at length on another forum that is populated mostly by hard use military and LE folks, and the conclusion is pretty ugly. I have friends who have been involved in testing and review in several settings, and their reports are not good. Remember that it utterly failed the FBI testing, and the Army lowered the standard so the 320 could pass.

While I don't have a use for a Shield at this time, there is no question in my mind that if a use arose for which it was a good fit, I would have no real qualms about buying one.

Meh. Since the inception of the internet, people like to be noticed and complaining is a sure way to get noticed. There is always a tendency for some folks to "pile on" as well. I don't see the P320 as being a debacle. I have over a thousand rounds through mine (my only Sig) without any problems. It is a good host for my suppressor, as well. Sig handled the trigger upgrade to my satisfaction. You do have a point that new pistols, including the perfect Glocks have had problems. Some older pistols weren't drop safe, but of course there wasn't the big sh!t storm, because Al Gore hadn't yet invented the internet. I like to always take everything with a grain of salt. There are a lot of folks on the internet who have very little experience with firearms, but like to post. I'm sure that there have been some people who have had problems, because anything mechanical can have failures, but with reports of some rental P365's going over 4,000 rounds without any significant problems, I think the new pistol is showing itself as a good solid handgun, in general. Not everyone is going to like every pistol on the market because, well people are different. When I get my P 365, I'll make my own conclusions as to whether or not it'll be my EDC. I do wonder if there are any anti-gun groups spreading untruths to "bring down" another firearm manufacturer.

 

[Mister X]

I do wonder if there are any anti-gun groups spreading untruths to "bring down" another firearm manufacturer.

My perspective is that the opposite is true with more people ignoring the problems and making excuses. I watched another review today where the shooter had a malfunctioned and failed to even mention it. The p365 has been plagued with ongoing problems since it's release. Sig didn't halt production for no reason. Considering some the abnormal wear I'm still seeing along with reports of broken strikers and mag follower problems, I'm not so sure they don't need to halt production again.

 

[Doug M.]

Meh. Since the inception of the internet, people like to be noticed and complaining is a sure way to get noticed.

*
Valid point as to some events. However, the people to whom I am referring are well respected professionals in the firearms industry, some of whom I have known for years, and the forum on which the discussion was had is not tolerant of the kind of idiocy to which you refer. The experience I had with buying a brand new Sig (239) a few years ago was telling - it was so far from what I had ordered that the dealer refused it. I bought a used one a couple years ago, and it serves its purpose ... but most of the Sigs I would consider if I cared for one would be the older German made ones.

 

[BE Mike]

*
Valid point as to some events. However, the people to whom I am referring are well respected professionals in the firearms industry, some of whom I have known for years, and the forum on which the discussion was had is not tolerant of the kind of idiocy to which you refer. The experience I had with buying a brand new Sig (239) a few years ago was telling - it was so far from what I had ordered that the dealer refused it. I bought a used one a couple years ago, and it serves its purpose ... but most of the Sigs I would consider if I cared for one would be the older German made ones.

I'm not a Sig fan, but the P365 looks like a game changer. If I shoot it a lot and it functions reliably, is accurate, controllable and has a decent trigger it will be my EDC. I'll rely on the internet for stupid pet tricks. BTW, I owned a Glock, but it wasn't for me, although I think it is a very good pistol, despite the reports of KABOOMS! I'm thinking that people are taking relatively small things and blowing them way out of proportion. It seems like the current negative trend regarding just about everything in today's society.

 

[Doug M.]

I have 3 Glocks and they do the job fine, but there are Glocks I would not own under any condition or allow as duty weapons. The kabooms are related to those models, but a more a result of unacceptable handling practices (chambering a round more than once).

One must of course be careful to vet information sources, but the forum and population to which I am referring was also several years ahead of the fraud action for all of the flaws in EoTechs. A lot of folks were naysayers about that set of problems, too.

 

[greeenteeee]

My son picked up a P365 last week and we compared it to our Shields (we both have 9s and he also has a 45). We were very surprised by how the P365 fit our hands. The palms of our hands touch our Shields from the beavertails to the end of the grip frames. The grip of the P365 is curved so that only about the top half of the backstrap touched our palms, which made the P365 feel very unsecure.

The 365 grip is tiny. I have beefed up my Shield grip a bit and like it a lot.

Gf and I have a Shield each, we have 1 365 and another on the way, and she's ready to sell hers. I don't think I will be but will just be another option for me.

OP: Have you decided?

 

[Jeppo]

I put my name on two different dealer's lists as soon as I learned of the P365. I figured I'd either like it or flip it when I actually got the chance to hold one and eventually fire it. Although I'm also a Shield owner/lover, I was intrigued by what the Sig appears to offer.

Fast forward from January to a couple weeks ago and I had a chance to meet a prominent forum member at a LGS. They had a demo P365 and I got the first chance to feel and dry fire it. I liked it at first glance. However, until I get mine home (should be around 12 hours from now), compare it to my Shield 2.0, and others that I love and finally shoot it; who knows?

 

[greeenteeee]

I put my name on two different dealer's lists as soon as I learned of the P365. I figured I'd either like it or flip it when I actually got the chance to hold one and eventually fire it. Although I'm also a Shield owner/lover, I was intrigued by what the Sig appears to offer.

Fast forward from January to a couple weeks ago and I had a chance to meet a prominent forum member at a LGS. They had a demo P365 and I got the first chance to feel and dry fire it. I liked it at first glance. However, until I get mine home (should be around 12 hours from now), compare it to my Shield 2.0, and others that I love and finally shoot it; who knows?

I love my Shield, but thought of *replacing it for the P365 before even holding one.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NB9ob8vy-_o[/ame]

Got my hands on a P365 and did just as well on it's (basically) first range day.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBiqrDZf00s&t=2s[/ame]

Both are winners, can't go wrong either way. With that said, I can't see myself getting rid of the Shield. The worst that would happen is I shoot the P365 more often and the Shield gets neglected.

 

[one eye joe]

Lets see! Weighs less, shorter , thinner, easier to conceal and holds much more "Ammo"!

Sounds like an Upgrade to me! What's the old saying " If it looks like an Upgrade, carries like an Upgrade and shoots like an Upgrade then it's an "Upgrade"!

Need to see how it holds in my hand!

I HAVE TO ROLL WITH akdude ON THIS ONE. IT CERTAINLY DOES APPEAR TO BE AN UPGRADE TO ME.......

I KNOW ONE THING---ITS DEFINITELY NOT A DUCK ! ! !

 

[mikem]

Seems many are replacing their Shields with the P365 and i will say the 365 interests me and i will look at 1 if i ever see 1!

Anybody here got 1 yet or planning on getting 1?

ak, by saying "upgrade" to the 365, you are saying the 365 is superior to the Shield.

The 365 has been around for about 15 minutes.

If I were you, I'd let the guys who just have to have the "latest and greatest" buy them first.

Let them be your lab rats.

I'd think twice about buying a pistol which was designed around its magazine. Something about that fact gives me great pause.

 

[gc70]

My son bought a P365, decided it was not what he wanted as much as he had thought, and is back to his Shield.

 

[jhnttrpp]

My son bought a P365, decided it was not what he wanted as much as he had thought, and is back to his Shield.

Did he say why

 

[greeenteeee]

Did he say why

Good question. Out of the box the P365 has a small grip which was my main gripe with it.

Though, the grip is one of the first things you compromise for concealability.

 

[gc70]

Did he say why

As @greeenteeee said, the problem was mainly with the grip.

The following comparative photo from Guns and Ammo shows where the grips of the P365 and Shield differ (emphasis added). The Shield's grip made contact with the palm of the hand over its entire length. The P365's grip only made contact with the palm of the hand for the upper half of its length.

 

[dben002]

As @greeenteeee said, the problem was mainly with the grip.

The following comparative photo from Guns and Ammo shows where the grips of the P365 and Shield differ (emphasis added). The Shield's grip made contact with the palm of the hand over its entire length. The P365's grip only made contact with the palm of the hand for the upper half of its length.

I can understand your son's point....for me the Shield grip is
just plain perfect. The gun fits like a glove (9 & 45)....

I am kinda surprised at how many people pre-ordered the 365 without ever touching one, much less shooting one.....Large hands persons are going to find the 365 difficult to
adjust to...not that they can't change there grip style to adapt but it's going to be different for sure......I think there may be more than a few who might decide they rushed in to soon..time will tell.....

 

[Joni_Lynn]

When I can't decide, I often adopt both and let it work out over time.