M&P Shield 1.0 9mm

[OldGoat]

Yes, racking slide on my Shield 1.0 is a problem as others have noted. So I installed an ArachniGRIP...we'll see. I like the Recover Tactical as a solution, too. I was considering the Shield EZ, but these slide solutions seem best vs. $pending $ for another 8 shot Shield.

 

[swsig]

I have a 1.0 Shield 9 with almost 6,000 rounds through it. It is an outlier among Shield 9s because it has had too many failures to feed and to eject throughout its life to suit me. However, after extensive (and expensive) testing, I found two self-defense rounds that have worked flawlessly with it. The first is Hornady Critical Duty 135g +P, which has gone 387 rounds without a failure. The second is Federal HST 147g, which has gone 225 rounds without a failure. For range ammo, I like Winchester NATO 124g. I've had some FTEs with the NATOs, but they are far more accurate from my Shield than any other FMJs I've shot.

If you are not yet completely committed to a Shield 9, I suggest looking at the Shield 45. It is superior to the Shield 9 in every way but capacity.

Here's a more detailed review from an earlier post of mine:
Long-Term Report on M&P 40c, Shield 9, & Shield 45

 

[Ron In MD]

Thanks for all the guidance. I will read and reread the thread before making any decisions.

Much appreciated to all.

 

[sousana]

So far I've only shot IMI and Blazer 9mm through my 2.0 shield, with not one issue. I've got some brown box military 9mm somewhere just aint got around to using it yet but based on current performance, I don't see an issue.

 

[sheepdawg]

I've had one for a while, put a Magguts +1 spring in the two 8 rd. mags and a Houge grip sleeve on it and carry it everyday, reliability is why. It just plain eats everything. Accuracy is decent and it isn't a boat anchor to carry but it reliability has kept the newer higher capacity 9mm. off my hip.

 

[sousana]

Here is a DARN good deal on a Shield 1.0 with 4 mags: $300

FS: S&W M&P Shield 1.0 w 4 Mags $300 | VA Gun Trader

 

[Spats McGee]

The Shield 1.0 is a solid choice. I've had one in 9mm since about 2017 and I've never had any trouble with it. I'll be selling it soon, but only because: (a) I upgraded to a Plus; and (b) I have a friend of about 40 years that wants it.

 

[BSA1]

I find the comments about the snappy recoil being a problem not to be a case with my wife and daughter.

I have given my wife and my daughter each with a 1.0 9mm Shield and they both like them.

My wife has had carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists and surgery on a shoulder to free up a tendon so she has difficulty finding a handgun that she can shoot without it causing pain. She enjoys shooting both her 1.0 4.25" M&P and 1.0 Shield. Both are 9mm. She says they are both pain free for her to shoot.

She learned to chamber a round by holding the slide in her left hand and pushing the frame forward with her right.

Daughter has no issues with her Shield.

Everyone has different tolerance to pain. The polymer M&P and Shield are the only handguns she can shoot pain free.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I bought mine about 20 years ago - used. It has not missed a cycle since then mostly with less expensive target ammunition. No upgrades, original 1.0 and cleaning. The price gap has widened so far now between the 1.0 and 2,0 that the 1,0 is a solid chance.

 

[Jimmymac46]

Don't rack it!

Theoretically, and in actuality, you rarely have to rack the slide on a semi-auto pistol. Sound crazy? Well, think about it.

When you buy a new gun, you will need to lock the slide back. Then, other than a few occasions, that could the last time you need to do it. Just follow these procedures-

1. Once locked open with the slide stop engaged, insert a loaded mag. Don't attempt to press the slide stop down, it's a slide stop, NOT a slide release. It will work as one, but why? Remove an empty or no magazine, insert a fresh one, hold the gun in either hand, pointed safely, and grab the extreme back of the slide on the sides, by the rear sight, whatever and pull back a slight distance, then immediately let go. Hold on as the full power of the recoil spring will slam the slide forward and feed a round off of your loaded, full, and inserted magazine.

2. Shoot the gun until empty or if practicing, save one or two, remember it's not dry, remove the quasi-dry or not mag, insert a new one.....start shooting again. Do that all day, never rack the slide.

3. At the end of the day, shoot your last magazine dry. Remove it. Check the chamber for empty. Then put it away, slide locked to the rear. It can remain locked to the rear for, guessing.....fifty years. Then next time you use it, see #1 above.

4. Cleaning- The Shield is a magnificent, reliable firearm. One of the reasons is it has few, tight tolerances. Tight tolerances need regular cleaning. A plastic gun is sloppy by comparison, and actually that is a good thing! It doesn't need cleaning after every range event! It doesn't. You can shoot 500 or more rounds through this great weapon and never clean it. That said, don't do that. But you don't need to ever disassemble it! Yes, never. There are wonderful aerosol cleaners that strip every bit of residue out. All you need to do is clean the bore and the bolt face. Bolt face with a light cleaner and a tooth brush. Every time is good, but not essential. As far as lube points, all can be reached WITHOUT disassembly.

So, with all the above, you have not once racked the slide to the rear other than the first time when you bought it.

Practice makes perfect!

Note- do none of the above with a precision, target, competition firearm. But the Shield is a different animal, and as such, works with simplicity with a common sense owner.

Jim

 

[jkf3356]

Mine continues to perform well. Very dependable and slim for carry. I've never had feed issues or failures to eject. The 8 round magazine with a +2 Mag-Guts spring gives you a respectable and legal 10+1 capacity. As newer models come out these older models become more attractive from a price standpoint. I like Hogue Hand-all grip on mine. It provides a better grip for me than the rougher 2.0 version grips.

 

[sousana]

I can't comment as to the 1.0 but the 2.0 shield 9mm with thumb safety, I bought last month came with 3 8rd and 1 7rd mags and shoots anything in the magazine. Got this one for $350 plus 15 transfer and it was in as near NIB as one could be. I love this one so much, I just took a guy up on his selling his near mint shield 2.0 9mm with 6 mags for $300 plus transfer fee. Only changes I've made to these two are the following:

1. Added a charging handle to the rear end of the slide
2. Outfitted the mag plates in Red aluminum Hyve baseplates.

Both shoot pretty darn near point of aim. So far I've used brass cased ammo from major company's, to belom 9mm to steel cased, in the case of the steel case, I just wanted to see if it would handle them as I prefer not to use steel plated.

95% of my ammo inventory is IMI 115 to 158gr, mostly because IMI is my preferred ammo.

Now I'm intrigued enough to want a shield in 45 and lo and behold, there just happens to be one posted on my forums classified pages.

 

[kiki]

Hello...did you see or get to handle 1.0 vs 2.0... basically the grip texture changed but besides that they're pretty much the same... Mags are interchangeable. I preferred the grip on the 2.0 better for me my original 1.0 I had stimpled because I felt like it would slip out of my hand. But regardless I don't think you will be unhappy with either one....

 

[LeeP]

Shield

Ive had one for two years. Very nice gun. User friendly. I wasnt crazy about the trigger, so I installed a Hyve adjustable trigger. Great shooter and very accurate. I shoot 147gr out of mine with no issues.
Just picked up the Sield Plus a few days ago. Havent had a chance to shoot it yet.

 

[Ziggy2525]

Mine have been flawless. Ammo wise it's been all the Vista brands (speer, federal, blazer) plus s&b, winchester, and hornady. Brass and aluminum. 115, 124, and 147. Accurate too.

Two gripes. It's a bit harder to rack compared to a glock or a sig. and, if you do your own spring replacements, you'll need to make/buy a slave pin, otherwise the trigger spring is a pain.

 

[The Preacher]

The S&W M&P Shield 1.0 9mm works... Mine has been 100%. No need to move "up". Shoot it. Train yourself up. Practice with it. Carry it with confidence.

 

[ChillyDog]

My Shield 1.0 runs anything I put in it, I've had it for 7 or so years. 124s, 115s, hand loads or factory it just runs.

 

[Execpro]

Ron In MD: MUST READ !!!!!

Got a Shield 1.0 in 9mm when they first came out (night sights/extra mag package from factory) it was my ccw and I loved it! Then last year due to increasing arthritis problems in both hands, I started having real problems in racking the slide. I sold it and got a 9mm EZ.

Take it from me and others, the arthritis is only going to get worse. I went to a surgeon that specializes in hands and he gave me two options for my little finger (that was locking up and is in the 8-10 pain range at times), surgically freeze the joint or a flexible joint replacement.

To address your original post: like others that posted here, I never had any problems with any ammo I shot (Winchester, Speer or HST. 115 or 124gr, reg or +P velocity).

You can't go wrong with the Shield 1.0 !!

 

[220-niner]

I bought my 1.0 about a year after theycame out and the prices had come down. Not at the bottom but not a premium either.
Mine has been flawless. It has an Ameriglo front site and Magguts +2 kit on the 8 round magazines so it carries 10+1.
Since the prices are not at the low 200 range that they were a few years ago (in a different world), I'd get a 2.0 or Plus if I was buying now. I would spend close to the value of the gun in ammo to thoroughly test it for carry, and the Magguts kit for each mag is over $30 delivered so the slightly higher price makes makes them much more attractive now. The trigger and texture are better too.

 

[Shield 9 WV]

I've had my completely stock Shield 9 v1 since 2017. No malfunctions of any kind, ever. Simple as that.

I'm currently lusting after the Shield 9 Plus Performance Center for absolutely no good reason except for gun lust. I love my Shield and it absolutely disappears while I'm wearing it at the 3:00 position. Of course it's there if I need it and I'm confident that when I squeeze the trigger it will go bang.

I'll sell it to help fund the Plus. What person needs two carry guns?