M&P Shield Safety vs. No Safety

[Linejudgemick]

Not to bring back an old dead thread, but I just purchased a Shield without the safety. As a lefty, most smaller guns like the LC-9 and the shield have a right hand ONLY safety. I would have absolutely considered a shield with an ambidextrous safety, but a safety I can't operate with my strong hand that has even a 0.5% chance of accidentally being engaged isn't something I would carry.

Hope you really like your new Shield... Have fun and be safe!

 

[gunfighter48]

My first semi auto was a S&W 457 45ACP with a decocker. All of my SD firearms have had safeties. For over 15 years my SD guns have all been 45ACP 1911s. The Shield that I have operates pretty much as a 1911. I sweep the safety off as I draw the gun. It's not a big deal, just takes a little time to train that way. Some say that you won't remember to take the safety off in the heat of the moment. BS, it is second nature after a very short time of training with the safety. It becomes an automatic reflex action. But it is a personal preference and I won't have a SD semi auto pistol without a safety.

 

[attrapereves]

I hate safeties on self-defense pistols. Just another thing to mess up when you need it. I will actually consider buying a Shield now that they ship models without safeties.

 

[rock_castle]

I use the safety and don't mind it one bit. If it bothered me then I just wouldn't use it. As it is, I practiced sweeping it off with my thumb at the draw when I first got it and it feels normal and natural to me. I don't believe it adds any time to the draw for me. It's really no big deal.

 

[emory]

Woman shot by toddler called responsible gun owner by friends, family | North Idaho - KXLY.com

This is terrible and was tough for me to read. I posted it because it is relevant to this thread. The handgun involved was a 9mm Shield. A handbag holster inside a zipped handbag was not sufficient to prevent an accidental discharge in this case. I suspect that the safety, if present, was not engaged.

 

[Golphin]

I have one on mine and use it. I have one in the chamber and the safety on. If you shoot enough at the range and practice taking it off over and over then I will do it when needed. The rest of the time I will be one step safer. But that's me everyone makes their own choices.

 

[TTFullTimer]

I got my first gun operated by burning powder 58 years ago. It had a safety. Every gun since has had a safety. I always use the safety. I now have a 40 Shield and use the safety. This from a guy who never ever will wear a seat belt, disables every screaming so called safety device in a home, and replaces all GFCI circuits. However, I always wear a helmet on a motorcycle. Some things make sense, others are just foolish.

 

[dlay]

I've never even picked up a 1911, much less shot one. I'd have to look it over to answer your question.

Most of these comments on this subject are made by new gun owners that have never had anything but a glock or one of the plastic guns. If you dont know about a 1911, you are not very experienced in the gun world. Ever seen a model 19 or 66, what about them. I will take the safety every time, and I have owned firearms for over 60 years.

 

[Horn]

Unintentionally Trained?

Woman shot by toddler called responsible gun owner by friends, family | North Idaho - KXLY.com

This is terrible and was tough for me to read. I posted it because it is relevant to this thread. The handgun involved was a 9mm Shield. A handbag holster inside a zipped handbag was not sufficient to prevent an accidental discharge in this case. I suspect that the safety, if present, was not engaged.

I read the article too. There's the possibility the 2 year old watched the mother placing and removing that gun numerous times. Toddlers learn a lot by observing. She likely never gave it a thought when she was getting ready to leave home. "Mama unzips
the hand bag like this...........and takes it out like this.......?"

( my wife never leaves her purse in the cart while shopping)

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
-- George Orwell

 

[ultra45]

Personal preference. I leave mine off. It's very simple to do. Some people think it might actually engage or disengage when unholstering. I haven't had it happen.

I do the same, those who believe it will engage are well....idiots. I believe S&W deleted the safety for one reason, to make the Shield more appealing to Law Enforcement Agency's who only authorize DAO firearms like the Glock, M&P FS and like guns.

 

[dlay]

A cop who has been on the force for 33 years in my home town shot himself thru the leg about three weeks ago. It was a 40 cal glock and he was holstering the pistol. I feel better with a safety, it is easy on and easy off, just a routine that you do.

 

[mikeysdad]

"It got tangled in my clothing," Counceller said of his weapon. "I was wearing a sweatshirt and a fleece jacket. I felt (the gun) [Glock] go in the holster and I pushed it, but it was tangled in the material which caused it to discharge. The bullet went into my leg and then into the floor."

Ind. police chief accidentally shoots self at gun shop

Same police chief did it again!
Police Chief Accidentally Shoots Himself For The Second Time

I have 2 Shields, both have safeties. My wife doesn't have her permit yet, put I use mine and have no problem flicking off when I draw. Practice,practice,practice.
Chuck

 

[motorcyclejoe]

Not a bit. I'm a lefty and I don't even notice it. I believe it was installed to make the gun saleable in states that require it. That's why it's so small.

Another lefty here. If you do use the safety, are you able to flick it off with your left hand when you draw? I have actually gotten to the point where I can easily activate a right handed mag release with my left hand. In fact I don't even bother to switch the mag release to the right side. Just wondering if the same approach might be possible with the Shield safety?

 

[DocSunShine]

My shield has the safety, I ignore it. However if I were buying a shield today I'd get one WITHOUT the safety.

 

[Joe.45]

Remember Glocks became famous, in part, because they have no safeties. People, CCW, and cops welcome this feature when they are under stress. Less **** to worry about. Just rack and blast away.

 

[jeffnles1]

I grew up shooting 1911's. When I shoot a firearm without a safety, my thumb still swipes down looking for it.

My Shield has a safety and it feels like and operates like an old friend. I like having the safety there.

Jeff

 

[RyanJM]

I got one with a safety because it was in stock. My Kel Tec PF9 had not safety and I used the belt clip and no holster in the summer and never had a issue. In the winter I usually had my Sig 1911 Untra Compact .45 hammer back with safety on. I do like having the safety sometimes though. If I come home and out my gun on a table I usually put the safety on. Just FYI I live alone and their are never kids in my place so it is safe. My girlfriend is the only one that comes here and she has her own gun so she knows about safe handling.

 

[DarylLawman]

One of the reasons I wanted this gun was the presence of the safety. I plan to cc with one in the chamber and I'm not a fan of AD. I'll practice sweeping the safety even knowing it will cost me a few seconds.

I don't like the safety on my personal shield as when you get down to a shooting, you might not remember to take the safety off and then it will be to late. Just practice and keep your finger off the trigger. IMO

 

[bootman]

M&P Shield safety or no safety

I have two of the Shields and both have a safety. But mine have the safety modified. I have added fiberglass to the button to make it easier to manipulate. You do need to remove it from the receiver to do the job but it is simple. You just build it up and when it cures you form it like you want. I don't know why S&W or somebody hasn't made an aftermarket safety that is usable. The safety is the worst part on the Shield.

 

[Targets Guy]

I like the safety. Use it all the time except when pulling the trigger.