My new Shield-first post

[Trooper Joe]

Great forum, just found it.

Stopped into a gun store last week Monday and saw my first Shield. It was for display only until they get more in.

I was impressed with this gun and almost talked the dealer into selling it to me at once.

Started reading about this on other forums and was really excited with the lack of any negative comments (in contrast to especially the Kimber Solo of last year, and others of this type).

Several days ago, last Saturday, I found one and bought it. Tried out the trigger pull on the last two he had left and they were both the same (in other words, great).

Paid full price but I don't blame the dealer. The difference if I had waited is about one round of drinks at my local bar. This particular dealer usually has his prices quite low so I will make this up some other time.

I love this gun. Shot it Sunday and it fed everything I could put through it. This is important to me since even my Springfield EMP will nose dive the first round of hp ammo in a fully loaded, tight magazine. Some other things I like about the gun are:

• The magazines slide in like silk due to their shape.
• I could fully load both magazines without a problem.
• The slide release actually releases the slide without having to "slingshot" it. I guess this varies on other Shields.
• The take down and reassembly is easy (you can actually take it apart without pushing the little lever down in the magazine well. Simply pull the trigger just before the slide comes off. Read this on another forum and called Smith and Wesson last night. They have no problem with that method but they designed it the way they did since some Police Chiefs were having heart ache over the Glock type of take down procedure. You do have to have the lever down to reassemble however.)
• It has no "flag" loaded chamber indicator although the owners manual on line and the one with the gun states that some models may have one.
• No magazine disconnect but again some models may have one (probably for the California market).
• The gun can handle +P, but I view that as only an additional positive design feature since I will carry standard velocity ammo.

I could go on and on and on, but since this my first post, I don't want to bore you to death.

As you can see, I really love this gun. Going out to the range again today and if all is well, I will start carrying it all the time. Am thinking of Hornady Critical Defense since this works very well in all my compact 9mm's.

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe

 

[Moonman]

If you find it a little slippery in the hands try:

TALON Granular Stick-on Grips $10.95 free mail shipping.

They really grab your hand, I really liked the difference when added to mine.

TalonGunGrips.com

 

[MIST]

If you find it a little slippery in the hands try:

TALON Granular Stick-on Grips $10.95 free mail shipping.

They really grab your hand, I really liked the difference when added to mine.

TalonGunGrips.com

Just checked out their web site. They're $11.99 now. Still cheap. My concern would be the edges of the grip peeling. How's the adhesive, especially around the sharp edges? I'm leaning toward the rubber.

 

[buckshotshorty]

Congrats on the new Shield, and welcome to the forum! You will find a wealth of info here. There is definitely a S&W Shield in my future. As soon as all the Shield fever cools a bit, and I decide which "safe queen" must go.

 

[RussC]

Rubber Grip

Just checked out their web site. They're $11.99 now. Still cheap. My concern would be the edges of the grip peeling. How's the adhesive, especially around the sharp edges? I'm leaning toward the rubber.

Mist:

I went with the rubber grip with my Nano. You should not have a problem with peeling. Clean the grip with the alcohol wipe that comes with it and follow up with a hair dryer after you have installed the grip per instructions.


Russ

 

[shipwreck]

I just picked up a Shield myself - last night... I rented one last Saturday and was hooked.

I do put rubber grips on all my polymer guns. However - I hate the ones made for pistols. They either have finger grooves, palm swells or the rubber is just so thick.

Its ugly as hell, but I use a piece of a bicycle inner tube. I bought one years ago, and I'm finally just now coming close to the end of it. They look ugly, but they work great. VERY thin too, compared to hogues and pachmeyer slip on grips. I really wish someone would come out with one the thinness of a innertube, but with some nice looking texturing.

 

[Capt Crunch]

I contacted Pachmayr and they said they are looking at expanding their line of Gun Gloves into the M&Pc and Shield.

 

[Trooper Joe]

2nd trip to the range-new Shield

Just came back from our local unofficial range (edge of the woods). We can plink at cans etc., at this location and it is a good place to function test new guns (without the somewhat stringent range rules at our local club).

The Shield fed my preferred ammo, Hornady Critical Defense, with no problem. I also shot a magazine full of Remington Golden Saper, +P, 124 grn through it. Did not even notice the difference between standard loadings and this +P stuff as far as recoil goes. (Don't really plan on carrying or shooting a lot of +P, but just wanted to try it out.)

Shot up a lot of ball ammo with absolutely no problems.

Between Sunday and today at the range, I feel comfortable carrying this gun. This thing is really great.

Posted some pictures of the target and gun (at least I am trying to).

Just some thoughts,

Trooper Joe

 

[TeaQue]

Just checked out their web site. They're $11.99 now. Still cheap. My concern would be the edges of the grip peeling. How's the adhesive, especially around the sharp edges? I'm leaning toward the rubber.

I had the rubber ones on my Kahr CM9 and they held up really well over the last 6mo of carrying.

I just ordered a set for my Shield yesterday.

 

[Trooper Joe]

I thing I found some defense loads my Shield does not like

A I mentioned before, even though I plan on carrying standard and not +P loadings, I did try some Remington Golden Saber, +P. 124 grn through my Shield. It worked flawlessly and did not seem to even notice the hotter loading with recoil, etc.

However, today I tried some of the new Hornady Critical Duty, 135 grn, +P rated. The recoil was quite noticeable and I actually had my first hic up with this gun. After shooting the first round in the barrel (with a fully loaded 7 round mag) the gun sort of failed to go fully forward into battery. I didn't really notice this until I pulled the trigger and there was no resistance nor did it fire, however, there was a new round in the chamber.

My theory is that since the Critical Duty round is slightly longer than the Critical Defense round which works great, the top round in the mag is dragged forward by the closing slide and interfering enough to cause it not to go into complete battery. I have noticed, that in my gun, there seems to be a not quite so smooth part of the slide action, just before final lock up.

I am sure this will improve with use, but regardless, I plan on not using Critical Duty in this gun and will stick with the Critical Defense load.

To be fair, I then shot my much more expensive SA EMP 9, which is very finicky with defense ammo (so much so that I probably will never carry it as a primary defense sidearm). The EMP just does not seem to like fully loaded, very tight last round, defense ammo in the magazines.

I also shot my Sig Sauer 239 which of course fed everything I put through it with the typical amazing Sig accuracy.

So like they always say, make sure your ammo of choice really feeds and works well in your carry gun before use.

Trooper Joe

 

[shipwreck]

I uglied mine up with a piece of innertube. Its ugly, but so much better than the rubber gun slip ons they sell. I've used these for years on polymer handguns...

 

[kris7047th]

A I mentioned before, even though I plan on carrying standard and not +P loadings, I did try some Remington Golden Saber, +P. 124 grn through my Shield. It worked flawlessly and did not seem to even notice the hotter loading with recoil, etc.

However, today I tried some of the new Hornady Critical Duty, 135 grn, +P rated. The recoil was quite noticeable and I actually had my first hic up with this gun. After shooting the first round in the barrel (with a fully loaded 7 round mag) the gun sort of failed to go fully forward into battery. I didn't really notice this until I pulled the trigger and there was no resistance nor did it fire, however, there was a new round in the chamber.

My theory is that since the Critical Duty round is slightly longer than the Critical Defense round which works great, the top round in the mag is dragged forward by the closing slide and interfering enough to cause it not to go into complete battery. I have noticed, that in my gun, there seems to be a not quite so smooth part of the slide action, just before final lock up.

I am sure this will improve with use, but regardless, I plan on not using Critical Duty in this gun and will stick with the Critical Defense load.

To be fair, I then shot my much more expensive SA EMP 9, which is very finicky with defense ammo (so much so that I probably will never carry it as a primary defense sidearm). The EMP just does not seem to like fully loaded, very tight last round, defense ammo in the magazines.

I also shot my Sig Sauer 239 which of course fed everything I put through it with the typical amazing Sig accuracy.

So like they always say, make sure your ammo of choice really feeds and works well in your carry gun before use.

Trooper Joe

That would be a pretty hot load for any small gun. Did a google search and found this about that round .....I received some test boxes from Hornady and I have run it with good results. For it's intended purposes I think it is a decent round. As an LE we may have to defeat barriers in the even of an involved. This is why I carry a bonded round no matter what manufacturer. Our department issues Remington GS bonded and so that is what I have been carrying. We are looking at the critical duty as an alternative. In a CCW role a bonded round or the critical duty may over penetrate. For this reason off duty I carry Winchester SXT+P or Gold Dot 124 +P. Hornady states this is intended for LE only. I would think it is because of the penetration power this round has. The general public typically has no need to a round that is designed to defeat intermediate barriers. TXPO

__________________
G17, G19, STI Ranger II
Registered FFL
Certified Glock Armorer
Certified M&P LE Armorer


and this in a same thread ..

The problem is that you aren't going to always be shooting through a barrier.

Hornady is using a heavier lead in the Critical Duty line. This is one of the techniques they've employed to pass all the barrier tests. They have made a much tougher bullet. From what I've been seeing and reading about this bullet line, it may be just a little too tough, which is why it's getting these higher penetration depths. Maybe the non +p version of the 9mm would fare better?

Anyway, I believe the jury is still out on this ammunition. I'd hate to call it a gimmick, but usually when you focus too much in one area, you're going to come up short in another. We'll have to just wait and see.


I would reconsider using that round in such a small gun. I suspect that it was designed for a FS. for penetrating barriers. The OP of that thread said the rnds penetrated four water jugs and he never found it.

 

[Moonman]

Mist,

Just follow the TALON instruction sheet.

1) Clean with the supplied alcohol wipe.

2) Remove backing PARTIALLY and start to apply.

The ending flaps are one over the other, depending upon your shooting hand. Right handed shooter, THE LEFT END GOES OVER TOP OF THE RIGHT END TO FINISH APPLYING, FOR LEFTY'S THE OPPOSITE.
Use the small circle S&W Emblem to help line up with the small hole in the grip stick-ons.

3) Heat with a Hairdryer then.

My Granulated Wrap (sandpaper feel looks like Skateboard stuff) is Pronounced (I like it)
for a GREAT PURCHASE FEEL.

Instructions say to sand the grip wrap with 120 grit to LESSEN the grips GRITTY-NESS if that's your preference. Do not sand your frame.

MINE SEEM TO BE ADHERING SUPPER.

 

[toocool]

I uglied mine up with a piece of innertube. Its ugly, but so much better than the rubber gun slip ons they sell. I've used these for years on polymer handguns...

I don't think it looks all that bad...I may have to look into that for mine...

 

[shipwreck]

I don't think it looks all that bad...I may have to look into that for mine...

I have it on my PX4, and it was on my Kahr until I put it up for sale Thur evening. Had it on a P99c I used to own, and a P99. Ugly, but works GREAT. They don't slip either

 

[Arkie45]

Just checked out their web site. They're $11.99 now. Still cheap. My concern would be the edges of the grip peeling. How's the adhesive, especially around the sharp edges? I'm leaning toward the rubber.

I have had these on my 40c daily carry that has had probably 1600 rounds through it, and there is no peeling, etc. whatsoever. I wondered about that when I first put them on, but no problems yet. I love the positive grip of the granular texture.

 

[Stu Honea]

Good job on the researching,Kris. What load are you carrying in yours?

 

[kris7047th]

Good job on the researching,Kris. What load are you carrying in yours?

Ran some Ranger 147 SXT, and Hornady Critical Defense 115 FTX today with no issues. I just received 4 boxes of Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 124 gr the other day. I haven't fired any of the Speer yet, but doubt there will be an issue with it. I have heard nothing but raves about it.