New Shield 9 Happy Happy

[REARSPROCKET]

I scored a new Shield 9mm with thumb safety after renting one and falling in love. I also rented a G43 and I wanted to buy one but after shooting it I changed my mind, it was too small for my hands to shoot aimed shots. Took the Shield to wring it out for bugs and not one issue other than the trigger weight, 150 rounds of WWB and 25 hollow points without one issue. If I had to knit pic it the only dislikes I have are the 6.5 lb trigger and the cast MIM striker and sear.
I wish S&W would offer a PC version without barrel porting and with night sights or a bright F/O front with a carry tactical black rear.

 

[Radco]

Congrats on your new Shield .. LOVE mine

 

[exdetsgt]

I was always a Glock guy (pistols only) because our department so decreed. After I retired I and traded my last Glock in on a Ruger GP100 Match Champion I was without a polymer-frame small 9mm pistol for EDC in summer (1911 is OK in winter, but I find it difficult to conceal in summer). I have a carry-concealed Arizona permit because I don't like to advertise.

I started reading about the Shield on this forum and some of my friends started showing up with them so I got to shoot one. And promptly bought one. Seems to fit my hand better than a Glock and shoots as reliably as a Glock (maybe more so). I have had this Shield for 6 months and have yet to experience any sort of malfunction with it.

 

[k31scout]

I've had mine for a few years and still love it. I recently got a Pearce finger extension for the 7rd mag and like the Shield even more now.

 

[Horn]

Why A CC Permit?

I was always a Glock guy (pistols only) because our department so decreed. After I retired I and traded my last Glock in on a Ruger GP100 Match Champion I was without a polymer-frame small 9mm pistol for EDC in summer (1911 is OK in winter, but I find it difficult to conceal in summer). I have a carry-concealed Arizona permit because I don't like to advertise.

I started reading about the Shield on this forum and some of my friends started showing up with them so I got to shoot one. And promptly bought one. Seems to fit my hand better than a Glock and shoots as reliably as a Glock (maybe more so). I have had this Shield for 6 months and have yet to experience any sort of malfunction with it.

Agree about the Shield comparing to a Glock. Well, I own a G 26 Gen4 and my two Shields fit my hand better and point better.
My question is if you're a retired LE with department I.D. why do you have a CC permit in AZ. (Nice if traveling out of state)
Arizona always recognized a retired LE with department I.D. as okay to CC.
I did agree completely when AZ allowed any citizen to CC with no permit required. 2nd Amendment state. Love it.
I used to live near Bisbee. Interesting weather. Now in Green Valley.
Stay safe and G'luck.

 

[exdetsgt]

Hello, Horn. Hope this clears the confusion: Years ago I was an LEO in California but I didn't retire. I left after six years to pursue an academic career teaching English. After I retired from that in Arizona, the Bisbee company of the Arizona Rangers, attached to the Bisbee PD and under their control and direction, learned of my previous LEO experience and talked me into becoming a Ranger. But as it's a volunteer organization, a state requirement is a CCW (which I had anyway). The PD Sgt in charge of weaponry decreed Glocks, and that was that.

After five years as a uniformed Ranger I "retired," but my previous experience as a detective in plain clothes developed in me a fondness for carrying a weapon concealed. Which I do to this day. Green Valley is a nice town.

Stay safe.

 

[rwsmith]

You made.....

You made a great choice. Ain't they nice????

 

[Sigsavvy]

Great choice. Enjoy the Shield.

Anyone else noticing the uptick in "New Shield Owner.." posts? Love it! Nice to see that it is still gaining in popularity. Hopefully it's also a sign of people taking steps to protect themselves in this crazy world.

 

[REARSPROCKET]

Thanks everyone, I have two questions for all the experienced owners. One what standard pressure ammo is favored for SD in this short barrel ? I was looking at the 124 Hydros, Fed 115 JHP and Silver Tips. Second what is the preferred sight set up? I was looking at the BigDot and I am considering blackening the stock rear white dots. The BigDot sight alignment is a little different placing the large dot over your POA.

 

[martybee]

I've had mine for a few years and still love it. I recently got a Pearce finger extension for the 7rd mag and like the Shield even more now.

Ditto! 1,500 + rds. through mine and NO issues what so ever!
Love my Shield9.

mb

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

Thanks everyone, I have two questions for all the experienced owners. One what standard pressure ammo is favored for SD in this short barrel ? I was looking at the 124 Hydros, Fed 115 JHP and Silver Tips. Second what is the preferred sight set up? I was looking at the BigDot and I am considering blackening the stock rear white dots. The BigDot sight alignment is a little different placing the large dot over your POA.

My new standard response:

Before asking "What ammo should I use?" you should ask "What should ammo do, what shouldn't it do, and how is it tested?" I recommend the following:
Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness by the Firearms Training Unit of the FBI
Basic Wound Ballistic Terminal Performance Facts by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Ordnance gelatin test assessment for rifle and pistol calibers by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
What's Wrong With The Wound Ballistics Literature And Why by Dr. Fackler

For specific recommendations I start here:
Service Caliber Handgun Duty and Self-Defense Ammo by Dr. Roberts (DocGKR)
Then here:
9mm Ammo Quest on Youtube by ShootingTheBull410

I chose Federal HST in 147 grain standard pressure (P9HST2), but it can be difficult to find.

The Hydra-shok and Silvertips are old designs and do not perform reliably compared to the current ones.


I thought that blackening the rear sight was better than stock. I tried big dots once and went back to standard post and notch sights. I'm trying fiber optic front and black rear on my pistols now.

PS: I really like my Shield too.

 

[Dbkaczor]

just ordered one

I am a noob and purchased my first pistol in January a MP9 full frame which I love. I just ordered a shield with thumb safety after trying a friends at the range. Waiting for it to come in. Can't wait!

 

[PhilBob]

I bought my Shield 9 last month and have only been to the range with it one time, putting 100 rds through it. Love the feel and accuracy, though I do need a little more practice to get the right trigger discipline as I, like many, had too many rounds a little low and left.

 

[Targets Guy]

Congrats on the Shield. Love mine.

 

[Stu Honea]

Thanks everyone, I have two questions for all the experienced owners. One what standard pressure ammo is favored for SD in this short barrel ? I was looking at the 124 Hydros, Fed 115 JHP and Silver Tips. Second what is the preferred sight set up? I was looking at the BigDot and I am considering blackening the stock rear white dots. The BigDot sight alignment is a little different placing the large dot over your POA.

I like the 147gr. Federal HST's and Rangers.They have been shown to perform superbly in three inch barrels,esp the HST's.
Also softer shooting with less flash.

 

[Smokey74]

Great Info...Thanks!

I currently have a M&P 9 FS and completely love it and even added Tru-Glo TFO Nights Sights to it! I will never part with it!! But, sometimes it is a bit big to carry concealed (Especially with the summer months coming!). Been trying to decide which gun would be good to have for the summer time and I have been debating about the M&P 9 Shield. The posts you all are providing are really great and I appreciate the info from you all. This forum has been great in providing this type of info. I think the Shield has risen to the top and I will be looking for one right away!

I noticed S&W now offers one with Night Sights and 3 magazines, will be looking for one of these.

Thanks Guys!!

 

[fjweems3]

I have 2 9mm Shields. One is for my wife, hers has a safety; mine is without. Both have Apex DC Kits installed, standard sights I carry 124 Gold Dots, that is what me department issues. Wife's gun has 115 Hornady Critical Defense.

I am an armed volunteer chaplain. Pastor a Baptist church fulltime.

 

[Larry64]

I have 2 9mm Shields. One is for my wife, hers has a safety; mine is without. Both have Apex DC Kits installed, standard sights I carry 124 Gold Dots, that is what me department issues. Wife's gun has 115 Hornady Critical Defense.

I am an armed volunteer chaplain. Pastor a Baptist church fulltime.

How does your wife like the shield? My wife is taking her CCW class tomorrow and I am buying her what ever she like after it. The Shield is one I really want he to try.