New Shield observations

[Bushmonkey9]

Well got my new 9mm Shield (Cali), Was going through the Familiarization/Safety/drawing exercises and noticed a few things.

1- The Thumb safety is rather sharp on the forward top portion, after repeated drawing and thumbing the safety off, my thumb is rather sore. It is possible to draw the little pistol and flick the safety off pretty quick, but you have to practice a lot.
2- The 7 round mag makes the grip too small to properly get a grip on the pistol while drawing, making the pistol dance in your hand while trying to reset the pistol in to a shooting position. Requires more practice! Think the 8 round mag works much better as your pinky aids in controlling the grip better. and allows quicker control to shooting position.
3- I have to think like shooting a revolver with this as the limited rounds. Count to 6 and reload.
4- The chamber indicator isn't a deterrent as I suspected. Much slimmer than I imagined it was.
5- I had no problems racking the slide, but Noticed that you have to slam the slide with force to have positive chambering.
Otherwise it's easy to aim. Buy more mags!

 

[wtburnette]

My experience has been different from yours on a few things. The thumb safety on mine isn't sharp. I would notice as I practice drawing and sweeping the safety on mine several times a day to get the muscle memory down. I never end up with a sore thumb. When I first started drawing, I would fumble the gun a bit, due to the size difference from my larger guns. I would say that practice should fix this for you. At least it has for me. The same draw practice I do to get the thumb safety sweep integrated has helped me to grasp the gun more securely when I draw.

One question I have is, what do you mean by slamming the slide home to fully chamber the rounds? If you use the slide release it should work fine (mine has never had an issue) and you also shouldn't have an issue using the slingshot method. The only time I've had a failure for a round to feed is when I rode the slide forward and that's not recommended with this gun and one of the more common mistakes people make.

I heartily agree with you that it's easy to aim and to buy more mags! I picked up an extra 4 of the 8 round mags and I'm very happy I did

 

[Hamster65]

The thumb safety on my 9mm isn't sharp at all. Maybe something to do with it being a CA model?
I've practiced drawing and moving the safety to off repeatedly with no problems. The only thing I find hard to manipulate is the slide catch. It's such a low profile lever, it's easier for me to just pull the slide back a little and let it go.
As for the 7 round mag.............yes, I do find it uncomfortably short IMO. You can buy extenders for it for around $10.00 but in my opinion, if you're going to to that far, you might as well just get another 8 round mag.
My reasoning behind that is this: 8+1 works just fine but, it is SO hard to seat a full 7 round mag with the breach closed, it makes 7+1 nearly impossible. That and the 8 round mag isn't any longer than a 7 round mag with an extender on it.

 

[CatSnipah]

I've not experienced this sharp edge on the safety. No problem there, at all.

I'm a bit confused AND concerned about your comments regarding slamming home the slide. I rarely use the slide release, rather pop the slide with my off-hand by pulling it back slightly to release after a mag change. However, neither method has ever caused me any problems....save for the few times early on when I rode to slide a bit too far (didn't cleanly release with my off-hand). Had to get used to the smaller frame.

I carry it with the 7-rounders. Much easier to conceal. I added the NDZ pinky extension floor plates to all of my 7-round mags. Doesn't reduce concealability, but dramatically increases grip and control. I also carry one in the chamber with the safety on to give me the max available without carrying extra mags.

Check them out. There are also other option such as Pierce. If you search the forums, you will see folks endorsing both of those options extensively.

Finally, to aid grip, especially in warm, humid environs such as the Low Country of South Carolina, I added Foxx Grips to my Shield. Similar to Talon Grips...I just added them to my order when I bought my Foxx Trapp holster earlier this year.

Check those options as well if you're interested in control improvements, particularly if you plan to carry as your EDC.

 

[dullh]

Different stroker for different folks.

1) the safety on mine has no sharp edges.

2) I prefer the 7rd magazine for better concealment...so much so that I traded the 8rd magazine for another 7rd mag...

3) No "slide slamming" here...on either one of my Shields. Don't know what you're doing, but a simple slide release or slingshot motion is all it takes to get mine into battery.

4) Round counting shouldn't be part of any practice regimen...if you have to use it for real you will not be counting rounds.

 

[tacos3]

I have a California 9mm version and....

1) the safety does not have any sharp edges.
2) the slide release is a bit difficult to engage without an empty magazine.
3) I scraped all the red paint off the LCI and used black sharpie on the white letters. Looks much better now although the black sharpie does look a bit purple...
4) I prefer the 8 round mags over the 7's but the grip is much better with the 7 than the standard mags on my Glock 26.

I really like it and it will replace my G26 as my daily rig.

 

[mustangman]

I like the Pearce on the short mag. The only added bulk is where the pinky hangs on, so it really doesn't add length like the longer mag, which add it at the rear of the grip as well. For me it conceals a little better, and I'm ok with one less round. I also added a Hogue Handall Jr for a little extra grip.

Amazon.com : Pearce Grips Magazine Extension for S&W M&P Shield : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Hkm19OFPL.@@AMEPARAM@@41Hkm19OFPL

Amazon.com : Hogue Rubber Grip Handall Jr. Small Size Grip Sleeve : Gun Grips : Sports & Outdoors@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WdzwMHQnL.@@AMEPARAM@@41WdzwMHQnL

 

[Bushmonkey9]

added a few pics, the sharp edge on the Slide release.



*5DmkII, 50mm, extension tubes* I'm a photographer

 

[lsphelps]

Bought mine about 3 months ago, slight burr on corner similar to yours.

 

[Stratajema]

... it is SO hard to seat a full 7 round mag with the breach closed, it makes 7+1 nearly impossible.

5 out of 6 Shields I have seen at the range (including mine) had this issue with their 7 round magazine. When the 7 round mag is fully loaded, it puts a lot of tension on the loading ramp on the underside of the slide. Not sure why S&W designed the 7-round magazine that way because the 8-round magazine does not have that issue to the same degree when fully loaded.

 

[Enzo]

Well got my new 9mm Shield (Cali), Was going through the Familiarization/Safety/drawing exercises and noticed a few things.

1- The Thumb safety is rather sharp on the forward top portion, after repeated drawing and thumbing the safety off, my thumb is rather sore. It is possible to draw the little pistol and flick the safety off pretty quick, but you have to practice a lot.
2- The 7 round mag makes the grip too small to properly get a grip on the pistol while drawing, making the pistol dance in your hand while trying to reset the pistol in to a shooting position. Requires more practice! Think the 8 round mag works much better as your pinky aids in controlling the grip better. and allows quicker control to shooting position.
3- I have to think like shooting a revolver with this as the limited rounds. Count to 6 and reload.
4- The chamber indicator isn't a deterrent as I suspected. Much slimmer than I imagined it was.
5- I had no problems racking the slide, but Noticed that you have to slam the slide with force to have positive chambering.
Otherwise it's easy to aim. Buy more mags!

I've got XL hands and the Pierce Grip Extension for under $10 made all the difference in the world on the 7 round mag.
Also added the rubberized talon grips that gave a little more grip and thickness.

 

[Norm66]

I was surprised how little the 7 round mag bothers me. I honestly don't even notice it when I'm shooting. I also don't seem to have any problem with mine seating mags but I give 'em a pretty good whack just out of habit.

 

[Bushmonkey9]

A few more things..

The S&W Logo on the left side grip has some plastic burrs that are rough, irritating my fingers. The Handling problems from drawing from holster can be fixed with training, Now I notice less fumbling, train, train...

now a quirk, Using snap caps to cycle the gun, Noticing that when I manually eject a round using the 7 round mag on occasion the round will do a 180 reverse and stick in the chamber rim in.? I think due to the Short slide. I def need more mags..