New Shield Owner- Few questions!

[Kcafo88]

As of last week I am a proud new owner of an M&P Shield in 9mm.

I think it is a great little gun but the grips are a bit slick. I have heard that Talon grips help a ton but how durable are they? If I will primarily carry this gun how will these grips hold up in a holster?

Second, I am looking to install night sights. Are Truglo TFO's my best option or would you guys suggest something different?

I'm extremely happy to own the Shield. I can't wait to get it back out to the range this week so I can continue to get aquatinted with it!

 

[Rpg]

I've shot the Shields but wouldn't buy one. They seem too buggy for what I want in a sd pistol.

Seems to me that they are an inexpensive platform with lots if aftermarket 'improvements ' that make them undesirable

That makes them pretty pricy once they are properly useful.

no doubt Smith & Wesson could have made them usable from the factory.

However, they seem to demand so many aftermarket add-on that the low price from S&W makes them a 'bait and switch' proposition

Lots of handguns are useable right out of the box.

I'd rather have a j frame ( even a new one) that didn't need a bunch of aftermarket stuff.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[Atticaz]

The shield does not demand aftermarket parts. They are fine out of the box. It's all preference.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I just received my shield about 2 weeks ago and am quite pleased with it. I just had the opportunity to use it in a local IDPA bug match, it ran flawlessly.

I went with a standard fibre optic front sight, simply because that is what I use on all my other competition guns. If I were going to use a night sight it would be the TFO sights. As far as the grip problem, you might consider grip tape from Dawson Precision. DP Grip Tape For Smith & Wesson M&P Pistols Detail Page or you could buy skateboard tape locally. One other option is to have the grips stippled.

 

[andrewcdub]

Talon Grips made a world of difference for me. Had them on for about a week and still fine. Not long I know but I'm sure they will hold up over time. When I upgrade my sights it will either be the TFO's or the idot pro's. The Pearce grip extensions are nice also.

 

[wtburnette]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Shield out of the box. The sites are great for use at the range, though with many other guns you may prefer night sights. I don't have any problem with the grip seeming slick, but it's all preference, like Atticaz said.

OP, I've seen many videos and forum posts of people who have used talon grips and they seem quite durable. The nice thing about talon grips is that they're precut, all you have to do is get them onto the gun and you're set. I've watched a couple installation videos and it seems the key point is to use a nice hot blowdryer and to keep working it on, especially around the edges. I bought a set of the rubberized talon grips for my G19, but haven't put them on yet. I tried a buddy's G19 with them and thought they felt great. Good luck to you, hopefully you find something that works for you

 

[marathonrunner]

greener

I've shot the Shields but wouldn't buy one. They seem too buggy for what I want in a sd pistol.

Seems to me that they are an inexpensive platform with lots if aftermarket 'improvements ' that make them undesirable

That makes them pretty pricy once they are properly useful.

no doubt Smith & Wesson could have made them usable from the factory.

However, they seem to demand so many aftermarket add-on that the low price from S&W makes them a 'bait and switch' proposition

Lots of handguns are useable right out of the box.

I'd rather have a j frame ( even a new one) that didn't need a bunch of aftermarket stuff.

Just my opinion, of course.

In another thread somebody said people always think the grass is greener on the other side and I feel that is so true. I think it depends on how picky you are, of course all stock guns if you are looking for match grade accuracy could use aftermarket parts like lighter trigger, match barrel, heavy duty guide rod, but for a self defense gun, I think most guns out of the box are just fine. I currently own the MP compact 9 and I love that but it is a bit chunky.

 

[RO73]

I've carrying my shield with rubber talon grips everyday in a kydex holster for the past 6 months. Prior to that, I carried a Glock 26 with talon grips for 2 years. The Talon grips have held up just fine. The key is proper installation. Make sure to follow the instructions and to take your time. I have Talon grips on all my Polymer guns.
As for night sights, I put Ameriglo night sights on my shield. I like them much better than the stock sights.

 

[gnystrom]

In spite of a negative post or two the Shield IS a fine self defense firearm right out of the box. If one desires changes that may or may not "improve" on a great carry gun, that is up to the owner, not bashing S&W for not adding them.

Personally I embrace firearm aftermarket parts, and only own two semi-autos that have no modifications added to suit my preference.

I also felt the need for night sights, and opted for AmeriGlo i-Dots. Are they needed? No. Do I like them? Yes.
As for the grips, I like the Talons a lot and have had no problems with them at all.

 

[timn8er]

I'd like to pile on with the "my Shield was fine out of the box" crowd. I have no aftermarket parts in mine, stock trigger & sear block, stock sights. I added a Pachmyer slip on grip to make it more comfortable to ME. I added a Pierce magazine extension to make it more comfortable to ME. One size doesn't fit all, if your j frame is perfect for you out of the box, great. Because the Shield didn't fit you or your style doesn't make it a bad choice for everyone else.

 

[B0308]

Kcafo88,

If you feel adventurous, you can "texture" your Shield at slip points with a soldering iron or other hot sharp tipper device. It's quite popular among some poly framed pistol users.

I have not felt the need to try it yet, but people who do, usually start on a PMag, an M&P handgrip piece they don't use, etc. I'm sure YouTube has coverage if you decide to go that way. YMMV.

Good luck

 

[Captain Skippy]

It ticks me off when someone is proud of their new anything and someone spouts off and says I wouldn't own that blah blah! If you don't like it don't rain on someone's parade. Just answer the question if you can or go to the next post! Yes the shields are great little guns. It took me a while to warm up to it after 27 years as a police officer carrying mostly Glocks. I love mine but will be changing the sights to trijicon HDs. I do like the TRU glo TFOs and have them on some of my pistols but for this one it's going to be the HDs.

 

[bedbugbilly]

don't own a Shield . . . yet! But I will in 9mm with the primary purpose of using it as an extra CCW.

Not trying to "stir up trouble" - but it never ceases to amaze me how some folks "love" such and such and others "hate" them.

Using the theory that the Shield should be perfect right out of the box (i.e. no need for add ons) kind of makes me think of the 1911 platform. Does that mean that the 1911 platform is not "perfect" out of the box? I can't think of another semi that gets as much fine tuning, after market parts, etc. for serious shooters. Maybe Colt screwed up 100 + years ago when they came out with it?

At any rate, I've certainly enjoyed reading the posts here on the Shield - the pros and the cons, etc. I think that adding aftermarket items to any firearm is about the owner, not the maker. If they make the firearm function better for you, whether it be sights, grips, etc. - that's what it's all about!

OP - enjoy your shield - I think you are going to love it more and more each time you shoot it!

 

[Grail Knight]

What is this after market stuff you speak of?

However, they seem to demand so many aftermarket add-on that the low price from S&W makes them a 'bait and switch' proposition

Odd the only after market part I put on my Shield 9mm was a Hogue Jr. Sleeve as I like the finger grips. Set me back a whopping $7.

I also either have replaced the grips or added sleeves to other firearms I own including my Sig which already had great grips. My choice still great firearms without them.

As for reliability my Shield has not had a failure of any type. Not a one. I trust it to carry daily and I do.

Sounds to me like you expect other features on firearms the Shield does not offer in which case like I tell others. Shop around as never before has the selection been so good on firearms and with the WWW and depending on where you live if something is not available locally a new firearm is only a website away with what you want to find on it or off it.

 

[timn8er]

It ticks me off when someone is proud of their new anything and someone spouts off and says I wouldn't own that blah blah! If you don't like it don't rain on someone's parade. Just answer the question if you can or go to the next post! Yes the shields are great little guns. It took me a while to warm up to it after 27 years as a police officer carrying mostly Glocks. I love mine but will be changing the sights to trijicon HDs. I do like the TRU glo TFOs and have them on some of my pistols but for this one it's going to be the HDs.

+1 to Captain Skippy! I started to say the same thing but for once held back. Thanks for saying what I didn't say.

 

[Kadonny]

Another one here that is happy with the gun right from the box.

I did put on the Talon grips just because they feel better, but the stock grips I never had a problem with.

The Shield is a fine carry gun that has a fantastic reputation and built by a quality firearms company. What's not to love.

 

[troubleshooter308]

Great out of the box

Got my Shield on Saturday. I love it straight out of the box.

First 8 shots, 4" group at 5 yards.
Light recoil, less than my Bersa 380.
Great trigger, never shot a 1911 so I'm not a trigger snob.

 

[mailman390]

I have TruGlo TFO's and a Pachmayr Grip on my Shield. Also NDZ back plate (flag) and finger extension (say's "veteran" w/flag on bottom)

 

[TJHuxley]

I holster with 7 rnd mag and have found rubber to hang up shirts more so than hard plastic polymer and wood. That said, I have not tried grip sleeves on any pistol. To me, the grip angle and size in the hand is spot on for me. It is silly how comfortable the Shield is shooting and carrying. The only 'out of the box' comment I have is the trigger gets way, way better after several hundred rounds. I wouldn't add a trigger kit to a carry gun, no way. So shoot at range often and wait at least wait to modify if at all. night sights are exception. I read Shield posts to discover night sight preferences too. I also have not settled so thanks for asking OP.

 

[jeffnles1]

Only thing I changed on my Shield has been to put night sights on (Trueglo TFO). Other than that, no changes.

It is a fine firearm. Accurate enough for its intended purpose, and about 500 trouble free rounds so far. Been carried every day since I bought it about a year ago.