Question for shield owners

[rwsmith]

By the time...

By the time I got to where I knew what I wanted, it was a Shield.

I bought an S&W5943 first semi.

Then, dangerous situations spiked for several reason and for a stopgap I got a Kel Tec P11.

But I wanted a Shield, so when it got to where I could afford one, (I'm retired on a tight budget) I bought one.

 

[Targets Guy]

I saw your review on amazon on that Fixxer grip haha that inspired me to order one, just did!

PD: At the risk of going off topic here, saw one review saying it didn't come in the same color as the gun, is that true?

I'm happy with the color match on my sleeve. I also highly recommend the different base plate for the seven round magazine. I now have a place for my pinkie to go and I believe it has helped me steady my front sight. The only downside is all of my other mags are eight round.

 

[biggs357]

I'm going to throw my .02 in on this thread.

I just opened the box on my new M&P shield .45 about 10 minutes ago and so far I love it, especially the textured grip. I had a side by side shotgun I traded for it. I haven't owned anything since 3rd gen went out of production in the S&W line and still own a few of them along with a couple older revolvers. I figured it was time to give Smith another chance to regain my business.

So I'm heading out to the range this weekend to blast through a couple hundred rounds to see how it holds up. Also I want to see how it stacks up to my wife's XDS .45.

On another note, I do have a small rant and question in the same sentence. Since this gun is so new to the market, there aren't a lot of holsters, especially leather holsters out there for this gun that are left handed and I don't see any grip extensions as well. Is it me or is still to new for all the goodies.

any ideas would be great

 

[Hunter991]

I bought both the XDS 45 and the Shield 9 because i like them both. I had the XDS first. Really wanted a 45 and the shield didn't come in a 45 at the time. Both are great, but honestly i prefer my XDS. For some reason its easier to conceal for me even thou it weighs 2.5 oz more. They are both great guns and carry both. There isn't a ton of recoil on the XDS 45. Its not that noticible for me at least against a 9mm. Maybe slightly but the XDS does a great job at masking the bigger round. I will say it again, when i leave the house i just grab one, don't really think about it, but if i am in shorts and a tshirt then the XDS usually gets picked. Easier to conceal.

When i bought the XDS, it cost more obviously. however, i got 3 mags. They were offering a mail in which made it 3. Came with a nice case as well along with a external mag holster. It was a classy setup and the gun is high quality. On the other hand so is the shield but mine came in a cardboard box, 2 mags and that was it. AGain, both are great guns. Can't go wrong with either. But i suggest if you can't make up your mind buy them both.

 

[jyork08854]

We already had a full fixed M&P and love it. We looked at a Glock and the SCCY. Shot the Glock and Shield (both about same size) at a dealer that also rents guns at their range. They both felt the same so but the brand we already knew and trusted.

 

[Protected One]

I considered the XDS and the LC9 (Glock 43 and LC9s didn't exist at the time), quickly dismissed both in favor of the Shield 9. Didn't like the feel of the aggressive grip on the XDS...or the price, and heard bad things about Ruger customer service. The Shield was priced right, and I have experience - all good, with S&W customer service.

We have a winner!

 

[kmanick]

Thats what I thought when I saw it, but I just glanced at it when it was sitting behind the counter, but doesnt it come in 4 sizes?

it does , comparing the Compact vs an M&P 9C the P320 is much larger. the SC is still quite a bit larger than a shield as well.
Nice gun just be aware it's not a "small" gun by any means

 

[030201_S&W]

I have a Sig 320 40 subcompact, it is a sweet shooting accurate at 20 feet firearm. Sort of a hog to carry but nice to shoot. A very good night self defense firearm out of its safe. Love my Shield pc40.

 

[rman]

I liked the 9mm Shield w/o a manual safety and the Ruger LC9s Pro. I couldn't decide which one I liked better, so I bought both. I've had them for about a year, and to be honest, I still don't know which one I like the best. I like the feel of the Shield best, but the trigger on mine is HEAVY. It breaks clean, but it's heavy. The Ruger's trigger pull is much lighter and smooth, but the travel and reset is longer. (Not nearly as long as the old LC9, but longer than the Shield) I seem to shoot them equally well. The Ruger is lighter and slightly slimmer, but felt recoil is greater because of the weight difference. Both conceal IWB nicely. In other words, I like them both a lot and alternate shooting and carrying them.

 

[BigDog48]

What handguns did you consider when you purchased your shield? I am considering a shield and am also looking at the springfield xds and the m&p 9c. I am curious what made you go with the shield? My biggest pro is the price

My suggestion is you go to somewhere you can hold and handle all three....a large LGS or a gun show. For me, the XD had a strange grip angle and seemed blocky. The Shield fit my hand perfectly and felt better to me than the M&P 9c. My purpose is concealed carry. The Shield was also the most concealable comfortably for me.

Your preferences may differ from mine and any other posts you read here, which is what I suggest handling everything you're considering.

 

[Bozz10mm]

For me, it was between the Shield 9mm and XDs .45 ACP. Ended up with the Shield, mostly due to the price difference. Now I want a Shield in .45. That would have been perfect 3 years ago when I was shopping.

 

[jrvariel48]

I picked up my Shield .45 and took it to the range. I was extremely satisfied with the way it fired and how low the recoil was for a 45.
After holding the XDS, I was not impressed with the way it fit my hand when compared to the Shield. It will be up to you to decide which gun feels better in your hand. For me that was the selling point for the Shield.

 

[bedbugbilly]

I looked at the same Springfield as you as well as a Kimber (forgot the model #) and the Glock 43. For me, it was between the Glock and the Shield. At the time, the LGS had one 43 that had just come in that was already sold but the fellow showed it to me. Had the delivery of one been more timely, I probably would have gone with the Glock. BUT, they had the Shield 9mm in stock and it felt good as well - and I have never regretted it - it works without a flaw for me.

I didn't care for the Springfield as I'm not a big fan of grip safeties but that's a personal thing. The Springfield has an excellent reputation as well. So it's what feels the best for you. Price wise, the Shield was the cheapest I believe but I was not worried about the price so much as I was what felt the best for me. As I said, the Shield works great for me and it is a pleasure for CCW for my purposes. Pls it eats a variety of bullet designs that I cast and reload - I usually use a 120 ish grain cast but have also used some 145 grain cast out of it and it shoots them well.

 

[Mark IV]

Hi,
If I may add my two cents. As the old saying goes, "Opinions are like buttholes, everyone has one, and they all stink".

While this makes for a cute quote, it's even less than an opinion, it's flat out wrong. The fact is that there are a vast number of people, in any given field, whose high level of knowledge and experience make their "opinion" highly useful and quite valid. They do not "all stink".

 

[030201_S&W]

I purchased a PC40 an now have the 9mm barrel conversion for it. Now practice ammo is affordable for sure. Also immediately installed combat night sights for reliability.

 

[ThrowinRocks]

Shooting the XDs was no problem but after around 250-300 rounds the stippling on the rear part of the grip began to take a toll on my hand. The Shield 9mm? Love it. 550 rounds. Not one issue.

 

[030201_S&W]

Ok noticed one thing right away about the 9mm conversion in the 40. It costs me a lot more 2 liter Pepsi bottles with each mag load.

 

[mattwings]

I shot the XDS in .45, the LC9S in 9mm and the Shield in 9mm. I think the consensus is clear, we have a lot of good choices, buy the one that feels/you shoot the best. The Ruger had the best trigger, hands down. The XDS felt great, but seemed snappy/hard to shoot and the trigger was super mushy, the Shield felt the best, trigger was in the middle, but I shot the most consistently with it. I ended up with the 9mm with night sights. I am now deciding between an SR9c and a Shield .45 as my next purchase. All of them have thier strong points!

 

[357 shooter]

I was trying to decide between the Glock 43 and 9mm Shield last year and went with the Shield after renting both and firing a box of ammo through them. On my 45 Shield there was no other gun in consideration!

 

[Donn]

None really. Already had a full size and Compact 9, so I was sold on the M&P platform. Much as I like the 9c, it's a little bulky during t-shirt and shorts season. Got a Shield 9 and a while back one in 45acp. Never really considered anything else.