Replace a J frame with a Shield, yes or no?

[GatorFarmer]

Shield 9mm pistols will be $299 on Friday. I was giving some thought to buying one and using it to replace both my 442 and my Taurus PT25. I had earlier opted for the 442 over the Shield, but I have cut back what I have and find it tempting to not have to buy two other calibers and only have to buy 9mm. My "other" gun is a CZ SPO1.

Has anyone abandoned their J frame for a Shield and not looked back?

If I get the Shield I was thinking of just using it for ankle carry, which would elminate the niche of my PT25, and owing to the presumed capability of a 9mm, also eliminate my niche for the 442. Thus allowing me to carry one gun instead of two.

 

[CATI1835]

I find I am actually carrying my J frame, 432PD, more than I do my Shield. I like to pocket carry and it carries better than the Shield in my jeans pocket.

 

[hatchet19]

I have both. Not planning on getting rid of either.

hatchet

 

[B0308]

Gator,

Your experience may be different, but I've never found ankle carry comfortable with anything heavier than a light J-frame (not that I have not done it, just didn't like it). If wearing boots, heavier holster, etc. go for it.

Some utility to one caliber, the Shield is a good way to go if you want to limit to 9s. It's well suited to IWB holster use or pocket carry, depending on what kind of pants you usually wear.

I've got both, plan on keeping both. YMMV

Good luck on your choice

 

[ColbyBruce]

I own two SB 36's and a 60, all snubbies that I shoot but rarely carry. In 2008 I got a 30-1 and started carrying it when I carried a revolver. Around the same time, I got a 908, and later a 3913, and pretty much quit carrying a J frame except when hiking around home. I wound up with a 3953, my favorite CCW. I also bought three Shields, gave two away, and carry the other in place of the 3953 about half the time. My Shields have been flawless.

However, a few weeks ago I bought a Sig P239 .40 S&W and have toted it since. It is nearly the same size as the 3913 and fits the same holster.

 

[hangnoose]

REPLACING?

Not a good word choice IMO, as one being a revolver & the other not, it's apples vs oranges & who knows what is best for anyone but themselves. Trying or keeping a different gun is fine if that suits you but a S&W J FRAME is a bloody J frame, well proven for a VERY long time with good reason. Get back to us when the shield has the same track record.

 

[ChicagoZman]

Had a Shield, have a 642 as well as a couple of smaller pistols (DB9 & LWS32). When I pocket carry it is NEVER the Shield, as all three of the other guns serve that role better for me. The two pistols are significantly smaller and so are a better choice when I'm wearing dress pants. ANd when I wear pants with bigger pockets, the 642 draws easier. The Shield became an IWB gun that was thinner but no easier to carry than my 27 and therefore now belongs to the wife.

 

[bigsteve113]

I recently bought a Shield 9mm, loved it so much went got the .40 too. For the last 32 years I have carried 5 shot 38 or 357's, first a 36, then 642, then SP101, and for the last 3.5 years a LCR 357. I've been carrying that Shield a lot lately, but my LCR isn't going anywhere, I still carry it too. If I could only have one CC gun, it would be that LCR !

 

[Wishbone]

I love to pocket carry. A J frame just disappears, the shield not so much. I also prefer .38+P ammo.

 

[MyDads38]

I don't have a small 38 revolver yet, but plan to add one, well just because I already have 2 Shields (9 & 40) and the 9 has become my EDC until I find SD ammo for the 40, then they will rotate.

I don't pocket carry and I don't IWB carry, everything is OWB for me-just preference. I've never ankle carried, but the J frame seems to be a "natural" there, not sure about the Shield in that position. Years ago, I would never have felt under-gunned with a 5 shot 38; today, I'm not sure. With 8 + 1 in the Shield in 9mm plus an extra mag; makes me feel a little more at ease. I'm an old revolver guy and remember when wheel guns were king. With all that's happening these days, nice to have options and a little more fire power, just in case.

My Shields have been flawless and more accurate than I thought I could be with them. The 40 will stack 13 rounds into 1/2" @ 3 & 5 yards! I have threads on both with pics. No reason not to own both, I will eventually!

 

[petepeterson]

The fact that the revolver is getting more votes in the "M&P" forum is pretty telling.

 

[cnette01]

I own both a Shield 9mm and a 642. I bought the Shield first and added the 642 later. I find myself carrying the 642 more often in a pocket holster, because it is more comfortable for me. When I carry the Shield, it is IWB. I plan on keeping both.

 

[ca survivor]

if you only can have one go for the shield, more rounds and a faster reload, providing you have an extra loaded mag.

 

[Muss Muggins]

if you only can have one go for the shield, more rounds and a faster reload, providing you have an extra loaded mag.

I would go the other way. If you are only going to keep only one, keep the revolver and practice more. It's hard to beat a 442 for a concealed SD pistol. If you want a shield, buy a Shield, but don't give up what in my not so humble opinion is a much better pistol.

 

[Wishbone]

if you only can have one go for the shield, more rounds and a faster reload, providing you have an extra loaded mag.[/QUOT

That's what I thought as first too but then I found myself not carrying the shield with me all the time due to what I was wearing. At least with the J frame it goes anywhere because of pocket carry. I decided I would rather have the revolver with me all the time then the shield with me some of the time.

 

[Old cop]

To my way of thinking the J is more versatile. With a quick change, bigger target grip to smaller factory grip, you can go from hip carry to pocket carry. Just be sure to practice on a regular basis, J frame combat accuracy is a perishable skill.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

It's not costing you anything to hold onto the snubby and it's always good to have a backup in case your primary has to go into the shop.

 

[Mister X]

Maybe add the Shield, but I wouldn't replace the J-frame.

The capacity of the Shield isn't much of an increase for me to see it as a benefit. The speed of reload of the Shield isn't much of an advantage either since reloads in civilian self-defense scenarios only occur in about .5% of cases being resolved either way with what's on board. Reliability and ECQ advantages go to the revolver.

 

[Tracker401]

I bought the Shield to more or less replace the Ruger LCR I carried on the ankle, and the Officers 1911 I carried on my hip. That said, I like the Shield and carry it 90% of the time IWB. With some pants, the Shield does not carry well on an ankle rig and I go back to the LCR. The angular grip of the Shield shows with jeans but not so much with dress pants. I've carried in an ankle rig for 25 years and though armchair commandos don't like it, it worked for me as a back-up location in some pretty high stress environments. If you carry the Shield in an ankle rig, you MUST clean it frequently!! Lint and trash are not friends of semi autos. In that respect revolvers are a little more forgiving. With the shield and an extra mag, I feel about as well armed as I need to be now that I'm retired.

YMMV
Tracker401

 

[gnystrom]

I have a number of J-frames and a Shield. In my opinion, the Shield is neither a great pocket gun or suitable for ankle carry. Too large, and too heavy. It IS however, a great EDC gun on the hip or appendix carry.

A Shield at $299 is a great purchase but I would also keep your J-frame regardless.