Review of M&P Shield 9mm

[veprjack]

Sorry for hogging the thread, but I am EXCITED about this gun. Forgot to mention that I put around 14 or so rounds of HST 150gr defense rounds through it without any hint of a hiccup. I then put around 20 of the GDHP 124gr through it - again without a problem. Although I'm sure the gun could handle some +P, my personal feeling is that it's unnecessary and I wouldn't get enough extra benefit by using a load that adds extra stress to the firearm. YMMV.

I don't really want to put $150+ of the HST micro rounds downrange to confirm it will function, so I may take a chance and just go with it for CCW after another 40 rounds or so. I'll probably put a box a month through it and continue to shoot 100 rounds or so a week of my range rounds. Like I said in other posts, I just can't stop shooting it. Every time I pull the trigger, I just can't believe how soft it shoots. As Hickok would say, "Life is good".

 

[Dad_Roman]

I'm going to lose my GLOCK Fanboy status if I don't stop gushing about the Shield - and I'm not sure I care. hahaha

Great posts. All true. Quick story for you.

My kid down in Houston is a Glock Fanboi with his 19. When the rebate came round I bought 3 new Shields. 2 45's and a 9 for myself (mamma has had one for a couple years).

I left my 9 there with him on my last trip down there. (I only had about 50 rounds through it)

He texted me today and said he was going to carry the Shield but was going to go with CZ.

He wants a new P01 and Im considering a 75 from buds surplus.

So as you.....the Shields are swaying us away from Glockage

.....and yes, life is good!

 

[veprjack]

Every time a new gun comes out that shoots well, they call it a "Glock Killer". Well, I don't see the GLOCK dying off just yet - but how ironic would it be if the "assassin" turned out not to be a gun, but a REBATE! The Rebateanator!

But seriously, there's room for competition and I like having options. My 19 was whimpering and carrying on all night when I brought the Shield home. Now they even play together. The 43 however, is sulking while packing its bags. I even caught it once trying to delete my post on Gunbroker.com I'm sure a true fanboy will give it a good home.

 

[Dad_Roman]

Every time a new gun comes out that shoots well, they call it a "Glock Killer". Well, I don't see the GLOCK dying off just yet - but how ironic would it be if the "assassin" turned out not to be a gun, but a REBATE! The Rebateanator!

But seriously, there's room for competition and I like having options. My 19 was whimpering and carrying on all night when I brought the Shield home. Now they even play together. The 43 however, is sulking while packing its bags. I even caught it once trying to delete my post on Gunbroker.com I'm sure a true fanboy will give it a good home.

Lol...thats hilarious.

...and when you factor the numbers down, Gunbuyer has the Shield9 for 166 (+ffl)

Borderline ridiculous. I like my HiPoints just fine but I NEVER though I would see S&W pricing that rivaled HiPoints

 

[KopisTac]

Hi guys,

I just bought a shield this week, I freaking love it.

Before I bought I rented one that had about 1k rounds through it and it was super smooth. Mine is pretty stiff like everyone else stated, but I loaded my magazines and left them for a couple of days which really helped. I also spent about 15 minutes each night going through some dry fire drills which also really helped the slide and trigger break in/loosen up.

I'm headed out tomorrow to fire it for the first time; boy I wish I had bought one years ago.

This is also my first post here, glad to be on the forums!

E


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bsmiley]

The paradox of the M&P Shield, which is sold in the millions and aimed at the entry level market of concealed carry gun owners, is that it is not really an easy pistol to operate initially.

I don't think the Shield is aimed at the entry level of concealed carry. I think its a premium CC pistol. There have been many attempts at small pistols over the years but they've always had significant drawbacks. In the last 10 years the small 9mm has emerged and the Shield is among the best small polymer 9s. I know, there were small 9s & 40s before the Shield, like the Walther PPS. Those were $700 when they first came out and had the paddle mag release.
The Shield hit the market as a reliable, high quality, from a company that is known for customer service. It didn't have a high price or odd mag release. Its very ergonomic.
The Shield has to be the best selling sub-compact ever. And while its very popular in 9/40, its remarkable as a 45. Small 1911s have been known for their issues. The Shield 45 has been reliable and has low recoil.

 

[jbtrucker]

After a couple of surgeries earlier this year was too weak to operate and shoot my Shield, it took few months to build my strength back. If you are having difficulties a J or K Frame would be a good backup or EDC. Shooting my old Model 65 with .38 loads was great therapy

 

[Farmer17]

I bought a Shield because of the rebate and I didn't really want one. I rarely carry a gun but have one in my vehicle and will probably start carrying more with all the Krazeees out there. I really like the gun and find it easy to cycle and field strip and I'm 58 years old and I can't think of any signifigant way to improve the pistol. The trigger is a crisp 6lb which is about perfect for a small defensive pistol and I paid $219 for my 9m/m with safety "after rebate" from Brownells.

 

[Farmer17]

O.K I just got back from the range and shot my new Shield for the second time and I'm now officially a member of the "Shield Fan Club". I couldn't hardly miss with it on the falling plates at 25 yards even though it was shooting really high. I had 147 grain FMJ practice ammo so I think with lighter bullets it should shoot a lot lower, but the gun just felt so good in my hand. I liked the 6lb trigger for a defensive gun but I think with a 3-4lb trigger I could shoot this as well as a target pistol so I'm tempted to buy another one while they are 219 bucks and make it a dedicated pocket/target gun.

 

[KopisTac]

I also just returned from the range and am super impressed. I put 125 rounds of 115gr Aguila and 25 rounds of 135gr Hornady critical duty without any issues. Shoots beautifully and accurately. Super glad I picked one up.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[veprjack]

I'll add my trip to the range to the mix. Only had time for 70 rounds before the thunderstorm hit, but nothing has changed - still 100% reliable and LOW perceived recoil. Every time it goes BANG I just shake my head at how mild that recoil is.

The very last fraction of an inch of finger pull before the gun goes bang IS a little stiff, but before I go running to the Apex website or whatever, I'll put more rounds downrange. If it continues to break hard, I may do some polishing. But, 1) I'm sure it will break in more with time/rounds and 2) It's not a bad thing for a carry gun to not go bang until you really want it to. I don't notice it when I rapid fire, and I sure wouldn't think it was stiff if I ever had to pull the trigger to defend myself.

This Shield continues to function flawlessly

 

[veprjack]

A little investigating revealed the cause of the stiff trigger - it is a Mao-tse-chusetts compliant gun which means the trigger is around 10.5 pounds

Well, at least I know now why the trigger seemed so stiff. This particular gun has an external safety and was destined to be my range gun anyway. The one I have coming doesn't have a safety and is NOT Mass compliant; if it proves itself, will be my EDC gun.

I'll continue to shoot the snot out of it to see if I can live with it. If not, I'll polish it up and then resort to the Apex trigger if I have to. I want this gun for practice, so it should have characteristics as close to the EDC Shield as possible - but I'm guessing that if I can continue to shoot it well, it might make me a better shooter on the one I assume will have a lighter trigger?

I had good groups today, but they tended to be a little low and to the left, which the hard trigger could account for. I'm also a little surprised that it took me almost 400 rounds to start noticing the trigger was stiff. I guess my time with the hand grip squeeze ball is paying off?

 

[bsmiley]

Wow, the mass trigger is heavy! You've done great with such a heavy trigger.
I've installed 2 Apex trigger kits and some ghost connectors /springs on Glocks. I haven't changed out single parts in M&Ps. I was going to suggest an Apex sear and polishing the other components but now you might want to get the springs to lower that 10.5# trigger down.

Low & left... are you right handed?
#1 Tip to Keep from Missing - YouTube

 

[BigDog48]

Just how "snapy" would you consider it with it being a .45?
I like the 9 a lot! wonder though how it would be with .45
I don't need a 17 round carry weapon, so it looks good to me

I have both the 9 and 45 Shields, and would say the 45 is no "snappier", in fact I was surprised at how soft it felt. I would say it offers a little more of a "push" into your grip, but is very pleasant to shoot.

If you've ever shot .40 cal. in any pistol, I think it is snappy, but neither the 9 nor the 45 Shields have unpleasant recoil and both are quick back on target....maybe the 45 quicker than the 9...but that's just my perception.

I hope that helps answer your question.

 

[BigDog48]

Well gee...seems like the carry pistol to have and I... have 2 -- a 9 and a 45. What a tough decision...Welcome new Shield owners!

BTW, I also have a Glock 19 Gen 4 I shoot in action matches where I need a higher round count. It won't be going away....but my G26 will be!

 

[veprjack]

Wow, the mass trigger is heavy! You've done great with such a heavy trigger.
I've installed 2 Apex trigger kits and some ghost connectors /springs on Glocks. I haven't changed out single parts in M&Ps. I was going to suggest an Apex sear and polishing the other components but now you might want to get the springs to lower that 10.5# trigger down.

Low & left... are you right handed?
#1 Tip to Keep from Missing - YouTube

I am right handed and I do anticipate the shot sometimes. Pulling a trigger on a 20oz gun with 11 Pounds of pressure will take some getting used to. I was intentionally pressing the thumb of my support hand HARD on the frame of the gun to try and compensate for this, and I think it did help, but I'm telling you that pulling the trigger is no joke.

It's strange that I just really noticed how stiff the trigger is, but it is what it is. As I said before, the groups were good, but low-left - so I think it's some combo of anticipation and getting used to a hard trigger.

Thanks for the vid!

 

[S&W Rover]

From the OP -- shot another 100 rounds tonight with the Shield 9.

The slide is getting easier to rack, and the pistol has functioned flawlessly so far. Accuracy is superb, particularly for a pistol with a 3.1 inch barrel! Based on performance, this is truly an excellent pistol.

Added: The Apex trigger is smooth and works very well, too. I like the idea of adding an XS Big Dot front sight... as veprjack mentions, below.

 

[veprjack]

Yes - truly an excellent pistol! I'm just starting to break in my second Shield9 and it's going as well as the first one did - and I'm waiting to put my XS BigDot sights on the new one too. This new one will be my primary CCW as it doesn't have a safety or a 10.5 Mao-tse-chusetts trigger. Man, what a difference the approx 6 pound trigger makes; it felt like my 1911 compared to the other one.

 

[MP1SG]

the slide breaks in at about 300 rounds, The magazines? Keep them losses and in the gun and in 24 hrs I bet they will be easier to loa
T

 

[hecanfoos]

the slide breaks in at about 300 rounds, The magazines? Keep them losses and in the gun and in 24 hrs I bet they will be easier to loa
T

I'll second this. I've had my new Shield 9mm for less than a week (three range sessions! ~500 rounds), and the slide and mags have loosened up a lot.