S&W Shield...I'm not holding my breath

[josywales]

My wife wanted a Shield, so I ordered...well, two of them before Christmas. At that time, the dealer promised that he would honor the current price as long as the Shields came in by April, after April he couldn't honor the price. This is a large shop, so I'm guessing they have contract pricing with S&W, perhaps by the quarter?

Anyway, I saw a post on here that S&W Customer Service said they are filling orders from 4 months ago. My dealer 's purchaser disagrees, saying he's had them on order a good deal longer than 4 months and still hasn't seen any.

I hate buying anything when it's new to market, partly because of kinks yet to be worked out and partly because of this mad rush BS. I don't think much of this is due to the panic either. To be honest, I'm curious to see how the semi-stacked magazine holds up over time anyway, so maybe it's a blessing. She can carry her G19 or SP101 in the mean time.

 

[Turnedforgood]

I got tired of being on "the list". went to S&W website and found the dealer locator, typed in my zip code and dialed every number on the list until I found someone that had one in stock.

 

[iamjimmyb]

That's exactly what I did and picked mine up last Friday. I drove 2 hours each way but I got it! "Only" paid $449+tax too.

 

[Gonad]

I waited 6 months last year on 2 long waiting lists to purchase a 9mm Shield. As I noticed that their lists weren't moving much more than one gun per month or so, I decided to look around on forums to see if anyone had a source. I saw that someone spoke highly of Shipton's Big R in Billings, MT. I contacted them, purchased the weapon over the phone and they sent it directly to my local FFL. We filled out the proper paperwork and he transferred it directly to me. Though he ran my info through NICS, I didn't have to wait since I have already had my carry permit. I paid him the $25 transfer fee and left. I should have done that 6 months before because it cycles every brand, handles/shoots and carries quite well. I can't guarantee that they will have any for you. But I was told they usually have several in stock at any given time – 5 when I bought mine.

Another option is to get on Armslist and search all of US for private owners and dealers that will transfer through your local FFL, as well. Local FFL's can be found online too.

 

[josywales]

Thanks guy.

Honestly, I was hoping that for first time in a looong while, I could actually buy a brand new gun AND not have to have the damn thing shipped. I usually buy used guns, because new guns don't offer what I'm looking for and dealers don't usually stock a good supply of quality used guns. Doesn't it figure the for the first time in a long while I want to actually buy a new gun and the dealers don't have that either...

 

[coobie]

I ordered a shield for my grandson back in july it just came in last week.coobie

 

[josywales]

Yeah. I ordered mine before Christmas. I figure it will arrive around June/July and be more than the price quoted. I won't pay more than $440, so I'll then have to wait until prices get closer to reality. Heck, original retail was $330 for crying out loud. At that rate, I should have one around mid-2014. I'm sure nothing else will come up between now and then...

 

[shoot870p]

wow

original retail was 330
beats the first responder price by a couple dollars and i thought that was a discounted price
my dealers must be pulling the wool over my eyes.

 

[richeyo2]

I lucked up when the 9mm first came out. Sweet pistol especially compared to wife's LC9 (Yuk)...

While one RSO duty I let a new member (older couple) looking for her a carry gun shoot mine & wife's LC9. The Shield won, I was scared they were going to offer to buy it. Wouldn't have sold it anyway, so now I'm keeping a lookout for her one.

 

[jajo]

The LGS I use gets the Shields in pretty regular. I got mine about two weeks after asking him for one. I bought an M&P full size from him about a year ago at a pretty good discount, but his Shields have always sold at MSRP.

I had good opportunities to fire a Shield at the range before deciding. Compared it to some Rugers, a Sig, and a Kahr. Liked the Shield better and eventually bought it in 9mm.

I think this pistol is a very good value at MSRP.

A note about them when new. The action is pretty stiff, but lightens up with use.


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[2tango2]

A note about them when new. The action is pretty stiff, but lightens up with use.

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Yep, before I shot mine I thought I was a weakling lol After 100 rounds it has loosened up quite a bit

 

[12s]

Shields in 40 cal Showing in stock on Bud's site right now. 0915 EST. Just an FYI if you're looking for that caliber.$449 & free shipping.

 

[12s]

Was out of stock for 40 cal earlier, now 9mm and 40 are in stock at Bud's. May resume breathing for the moment!

 

[timn8er]

Got my 40 ordered!

 

[josywales]

I went in at 1:30 and they were gone. I even tried calling, but that's a losing effort anway.

After reading up on the various issues, not uncommon for newly engineered guns, I have to say I'm glad I didn't get a Shield right out of the gate - never a good idea anyway. So I guess in the end, waiting it out won't be as bad...just long.

 

[mbrittb00]

So basically it is hit or miss if your local dealer will be able to get them regularly or have it take several months.

That stinks, I've been researching toward purchasing my first CCW, and I've come down to:

S&W Shield M&P 40
S&W M&P 40c
Springfield XD Sub-Compact (40)

I was leaning toward the Shield, mainly because it will be my first CCW and being thinner, thinking it will be a little less uncomfortable.

I'm assuming that S&W has a huge backlog of orders. Any one have any idea how long it will be until they are back to a regular supply? 6 months? 1 year? 2 years? longer.


I wonder if the dealers that are listed as a "Smith and Wesson Top Gun Dealer" is more likely to get get them quicker?

 

[josywales]

I think 6 months is likely. My concern is whether they'll try to raise the retail price.

 

[2tango2]

Josy they are out there. I stumbled upon mine just because a LGS made a mention on Facebook that they got Shields in. When I went in hours later they still had 2 left. I made it so they had 1 left

Last night I saw another dealer post they had a dozen 9mm Shields left after they filled their backorders so they must have gotten a decent amount in. It is in NH. And it isn't a big shop by any stretch

Keep the faith! It took every ounce of strength for me not to go get a 9 to go with my 40. Probably helped that I bought a 9 barrel that should be here tomorrow


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[josywales]

Yeah. Like I said, mid-December I had one in my hand at a gunshow, for $440. It was intended for my wife, and she would be testing on out the next day. So I paused. The one freakin time I don't impulse buy!!!!

 

[GKC]

I was in my LGS today while they were unpacking their shipment, and one of the boxes they pulled out was a Shield. I told the owner that I'd be glad to put a message out here that they had one (it was the 40) and before he could even answer his wife said "Oh no you don't! I already have about 40 people on a waiting list, and I don't need any more people calling me trying to buy this one gun!" (They only got one in.) I didn't ask them how much they were going to ask for it.