S&W Shield in .45 acp

[Amishman44]

It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I had an opportunity to shoot a co-worker's Shield 9mm on Friday and was impressed with it's accuracy from such a short-barreled pistol. He had just picked it up and was all over the target with it and I was able to cut one-ragged hole just left of the 'X' (adjusted the rear sight and it straightened right out) with my first full mag...note to co-worker, it wasn't the sights!

Being a .45 acp fan, I ran to the S&W website and reviewed the M&P Shield in .45 acp and then stopped by a LGS to see if they had one I could hold in .45? They did...and it felt great!

Not only that, but as I looked it over, I also noted that they had replace the 'flexible' ejector with a mounted ejector (aka a 'fixed-post') that appears to be a lot more solid.

While there, I got to hold a full-sized .45 acp as well...and really liked it. Having a small-hand/grip hinders my ability to hold and shoot larger pistols comfortably (Glock 21...Beretta...Sig Sauer double-stack, etc.) and the M&P 2.0 really fit my hand well! I also like the 2.0 textured grip on it.

I grew up a revolver guy...and have been carrying Glock (a G36 has been my EDC for the past few years)...but I got a feeling my line-up's about to change...maybe a little...and maybe a lot???

I've always kept my pistols simple...tritium night sights is the only thing I ask for...but being able to put a light under the full-size might be nice for around the home?

I prefer to EDC OWB RH 4:00 position...keep it simple and consistent.

Any issues anyone is having with their M&P pistols in .45 acp that I need to be concerned about?

Any ammo feed issues...which JHP's feed well...which one's don't...etc.? My Glock 36 eats Remington Golden Sabers 185 grain +P's all day long without a hiccup...I've come to really like that round.

Thoughts...feedback...suggestions...all are welcome!

 

[joeb1]

It's been a while since I've posted on here, but I had an opportunity to shoot a co-worker's Shield 9mm on Friday and was impressed with it's accuracy from such a short-barreled pistol. He had just picked it up and was all over the target with it and I was able to cut one-ragged hole just left of the 'X' (adjusted the rear sight and it straightened right out) with my first full mag...note to co-worker, it wasn't the sights!

Being a .45 acp fan, I ran to the S&W website and reviewed the M&P Shield in .45 acp and then stopped by a LGS to see if they had one I could hold in .45? They did...and it felt great!

Not only that, but as I looked it over, I also noted that they had replace the 'flexible' ejector with a mounted ejector (aka a 'fixed-post') that appears to be a lot more solid.

While there, I got to hold a full-sized .45 acp as well...and really liked it. Having a small-hand/grip hinders my ability to hold and shoot larger pistols comfortably (Glock 21...Beretta...Sig Sauer double-stack, etc.) and the M&P 2.0 really fit my hand well! I also like the 2.0 textured grip on it.

I grew up a revolver guy...and have been carrying Glock (a G36 has been my EDC for the past few years)...but I got a feeling my line-up's about to change...maybe a little...and maybe a lot???

I've always kept my pistols simple...tritium night sights is the only thing I ask for...but being able to put a light under the full-size might be nice for around the home?

I prefer to EDC OWB RH 4:00 position...keep it simple and consistent.

Any issues anyone is having with their M&P pistols in .45 acp that I need to be concerned about?

Any ammo feed issues...which JHP's feed well...which one's don't...etc.? My Glock 36 eats Remington Golden Sabers 185 grain +P's all day long without a hiccup...I've come to really like that round.

Thoughts...feedback...suggestions...all are welcome!

I have the Performance Center Shield 45. LOVE IT. It shoots & handles better than my Shield 40. I usually shoot ammo from Freedom Munitions

New and reman. Both are good to go. Over 1500 rounds and no problems.


Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk

 

[GKC]

Apparently some have had issues with the mags dropping on the Shield 45. S&W has redesigned the follower, and they will send you some on request (I bought my Shield last year, and haven't had any issues with mag drop...but I recently contacted S&W and they said they would send me some of the new followers as soon as they are back in stock.) I don't know when they started putting the new followers in mags, but if you do a search there are some posts here that show the new versus the original followers, so you can tell if you need the new ones, or if you already have them.

The only problem I have had is one of my 6 round mags won't consistently lock the slide open when empty. I asked Customer Service about that, and they promptly sent me a new magazine, and told me to keep the problem one. I am curious to see if the new follower will correct that issue, when I get them.

 

[mattwings]

My .45 Shield has been problem free, same with my 9mm. I had one FTF in the 9mm and after examination it was the white box Winchester round seated improprely. I have roughly 600 rounds throuht the 9mm amd 400 through the .45, so both just breaking in.

 

[MP1SG]

I had the magazine drop issue, S&W sent me some new followers and the gun has been 100% flawless. The shield 45 is amazingly accurate for a small gun, Its accuracy makes up for the low round count (At least for me it does)
I find the Federal HST 230+P to be the most accurate in my gun followed real close by the Winchester Ranger SXT 230+P. Prob have well over 3,000 rounds through the Shield snd so far I am very very happy
1SG
Out

 

[M29since14]

I've got a little first-hand experience with two Shield 45s and several full-size M&P45s. All have functioned perfectly. I've not noticed any particular ammo sensitivity with either gun. The Shields have surprised me with how well they have fed and handled some of the unusual ammunition I've tried in them. The full-size .45s have outshot similar full-size 9s and .40s so badly it makes you wonder what they are doing wrong with those guns. The Shield .45s are no slotches, too. I'm not overly fond of plastic guns in general but I can't find much fault with the M&P .45s - except for the triggers.

 

[1sailor]

A few months back I bought a Shield .45 as a gift for my son. I live in the country so I took it out to make sure everything worked ok. By the time the weekend was over I probably had close to 600 rounds through it (luckily I reload) and had to buy another one for my son. The very first 6 rounds I fired (20 meters, sitting with pistol supported by my knees) produced such a tight group I thought it was just an anomaly. But nope, this is an extremely accurate pistol for it's cost, size, and caliber.

 

[Jonzim]

Very happy with mine. After my first 50 rounds I decided this might very well become my EDC. Did some searching on the net and found I could send my slide to Trijicon and they would install night sights and return ship to me for $125. I'm a big fan of night sights. I know they can be had cheaper from other vendors, but do not have the expertise to install them myself. And living in the country it would not pay to chase around to get them installed. After the slide was returned I put another 200 rounds down range and started to carry this Shield daily. I like the size, weight, and firepower of the Shield 45. I think it will serve me well. I also installed the Hogue beaver-tail grip sleeve for the extra girth it would provide. Feels amazing. Now if I can stay away from the LGS and the new M&P 2.0 Compact I may be alright.

 

[Amishman44]

Great answers...and thanks for all the feedback!

I'm definitely looking forward to getting one and with the accuracy feedback, I'm certain that it will be one that I appreciate!

Accuracy, to me, is one of the most-important considerations, behind reliability and comfort.

A few hundred rounds should alleviate any mechanical concerns as well as build some confidence in it's performance, fit, and feel!

 

[FloridaS&W]

Any issues anyone is having with their M&P pistols in .45 acp that I need to be concerned about?

Amish, the only issue I had was with the magazine drop; there are several threads about it with photos on here. This is apparently rare, and only a few of the forum members have experienced it (actually there were some 9mm Shields that did this too at one time). It's a little plastic piece inside the mag called the "follower" which was creating the problem in my case.

Anyway, I bought mine from Palmetto State Armory, and it shipped with the old parts in the magazines, so thanks to some of the good members here, I found out about the issue then called S&W and they overnighted the new style followers to me at no charge. I swapped them out in about 15 minutes and the magazines now function perfectly. Again, in most cases, this never happens, but if it does at least you will understand it.

This should in no way discourage you from owning the Shield 45, it's an incredible value and an outstandingly accurate firearm.

 

[sandog]

I have the Performance Center Shield 45. LOVE IT. It shoots & handles better than my Shield 40. I usually shoot ammo from Freedom Munitions

New and reman. Both are good to go. Over 1500 rounds and no problems.


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Sure, your PC gun will shoot and handle better than the non PC gun.
If I had a PC .45 I'd for sure like it better than a standard .40.
My two guns are just the opposite of yours.
I have a PC .40 and a standard .45 Shield.
I like the PC .40 better than the .45.
I went out to my range three weekends in a row, having a shoot off between the PC .40 and the .45. Each time, I realized I liked the PC gun more.
I also bought a 9mm Shield for my daughter, but I ended up putting a few hundred rounds through it first, to make sure it was good to go, before giving it to her.
People talk about how "snappy" or unpleasant the .40 they shot was, to me, the PC .40 is closer to the 9mm than my .45.

 

[PaPow]

I`ll add my thoughts to the pot... for what its worth...

I have the standard shield 45 and a PC shield 45. I bought the standard first, did a trigger job on it, now has a better trigger than my PC shield 45. This weekend, i`ll be doing a trigger job on the PC 45. I was hopeing S&W would have done a little better job on the PC 45 trigger, but they missed the boat on that one. No worries, i`ll fix it because the gun has already proved its worthyness to me.

As for shooting the shield 45`s, i`ve YET to come across i nicer more accurate pistol than these two shield 45`s for their size. Just plain simply amazing...!!! The recoil is VERY manageable. I found it to be leaps and bounds smoother than the XDS 45. That Springfield XDs 45 really bites your hand hard, and the XDs trigger`s were horrible.

Neither shield 45 i own, have yet to have an issue, feeding, or ejecting. BUT, i did have an issue with the recoil spring assembly. But thats all been taken care of... i built my own RSA and it solved that problem.

Both guns, the sights were not to bad out of the box. During testing, both were POA/POI. That makes me very happy.

I`ve got the older mags (10 of them), not had any issues with them so far. The PC 45 came with the updated followers. Not had one issue with those either.

As for a carry concealed... you`ll want a t-shirt between you and the grip. The texture is very rough on the skin. As for the feel of the texture while in your hand, i wont lie, it worried me at first when i was handling them at my LGS, but after shooting the gun(s), i dont want a gun without that texture...! It stays planted no matter how fast you shoot the gun. I was kind of surprised that it didnt bother my hand with such a rough texture.

Over this past weekend, my wife an i put over several 100rds down range with these shield 45`s. When we were done shooting at the range (because it was getting dark out), it left us both with wanting to shoot some more, but ya gotta go home sometime...lol. We did run couple 100rds of our reloads thru the shields, one word, FLAWLESS. Not even close to a hiccup with either gun with reloads. They are very lite reloads, and i expected issues, and not a hiccup, not one.

Anyways, if your looking for a really nice small sized 45, dont sell the shield 45 short until you`ve tried it. Its an amazing gun. Cant beat them either for what they cost. I got both of mine just before the $75 dollar rebate ended.

Anyways folks, thats my rant, and i`m stick`n to it. LOVE`N the shield 45`s. I cant remember the last time i bought a gun that made me this happy right out of the box.

Shoot, and shoot alot... be safe guys.

 

[PaPow]

Sure, your PC gun will shoot and handle better than the non PC gun.
If I had a PC .45 I'd for sure like it better than a standard .40.
My two guns are just the opposite of yours.
I have a PC .40 and a standard .45 Shield.
I like the PC .40 better than the .45.
I went out to my range three weekends in a row, having a shoot off between the PC .40 and the .45. Each time, I realized I liked the PC gun more.
I also bought a 9mm Shield for my daughter, but I ended up putting a few hundred rounds through it first, to make sure it was good to go, before giving it to her.
People talk about how "snappy" or unpleasant the .40 they shot was, to me, the PC .40 is closer to the 9mm than my .45.

Sandog, i thought you sold your shield 45 (???) or traded it off.

 

[sandog]

Yes, the .45 was traded for the 9mm. My daughter has the 9mm now.
I'd have kept the .45 if I didn't like the PC .40 so much.
After decades of having 3 or 4 different pistol calibers to feed, I like only having to stock up on one caliber now, and am very happy with the Shield .40 and Full size .40.

 

[PaPow]

Yes, the .45 was traded for the 9mm. My daughter has the 9mm now.
I'd have kept the .45 if I didn't like the PC .40 so much.
After decades of having 3 or 4 different pistol calibers to feed, I like only having to stock up on one caliber now, and am very happy with the Shield .40 and Full size .40.

Nice, i bet she likes the 9mm

 

[SwflG17Guy]

I bought one of the first .45s to arrive at my lgs and have at least 700 rds through it with 0 issues. It gets more of the carry time as its just easier than my 1911 to grab and go. Its just about perfect imo and the trigger get better and better.

 

[martybee]

I have the Shield 45 and have put over 600 rds. through it. I like it very much! I have been shooting Magtech 45A ball ammo in it. It is very accurate and I get consistant close groups.
I was very surprised to find this ammo for such an economical price at Brownells.
Has anyone else fired this ammo, and what do you think of it?

 

[Realrez]

Love my sheild 45 !! ZERO issues. Its my EDC. I'm gonna throw a Crimson trace light&lazer on it when the prices come down.

 

[AbnMP13]

My .45 Shield has been problem free, same with my 9mm. I had one FTF in the 9mm and after examination it was the white box Winchester round seated improprely. I have roughly 600 rounds throuht the 9mm amd 400 through the .45, so both just breaking in.

Does the Shield 9MM trigger feel the same as the .45 Shield?


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[SATX]

I've never had a problem with any of my Shields. I've put a few hundred trouble free rounds through the 45, to include a box of Sic V crown HPs. It's a good little shooter.