40 years CC. From wheel guns to pistolas. Mostly carried a 1911 platform in condition 1 so using the the Shield safety is about muscle memory. Do not be afraid of it. Practice draw and snicking off safety.... A couple hours doing this while watching TV will help a lot...
Safety on the Shield...
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TraderGary
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I like and use the safety on my Shield 9mm. If this trigger were as hard to pull and had the long extended travel as most double action triggers then a safety wouldn't be needed. However one of the Shield's best attributes is it's superb trigger.
I carry my Shield in my pocket in a Blackhawk #4 pocket holster where it's very often pointed at things I don't want shot off. With minimal practice I now automatically flick the safety off with my thumb as I draw from my pocket and since it is flicked off with the draw I see no time disadvantage. I use the safety religiously and am very glad it's there.
I carry my Shield in my pocket in a Blackhawk #4 pocket holster where it's very often pointed at things I don't want shot off. With minimal practice I now automatically flick the safety off with my thumb as I draw from my pocket and since it is flicked off with the draw I see no time disadvantage. I use the safety religiously and am very glad it's there.
MichiganScott
Member
It's no more necessary to use the safety on the shield than it is to use a safety on the rest of the M&P series. It was designed with a thumb safety right from the beginning to satisfy the requirements of some states for the pistol to be sold in those states.
If you like it and wish to use it, fine. If you don't, don't.
If you like it and wish to use it, fine. If you don't, don't.
S&Wforty
+1
As a pocket packer I love my safety especially when sitting down.
Pocket guys will understand what I am saying.
Russ
I couldn't be more pleased with the Shield safety. Especially the ability to fully function the gun while the safety is "on safe" position.
Reading these posts I was reminded of the officer that was re-holstering his firearm and the plastic toggle that adjusts the waistband of his raingear got caught between his trigger guard and trigger.
Reading these posts I was reminded of the officer that was re-holstering his firearm and the plastic toggle that adjusts the waistband of his raingear got caught between his trigger guard and trigger.
I guess I'll be the odd man out here. One of the reasons I love the full size M&P pistols is that S&W did the thumb safety right. As a long time 1911 guy, that is important to me. On the Shield, I don't find the safety very instinctive. It is way to small. It isn't hard to understand S&W's design thinking on the issue, but I wish someone would make an extended safety lever for the Shield. I've asked Apex twice. Maybe at some point they'll get tired of me and just make the darn part. 
rangemeister
Member
I find the safety a bit small. I usually carry a 1911, so am basically pretty used to the con1 carry. Since I am a con1 1911 person, it will be a bit of a breeze to continue the process, especially as mentioned when and if carried in my pocket!
I've got no problem with the safety on my Shield 40. I use it all the time & I do practice drawing & flicking off the safety while bringing the pistol to point. I wish my M&P40C had a safety also. One thing I don't understand is why a lot of people seem to have a problem with others using safeties. To each his own.
jframe
Member
I have no problem at all with the safety on my Shield. Since I'm a lefty, it stays in the "off" position at ALL times.
Linejudgemick
Member
If S&W sold them with the "no" safety option, like they do the M&P compacts, I'd probably own a Shield along with my 9C. Because they don't, I chose a different single-stack pistol. I'm left handed, so I also want the reversible magazine release too. Other lefties mentioned they just leave their safety off and I don't question their choice. But, for me personally, I don't want to ever face the need to use a pistol with a right-handed safety accidentally engaged, no matter how remote the possibility. When S&W builds a single-stack version of the M&P Compact - I'll probably be looking for one.
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