Shield 45 positive experience! *Update* Apex sear now 4/29 update added

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ontargetagain

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A little background, I am a revolver guy LOL. I relinquished a beautiful S&W E Series 1911 a few months ago to a good friend who is making it a safe queen so I know it got a good home:)

My favorite gun to shoot is my 625 5" 45acp revolver, I guess I like the 45acp round as I have had several 9mm full sized semi-autos and I don't keep them long. Reading all the positive reviews on the Shield 45 I just got mine and took it out first time to the indoor range. I am a reloader, I don't buy factory ammo though I did buy a box of Federal 230gr to shoot first in the Shield so that if there were any issues with feed and eject I could eliminate my reloads. The factory trigger on mine as measured with Lyman digital was close to 7lbs, not something I am at all used to but really didn't feel that bad. After checking the trigger again after shooting is settled in more in the 6lb 5oz range. Yes it has some grittiness but not a lot of take up and a pretty decent break and minimal overtravel to the stop.
Now, I primarily shoot plated SWC's bullets, I use several different powders too, I had 4 or 5 powders in reloads with the SWC's with me and I tried them all, and they ALL worked fine! Only slight issue was feeding in the first round but no issues on feed and eject so that made me quite happy!

My thoughts, I didn't expect as much as I got for what I paid for this gun, I have taking a liking to it and am giving it respect. Since I like to tinker and I will upgrade the feel of the trigger and reduce the break by adding an Apex sear, the rest I will polish up and study as it comes apart, YES I could shoot it just as it is, YES it shot surprisingly accurate for such a small sight radius. I know I will shoot it even better as I refine the trigger but that is what I like to do with all my guns and I understand why it can't be refined as a 'production' gun. I thinks S&W has a great gun here in this 45 Shield, I'm going to really enjoy it and after putting 100 rounds through it in about 45 mins I had no complaints on how it felt in my hands and they are about a good medium+ size and I am not a big guy at 160lbs. If you are on the fence post about this gun, I suggest you get one, not likely you will regret the small amount spent for the satisfaction and potential it offers!
Just my opinions......
Karl

**Update** 4/11
I installed the Apex sear only part #100-163. Wow! I am now at sub 5# pulls (4lb 7oz to 4lb 13oz) and with a crisper cleaner break. A very nice feel to the trigger overall. Off to the range tomorrow to try it out:) These upgrades are more for my pursuance of more like a target trigger, this is NOT a carry gun for me.
More to come.............
**See post #22 for update report**
**See post #25 for Striker block plunger update** 4/29/17
 
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I agree with you. I bought mine in November [my Christmas present] and I love it. I use 230 gr. RN Blue Bullets in my reloads and they work fine. For the price it is one great gun.
 
Like the OP, I found the 45 Shield to be a great little pistol being sold at an excellent price point (and recently with a rebate). I'm at 800 rounds through mine without an issue. I thought the trigger was good out of the box, but it smooths out and lightens nicely after being shot a bit. It makes a great carry pistol.
 
I will be picking mine up next week. It's good to see the positive reports on this forum.
 
Just took delivery on mine this morning! Hope to shoot it within the next week. For a net cost after rebate of less than $300, I couldn't resist.
 
Held one; said nah, I have a Shield 9 that's my go to carry gun; rebate came along; bought one and love it! My LGS guy said S&W has hit a home run again, based on his sales. It's a home run as far as I'm concerned!! Waiting on a CCW holster that fits.
 
Just took delivery of mine today. Did a good clean and lube job on it. A little bit of polishing on the connector and a lot of dry fire. Trigger pull was 6 lbs out of the box. After the polishing and dry fire, it is pretty consistent at just a hair over 5 lbs. I was planning on installing an Apex hard steel sear, but I may not need to. Can't wait to get to the range with it.

I have to say, that is some very aggressive grip texture, especially on the back strap. Hoping it will smooth out a little over time. If not, Talon Grips here I come.

Purchased Three extra 6 round mags from Quantico Tactical. Glad I have a UpLula. Very difficult to get the last round in right now. Just part of being new.
 
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BigDog48 said:
Held one; said nah, I have a Shield 9 that's my go to carry gun; rebate came along; bought one and love it!
Click to expand...
Same here. Have the 9, wanted a 45. Couldn't justify it in my mind. The rebate was the deal maker. Also waiting on the holster. I can use a Remora till then.
 
I shot one a while ago and added to my gun list immediately I was amazed with it. Now the rebate and online prices was the perfect timing. Mine is already cleaned and lubed, it came with a lot of oil kind of sticky. I noticed the trigger is way better out of the box on the 45 compared with the shield 9, it breaks clean, nice and crispy, no more grittiness, didn't measured it but it seems between 5.5 and 6lb my shield 9 is under 6lb with the apex trigger kit, can't wait to shoot it hopefully tomorrow.
 
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Shield9mm said:
I shot one a while ago and added to my gun list immediately I was amazed with it. Now the rebate and online prices was the perfect timing. Mine is already cleaned and lubed, it came with a lot of oil kind of sticky. I noticed the trigger is way better out of the box on the 45 compared with the shield 9, it breaks clean, nice and crispy, no more grittiness, didn't measured it but it seems between 5.5 and 6lb my shield 9 is under 6lb with the apex trigger kit, can't wait to shoot it hopefully tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Mine was really greased up too, and dirty. It took me an hour to get it all cleaned up and to the range. Shot more than 100 rounds of ball ammo out of it and it shoots very smoothly, but the gritty grip does wear on the fork of your hand and palm. I think as soon as I get to put some carry ammo through it, it'll become my EDC.
 
I got one and took it to the range this weekend. I didn't even clean it before shooting it. Just did a safety check before firing. Not one problem. Makes big holes in refrigerant bottles!
 
I bought one a few month ago and was pleasantly surprised on how well it shoots and how reliable it is with reloads. I have put 1350 rounds trough it, only 50 were 230 grain factory hard ball. The rest all were 200 grains SWC reloads and that is what I will continue to shoot. The only complain that I have is the stiffness of the magazine springs. S&W hit a homerun with this gun.
 
Lordvice said:
I bought one a few month ago and was pleasantly surprised on how well it shoots and how reliable it is with reloads. I have put 1350 rounds trough it, only 50 were 230 grain factory hard ball. The rest all were 200 grains SWC reloads and that is what I will continue to shoot. The only complain that I have is the stiffness of the magazine springs. S&W hit a homerun with this gun.
Click to expand...

I loaded and reloaded mags while watching TV for about 2 days running and the springs loosened up nicely.....no problem loading any of the mags now........
 
Lordvice said:
The only complain that I have is the stiffness of the magazine springs. S&W hit a homerun with this gun.
Click to expand...

I take the magazine apart and polish inside and out. I found that the follower (on mine) was a bit tight and had mold hangers on it. I used sand paper to remove and round out some edges. Lightly lubricate, reassemble. Load up the magazine to full capacity and let it sit for a week or so. Should lighten up the spring dramatically.
 
My mags lightened up noticably after about 100rds. Also took them straight to the range with no cleaning. After a 200 round blitz this weekend (over 3 new shields so 600 total) cleaned everything.

Took mags apart, cleaned, lubed, reassembled. Helped a lot.
 
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