Shield 9 safety or no safety

[Deadeye Dick]

IMO if you are going to carry a concealed weapon without a round in the chamber you are better off carrying a baton or a hammer. #1; The video posted by Smoke clearly shows it is unlikely you will have time to rack a slide. #2; What if you need your off hand to push a loved one out of the line of fire? #3; Or to fend of an attacker? #4; Or what if one of your hands is incapacitated during the altercation... how will you rack your slide?

These are all scenarios that should be considered and weighed against the possibility of AD with a chambered round. Proper training & practice along with a proper holster will greatly lesson the probability of an AD. No amount of training or practice will buy you more time or free up an injured or occupied hand when the SHTF.

 

[ShieldUser]

My recommendations:
- Carry with no hardware safety and ready to fire
- Practice draw and fire (or dry fire) until you have a muscle memory.
- Learn to move and get under cover to reduce exposure. Don't just stand there presenting a static target.

Finally, the most important aspect of carrying..... IMHO.....
- That catchy phrase "situational awareness" is really your best friend. Don't get ambushed with surprise

 

[Wishoot]

I bought mine when the only option came with a safety.

If I could do it all over again, I'd buy the no-safety version.

 

[lefty_jake]

I am left handed and I am quite happy with my no safety shield.

Most defensive trainers recommend no extra safeties on defensive pistols. Here is an article from Rob Pincus where he discusses choosing a pistol. If you search through the article he recommends no extra safeties. Note that this recommendation is for all shooters. As a left handed shooter, I consider any firearm with a right hand only safety to be a second choice.

I would recommend the no safety shield for all shooters. But for a left handed shooter I would specifically not recommend any pistol with a right hand only safety.

 

[rock_castle]

To each his own. I have an early Shield with the safety. I've trained on drawing and disengaging the safety so much that it's become second nature to me. If it was an issue then I would just leave it off. I am comfortable with or without a safety. If I was buying a Shield today I would probably buy it without, though.

 

[Resqu2]

I wanted the PC Shield so I don't have a choice about having a safety but I''m ok with it as I have been training myself to click it while drawing. I will leave it off after I'm completely used to the gun, I just got it yesterday so I need a little time with it.

 

[EdJG]

I agree with ShieldUser - my choice was no safety.

 

[amcline82]

I carry a shield 40 with no safety and one in the pipe. I have never heard of a pistol going off without the trigger being pulled. That's just my preference. I think those second do matter. And besides that if you have a fear that that pistol my just go off than you should really think about the pistol you are carrying.

 

[Deftone]

I bought my Shield 9mm used, so no choice it has a safety. I can click it off pretty easily and quickly with the side of my thumb knuckle. It doesn't get in the way at all. I don't mind it at all and I kind of like the option being there.

Took it to the range today and I was mighty impressed. Very accurate and easy to shoot. Very happy with this purchase.

 

[epj]

Both my 9 and my 40 have safeties. I never engage them, but they are there in case I should feel the need to. No biggie one way or the other.

 

[Smitty357]

Its just one of those things. Rather have it and not need it. Than need it and not have it.