Shield 9mm for SD and CCW? or Glock 43 - Newbie and 1st Gun

[FGuns]

I've had my pistol permit for a few years now and am just finally researching to buy my first handgun. I've read tons of articles and opinions and I've narrowed my search down to either a S&W Shield 9mm, or a Glock 43. I'm hoping to get some feedback on what may be best for my situation and scenario.

I'm guessing this has been asked LOTS, so i'm including a lot of specifics about "me" so you can all chime in and give opinions on what may be right for me personally.

I shot both the S&W Shield 9mm and the Glock 43 last week, about 25+/- rounds out of each. I'm planning on going back to shoot them both again so any tips for me to consider while holding and shooting both will be helpful.

I'll share some info on me to help give guidance:
-I'm a smaller build guy and wear normal to slim fitting clothes, especially in summer so concealability is #1
-I'm totally new to shooting, I've shot many guns over the years but never enough to be comfortable with one so I don't totally know what to be looking for in terms of how it shoots, feels, etc.
-From shooting both guns, I leaned towards the Glock based on how it felt in my hand, but I was decently accurate with both guns considering I haven't shot much before, and was able to pull off some decent groupings at around 5-10-15 yards
-I totally get the whole 6+1 Glock capacity vs 7+1/8+1 with the Shield, but I'm not totally against 6+1, any gun and bullets is better than none. I like the idea of more though, but I'd rather have the right gun in my hand with less bullets than more bullets with the wrong gun if that makes sense.
-I know the Glock's have crappy sights, and the Shield sights are better from many people's perspective. I had no problem shooting with the Glock's sights, and would consider maybe upgrading them.
-I get that the Glock is more expensive, budget is not as important in my choice since I can afford either even if I need to do some upgrades.
-Carrying a gun to me is very foreign. My dad never carried (Although he owned), not many of my friends carried (But more and more are every day now). So my thoughts are that something small is better than nothing at all, which would normally be the case. I considered a .380 first, but the 2 guns i'm comparing here seem reasonably small enough to conceal so they are what i'm considering with a 9mm having better stopping power, etc.
-Seems like both guns have their pro's and con's, but either is a great choice from so many happy people on both sides of the fence.

Since concealability is #1 for me with this gun, the Glock felt slightly smaller and I liked the way it shot, so i'm slightly in favor of the Glock, but from reading reviews and all, I've come to really like the Shield 9MM so i'm trying to figure out if the Shield is a better choice. I also don't feel like I shot either gun enough to get a true sense of which was better.

I'd consider buying both, but I want to buy gun #2 and #3 for other purposes (Home Defense Handgun/Shotgun/Etc) so I don't want overlap, at least not this early in my gun venture.

How to choose?
Is the best way to decide to rent both guns and send a bunch of bullets down range and let the gun in my hand make the final decision? Any specific things to consider while i'm going through those motions? I know some say to be aware of things like:
-How the gun feels in your hand, natural, vs un-nattural
-Recoil and getting back on target
-How accurate shots are considering all things

Seems like both of these guns are winners in many ways. All tips on helping me get over the hump and deciding will be appreciated.

 

[Ballistic147]

Naturally being on an S&W forum you will probably get more votes here for the Smith. IMO, both are excellent guns and both are very reliable. Size and weight between the two are really close so either should work for your intended purpose. With that in mind I bought my Shield before the G43 came out. I absolutely love it. It fits my hand well for such a small gun and shoots like a "big" gun.

I'm not a Glock guy. They are excellent quality and just as good as the S&W stuff but they simply don't fit me and in turn I don't shoot them well. My son likes Glocks because they feel better to him and he shoots them better.

Best advice is to spend a little time just holding each gun. Pay close attention to how each gun feels in your hand. With an empty gun, practice quickly raising each one and see which naturally points better for you where you instinctively acquire the sight picture. Then try shooting a hundred rounds or so through each. Take mental notes on each and base your decision on that. We're all different and in the end it will really come down to the one you feel most comfortable and confident with.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I'm a smaller build guy and wear normal to slim fitting clothes.....

This looks like the defining parameter effecting your ability to successfully conceal full time. Fitted clothes on a small frame.

If your not willing to modify your wardrobe, you might want to try concealing your choices with what you wear. Perhaps a sub-compact would fit your carry needs better.

Bear in mind that besides thickness, the length of the grip is often the problem in concealment, so you may need to choose the shorter magazine.

 

[Protected One]

It's my opinion that the Shield 9mm is THE ideal ccw. It is the perfect mixture of great caliber, capacity, reliability, and cost. Having said that, you wouldn't be making a mistake by selecting the Glock 43...you would merely be spending more money (in my opinion, unnecessarily).

I too bought mine before the Glock 43 was on the market, but I have since handled them and had numerous shooters report to me on them.
All things considered, my recommendation would be to buy the Shield, spend the difference on ammo, and go to the range and have a ball!

 

[armorer951]

I agree that either brand is a good choice, based on your preferences regarding accuracy, reliability, ergonomics and capacity. As an armorer, I have to side with the Shield, based on the fact that the slide, barrel and many of the internals are stainless steel.

Just another "behind the scenes" construction issue to consider when purchasing a daily carry firearm.

 

[Shield9mm]

Both pistols are good, reliable and accurate IMO out of the box the trigger is better on the glock, try them both pick whatever your feel more comfortable with.


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[CH4]

Function notwithstanding, just when you thought no one could produce an uglier gun than Glock, S&W stepped up and did it handily. I am not a fan of plastic guns, but would/have buy a Glock over a S&W every time.

 

[silversnake]

Since you don't mind the lower capacity and higher price of the Glock, and concealment seems to be your top priority, I would go with that.

Both are great guns though.... I'd get both if I had the money.

 

[mooney7882v]

I THINK this a true statement but you have to confirm. The glocks have polygonal rifling which limits ammunition choices to some degree...I am unfamiliar with whatever restrictions exist but there are some...I am not a Glock fan so I haven't studied it, just read about it a bit.


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[OKFC05]

"-I'm totally new to shooting, I've shot many guns over the years but never enough to be comfortable with one so I don't totally know what to be looking for in terms of how it shoots, feels, etc."


Recommend you take lessons, learn to shoot correctly, then rent each of the guns and see if you can hit anything. Check the ergonomics and ease of gun handling. Back in the stone ages, a new gun called the Glock came out and based on the talk, I wanted one. However, I shot one first and found I really hated the "Luger grip angle". When I drew to fire quickly, I had to pause and get the front sight down on the target. So I never bought a Glock. Lots of folks have.
What matters between two good, but significantly different pistols is how well YOU can handle and shoot them.

 

[silversnake]

"-I'm totally new to shooting, I've shot many guns over the years but never enough to be comfortable with one so I don't totally know what to be looking for in terms of how it shoots, feels, etc."


Recommend you take lessons, learn to shoot correctly, then rent each of the guns and see if you can hit anything. Check the ergonomics and ease of gun handling. Back in the stone ages, a new gun called the Glock came out and based on the talk, I wanted one. However, I shot one first and found I really hated the "Luger grip angle". When I drew to fire quickly, I had to pause and get the front sight down on the target. So I never bought a Glock. Lots of folks have.
What matters between two good, but significantly different pistols is how well YOU can handle and shoot them.

This is good advice.
I had the opposite experience with Glocks, I said I would never buy one until I tried a couple and realized I actually shot pretty well with them. Never know until you try.

 

[Arik]

I prefer the Glock .....and bought one....but either one is fine

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[nrz]

I've shot both and ended up with an XDS as it was the best shooting gun of the bunch.

Sounds like you're talking yourself into the Glock cause it's the smallest and that's the biggest hurdle you've identified in your requirements. At the end of the day the choice is yours and either gun will go bang when you need it to. Good luck on your decision.

 

[Maxshield]

Most Important to me is how quickly I can get a good accurate first shot....FROM THE HOLSTER, and how quickly and accurate the follow up shots.

Access of the gun, solid grip with no fumbling, quickness of draw, and instinctive point ability all play a part...and all guns are different based on how their grip and ergos are suited to your individual style.

For me it is the Shield, .....JMHO

 

[Ranger17]

OP, if the range you use has good staff they should be more than willing to give some initial pointers on grip/hold/stance, etc so if you are comparing different guns then you can truly focus on the guns themselves. Can help in getting solid comparison data.
And if the range staff wont offer up help (not talking free lessons of course) then take along a buddy who does have good experience.

I'd also ask if this is only to be your gun, or something you may share/train on with a significant other. If that's the case and you're split on which one is best for you, perhaps see what your SO thinks on it. Only a suggestion.

I never shot a Glock; but the first time i held a MP in my hand it felt "right" so all my 9's (including a Shield) are SW's. Doesn't mean my Shield is better than a Glock overall, its just what i wanted to go with.

 

[357 shooter]

I shot both the S&W Shield 9mm and the Glock 43 last week, about 25+/- rounds out of each. I'm planning on going back to shoot them both again so any tips for me to consider while holding and shooting both will be helpful.

I was trying to decide between the 9mm Shield and Glock 43 as well last summer and was able to rent both and like you fired 25 rounds through both. I fired the Shield first and after firing the first few shots through the Glock my decision was easy. That particular Glock had one of the stiffest triggers I have ever encountered and a few weeks later I ended up with a Shield. As the Glock is rated at 5.5lbs pull I was expecting it to have the better trigger but that was not the case. Add to that I saved about $100 going with the Shield and have a round or two extra. Now I am willing to admit that particular G43 may not have been the norm in regards to the trigger.

Your plan on going back to fire them both again makes the most sense , after a second round of testing one may stand out more this go around.

 

[FLS&W]

Before I bought the Shield, I rented it and the 43, at my LGS range so I had side-by-side instant comparison. The Shield felt better although the Glock trigger was better. However, I shot the Shield better because the 43 felt too light for my liking which is also the reason I sold my 42. So I bought the Shield and put in an Apex Tactical hard sear to smooth out the trigger..

Now I'm selling it not because it's a bad gun but because I have the Shield 45 and a Walther PPS M2. Both are very similar in size and weight and because I need to eliminate some inventory.

You will be very happy if you get the Shield. But, as has been said, the 43 is a fine gun as well.

 

[Steved13]

I carried a Glock 43 for a few months, and now carry the shield for about a month. Obviously I like the Shield much better or I'd still be carrying the Glock. If the extra for the Glock doesn't bother you, check out the Performance Center Shield, very nice trigger.

When you say they both feel good in your hand...make sure you understand what that means. Does one gun come on target more naturally? Do you have to hunt for the sights more on one than the other? One or the other should...the ergonomics are different enough, that one should be more natural. The Shield was for me, and that's what swayed me, and the trigger on the Performance Center version, closed the deal.

If you are truly committed to concealed carry every day, You should consider changing your wardrobe some to accommodate. A Good gun Belt might be the most important thing...it distrubutes the load over a greater area.

 

[JWM]

Have you considered a 5-shot snub ?

 

[Mark IV]

I've had my pistol permit for a few years now and am just finally researching to buy my first handgun.......

Wha...Wha...........WHAT ????
Most of what I'm inclined to say will likely get me a smack down from the mods, so other than saying this sounds like implausible, trolling idiocy, I'll just stick with my opening comment.