Shield 9mm or Glock 43?

[Double Drops]

Now that the Glock 43 has been out for a few months, what is everyone's opinion of them compared to a Shield 9mm?

I have a Shield and am pretty satisfied with it. Honestly, I'm partial to Glocks and I really like the looks of the 43.

 

[Valmet]

As. Inch as a fanboy as I am, I prefer the Shield to the 43...it's easier for me to shoot with slightly more capacity.

 

[RobzGuns]

I still haven't had a chance to shoot a G43 (STILL no rentals at the store/range yet), but I did get to fondle one the other day. It does feel great in my hand, but experience tells me not to buy, until I know how it feels to shoot, first.

Having written that... The store manager (at my LGS/Range) and one of the sales guys are both hard core Glock fans (as am I) and all three of us have had our Shields since they first came out. The Sales Mgr snagged the 1st G43 that hit the store and bought it. After he took it into the range and put a box through it (side-by-side with his Shield), he brought it back in and listed it for sale. He said his Shield felt better to shoot.

The other sales guy asked if he could try it before it went into the Used Gun cabinet, put a box through it (side-by-side with his Shield), brought it back and concurred that he liked his Shield better.

My question to both of them was "Why Didn't You Call ME, so I could try it too?!?"

Like I wrote... These two are long time Glock owners and fans... and they BOTH passed on the G43 (at the employee discounted price, no less)

Hopefully I'll be able to write some first-hand information on it soon.

 

[GtownGeorge]

So, this gun will be carried or used for SD. Who gives a rats butt what it looks like. Buy the one that you shoot the best.

 

[RobzGuns]

So, this gun will be carried or used for SD. Who gives a rats butt what it looks like. Buy the one that you shoot the best.

Right!!
Glocks Ain't Purdy... They were never meant to be.
They just go BANG every Time.

 

[Northshoreboar]

Posted this in another thread:

I've been researching the Shield 9mm and Glock 43. Found a range with both guns today. I can say that I shot noticeably better with the shield 9mm. The recoil seemed less as well. The groupings weren't terrible with the 43 (I used the mag with pinky extender) and the accuracy issues might be due to being better with 3 dots sights vs trying to line up the field goal sights on the Glock. Even though the Glock feels noticeably lighter I am planning on buying the Shield. $100 cheaper, more accurate (for me), and feels better in my hand.

One note: I like the Glock 43 trigger way better

 

[Northshoreboar]

The Shooters Club in Harahan, LA has both to try. Shot them this week

 

[GtownGeorge]

So, this gun will be carried or used for SD. Who gives a rats butt what it looks like. Buy the one that you shoot the best.

PS... I have a M&P9 FS but carry a Glock 26. Did not like the 'thin' Glock or S&W.

 

[Deadbug]

I shot the G43 side-by-side with the Shield 9mm, and walked out of the Range/LGS with the Shield--it wasn't even close for me. I shot much better with the Shield, it was noticeably smoother to shoot, and I liked the Shield's trigger better. My 2 cents worth...

 

[Northshoreboar]

I really wanted to like the Glock better. I loved my Glock 19. The Shield just felt better to me.

 

[326MOD10]

I bought my Shield right before the G43 came out. I was trying to hold out and got frustrated so bought the Shield. I am glad I did because like the others have said it is more accurate and more natural to shoot well. (at least in my hands)

With that said I did pick up the 43 when it came out, and I do like it, but the Shield is more accurate to me. I did have a FTE with the Shield when I first got it and have had zero issues with the Glock.

The Glock would be easier to conceal in a pocket if that was the intent of carry. I would feel it would also be easier in an ankle holster, but have not tried that.

I will keep both but the Shield right now is the one I carry.

 

[robkarrob]

I have read many gun reviews for comparisons of the Shield to the Glock 43, and all have said the Glock 43 has noticeably more felt recoil than the Shield. The reviews have included other subcompact models including the Springfield XDs in 9mm, Ruger LC9s and others. The Shield seems to be the best choice for most reviewers and even more so when comparing the price point.

Bob

 

[Northshoreboar]

It definitely had more felt recoil for me. Not sure why but I still WANT to like the Glock more. I like the idea of the smaller size. Bottom line is I liked the Shield better and it wasn't even close. I have to remember that this weekend when I buy!

 

[Capt. Bob]

I have both and the jury is still out. I like the trigger and the extra round or two with the shield. I like the size and the sight picture with the G43 better. I shoot both about the same and as soon as I get a holster for the 43 I will carry it some like I do all my other carry guns. The 43 has a longer barrel so that may count for something I never hear much talk about. The ballistics may just be some better on it. I haven't had chance to chrono them yet.

 

[aggiesam1983]

I originally planned to buy the Glock 43 but ended up with the Shield after comparing them side by side. I added TruGlo TFX sights and the Shield is fantastic. I have since also picked up the Glock 43 and will be installing a Ghost Edge connector as soon as it arrives. I have fired a friend's G43 with the Ghost connector and it was significantly better than stock condition.

 

[bedbugbilly]

I bought my 9mm Shield a couple of weeks ago after sitting on the fence for a long time. I'm older - a revolver guy. I looked at four different brands of similar sized 9mm when I was at the LGS I haunt. I've never shot a Glock - never handled one until I was at the LGS and we set the 4 brands side by side. The Glock 43 I was shown was the only one they had - it was sold and the salesman (I've dealt with many times) wanted me to look it over anyway.

I really liked the 43 - I was surprised how much I did like it and it felt great in the hand - but so did the Shield. Yes, the 43 has "one less" than the Shield but even then - it has more than my Smith Model 36 snub.

At the time I was looking, I hadn't shot either - still haven't had the opportunity to shoot the 43 but I will rent one at the range when I'm back in AZ for the winter.

Personally, I could have gone either way. What held me off on the Glock was the un-known delivery time as they said it was "hit and miss" as far as getting the 43 in. So . . I went with the Shield. I'm very happy with it and it will do what I need it for. I enjoy shooting it - it's more accurate than I am but I have no problems putting them all in critical mass at SD range when I practice - plus - it's a fun "plinker" as well.

Everyone has their "preferences" but go with the one you like the best - both seem to be excellent handguns and so far, good reviews. For an old fart that was kind of "anti-Glock" (for no real reason) I was impressed with the feel of the 43 and I now look forward to trying some different Glock 9mms out at a range - might or might not get one - but I would like the experience of shooting some different models just the same.

 

[andrewcdub]

Whichever pistol you shoot best is what I tell people. I've shot a 43 but didn't like how small it felt in my hand. The shield with pearce extentions is about all I need.

 

[Hand Gunner]

The G43 simply based on it`s Glock reliability.
My Shield 9 has been a paper weight for the last three months due to front sight issues and a broken RSA, that I can`t seem to get replaced.
Sub par quality firearm and poor customer service has been my experience with the 1st and last S&W product.

 

[rsrocket1]

Buy one and try it out.
If you don't like it come on over to kommiefornia. Used ones are selling for close to $1k and sometimes more and the idiots are buying them. if you don't like your Shield and it doesn't have an LCI or safety, you can only get about $600 for it.

 

[gunny4053]

Buy the Shield! The Glock is nice, but doesn't bring enough to the party to justify having one. No rail, fewer rounds, no ability to use larger mags (because there aren't any), and the bugs have pretty much been worked out of the Shield.