HarrishMasher
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- Feb 10, 2011
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I picked up a Shield in 9mm a few months back for CCW carry. I usually carry a J Frame, but wanted a semi-auto option as well.
I have generally shied away from small autos for carry. Historically the smaller autos for CCW have been finicky, unreliable, and only manufactured in sub 9mm calibers (with the exception of some exotic and very expensive makes). The last bunch of years there has been a tremendous upswing in the manufacture of 9mm small autos for CCW carry. Every major manufacturer makes at least one these days. I figured enough time had passed for the makers to work the bugs out and decided to take the plunge. After much research I settled on the Shield (only because Glock doesn't make a small single stack 9).
I have taken the Shield to the range 4 times. The first 3 times I was focused on some rifle projects I had just completed, and I didn't really focus too much on the Shield. I just ran 20 or so rounds through it to make sure it was reliable and that was that.
Last night I actually spent some time with this little bugger. I ran 70 rounds of mixed 9mm through it. Man am I impressed. At 7 to 15 yards it is super accurate. I had no problem shooting 2" to 3" five-shot groups slow fire. Recoil is very manageable. I find I shoot it as well, maybe even a little better than my Glock 19, though not quite as well as my 17...but close!
I have only used the 7 round mag in the Shield because that is the way I will carry it. I was amazed at how well it handles even without a firm place for my pinky. During 5 shot rapid fire drills the groups opened up a little, but not too much. Handling, even in rapid fire, was exceptional for such a small gun. (I'm sure that would not be the case in .40. Recoil is very sharp with .40 in any size gun, especially little ones, which makes follow up shots much more difficult. That's why I sold all of my 40s long ago. Today's 9mm ammo designed to expand at lower velocities, makes it just as effective as .40)
I now have about 175 rounds through it. It has performed flawlessly with anything I fed it. Zero malfunctions.
Maybe I just shoot this gun very well, but it sure seems extremely accurate for such a small gun. I can't recommend the little Shield highly enough. I'm beyond impressed. I will mix it into my carry rotation with my J Frames. Funny how all my carry guns are S&Ws. I never intended it to be that way, just how things worked out.
I have generally shied away from small autos for carry. Historically the smaller autos for CCW have been finicky, unreliable, and only manufactured in sub 9mm calibers (with the exception of some exotic and very expensive makes). The last bunch of years there has been a tremendous upswing in the manufacture of 9mm small autos for CCW carry. Every major manufacturer makes at least one these days. I figured enough time had passed for the makers to work the bugs out and decided to take the plunge. After much research I settled on the Shield (only because Glock doesn't make a small single stack 9).
I have taken the Shield to the range 4 times. The first 3 times I was focused on some rifle projects I had just completed, and I didn't really focus too much on the Shield. I just ran 20 or so rounds through it to make sure it was reliable and that was that.
Last night I actually spent some time with this little bugger. I ran 70 rounds of mixed 9mm through it. Man am I impressed. At 7 to 15 yards it is super accurate. I had no problem shooting 2" to 3" five-shot groups slow fire. Recoil is very manageable. I find I shoot it as well, maybe even a little better than my Glock 19, though not quite as well as my 17...but close!
I have only used the 7 round mag in the Shield because that is the way I will carry it. I was amazed at how well it handles even without a firm place for my pinky. During 5 shot rapid fire drills the groups opened up a little, but not too much. Handling, even in rapid fire, was exceptional for such a small gun. (I'm sure that would not be the case in .40. Recoil is very sharp with .40 in any size gun, especially little ones, which makes follow up shots much more difficult. That's why I sold all of my 40s long ago. Today's 9mm ammo designed to expand at lower velocities, makes it just as effective as .40)
I now have about 175 rounds through it. It has performed flawlessly with anything I fed it. Zero malfunctions.
Maybe I just shoot this gun very well, but it sure seems extremely accurate for such a small gun. I can't recommend the little Shield highly enough. I'm beyond impressed. I will mix it into my carry rotation with my J Frames. Funny how all my carry guns are S&Ws. I never intended it to be that way, just how things worked out.
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