Shield 9mm vs. my Airweight snubby (M638)

[Backlighting]

The snubby M 638 is my preferred cc handgun but after handling a Shield 9mm I was really attracted to the overall thinness of it.
It's even easier to conceal in the waist or pocket. I'm on the fence as to replacing the snubby since I like the obvious revolver advantages of no failure to feed issues and a simple trigger pull is all that is needed to cycle another ftf round (light strike or a faulty round).
The Shield, however, does offer more rounds and more power.
With the S&W rebate, and purchasing from a local shop I could get it at around $335 net.
Nice price for a nice gun.
Decisions, decisions.

 

[Ray1970]

My experience has been that modern pistols are typically just as reliable as revolvers these days. I've had several pistols that have gone over ten thousand rounds without a single hiccup. Your point about a simple trigger pull in a failure to fire situation is a good one and obviously the Shield would have to be manipulated to chamber a fresh round. Another advantage for me and why I prefer a pistol over a revolver is the speed with which I can reload a pistol. No matter how hard I've tried or how much I've practiced I'll never be able to reload a revolver as fast as a pistol. Although I would bet that someone like Jerry Miculek could probably reload a revolver faster than I could change a magazine.

 

[Backlighting]

My experience has been that modern pistols are typically just as reliable as revolvers these days. I've had several pistols that have gone over ten thousand rounds without a single hiccup. Your point about a simple trigger pull in a failure to fire situation is a good one and obviously the Shield would have to be manipulated to chamber a fresh round. Another advantage for me and why I prefer a pistol over a revolver is the speed with which I can reload a pistol. No matter how hard I've tried or how much I've practiced I'll never be able to reload a revolver as fast as a pistol. Although I would bet that someone like Jerry Miculek could probably reload a revolver faster than I could change a magazine.

Ray, your point about reloading a pistol vs a revolver is also true for me.
I've had semi Colts and Glocks, and presently a full size Walther so I understand, ...but the possibility of failure to feed...which is always possible with a semi-auto, just doesn't exist with a revolver. That's a really significant plus for my taste, especially in a hostile encounter. On the other side of the coin the semis, including the Shield 9mm has a few more rounds. It also would be a bit more accurate, I believe, than my snubby...with less recoil. The snubby though, is about 4 ounces less than the Shield (unloaded). The pros and cons for each need to be weighed for the application one is seeking.

 

[Ray1970]

They both have their pros and cons for sure. I used to be perfectly content carrying a j-frame or a small, single stack auto. But the world we live in these days just seems to get crazier all of the time. While I'm sure I have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting attacked by a shark or maybe hit by lightning, the thought of being at a mall or a movie theater or stuck in a traffic jam and having some whack job or multiple whack jobs open fire with a semi-auto rifle trying to take out as many innocent people as possible has made me rethink my philosophy. I feel much more comfortable these days carrying a Glock 19 or something similar.

 

[Bozz10mm]

For the price Shields are going for these days with the rebate, I don't see how you can go wrong. I've seen them on line for as low as $289.99 before rebate. Palmetto State Armory for example. For $215, how can you pass it up. And keep that snubby.

 

[1sailor]

My preferred method of carry is OWB and for that I find my J-frame (M&P340) conceals a little better than my Shield. I live in a small town and feel that if assaulted it will likely be some tweeker with a knife or a hammer or some other such weapon, very up close and personal. For that reason I prefer the j-frame around here. Everyone always tells me that they practice clearing jams etc. and that they do it without any thought. I always ask them to put their arm up as though they are blocking a blow from a club or a tire iron and then show me how they clear that jam one handed while possibly lying on their back. So far nobody has. On the other hand when I go up to Portland or any larger city here in Oregon in the daytime in public places I carry the shield for the simple reason that I also wonder about some crazy walking through the mall or the parking lot shooting at random victims. In a case where I may be shooting from cover a semi's short comings are not as critical. There really are only three things that can go wrong. Failure to feed, fire, or eject. Of those three, two don't really apply to a revolver. I think those are better odds.

 

[STCM(SW)]

I CC both semi and "J" frames.
The choice of what is OK for one may not be for another but "KISS"
seems to win out, that being a "J" frame M 640 at this time.
Plus I don't trust striker fire pistols. Don't need to shoot myself while under stress.

 

[CB3]

Revolvers are not the ultimate reliable handgun (There isn't one).

I used to think they were until the ejector star got a little dirt under it and locked the gun up tight. Another time the ejector rod loosened and also caused a malfunction. A primer that backs out of a shell can lock the cylinder. Internal parts can wear and break. Snubbys are hard to shoot accurately and have low capacity and lots of blast, even with the typically lower pressure cartridges they shoot.

Everything is a trade off.

A well maintained snubby is about as reliable as a well maintained Shield, but the Shield is thinner; easier to shoot well; has a higher capacity of more powerful cartridges; is easier and quicker to reload with more rounds than a snubby reload; the Shield can be accessorized or personalized more easily; the Shield has better sights (and replacements, including night sights); a wider variety of ammunition choices and less expensive training ammo; and to me, it just feels a lot better in my hand.

Now, a snubby can get the job done--no denying it, but the "job" is more limited in scope because of the limitations of the firearm and the .38 spcl cartridge. Why start off a life endangering event by choosing a weapon with so many limitations?

Sure, you are more likely to run into a single criminal that a snubby can handle, but if you prepare for the minimum and that's not what happens, then what? If you prepare for the worst, simpler stuff is easy. If you prepare for the easy stuff only, then when the hard stuff arrives you are likely at a real disadvantage.

Will 5 rounds of .38 spcl suffice to stop a doped up 300 lb. idiot intent on killing you for your watch--who is also shooting at you? What if you miss three times and hit that big body twice but not in critical areas?

The .38 spcl cartridge is old timey. The snubby is old timey. Our modern day has modern weapons and cartridges meant for modern situations.

I carry a full size M&P with 18 rounds of good expanding 9mm and a spare mag with 21 rounds. When I have to carry a smaller gun, it is a 9 mm Shield with 10+1 rounds and a spare mag of 10 rounds. For me, a .38 snub offers no advantage.

 

[yep380]

The revolver will fit in your front pants pocket easily.

The shield will not.

Hate to be the **** in the punch bowl here, but a glock 43 will. It's a bit smaller than the shield and can replace a revolver in all roles (my opinion).

Don't take that as meaning the glock is a better gun than the shield, it's just smaller and lighter. I have both a shield and a g43 and the are both fine guns. Just food for thought.

Look online for shield, you can get one for around $300 shipped before the rebate.

 

[Bleek Gilliam]

I've had revolvers lock up tight as a drum on me. They are inherently more reliable but don't take that to mean they can't fail.

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[BAM-BAM]

At current pricing buy a Shield ....... try it out....... don't sell the J-frame...... make your own long term decision............... in the fall.

 

[jeeps]

J-frame for sure, older without lock or newer no-lock642,442,640 pro. 5 for sure ,fires through pocket. Fires pushed into perps gut. Shield cannot! Shield is cheap auto! Reload your not on a swat team , harms way will be very close 5-6 feet. Up in your face.

 

[Arik]

but the possibility of failure to feed...which is always possible with a semi-auto, just doesn't exist with a revolver.

Sure it does. Maybe not exactly the same way but it does. A few years ago I bought a model 10 snubby. When I took it to the range I found it had issues. Pull the trigger and it goes bang..... awesome! Pull it again and half way through the trigger pull everything locks up. Can't pull any further. Release, pull again, same thing. Release, pull again, finally with some struggling the cylinder rotates and the hammer drops! Had that happen on 2 or 3 of the 6 cylinder chambers.

Took it to a gunsmith and he fixed it. He explained what it was I just don't remember. I sold it after that

Just recently I was at the range with my model 13. Bang, bang, bang....click! What the..... Firing pin broke. Of course this isn't a failure to feed but just shows that nothing is 100%. Had that been a real shooting I'd be stuck with a chunk of metal to throw
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[DD357]

If there is a difference in getting good hits the go with the one that is better for that. You have to hit.

 

[Arik]

For the price Shields are going for these days with the rebate, I don't see how you can go wrong. I've seen them on line for as low as $289.99 before rebate. Palmetto State Armory for example. For $215, how can you pass it up. And keep that snubby.

It's not as worthwhile as some think. Of course this will be different for everyone but you have to do the math first. Not all good deals are good deals when all is said and done. For me shipping and transfer kills any kind of deal.

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[Arik]

J-frame for sure, older without lock or newer no-lock642,442,640 pro. 5 for sure ,fires through pocket. Fires pushed into perps gut. Shield cannot! Shield is cheap auto! Reload your not on a swat team , harms way will be very close 5-6 feet. Up in your face.

5 rounds? Your not on a SWAT team

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[CAJUNLAWYER]

The revolver will fit in your front pants pocket easily.

The shield will not.

Hate to be the **** in the punch bowl here, but a glock 43 will. It's a bit smaller than the shield and can replace a revolver in all roles (my opinion).

Don't take that as meaning the glock is a better gun than the shield, it's just smaller and lighter. I have both a shield and a g43 and the are both fine guns. Just food for thought.

Look online for shield, you can get one for around $300 shipped before the rebare.

This.
My son got a shield and it is a NICE weapon but too big for front pocket carry (my preferred). He sold his cause he needed money and took my 638 I don't think I'm gonna get th 638 back and it's too bad cause it is a pre lock. That leaves me with my 337 and M&P380.....which ain't all that bad........
With the rebate going on and my Cabella points I just might but a shield-give it to the boy for a "memorial day present"and take back my 638

 

[Spokes]

I carry both. I shoot the pistol much better at closer range...

 

[sheepdawg]

Own a 9mm. Shield and it is a fine pistol but it seems I carry my old Colt Cobra more often. The weight difference is noticeable and the Colt just seems to fit my 6'2" 300 lb frame better. I don't feel under gunned at all with Speer 135 gr. short barrel 38 +P and a speed loader full in my pocket.

 

[Bob O]

I carry just a 642 mostly during warm weather, in my pocket or IWB, with one or two speed strips.

Weather and attire permitting, I carry the 642 as a backup to my 4" 357, loaded with magnum loads. Two strips of 38+P to use in either gun.



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