Shield - overall opinion as an EDC

[SSW1911]

We are still waiting for the Shield to be available here in Massachusetts.

There is a whirlwind of hype around the Shield here. Is it justified or just people enamored with something we can't get (yet)????

Some gun stores are expecting a huge run on them here and have actually started pre-sales lists.

I got to put one round through a 40 at a match, that is it.

It appears to potentionally be a great EDC. The forcasted price point doesn't look bad.

Overall are people who have them happy or unhappy with the shield??

 

[Electraclyde]

I have the 9mm shield. I have about 400 rounds thru it so far. It could be an EDC if/when the holster makers catch up with it as well as the makers of night sights. So far there is very little of either avaliable for this gun. What little is out there is just not good enough. My normal EDC is a Springfield EMP 9mm. The Shield is smaller and could become my EDC, but not yet.

 

[Pakwaan]

My EDC was a Rohrbaugh 9mm, which is a great pocketable 9mm - smallest one on the market, same size as a LCP .380 or a Kel-Tec P3AT, but in 9mm. However, it has been replaced by the Shield 40 for 3 reasons

1. It's a 40 instead of a 9mm, which is closer to my preferred caliber - .45 - my 1911 is just too big in shorts and tshirt when it's 93 degrees.

2. It feels more substantial and easier to wield - the grip on a tiny gun like the Rohrbaugh or a Kel-tec is just a little too small; the Shield reminds me of my old Glock 19 without the thickness that gives it away under a shirt. It doesn't seem truly pocketable like the smaller Rohrbaugh, but it disappears in a IWB holster.

3. The Rohrbaugh is $1100.... No sense leaving that much tied up in a gun when the Shield feels better to me for 1/3 the price.

 

[sticknstring]

Mine is a 40 and I love it! Has never failed in any way, I trust it completely.

 

[Martimus]

I have the 9mm shield. I have about 400 rounds thru it so far. It could be an EDC if/when the holster makers catch up with it as well as the makers of night sights. So far there is very little of either avaliable for this gun. What little is out there is just not good enough. My normal EDC is a Springfield EMP 9mm. The Shield is smaller and could become my EDC, but not yet.

I also have both a 9mm EMP and a 9mm Shield. For grins I grabbed my calipers and measured the two to see exactly how different they were:

1. At the muzzle the Shield is thinner (21.7mm vs 23.2mm)
2. Just ahead of the serrations, the Shield is barely thinner (22.9mm vs 23.18mm)
3. At the grips, the Shield is thinner (24mm vs 28.3mm)
4. Standing on it's magazine, the Shield is shorter (111mm vs 127mm)
5. From the muzzle to the back of the rear sight (my Shield has Trijicon HD's so this measurement may differ from someone elses), the Shield is longer (146mm vs 133mm)
6. If, on the other hand you measure from the muzzle to the rear of the beavertail, the EMP is closer to 165mm

Weight-wise is definitely where the polymer Shield shines... with a 7 rounds of 115gr Gold Dot in the magazine and one round chambered, the Shield weights 24.35 ounces. With 8 rounds of 115gr Gold Dot in the magazine and one round chambered, the EMP weighs 30.45 ounces.


From a holster standpoint, N82 Tactical makes a holster that fits both pistols perfectly. It's their compact tuckable holster. I currently use that holster for both and they both stay securely in it.

 

[805moparkid]

check out my thread...

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-m-p-pistols/267660-range-report-shield-40-a.html

 

[Marshal Tom]

I am a 1911 Guy and love the .45 but I was looking for something small and light to carry concealed. I never liked the Glock 26/27 platform because thay are so thick and do not point well for me. I looked at the Shield and purchased one in 9mm. I really like it. I have had no problems with it what so ever and would highly recommend it as an EDC. I purchased the 9mm thinking that it would be a more suitable caliber than the .40 in this small a pistol. Given the problems with the 40 Shield, I am glad that I went with the 9mm. Great little Pistol. My EDC is a M&P 340 but I often carry thew Shield instead.

Tom

 

[Hunterfz6]

.40 shield

I have the shield in .40 cal. I got a crossbreed IWB holster and it is by far the most comfortable gun I have ever carried. I'm not worried about capacity as 6+1 self defense rounds is enough for where I live. Once I send mine back to the factory to address the 7 round mag drop, and I shoot it at the range to verify it's fixed, it's gonna be perfect.

 

[camper]

Have both 9 and 40 and pocket or IWB them with no problems. 376 rounds through the 40 and fewer through the 9. Night sights are the next expenditure.

 

[robkarrob]

I think my Shield 40 is a perfect carry gun. The stock Shield is a very good gun. Mine has been modified a little. I've added an Apex trigger kit, over travel stop, Glock trigger spring, oversized grip, for my large hands, Lasermax, and Talon grip. It has a great trigger action, great grip, and is easy to shoot.

Had the mag drop issue, but that is now fixed. All new Shield owners will not have to worry about that issue anymore. The Shield in either caliber is a great carry gun.

Bob

 

[randyj]

"All new Shield owners will not have to worry about that issue anymore."

I purchased a new Shield in .40 this past July...with a test fired date of June 6th. Would this gun be considered part of the "newer batch" that has had the mag drop problem fixed?

Hahaha...of course I should disclose that I have not had a mag drop issue, but I was curious if I just got lucky or if this gun actually was one that had been modified/fixed with a new production run.

 

[Droid]

I have about 300 through my shield 9 and it's definitely the most comfortable of my carry options. My perfect fit (for shooting) is my G27 though.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

 

[mudman bob]

My vote goes to the 9mm as my EDC as well. Superbly accurate and not a single viable complaint.

 

[805moparkid]

"All new Shield owners will not have to worry about that issue anymore."

I purchased a new Shield in .40 this past July...with a test fired date of June 6th. Would this gun be considered part of the "newer batch" that has had the mag drop problem fixed?

Hahaha...of course I should disclose that I have not had a mag drop issue, but I was curious if I just got lucky or if this gun actually was one that had been modified/fixed with a new production run.

there is no for sure fixed from the factory batch yet as i bought mine on Sept 5th and it was test fired 8/20ish and dosn't have updated mags... fixed them myself and have been playing with tape for best fit (as i think FTF is due to rounds hitting the slide lock or to tight mag spring)

 

[vigil617]

I've carried my Shield 40 every day for the past month since getting a Mika pocket holster. This is my first carry experience. What I can tell you is that I'm sure I could get a smaller pistol, but the Shield is the real deal, and though some posters will argue it's too big for pocket carry, I respectfully disagree. No problems at all with my 40; it was from a late spring production run, and I received it in early June. Sorry you are having to wait there in Massachusetts to get one, but once you have it, I think you will like it.

The so-called "hype" of the Shields is a bit misnamed, I think, as what you are seeing are the responses of very satisfied owners over the past six months since it hit the shelves -- not some overblown ad campaign months before the pistol even comes available (wink, wink -- Springfield XDS).

It's true that some 40s had a mag drop issue, and S&W needed to address it, but don't let that discourage you from getting one in that caliber. The fix can be done at home or by sending it back to S&W.

The pistol is a worthy addition to the proven M&P line. I wish it had been available in a 45, but I'm happy with the 40 and wouldn't change at this point. The Springfield EMP 45 looks sweet as an alternative, but I can't stand a price that high when around four bills gets me a Shield.

Hope you're Shielded soon, Bay Stater!

 

[rmm911]

M&P Shield 9mm Availability

This gun is not available anywhere. Effective advertising and short supply is driving the hype. I am on multiple lists to be notified when the gun is available but I am not holding my breath. Those dealers who are taking orders say that because of the pending orders already placed, any order placed today will take at least six months to be filled. That is very discouraging. The gun was released six months ago and it looks like S&W could step up production.

 

[Lost Lake]

Apple is expected to sell 10 million iPhone 5's in ten days...

Maybe S&W should have Apple build the Shield for them.

 

[robkarrob]

A picture is worth a 1000 words. Mag on the right is what I received back from S&W as the repair for the mag drop problem. The arrows point out the new "bump". The mag on the left is my old mag that I punched out using a 3/32 inch punch. I now have 4 mags and none drop out anymore.

 

[Steve89052]

Bob,
I was wondering how you liked your LaserMax?

 

[vigil617]

A picture is worth a 1000 words. Mag on the right is what I received back from S&W as the repair for the mag drop problem. The arrows point out the new "bump". The mag on the left is my old mag that I punched out using a 3/32 inch punch. I now have 4 mags and none drop out anymore.

Great job here, Rob. This is the best illustration I have seen anywhere on the Forum of what the mag drop solution is all about. I hope you will post this on as many of the threads about the issue as you can find. I think Shield owners and potential buyers will easily see that, while this certainly was an issue that needed to be addressed, "the sky is not falling" with regard to the Shield 40. Kudos!