So you would have no problem carrying a cocked, single action, hammer-fired pistol with no manual safety in a proper holster that covers the trigger?
Shield Plus: pull too light, too short?
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So you would have no problem carrying a cocked, single action, hammer-fired pistol with no manual safety in a proper holster that covers the trigger?
mmb617
Member
I'm always hearing about what **** triggers the 1.0 Shields have, yet I can't see any appreciable difference between the trigger on my 1.0 9mm Shield and the ones on my 2.0 Compacts, one of which is a 9mm and the other a .45. Maybe I just got lucky and have a better than average trigger on my 1.0 Shield.
I also have a Ruger Security 9mm, and if you want to talk about **** triggers we could offer that as exhibit A. Actually if we were talking about **** guns in general I could offer that one as an example.
I also have a Ruger Security 9mm, and if you want to talk about **** triggers we could offer that as exhibit A. Actually if we were talking about **** guns in general I could offer that one as an example.
I truly don't know what it is about this forum and the obsession with pocket carry. Everywhere else I go you'll hear about it every now and then with an LCP or J frame, usually in a jacket pocket, but always in a holster that covers the trigger. The weight of the trigger is fine, just get a proper holster that covers the trigger guard and wear it on a belt as is the intent. Shoot, I wear pants that fit well and I don't think I could ever carry something the size of a shield in a front pocket and have it not look absurd.
My Shields are for holster carry, only my Kahrs get pocket carry.
Smith and Wesson established a clear precedent for safe pocket carry—heck, for pocket firing in an emergency—with their Bodyguard and Centennial revolver models. Pocket carry without a holster is no radical idea; it's been done for decades and requires a safe trigger.
The great revolution of the Glock era, to me, is the creation of semi auto handguns with revolver-like simplicity and reliability, but with the advantage of much more thinness and compactness than even the snubnose classics referred to above. If the Shield plus has such a light trigger that pocket carry requires a manual safety, then the compelling simplicity of the striker pistol is defeated. Ironically Smith improved on most Glock models for compactness and thinness with the original Shield. And the SDT trigger of the SDVE pistols is really an advance in safety over the typical striker pistol. If only Smith could combine the two, we'd have a pocket carry wonder. I will try to find a new Original Shield 9 and substitute a heavier SD trigger return spring that I have, to simulate a bit of that SDVE safety advantage.
My Shield 1.0 that I bought for 200 bucks new after rebate was an excellent pistol regardless of the cost. The trigger was heavy for a target gun but what I considered perfect for a small self defense gun. Since the Shields are so small I would want a heavier trigger because in a hurry its harder for me to get a proper grip and my trigger finger properly located than it is with a full size gun.
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Ruger Nut
US Veteran
SOMETIMES!
And, after DECADES of carrying like this SOMETIMES, I have YET to have one geaux off!
There are PLENTY of people in this world that carry without a holster, and, like me, they too have common sense and are safe.
Don't be a hater.
Plenty of people drive drunk and never kill anyone, or have an accident. Doesn't make it safe.
It's just like the trap morons that rest there shotgun barrel on there feet. It's "safe" until they literally shoot themselves in the foot.
The only people I see carrying without a holster are actors in movies, they are always shoving a pistol into their pants, then running around, jumping over walls, etc.
I prefer to have my pistol where I expect it to be when I reach for it, and that will only happen when it's in a holster specifically made for that pistol.
And that's not even getting in to the whole safety aspect of it.
I prefer to have my pistol where I expect it to be when I reach for it, and that will only happen when it's in a holster specifically made for that pistol.
And that's not even getting in to the whole safety aspect of it.
Triggers come in lots of variations. On most guns, the S&W M&P lines in particular, one can adjust trigger pull to their desires.
On my striker fired pistols I like to have a 4.5 to 5.5 pound trigger. I have adjusted all my striker fired pistols to have this trigger pull weight. I have also been able to adjust the length of pull and over travel on most of them. This has given me a similar trigger pull on all of my striker fired pistols.
If one is too light or too heavy or too long or too gritty I adjust it. Springs, stones, parts.
S&W would not manufacture and market a striker fired pistol with too light/short a trigger pull. If some one thinks it may be too light/short, have it adjusted or buy something else. It's a personal preference not a gun problem. It is certainly not inherently unsafe.
On my striker fired pistols I like to have a 4.5 to 5.5 pound trigger. I have adjusted all my striker fired pistols to have this trigger pull weight. I have also been able to adjust the length of pull and over travel on most of them. This has given me a similar trigger pull on all of my striker fired pistols.
If one is too light or too heavy or too long or too gritty I adjust it. Springs, stones, parts.
S&W would not manufacture and market a striker fired pistol with too light/short a trigger pull. If some one thinks it may be too light/short, have it adjusted or buy something else. It's a personal preference not a gun problem. It is certainly not inherently unsafe.
Retired Smokeybear
Member
I just purchased the new Shield Plus 9mm. The 13 round magazine does not take 13 rounds of 9mm 115gr JHP!!! It'll only take 12 rounds!! When I tried 124gr 9mm round nose, it'll take the full 13!! Anyone have an idea why this is??? Thanks.....
familyman357
Member
You have weak thumbs?
Just kidding. As you already know, getting that 13th round in is pretty tight under the best of circumstances. I would presume that the profile of the 115gr JHP bullet is causing the rounds to stack just differently enough in the magazine to prevent the 13th round. Which ammo are you experiencing this with?
familyman357
Member
I've found the Shield Plus trigger to be fine, but I'm used to Glock pistols and the idea that the finger stays off the trigger altogether until you're ready to shoot and that any pistol carried in a pocket should be in a holster that covers the trigger guard.
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Skeptic 9c
Member
I am amazed at the current trend for light triggers without any manual safety. Then again my SW9VE has had mods to lighten the original trigger. I suspect the lightest handgun triggers I have are the 4.5 lb. military minimum on my Colt S70 Mk. IV and early Springfield 1911. Both with manual and grip safety.
There are many incensed complaints on the net about the "Massively Heavy" trigger on the Kahr pistols. Compared to what, I wonder?
Geoff
Who notes triggers are a highly individual taste.
There are many incensed complaints on the net about the "Massively Heavy" trigger on the Kahr pistols. Compared to what, I wonder?
Geoff
Who notes triggers are a highly individual taste.
I agree completely; from my perspective, this is getting to be a problem. It seems that ever since the Walther PPQ trigger there's been a "race to the bottom" with trigger pulls. If this now means safeties are mandatory with new striker mechanism guns, we've undone the advantages of revolver-like simplicity this mechanism offers for semi automatic pistols.
Depending on redundant mechanical safeties to replace safe gun handling is more of a problem than modern designs.
What gun company will purposefully sell a gun in today's litigious world that does not meet safety standards? The answer is not one.
A trigger pull can be made too light for safety of masses of shooters, no doubt. It just won't be done by the manufacturer.
The speed with which a self defense firearm may need to be put into action makes handling the gun different than a range/target gun. Adding a redundant safety is a personal choice usually offered by manufacturers. Buy it if you need it, but don't criticize those who don't. This is 2021, not 1921. Firearms have evolved. Some shooters have not.
What gun company will purposefully sell a gun in today's litigious world that does not meet safety standards? The answer is not one.
A trigger pull can be made too light for safety of masses of shooters, no doubt. It just won't be done by the manufacturer.
The speed with which a self defense firearm may need to be put into action makes handling the gun different than a range/target gun. Adding a redundant safety is a personal choice usually offered by manufacturers. Buy it if you need it, but don't criticize those who don't. This is 2021, not 1921. Firearms have evolved. Some shooters have not.
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I agree with the OP. The Shield V1 has about the correct trigger for the type of gun it is. I find mine to be just fine. It also has a safety. I do not carry with the safety on as I feel the gun is safe carried that way due to it's length of pull and resistance. I do use a holster but do carry IWB. For IWB I prefer to holster the gun and then stow the holstered gun inside the waistband. If I holster the gun with the holster already in place I engage the safety, holster the gun while confirming there is no added resistance (shirttail, etc.) and then disengage the safety for normal carry. I never carry that type of gun OWB like I would a duty gun where the holster will be more substantial and stiffer and less likely to have the complication of clothing interference, etc., providing the carrier is paying attention. That's why I'm comfortable carrying my light trigger G19 without a safety in a proper OWB holster, using care. Apples and oranges. Of course no gun should ever be holstered without conscious caution.
IMHO I feel such guns (and yeah I'll loosely use the term pocket pistol) should have a reasonably heavy trigger with a longer pull. If you want a target type trigger put it on your target gun.
IMHO I feel such guns (and yeah I'll loosely use the term pocket pistol) should have a reasonably heavy trigger with a longer pull. If you want a target type trigger put it on your target gun.
Oink, I respect your years of police experience—and your service.
I was stewing on this Shield Plus trigger experience, partly based on the fact that the only concealed carry I do is usually pocket carry on my land in one of my old BDU jackets leftover from my time in the service. But I was also thinking about a night not too long ago when I heard a crash on the back porch in the middle of the night, silence, then another. I live in the middle of 100 acres in rural Mississippi, and the chance that a human could be causing such a ruckus at 3AM is near zero. Likely a raccoon, one of my dogs etc. But I got up after second crash with my Gold Cup in my hand, on safety, approached the door, went out, and realized my finger was on the trigger—a 3.5# trigger that moves only 1/16" if that, and breaks like glass. A clear error on my part. A training issue. Normally I keep the SD9VE near the bed with it's ideal 1/4" steady pull trigger and that helpful stippled trigger finger pad on the frame to remind dummies like me how to remember the basics. A trained, experienced police officer like Oink will remember the basics. The half-asleep homeowner may not. Based on all of this I've been stewing about triggers lately and I really appreciate all the intelligent, thoughtful replies. Thanks.
I was stewing on this Shield Plus trigger experience, partly based on the fact that the only concealed carry I do is usually pocket carry on my land in one of my old BDU jackets leftover from my time in the service. But I was also thinking about a night not too long ago when I heard a crash on the back porch in the middle of the night, silence, then another. I live in the middle of 100 acres in rural Mississippi, and the chance that a human could be causing such a ruckus at 3AM is near zero. Likely a raccoon, one of my dogs etc. But I got up after second crash with my Gold Cup in my hand, on safety, approached the door, went out, and realized my finger was on the trigger—a 3.5# trigger that moves only 1/16" if that, and breaks like glass. A clear error on my part. A training issue. Normally I keep the SD9VE near the bed with it's ideal 1/4" steady pull trigger and that helpful stippled trigger finger pad on the frame to remind dummies like me how to remember the basics. A trained, experienced police officer like Oink will remember the basics. The half-asleep homeowner may not. Based on all of this I've been stewing about triggers lately and I really appreciate all the intelligent, thoughtful replies. Thanks.
Skeptic 9c
Member
I note the local low price of the Shield + is $499.99 for a Shield + with a manual safety.
Geoff
Who really should do trigger pull tests on all his personal battery.
Geoff
Who really should do trigger pull tests on all his personal battery.
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