Shield Plus questions...

[coleslaw]

Finally going to buy one in 9mm, to compliment my full size assortment.

I'm leaning towards a thumb safety, optic cut or one with the CT sight installed from the factory.

I do not currently have a handgun with a RDS on it. Thumb safety because I like my 1911 and I'm used to it. Plus I like the added layer of safety.

I don't see the 13951 Shield, with the CT installed, on the website, but there are a few out there for sale. Discontinued?

Opinions? Get the optic cut model and put something else on it? CT GTG? Issues with the thumb safety model?

Thanks for any input.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I own a Shield + MOS and have carried it for about a year. It is the bug out model with extra mags and other accesories. The Shield + was the had to have gun when I bought it. Now that position has been filled by a Sig 365.

It shoots and carries very well. I do not think I will put an optic on it. I tried a 365 with a Romeo on it but could not get used to the optic. I did like the optic for longer shots. I may add the 365 with a Holosun eventually. But for now, the Shield + is my choice.

 

[CouchPotato]

You're probably better off getting a non-optics ready version and then getting it milled by a reputable company to fit exactly the optic that you want.

I'd recommend either the Holosun 507K with the ACSS reticle or otherwise the Holosun EPS Carry with whatever reticle you like.

 

[Beju]

SKU 13951 doesn't seem to be officially discontinued, but it may as well be if they're not making it anymore.

If so, the reason is probably that the CTS-1550(?) just isn't that competitive of a micro-dot these days. It's rated at 20,000+ hours, but they're a bit coy on what brightness level that is. Power consumption increases at a greater than linear rate with brightness. 20,000 hours isn't necessarily terrible if that's at a usable brightness level, but you also have to remove the CTS-1500 family to change the battery, which means re-zeroing with your carry load (not bulk 115 gr).

The small Holosuns (407K/507K/EPS Carry) are simply better optics. They're more durable, have more efficient emitters, and have side load batteries so you don't have to remove them for battery changes. So no re-zeroing and no replacing bolts (optimally, you do that when you remove the optic) when you replace the optic.

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea to get an optics cut model without an optic attached, but the potential issue there is that some of the Shield/Shield Plus with the RMS-C cut have a downward slope to the optics cut that can make them impossible to zero with non-CT optics. It was a rolling change, so my understanding is that there's no way to be sure without popping off the optics cover plate and seeing if there are rear posts. If there are, it's an RMSC cut. If there are no back posts, it's a Holosun K cut (modified RMSC).

The Shield Plus that I purchased in November had the dreaded negative slope, so I sent it to Nameless Armament who corrected that, milled off the back posts, modified the front posts, and cerakoted the cut for ~$120 shipped.

I would also caution that you'll need a fair amount of reps to be proficient acquiring the dot in a hurry. Small pistol plus small window optic is learning to shoot with a red dot in hard mode.

I don't really have an opinion of the thumb safety other than to say to try it before you buy it. Most pistol safeties are not as 'nice' as a good 1911 safety. The Shield/Shield Plus are slim CC pistols, so the safety is a compromise between ease of engagement and concealment needs.

 

[coleslaw]

You're probably better off getting a non-optics ready version and then getting it milled by a reputable company to fit exactly the optic that you want.

I'd recommend either the Holosun 507K with the ACSS reticle or otherwise the Holosun EPS Carry with whatever reticle you like.

Or the XS sight, which I do have and like, maybe?

 

[Hawg Rider]

A couple of years ago I traded in my PC Shield 9mm for a PC Shield Plus 9mm. I really like both pistols, but went for the extra rounds. I also went with the thumb safety because I sometimes carry AIWB and the safety gives me a warm tummy feeling that the family jewels are better protected! Of course practice is key to proper and safe AIWB drawing and holstering. The PC Shield Plus is a great handgun with ported barrel and FO sights, and it's my primary EDC. I really don't see a need for an optic on a short barrel carry pistol because the FO sights should work fine for any potential close encounters. And besides, I often just pocket carry the Shield Plus and an optic wouldn't draw well from a pocket. Good luck with your decision.

 

[RobzGuns]

I went Optics ready. The Thumb Safety model was the only one my LGS had at the time (I simply leave it in the Off position). The Optics ready model came with taller iron sights, which allow co-witnessing, should you want that capability.

I ended up going with the Holosun EPS-Carry, which is basically built for narrower 9mm, like the Shields, Slimline Glocks, etc. The EPS-Carry mounted right up with no issues.

As it turns out, (For Me) RDOs don't really improve my accuracy, or speed, but it is a decent training aid for those who want to improve their draw stroke alignment.

 

[357 shooter]

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea to get an optics cut model without an optic attached, but the potential issue there is that some of the Shield/Shield Plus with the RMS-C cut have a downward slope to the optics cut that can make them impossible to zero with non-CT optics. It was a rolling change, so my understanding is that there's no way to be sure without popping off the optics cover plate and seeing if there are rear posts. If there are, it's an RMSC cut. If there are no back posts, it's a Holosun K cut (modified RMSC).

The Shield Plus that I purchased in November had the dreaded negative slope, so I sent it to Nameless Armament who corrected that, milled off the back posts, modified the front posts, and cerakoted the cut for ~$120 shipped.

The one I bought wouldn't zero with a Holosun 407K or Sig Romeo Zero. Smith's Customer Service response was to contact the optics manufacturer. Really? My response was to get another version of the P365. I'm done with Smith and Wesson when they no longer stand behind their product.

 

[lkabug]

I have the Shield Plus model (sku 13951) with the CT optic.
It's not pre-installed but easy enough to do so. Many folks looks down on the CT products for various reasons. But I have no complaints about mine. Works as well as Holosum I have on other semi-autos.