Shield - Possible problem out of the box?

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onetuza

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I just paid full MSRP for a Shield at a gun show. I havent fired it yet, but did a fluff & buff and then checked it out with some snap caps

I'm afraid I may have a problem with the new Shield.  I read on some forums that it's supposed to have an audible trigger reset "click".  I don't seem to have it. Anybody else have this problem, or am
I doing something wrong?

Love the gun but have a few minor annoyances.
1. Don't like the safety.
2. Serrations on the slide are not as sharp nor deep as
my full size M&P 9, and it sure could use it.
3. Don't like the way the 8 round mag continues to the back of grip, hanging up on the bottom of my palm when the mag release is pushed.

(it's not easy. Ring a Virgo 😁)
 
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The reset "click" on mine can be heard but it is not loud. If you are in a bit of a noisy area you would not hear it. Mine also has a slight tactile "click" that I can feel when it resets.

As far as the rest of the gun goes, the one thing people need to recognize is that although S&W named this gun an M&P and styled it after the M&P, it is not just some cut down of the M&P. The fundamental design is reasonably different regardless of its looks.

Although I'm not a big fan of safeties, the safety was well done if the gun was going to have one. It has a positive click as it is actuated and is in the right place for the thumb to easily take it off.

I would expect that a number of people will like the safety, especially those who were concerned about carrying a round in the chamber for CCW - those people can probably use the safety to feel more comfortable now.

You may just need some time to get used to the gun. Like I said earlier, it's its own gun, not just a cut down M&P. So far the Shield has been one of the most reliable guns "on day 1" I have seen in years. Its most similar adversary, the Walther PPS, has proven to be a great gun, but did have a few hiccups in the beginning.

I will admit, the grip is taking me some time to get used to, but it has quickly proven itself as a great gun for the difficult niche that it fits into.
 
I noted right off that mine doesn't have the audible trigger reset that was mentioned about this pistol, which is fine with me, and I haven't had any issue out if it at all.
 
1. Don't use it.

2. Mine seem to be just fine; more like a "scaled down" version, i.e. if I were to expand the slide to M&P full size dimensions, they would be just as deep, although the ones on the Shield seem just as sharp to me.

3. Agree about the magazine. I can't "free fall" the magazine as I'd like to, but without the extended mag, I don't like the feel of the gun in my hand. It seems to point differently for me with the flat base plate, and also seems to move slightly more in my hand during recoil; I don't have any issues accuracy-wise with either base, I just prefer the extended. I will be ordering more of those for mine.
 
Have you noticed that the manual says the Sheild comes in models with one or the other of two different types of cartridge indicators, and that some may come with a mag safety? I would have liked the mag safety to be consistent with my full sized M&P 9
 
Probably just printed material geared towards compliant state issued guns in the near future.
 
Just shoot it.
Leave the safety off.
Pull the trigger AND HOLD IT TO THE REAR, slowly allow trigger to move forward some and you should hear the reset.
 
FWIW, I saw a post/thread somewhere in this forum last wk about being able to easily remove the safety switch and that S&W even makes/sells a dead plug for the opening. I don't mind the safety myself so haven't looked into this but thought it worth passing on. I also will add that after 4 range outings, I like the Shield more and more all the time. Never did have anything I disliked about it, just think that sometimes the more you use something, the better you'll like it. Just my 0.02.
 
I agree with NucPhysics. I'm not a huge fan of safeties on this type of pistol either, but this one is done well. I have an old Hi-Power with the small safety. I've learned to use the inside of my thumb knuckle to flip the safety lever up and down on that piece, and the technique is the same with the Shield. The placement is similar as well.

If you don't want to use the safety, and you've got it sleeved in a pocket holster or something, then don't use it. I think flipping on the safety while getting it snugly holstered, and then flipping it off while carrying is a nice option. Could save your fingers or toes! Also, I know in the near future we'll be lightening up the triggers on these, and I'd prefer a safety then since the trigger pull is relatively short.

Gripping the pistol is a bit challenging, and we'll all have to learn what works best. My hands are large, so I think I'll be needing some Talon grip help soon. Also, this might be the first gun that I seriously try to use my middle finger for trigger work. Those of you who've studied this a bit know that it changes the mechanics at work in the hand when gripping and firing a handgun. It seems perfect for this application. Thumb and forefinger stay nice and high to get the pistol deep in the web of the hand, with no slide interference since the body is just slightly thicker than the slide. Using your middle finger to press the trigger reduces the "squeeze and twist" action of the hand, minimizing pulling of the gun as you approach the trigger break point. Also, now all your fingers are on the grip.

Dry firing is easy with this gun too. It's only necessary to pull the slide back about 3/8" to reset the trigger after dropping the pin, which is really nice. Try the middle finger technique and see how it feels to you when you get one in your hands!

I think the pistol is a real winner. The only other real consideration for me was the Walther PPS, but the mag release and the flat-sided grip body just fell short. The slight stagger-stack on the Shield is a great compromise, if there is such a thing as a great conpromise. My chief complaint, if you can call it that, is the relatively high break force on the trigger. Otherwise, this baby is about as close as you can get to a single-action feel in a striker-fired pistol. So in the future with a lighter trigger, a safety would make me feel better when carrying it loose in a pocket (like in my motorcyclig jacket).
 
I haven't found anything wrong with it .. except I wish I could buy lots of mags cheap .. lol
 
Shoot it Lizabeth! Takes about 200 rounds to get the full experience and confidence. I'm ready to take mine Coyote hunting if the regs allow.
 
OK, this isn't easy but, my bad. My Shield does indeed have the audible trigger re-set. I had a brain fart and wasn't holding the trigger back while dry firing and recycling and then letting the trigger re-set. Duh! My appologies to all as I exit with my tail between my legs.
 
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