Shield Range Report

[epj]

Took my new Shield 9 to the range today. I expected to like it, but in fact I like it a lot. Almost love it. I've been carrying a KelTec PF9 for several years. It's reliable, accurate and not real pleasant to shoot. Not as unpleasant as the P3AT, but still not something I would want to spend the day at the range with. The Shield is almost identical to the PF9 in size. The Shield is just a smidge bigger, like a quarter inch longer. The Shield feels at least 50% heavier. The extra weight along with the ergonomic grip really soaks up a noticeable amount of recoil. The Shield was really pleasant to shoot. At a range of 7-8 yards, which I personally think is cheating, I could keep all 8 rounds in the 10 ring of a 25 yd target. This was deliberate fire, probably 1 second between shots. I then put up another target and emptied the gun as fast as I could pull the trigger. 7 of the 8 were on the paper (8X10 roughly) No clue where #8 went. Probably low, left.
I can do a little better with my 9mm 1911, but not a whole lot. I also tried the flush fit mag which I thought I wouldn't like. Surprisingly, I really couldn't tell the difference. I do think the extended mag feels better, but it doesn't seem to shoot any better in my hands at least.
I ran some plates and steel bowling pins, first with the Shield, and then with the Trojan 9. Obviously the Trojan was faster, but not by much. The Shield made a real positive impression on me. There were zero malfunctions. Ammo was cast lead reloads, 125 gr @ about 1050 from the 1911. Another hundred rounds or two and the Shield will be my #1 carry gun.

 

[Smitty357]

Congrats on the buy. It grows on you more and more each time you take it to the range. Of course u can do better with ur 1911 (we all do, lol). Accuracy is hard to beat the 1911. But man does the Shield carry so easily. I carry mine 12+ hours a day and most of the time i almost forget its there. Actually i could forget its there, but if i ever needed it i would hope i remembered it was there LMAO.

I've tried many of them from the range to the every day CC. The Shield IMO is still sitting on the top (for CC). Now if S&W happens to make a .45 one day. I believe i'll have one the moment UPS drops it off at my LGS.

 

[GregoryJ]

Congrats on the new Shield. I have had mine for about a year now. Sold my PF-9 a while back because I just never wanted to shoot it after getting the Shield.

FYI, I CC my Shield in a GALCO STO652 holster.

 

[Plinker99]

I've had the opportunity to try it once at 7 yards with results similar to yours.

I normally go to a public range and the pistol targets are at 15 yards. Man is it tough for me to be accurate with my Shield at that distance. Any errors in technique are REALLY amplified. I'll get there though. it is a real pleasure shooting it.

 

[epj]

7 yards is cheating. I didn't try a target from 15 yards, but shooting plates at that range was pretty much a cake walk.

 

[RussC]

I've had the opportunity to try it once at 7 yards with results similar to yours.

I normally go to a public range and the pistol targets are at 15 yards. Man is it tough for me to be accurate with my Shield at that distance. Any errors is technique are REALLY amplified. I'll get there though. it is a real pleasure shooting it.

Plinker

If you want a challenge try XS Big Dot on your Shield. After a few hundred rounds I can shoot 1 1/2 inch groups at 7 yards.

Russ

 

[tlh]

I rented a Shield .40 at the range two weeks ago and liked how it felt a lot - result was a brand new one for Father's Day yesterday. I was wondering how others liked it and for holster suggestions - this thread answered both. Question - what is an XS Big Dot? A sight?
tlh

 

[Water-Man]

If you are interested in Kydex, I highly recommend the Raven Concealment Systems Phantom holster.

It's not inexpensive but you get what you pay for.

 

[Michiganbob]

I've had a P11 Keltec for two years and bought a 9mm shield yesterday and took it to the range. What a great gun, need to fet a holster yet. Any suggestions?

 

[2tango2]

Question - what is an XS Big Dot? A sight?
tlh

Yes, I'm looking at that sight as well

XS Sight Systems - Sights

 

[Tinn-Can]

I just wish there were a belt clip option for the shield like there is for the keltec... Having to wear a holster all the time kind of defeats the purpose of a small gun...

 

[dhg]

I've had a P11 Keltec for two years and bought a 9mm shield yesterday and took it to the range. What a great gun, need to fet a holster yet. Any suggestions?

I carry my Shield 9 in a Comp-tac CTAC IWB. A great holster. I am also considering getting a Comp-tac Minotaur MTAC as I have heard it's even more comfortable.

 

[zeddic]

I use an old faithful holster IWB ($40 + ship if you get the build it yourself kit, $75 otherwise) most of the time. In a pinch I also use a remora holster for those rare times I go out without a belt, but I much prefer using a kydex/hybrid holster vs the remora. I also have tried to use an old faithful AIWB holster but it's just not for me, no matter what I do I can't wear it comfortably.

 

[2tango2]

I use an old faithful holster IWB ($40 + ship if you get the build it yourself kit, $75 otherwise) most of the time. In a pinch I also use a remora holster for those rare times I go out without a belt, but I much prefer using a kydex/hybrid holster vs the remora. I also have tried to use an old faithful AIWB holster but it's just not for me, no matter what I do I can't wear it comfortably.

Do you find the Old Faithful comfortable ? IWB is new to me and I'm not finding that holster too comfortable What position do you wear it? Also what pegs do you have clips set at?

 

[xodondum]

here are 3 options:

Nylon Black Vertical Cell Phone Holster with Belt Loop & Clip [BD849] - $24.50 : Bulldog Cases!, Nothing protects your gun like a Bulldog

Concealed Gun Cell Phone Holster for s w M P Shield 9mm | eBay

http://www.sneakypeteholsters.com/m-p-shield-40-sneaky-pete-holster-belt-clip/

I just wish there were a belt clip option for the shield like there is for the keltec... Having to wear a holster all the time kind of defeats the purpose of a small gun...

 

[uslawman1983]

Shield report - the first 120 rounds

Went to the range yesterday with my new Shield 40 and put the first 120 rounds thru it. . All I can say is AWESOME! What a sweet shootin' gun! I put the first dozen rounds thru it just to test it out and no issues to report. Then I put it thru a few combat courses of fire 3 - 10 yards out and it performed exceptionally as you'd expect from a quality firearm like S&W, accurate and reliable. I also pushed a few rounds out to the 15 yard line wondering how accurate this short barreled (3.1") gun would be. No problems, I ten-ringed 4 out of 5 rounds. Only the test of time will determine it's durability but I'm not having any worries about it. Make it official, I'm in love with S&W again.

 

[zeddic]

Do you find the Old Faithful comfortable ? IWB is new to me and I'm not finding that holster too comfortable What position do you wear it? Also what pegs do you have clips set at?

I wear it at 4 o'clock position and have the pegs at the highest holes (holster sits as far down IWB as possible) I have several Old faithful holsters for different guns even my m&p fs and can wear it comfortably all day. I find that I need a tight fitting garment underneath the holster (dri-fit) to make it ad comfortable as possible.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

[swv]

Panther Concealment or PJs holsters are the two holsters that I use the most.
I have a few of the hybrids and just cant warm up to them. They seem to have a lot of leather for such a small gun.
I guess its just me because most people seem to love them.

 

[e-jism]

Like the design of the PJ holsters. Ordered one for my Shield about 10 weeks back. Hopefully it will come in soon.

 

[swv]

He is way behind. He used to get them out in two weeks or so but a few things happened to put him behind.
I think you will find its worth the wait.
I have one for all of the guns I carry regularly.