Shield, safety W/or WO?

[DartonJager]

I have been reading quite a few postings around the net sighting were a safety on a HG that will often be predominately carried IWB and occasionaly as a deep concealment HG is a serious safety consideration, especially if like me you STRONGLY prefer carrying IWB in front of your hip over your kidney area where your HGs barrel could end up pointed at your three best friends, especially while drawing or holstering.

On the surface this makes sense to me at least in theory, but would like to hear from others as well. As I'm a seasoned hunter with 40 years of chasing Deer, elk, turkeys as well as other critters under my belt, safeties on my firearms have always been there and use of them became pure muscle memory for me decades ago.

Does anyone think that even with proper training a thumb safety on a Shield would still be a idea with more cons than pros?

 

[Rastoff]

You've answered your own question. You don't trust your gun while pointed at yourself. Not only is this a rule 2 violation, it violates your own risk level of where you're carrying.

The thumb safety on the Shield is largely superfluous. Still, it's obviously something you need.

 

[kmanick]

I bought a shield without a safety .....but only because I'm left handed and it doesn't work for me on the side it's on. if it was ambi , I'd have one.
Because I don't have it I've left the ma compliant trigger as is which is 10.5 pounds.
it makes shooting this thing a bit tougher , but I feel a bit safer while carrying it. I may still have it done at some point, but for now this "is my safety"

 

[Smoke]

Why not use the search feature and read any of the numerous threads that have already been started on this topic

 

[markmiela]

I also got a Shield without a safety as I am left handed. I go back and forth about my decision because it would be nice to have but that one time I forget to turn it off and need it, well one less thing to worry about.

I will have to practice drawing and holstering while unloaded so I get it right. I will also leave the stock trigger on it as well.

 

[rock_castle]

Sounds like you need to buy one with the safety. Then you can choose to carry with it either on or off.

 

[Ballistic147]

I went with the NTS version. Had it a little over a year now and carry it regularly. So far, it still hasn't gone off all on it's own.

Truly, the choice is really up to you if you want a safety or not. I would suggest holding a Shield and see if you can reliably and consistently operate the thumb safety. I know a lot of folks that have trouble dealing with the tiny safety on the Shield including myself. Again, the decision is really up to you.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I hold the minority opinion of default preferring a safety on semiauto pistols.

I started bottomfeeding pistols with safeties, and always practiced and used the safety, so it is ingrained with me.

Yes, I accept the fact that with many modern designs, the gun is extremely unlikely to spontaneously go off in the holster. That is certainly a good thing, but I have other reasons I prefer on safe.

 

[Arik]

The gun is as safest you are. it will not discharge by itself. Not even if you fall on it.

In my opinion guns that require safeties should have them.

 

[Joe7]

I just ordered a Shield WITH the safety and it will be my first CCW.
My thoughts:
- I have a child.
- I expect to "practice" with it WAY more than I hope to ever "need" it.
- If practicing often enough, in the long term I think the time it will take to click the safety in an emergency situation will be near irrelevant.

- I know everyone is different and has their own opinions. Prior to ordering mine I got to use a friends Shield so I could get a feel for it. It's got the factory trigger and the safety as well. In my hand the safety was very easy to get to with my thumb. I have no shooting experience so I can't compare the trigger to anything else BUT I had zero issue with the 10 pound long pull. I also did not experience the "low left" that I keep reading about.

- I feel the most important thing is to constantly practice the same way you would edc. That way if the situation ever does come about everything will be second nature.

My thoughts on the matter anyway.

 

[PhilBob]

I, too, have opted for the Shield WITH safety as it is my first experience with a SA. After a time and with gained experience like many on this forum have I have no doubt I would feel comfortable with NO safety.

 

[Donn]

The thumb safety on the Shield is largely superfluous. Still, it's obviously something you need.

Rastoff's right on both counts. I have an early model Shield, they all had thumb safeties at first. I seldom use it, that said, it's a nice option to have. Get one with a safety for your own peace of mind.

 

[moxie]

Started out on 1911s. They have safeties. So all my autos have safeties. They all operate the same way. Simpler that way.

 

[Zebra War Wagon]

I prefer the safety as an added level of security against AD/ND especially IWB carry. In my Glocks, I installed the NY1 trigger that provide a 10 lb trigger pull since there are no manual safety options, but if they had a thumb safety, I would still use it.
I have found the Shields thumb safety to be a positive engagement not likely to disengage while carrying, a slim profile and an easy flip off when ready to fire.

 

[Pancakes&Syrup]

I bought one with a safety because I have a 6 and 3 year old at home. The safety is by no means unnecessary to all if it happens to be unnecessary to some.

 

[Smitty357]

The old saying goes. Id rather have it and not need it. Than need it and not have it.

With that said, Holster is the main thing here. A good holster wont engage the safety. I'm not saying anything is fool proof, dont get me wrong. But a good holster is far less likely to engage the safety accidentally. I've carried mine since day 1 and i've never had my safety accidentally be clicked on.

PS: If anyone carries a weapon with the safety on. IMO, they shouldnt be carrying at all. Because its clear that they dont trust their weapon. And if u dont trust ur weapon. How do u expect to trust it when ur life depends on it.

 

[Rastoff]

PS: If anyone carries a weapon with the safety on. IMO, they shouldnt be carrying at all. Because its clear that they dont trust their weapon. And if u dont trust ur weapon. How do u expect to trust it when ur life depends on it.

Seriously?

 

[Magload]

The problem with the safety as I see it is it is possible on a little pistol like the shield to bump the safety back on which can be a bad thing when you are trying to get a shot off and the trigger won't break. I use the safeties on my 1911s but they are a different gun. I have said it before on here but will repeat it again. The safety is between your ears use it.

 

[Smitty357]

Why not just carry un chambered. That way you always have it on safety. And when u need it, u need to build muscle memory to engage it.

Seriously its either on or off. You chose.....but just because something works for me. Doesnt mean it will work for you.

Im still yet to have a safety problem after carrying the Shield daily since the day it came on the market. The safety is soo small its almost impossible to engage it accidentally. Then again, your holster plays the part here.

 

[Jamesatrange]

I opted for no safety. The trigger mechanism on the shield is designed that the trigger has to be pulled all the way to push up the ultimate striker block which allows the firing pin to fully release and hit the cartridge primer. By design if the striker ever releases but the trigger isn't pulled the gun ultimate striker block should not allow the firing pin to fully release. With this design I'm comfortable without the safety and like the idea if I ever need to pull the trigger for self defense I don't have to remember to take a safety off.