Bonephish
Member
I am about to pull the trigger 
Djust sayin'.)
Djust sayin'.)
Talk me out of buying a Shield .45
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Wee Hooker
Member
No experience here with the Shield 45 but I would suggest you compare it's pros/cons closely to the M&P 45c before committing. ( Comparison advice I often give for any potential shield buyer in any caliber) .
Myself, I have found the slight weight and width increase of the M&P C's to be an acceptable tradeoff when weighing in ergonomics, mag capacity and "shootability". In fact, the M&P 45c has become my go to carry for those days when a J frame isn't enough.
Myself, I have found the slight weight and width increase of the M&P C's to be an acceptable tradeoff when weighing in ergonomics, mag capacity and "shootability". In fact, the M&P 45c has become my go to carry for those days when a J frame isn't enough.
NCW Ray
Member
If you want one buy it...why do you need a strangers approval or disapproval?! 
Mahalo_.32
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If that is the weapon of choice so be it..
For me I have been wanting another M&P that was a little more comfortable concealing than my fullsize so I looked, touched and concealed. The shield was my first choice and it was just too small feeling.. I tried the M&P .40c and that was the ticket. I have big hands and a little bit of love handles.
As far as my caliber choice being .357sig, 40 and 9 I did not want to change that at all, while the .45 is a fantastic round I like to have capacity aswell if that only means 1 or 2 extra in each mag so be it.
My main question for you is, have you felt the shield in your hand and on your body? How was accessibility?
For me I have been wanting another M&P that was a little more comfortable concealing than my fullsize so I looked, touched and concealed. The shield was my first choice and it was just too small feeling.. I tried the M&P .40c and that was the ticket. I have big hands and a little bit of love handles.
As far as my caliber choice being .357sig, 40 and 9 I did not want to change that at all, while the .45 is a fantastic round I like to have capacity aswell if that only means 1 or 2 extra in each mag so be it.
My main question for you is, have you felt the shield in your hand and on your body? How was accessibility?
Why .45?
Are you married to the idea of it being .45 ACP? I just purchased a Shield in 9 but haven't shot it yet. I considered getting .40 or even .45 and in my research came across some info about why the FBI has settled on 9mm. The info I read stated that with modern projectiles the difference in terminal effectiveness is negligible. Their findings stated that accuracy and the ability to put multiple shots on target quickly was more important and in that regard, the 9mm is preferred in most situations. Also, in the Shield you have one more round in the magazines. Here's the info I was referring too.
FBI Decides On 9mm As Their #1 Choice And Have Tons Of Science Behind Their Decision – Concealed Nation
Are you married to the idea of it being .45 ACP? I just purchased a Shield in 9 but haven't shot it yet. I considered getting .40 or even .45 and in my research came across some info about why the FBI has settled on 9mm. The info I read stated that with modern projectiles the difference in terminal effectiveness is negligible. Their findings stated that accuracy and the ability to put multiple shots on target quickly was more important and in that regard, the 9mm is preferred in most situations. Also, in the Shield you have one more round in the magazines. Here's the info I was referring too.
FBI Decides On 9mm As Their #1 Choice And Have Tons Of Science Behind Their Decision – Concealed Nation
okiegtrider
Member
Not even gonna try.
I am about to pull the trigger
You came to the wrong place for that;nothing but enablers here...
gunny4053
US Veteran
Sorry Buddy, can't do it. Getting one myself, so have yet to shoot one, but the ergos are tremendous, and the trigger feels great, at least to me. I've had the Compact models, and can honestly say the feel of the stippling on the new Shield .45 is far superior, as is the size of the grip. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Good Luck and good shooting!
Good Luck and good shooting!
Talk me out of buying a Shield .45. I am about to pull the trigger
I'm tryin' to talk MYSELF out of one..
....don't have time for your problems On partially serious note, I haven't seen one without a thumb safety, yet and that is what I am wanting.
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Get both the Shield and the 45c! We are enablers after all. I love all things 45 but I believe the Compact is probably a better built gun but the Shield may be more comfortable from what I hear. I carry the 40C and own a FS M&P 45.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Put the M&P money toward an M&P R8!
Not even gonna try.
I just did a "buy it now" on gunbroker and will have it Wednesday. I don't think it has a thumb safety, but don't care either way.
The Shield .45 has been getting favorable reviews compared to the XDS .45 and I have been carrying a XDS .45 and decided to switch platforms. I think the Shield will fit the same holster.
BTW, I do have a 9C which is my favorite range gun.
ABMI
Member
Without a doubt, do it!! I picked up one & love it, I also have a 9mm & it's got some custom features on it & really love it also. But the 45 shoots softer than the 40 & feels better in my hand between the slightly wider grip and the new stippling treatment. Oh & did I mention, it throws pumpkin balls! Very accurately I might add!!
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ABMI
Member
Here's my 9mm
& My new baby
& My new baby
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kannonvaggon
Member
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I've been carrying a Shield 9mm for a couple years now. It's been a great little pistol in almost every way. Comfy, reliable, reasonably cheap to feed, eats whatever ya have on hand, accurate, etc.....
BUT
I spend a lot of time wandering around in the AZ deserts and wilderness areas alone on my mosickle for 7 months each year and I HATE rattlers. I load usually a couple shot shells on top of the mag for this purpose and will go through two boxes each winter. Ya don't HAVE to use shot shells of course, and the 9mm shells don't have many pellets in em. They do feed just fine in the Shield.
I have used .45 shot shells , in longer barreled pistols and they are WAY more useful.
This makes me sort of want to maybe get a .45 Shield.... just mostly for the much bigger wallop when using shot shells. I think for normal SD use the 9mm is just fine and has a slight capacity advantage as well as being cheaper to feed at the range. I'll have to ponder it a bit waiting for the inventories to increase and the prices to decrease maybe....
I do like the .45 round in general ... but I haven't been able to actually try out a .45 Shield yet. THAT will determine a purchase or not. Maybe I'll end up with one of each.. ya never know.
BUT
I spend a lot of time wandering around in the AZ deserts and wilderness areas alone on my mosickle for 7 months each year and I HATE rattlers. I load usually a couple shot shells on top of the mag for this purpose and will go through two boxes each winter. Ya don't HAVE to use shot shells of course, and the 9mm shells don't have many pellets in em. They do feed just fine in the Shield.
I have used .45 shot shells , in longer barreled pistols and they are WAY more useful.
This makes me sort of want to maybe get a .45 Shield.... just mostly for the much bigger wallop when using shot shells. I think for normal SD use the 9mm is just fine and has a slight capacity advantage as well as being cheaper to feed at the range. I'll have to ponder it a bit waiting for the inventories to increase and the prices to decrease maybe....
I do like the .45 round in general ... but I haven't been able to actually try out a .45 Shield yet. THAT will determine a purchase or not. Maybe I'll end up with one of each.. ya never know.
okiegtrider
Member
Attaboy!
Now, we'll expect photos
Now, we'll expect photos
Went to the indoor range for an hour and shot the first 42 rounds (WWB) through the .45 Shield (7-round mag in each of 6 bulls.) The weapon ran flawlessly and very accurate with surprisingly soft recoil. I am happy with the new .45 and will shoot again tomorrow at the outdoor range. The .45 Shield will be my EDC.
Ole Joe Clark
Absent Comrade
I am about to pull the trigger
Why should we talk you out of the purchase? You are gonna do it anyway.
Leon
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I am about to pull the trigger
Get the Shield 9 instead. More tested, bugs seem to be worked out - apart from occasional issues still reported here, including failures to fire, difficulties with recoil spring assemblies, etc.
I do not think enough time has passed for the bugs to have been fixed on the Shield 45. That said, I have read few reports one way or the other. I am just going on recent history, which seems to be that the end users seem to find the bugs when their guns are sent in for service.
When you shot it, was it snappy on the succeding shots? Hickok45 is a big guy, 6'8" and he thought it was snappy too. As light as the gun is I don't think too many shooters are going to follow up with the accuracy they expect. As a result, I'm sticking with my 9 Shield with Corbon ammo.
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gunny4053
US Veteran
Snappy is a relative thing depending on the individual, but technique can make a lot of difference. Change your standard two hand grip and wrap your weak hand trigger finger around the front of the trigger guard, thumbs forward. Very stable, less snap, IMO.
As for holsters, I'm using a Remora for now.
Bonephish, I've got a question for you. When you remove your slide to clean it, are there scallop like machine marks down the center?
Just curious, doesn't seem to affect anything, just looks odd.
As for holsters, I'm using a Remora for now.
Bonephish, I've got a question for you. When you remove your slide to clean it, are there scallop like machine marks down the center?
Just curious, doesn't seem to affect anything, just looks odd.
Bonephish, I've got a question for you. When you remove your slide to clean it, are there scallop like machine marks down the center?
Just curious, doesn't seem to affect anything, just looks odd.
Yes mine looks the same as yours. It does look like sloppy machine work but has no affect on performance.
Maybe I'm not recoil-sensitive but It's very manageable, easy to get back on target. I shot several rounds in the same hole today. I shoot it better than my 9C, which means I love it a lot.
I would to have the Shield .45 acp, I have the Shield 9mm and love it, I was at the LGS last week and even today and they have one but I got to be good for awhile now. I bought a Ruger AR15 5.56 and a RIA 1911 10mm last month so I'm good for now.
Don't know about next month though.
Don't know about next month though.
ABMI
Member
Yep, my 45 Shield is the same way. Looks like poor machining, but who knows, maybe made that way by design?
Pointblank2U
US Veteran
Unless you want to pay Smith & Wesson for the honor of being a beta tester for them, wait a year.
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