The Shield's Safety

[VMaxSplat]

I am looking to buy a Shield asap (as soon as I can find one). As a long time 1911 shooter, I'd love to have the same extended safety lever my M&P40FS and M&P22 have on the Shield.

For those that don't care for the thumb safety, I can see why they wouldn't want their Shield to have one. For me, I am very glad to see that S&W included the thumb safety, but am surprised that they don't offer versions with and without it like the rest of the line.

 

[RussC]

I'm bummed out that I cannot get a Shield without a safety. I'm probably not going to get a Shield. I'm at peace with that notion. That said, can someone please describe how the safety works? I know how the "classic" M&P safety works by simply blocking trigger movement. Is the Shield's safety different than the rest of the M&P line?

Xopher

Felt the same way but I got over it real quick after first range session. The safety is flush and you could ignore the safety and rely on the holster. I decided to train sweeping safety when I draw and it has been ok. I can draw from pocket holster sweep safety in about one second. I ordered some big dots with the goal of drawing sweep acquire 7 yard Target shoot in 1.5 seconds.

Eliminating the three dot sights for big dot will more than make up for loss time sweeping safety.

The short break with the trigger is another reason I decided to use safety.

Russ

 

[Whatgorilla]

I agree with you, BUT mine is so hard to engage, I don't worry about it.
I also don't mess with it--wouldn't want it to loosen up.
That said, your sentiment is SOOOO common, I'm betting Apex or one of the other parts makers WILL make a patch/safety remover of some sort before long. I'm fine with waiting.

 

[MSG Glenn]

Don't deny yourself buying a fine pistol just because it has a safety. Just don't use it. Remove it or have it removed or just ignore it. Most M&Ps full size & compact come without a safety but some have a lever activated safety & some have the lever removed & the safety activated with the tool found in the grip (the "sear deactivater tool"). Something like that might be good for storage of the pistol but I wouldn't want to have to deal with it if I needed the pistol in action fast. If that was the only handgun I could buy I'd plug the hole & forget about it.

 

[tonesurfer]

The safety cannot be removed but it CAN be disabled. You have to trim a piece of the safety bar. The bar cannot be left off the gun because it is what keeps the sear pin in place. There's a nice vid on youtube about it here:

M&P Shield Manual Safety Removal - YouTube

 

[Smitty357]

The only form of safety i use on my Shield is my trigger finger. Its habit to never put my finger anywhere near the trigger unless im ready to use it. And of course during the take down, but thats after im sure the weapon is cleared.

During a real self defense situation if u have time to click the safety, chances are you'll be dead before you ever squeeze the trigger.