Thinking about trading Shield for SW1911SC for EDC

[78Staff]

Shooting my recently purchased SW1911TA has just re-enforced how much I like shooting 45ACP - As they say, I guess I am just a 45 guy. I am considering selling my 9mm Shield and getting the SW1911SC to use as my primary EDC. Other than taking a a bit of a hit on the Shield which is unavoidable these days, I can't come up with a reason not to do it. I've never really like the report of the 9mm Shield, which sounds odd I guess, but for some reason I find the 9mm Shield has more felt recoil than either my 45 or my full size M&P 40. Maybe it's just the short barrel, not sure.

Anyway, any glaring reason not to make the change that I'm not considering? I'd be going from a modified Shield (apex DCAEK, Trigger, Night Sights) to shooting a stock handgun - which may be beneficial for any after shot issues, legalities, and the like. The weight is a bit more, and the size a tad larger, but not excessively so imo - plus I'm a larger guy and could conceal a FS 1911 anyway.

 

[Houser52]

I have 3 1911s, a few Glocks and a Shield 9. The 1911s are big and heavy. I love them but don't carry them. The Glocks are fat and I love to shoot and compete with them but I don't carry them. Keep the Shield and carry it or keep the Shield and buy the 1911. You'll eventually come back to the Shield just because of the size and weight difference.

 

[STCM(SW)]

"Keep the Shield and carry it or keep the Shield and buy the 1911. You'll eventually come back to the Shield just because of the size and weight difference."

I'm a 44 & 45 guy too, but CC you need something that is easier and lighter sometimes.

 

[hoc9sw]

I bought a Shield 9 thinking it would be a better carry gun than a Kimber ultra. In the end, I'm going to sell the shield (with extra mags & holster) to go back to the Kimber.

One of the considerations was that one state I'm often in is well known for late return or total confiscation of weapons used in CC situations, so I wanted a less expensive CC weapon (Shield being 35% of the Kimber price). But the overall performance of the Shield is not good enough for an equal number of rounds.

I can get a group of about 1" smaller with the Shield at 10 meters, but since that is 3" instead of 4" (ok, I was a lot better when I was young and not wearing trifocals), the difference is not relevant in the circumstance.

Complete disclosure - I grew up from the age of 10 being trained by an Army range officer with the 1911 platform, so I am irrevocably biased.

 

[emsdude]

i carried a 1911 commander size as my main carry for years. i tried to carry many other guns from Ruger LCP to various Sigs and always came back to the 1911. I now carry a Shield .40. I will be the first one to admit i am a 1911 guy i bashed "tupperware" guns for years and hated them with a passion. Due to an injury i had to give up rifles so took the money from that and got a Shield why? because it was comfortable and it was the right price. my intention was for it to be a truck gun or nightstand gun. After first range trip i began to carry it just to change things up. I now have a 2nd Shield .40 on order because the girlfriend wants one at home when i am gone. Now i am sure you ask what about the 1911 it is in the safe ready if called upon but taking a break. The Shield is much lighter much easier to conceal (i am a big guy as well and yes i can conceal a full size 1911 but i dont see a reason why i should the Shield will do the job and thats what counts) I fully recommend you get the 1911 but trust me if you get rid of the Shield you will be kicking yourself and more than likely buying a new one down the road.

 

[Deadeye Dick]

Like the man said the Shield is about a third of the cost of a good 1911 and .45 ammo will cost you a bit more than 9mm unless you reload. Other than that I see no reason not to go with the 1911. If I had the bucks...

 

[B3500]

It will be heavy. If you and your back can handle the weight, then go ahead. It should be a fine shooting piece.

If I am looking that the right model, it says it comes in about 41oz empty. There are other 45s available that will come in around or below 30oz - loaded.

For instance I carry one of two 45s, and have weighed them on my postal scale loaded with 230gr bullets. A Glock 30S (9-1) 31oz and the XD-S 45 (5+1) 26oz. Of these two the XD-S is very similar in size and weight of the Shield 9mm (24oz).

If you are set on the 1911 style, there are other models available that will come in at least 10oz lighter (and more) when comparing their empty weights.

 

[Rastoff]

Shooting my recently purchased SW1911TA has just re-enforced how much I like shooting 45ACP - As they say, I guess I am just a 45 guy.

While I'm sure you're a ".45 guy", I'll bet this situation is more of a 1911 thing than a caliber thing. The trigger on the 1911 is so much better than the Shield they, can't really be compared.

Many who carry, carry a particular gun because it's light. That's fine, but ignores the shooting ability. A light gun is great, but can you hit the intended target quickly with it? Thus, I carry a 1911. I can deploy the gun and hit the target more accurately and quickly. Isn't that why we carry?

Further, all those who complain about the weight of the 1911 probably don't have a good belt. The right belt makes a huge difference in how carrying a gun feels.

 

[Rastoff]

I should also say that I have nothing against any particular gun. If you can hit the target with it, carry it.

 

[MyDads38]

I don't like "compact" guns, which to ME is anything with a barrel length of less than 4"; as I said, that's just ME.

I have a total of 4 handguns, all of which I feel comfortable carrying; and I'm just an average guy-5' 10", 185 lbs.
They are in order of favorite carry:

Ruger FS/5" SR1911 45 acp
S&W SD9VE 4" 9mm
Ruger P89DC 4" 9mm
S&W Mod. 10-8 4" HB 38 Spec. (My Dads 38)

I love to shoot all of these guns, the 1911/45 acp is my favorite and most accurate. My next purchase will probably be an M&P 45 FS 4.5" as I don't think I need another 9mm. If you feel more comfortable with the 45 than the Shield 9, by all means, get it! If you find later you want smaller/lighter, you'll still have the option.

 

[regalsc]

I don't own any plastic guns not saying they are bad I just don't like plastic frames. I have steel scandium & aluminium alloy framed guns. My only 1911 carry gun is an emp9 which I really like. At 26oz empty which is as light as 1911's come I still notice the weight if I all day carry it. For work I carry a 340pd (no ILS) & don't even notice it. I hope you get what works for you this time. My point is at age 60 light is what works for me.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

I'm a long-time 1911 guy. IMO, they are the ultimate shooting machine, but they suck as defensive threat management tools.

I don't carry 1911s any more. Give me the longer, more deliberate trigger on an M&P (or a Glock, or whatever). Plus, a Shield won't pull your pants down as much as a 1911.

 

[andrewcdub]

Plus, a Shield won't pull your pants down as much as a 1911.

Good belt will solve this problem.

 

[HeavyDuty Ken]

Good belt will solve this problem.

Weight is weight. I wear Wilderness belts and I can easily tell the difference between the weight of carrying one of my Shields and one of my 1911s.

 

[44 old duffer]

I just traded my 1911sc in on a sig227. I decided 1911,s are just not for me. Not going to carry the sig its even bigger. Carrying a Rohrbaugh R9. And I got rid of my shield also ,didn't care for the trigger and found a revolver I like better.

 

[Coaltminer]

I don't know what's wrong with me. I have a Colt Government Model at 38 ozs., and a Smith 581 at the same weight, also a Smith 9c at 24, prefer carrying the 581, and I couldn't tell you why, except maybe I just like revolvers. I really don't think about weight that much. For those that carry 8+ hrs a day, every day, I'd stick with a Shield or 9c

 

[Rastoff]

I don't own any plastic guns not saying they are bad I just don't like plastic frames.

I'm curious. If you don't like plastic framed guns, why are you reading the M&P forum? Closet fan?

 

[Smitty357]

I wouldnt give my shield up for any of my 1911's as far as an EDC. And trust me i have a bunch of those 1911's lol. I do carry a few of my Kimbers from time to time. However, i dont care them 12+hrs a day like i do my Shield. Actually, i cant even come close to carrying any of my 1911's for near that long. And thats including my colt defenders as well as my kimber UC's. A full size 5" 1911, couldnt even come close to comparing. So as far as EDC, the Shield wins hands down.

Now if u want to start taking them to the range. The Shield cant hold a flame to some of my 1911's.

 

[ScrapmasterFlex]

I went from being in NJ for my life (and not expecting to ever leave), which has a ridiculous pistol purchasing process, so I had my initially-bought Glock 23 and then no other pistols, my entire large collection was long-guns, to getting down to FL and first getting a best-on-Earth-sale-deal on a Sig P226 MK25, then the M&P Shield , then right after a spur-of-the-moment thing M&P 22 Compact.

I figured I would relegate the Glock to SHTF duty, the Sig P226 to HD duty (w/ a LaserMax Genesis green laser), and the 22 for property patrolling and pajamas-gun, but the Shield for dedicated EDC and I mean EVERY Day... HOWEVER; Variety is the spice of life!

Perhaps once it cools down some (It IS going to cool down some, here in FLorida, is it not? Even NJ doesn't have 95+ degree weather EVERY DAY FOR 6 MONTHS lol).. I will carry the G23 more.... and even decide to pack the P226 once or twice, and who knows, maybe the 22 on dog walks and such. Variety is the spice of life!


I wouldn't probably SWAP permanently a Shield for a 1911, certainly not me because I am 5'8" 140lbs, just not able to hide a 1911. But once in a while, why not? It's a beautiful gun , and a particularly beautiful version. But that makes such a waste of quite possibly the most perfect CCW gun on the market (in the M&P Shield).

 

[timn8er]

I pocket carry a 40 Shield, & I'm very happy with it. Light, compact, & I'm accurate with it. Having said all that...I love 45's! I've got four of them, all 3rd Gens. The closest one to a 1911 would be a 4506-1, which is not all that close. I want & need a 1911! I'm saving up, & when I can afford a nice, decent one, I'll be off to the shops. I don't think I'll carry it, but we'll see...