This is why I stick with a Shield over a P365

[Sheepdogged]

The P365 is a great gun, but it's not my cup of tea, and there are plenty of reliable 9mm pistols, but carrying appendix, I do not need a pistol with the reduced height & length of a SIG P365 either. Moreover, if I need a pocket pistol for deep concealment, I am going with a Ruger LCP II which is even better for that. In fact, I prefer to carry much bigger guns such as my Langdonized Beretta PX4 Storm Compact Inox in 9mm and my custom SIG P229 Enhanced Elite chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W or .357 SIG because they shoot better. And I alternate the two between my holsters and night stand. But many times depending on what I am wearing, I need a super thin pistol with enough surface area to shoot comfortablely. My Shield also has a diminutive manual safety that I merely use to park the pistol while blind holstering it (to do so safely while maintaining situational awareness). I deactivate the manual safety once it's holstered, and this allows me to pay attention to other things going on. BTW, I bought my first shield prior to this one in 2014 and I've never accidently actuated the safety, nor have I ever had a non-ammo related malfunction (and even then, I've only had it with ammo that caused malfunctions in my Glock and other pistols as well). Lastly, I don't need more than 8 or 9 rounds in a pistol like this to break contact. If my spidey senses tell me I need more firepower, I'm not stopping at 9 or 11 rounds (my Beretta holds 20). I also don't think striker-fired designs should lack a trigger safety (that's just my opinion, but I have never heard of glock leg occurring with a DA gun or a striker-fired pistol with a manual safety). I also don't like the P365's more obtrusive manual safety design. I prefer the flush fitting one Shield uses. In the final analysis, I made this post because the Shield is nowhere near obsolete as many claim. I purchased my latest Shield just over a year ago two years after the P365 debuted. Like my M1.0, thing M2.0 is uber reliable and has a long track record that will be a decade long next year. It's also accurate, softer shooting than a P365, and it carries enough rounds to do the job. So for those still carrying Shields, there's no reason to to be jealous of P365 owners. I also don't like the X-Ray sights on the P365, and even buying a Performance Center M2.0 Shield and installing orange Ameriglo i-Dot sights was less expensive.

 

[AppStFan]

I bought my first Shield right after they first came out. I now own three. Although I own other pistols, the Shield continues to be my primary EDC weapon. It is small enough to conceal, yet large enough to fight with. I carry a spare magazine and given the places I frequent in retirement, I do not feel at a disadvantage. I have other pistols that are either smaller or larger that I could carry, but the Shield continues to fill that sweet spot for me for concealed carry.

 

[lihpster]

As a 365 owner, I had no idea that Shield owners were jealous of me. Makes me feel all fuzzy inside.
Seriously, I have shot a buddy's 9MM PC Shield and he has shot my 365. Both fine guns. He likes his and I like mine. I would feel comfortable carrying his and vice versa.
I bought the 365 because of the idea of all those rounds in that size pistol. I fell in love with it when I shot it better than I shot my G17.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

2 plastic cups...........Both will hold coffee.

 

[RobzGuns]

I've had my Gen1 Shield9 since April 2012. I've tried all the others that have come out since and while I've liked some of them (including the P365) I haven't liked any of them MORE than the Shield, or enough to add one to my group.

 

[Short_Round]

I carry owb and the availability of the original gen 5378 GLS holster from Safariland for the Shield is one of several reasons it is high on my list. Great holster.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[rubiranch]

I carried a 640-1, then a 642-1 due to weight.
Bought a Shield 45 in June, two months later I was back to carrying my 642-1.




I only own two semi-auto pistols, both M&Ps.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

I gave the P365 a chance when it was all the rage. Not a bad carry gun by any means. Just not for me.
Ditched the P365. Back to the Shield 45!

 

[scott.amy00]

My Shield 1.0 was replaced by my Hellcat, not a P365. I tried to like the P365, but it didn't fit my hand well at all and the Hellcat fits like it was molded for my hand. The Shield in all its versions is a great gun...my Hellcat is just a greater gun for me!

Sent from my SM-A115U using Tapatalk

 

[Echo40]

I prefer the Shield because it fits my hands and is chambered in .40 S&W. If I want something smaller and lighter, then I have a Ruger LCP.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Purchased aGen1 9mm when they first came out. Put Ameriglo I Dots on it, then an Apex trigger and Talon grip. I paid much to much for it at the time and then put even more into it. Now I will have to buried with it. I have shot a Sig 356 several times and have often recommended them to students as well as the Hellcat. Both are fine guns but I stick with my Shield and carry it most often.

 

[MyDads38]

I've carried my 9mm Shield for several years now. It's the only compact pistol I've ever felt comfortable with; size wise and accuracy wise. I have all 3 Shields, the 9 & 40 are both Gen 1. I bought a 45 Shield when they first came out, so from what I've read it's a 2.0 series.
They are all accurate and reliable (like all my S&W handguns are) and I am confident no matter what I choose to carry. I've never felt the need to look at/for anything else.

 

[reccpd101]

Well said MyDads38.

 

[4011]

Bought a 2.0 Shield one year ago. It fits my hand great. First time I shot it I did fine. I’m a bad left shooter and I know it. So I aim right. My so has a sight tool so he moved my front sight over. Shot my HB 218 qualify corse. Shot a 426. I’m tickled.

 

[Lonestar57]

I too liked and carried the Shield then when the Sig 365 came gave it a try. I shot both well. The Sig is a nice piece but to me it feels a tad undersized in my hands and it didn't carry for me as well as the Shield did. I've since changed back to the Shield. I think Smith & Wesson knocked it out of the park with the Shield's design (size and feel) and at this point I'm sticking with it.

 

[Buford57]

Unlike some, the Shield is my "far from home" high-cap carry choice. Under normal conditions I carry a 642. When traveling I carry the Shield OWB in the car, knowing I can revert to pocket carry when I reach my destination. I read and watch the reviews (aka ads) for the 365, Hellcat, etc. and find them entertaining, but not compelling. When someone develops a pocket 9mm that polices your brass or makes good coffee I may give it a try. The Shield does what I need from something that size until then.

 

[BloodyThumb]

So many hammers, so may satisfied carpenters.....

I never really understood the desperate need for validation in a lot of threads, not necessarily this one. They all are tools. We all have different needs, we all have different uses, we all have different experience levels, we all have different hand sizes and other physical considerations, and we all have different needs with the respect to the opinions of others.

To me those opinions are valid, again as tools. I LOVE the input of others when trying to make my own mind up. Once I find what fits MY needs, MY intended role, MY skills, abilities, and limitations both physical and otherwise, I make a decision. Beyond that I have little need to be validated in my decision by seeking like opinions or defending my decision to someone. That's just me.

As for this discussion. I tried the Shield (gen 1), was issued the G43, borrowed and spent a couple weeks with the LC9, I tried the P365 and P320 Subcompact when it first came out. I also borrowed the little Springfield entry (XDs?) before the Hellcat came out. I made my decision before the Hellcat came out or I would have tried it as well. One of my limitations is that anything under the 9mm is not ALLOWED for me as a duty backup. I tried one of the little SIG SA 1911-ish models. I even spent about a half hour trying to get a borrowed KelTec to run for me, just to give it a spin.

After multiple qualifications with my choice, in which I shot nearly identical scores as I did with my old G19, I am very happy with my decision and have let my practice sessions and qualification scores validate it for me since along with the demonstrated reliability through several thousand rounds.

Personally I think everyone should self validate in much the same way, but then none of my guns are girls, or boys, or brothers and sisters in some "family" I keep in my safe either.

For the record, my choice was not the Shield, but the Shield was in fact my second favorite. I did and do still like it very much and kept that one. On almost the other end of the ranking was the G43. Very few who were issued them really liked them (all using the G17 as duty weapon). They were replaced after about a year for anyone who wanted something else. I now have two copies of my first choice (which was NOT what I could have been issued) and hope to retire using them as my duty backup and near-year-round off duty.

ANY of the ones I tried would have played the role I have for them. The opinions of others helped me greatly to decide what to consider. My choice was based 100% on my hands on time with them.

 

[ladder13]

I don’t need verification for my choices from those sitting on their high horses..... the perfect people.

 

[luvsmiths]

six of one, half a dozen of the other.

 

[armorer951]

Some pistol manufactures make the choice for you. In my particular present day situation, initial cost has to be a consideration. As an old retired cop, there are some brands and models I simply can't afford, and the the Sig 365 is one of them.

The Shield in 9mm........ fits my hands well, has a grip angle that suits me, is reliable and affordable, has a descent trigger, and is accurate enough for close in work. I gave up shooting a handgun at 50+ yards a long time ago.