p8riot
US Veteran
Have both, a 365XL and a Shield 45. Like them both. If I didn't have so darn much 9mm ammo I probably would ditch the Sig.
Whoa... Before someone mistakes my intent.... my intent was never to imply anyone is on a high horse or believed OR portrayed themselves to be perfect. I was merely trying to state my inability to understand why we (all of us) view a modern firearm that we (theoretically at least) picked to use for self defense / target / hunting / plinking in anything other than a pragmatic way.
Even having said that, I am not trying to say to picking one in some NON pragmatic way is incorrect... only that I do not understand it.
Collector guns? Sure. Based on what we like, what we think is attractive, what we think MIGHT increase in value (Although that is somewhat pragmatic) etc., the way we pick clothes, sports cars, or funny looking hats (as one of my grandsons calls the hat I wear).
But to me a self defense weapon is, again, a tool and should be picked based on need, performance, ergonomics to the particular user, reliability, etc. Each of those areas depend on the individual user. If you picked what fits your needs and you have done your part to run it to its and your own potential, who gives a hoot what anyone else thinks? And... why would it need to be referred to as if it was some living thing to be referred to as the brother or sister of some other tool in your kit?
I just don't get it. That's just me.
If my original post in any way angered or offended anyone, I apologize. That was not my intent. My intent was to get us to think about what we are picking to defend our lives and the lives of our families and other innocents in some way more valuable to ourselves AND others, than "does or does not suit my needs" or "is or is not my cup of tea", or "it shoots better".
Just a pet peeve of mine long term, and this happened to be the thread I picked to express my lack of understanding.
Lots of valuable information and VERY helpful, VERY knowledgeable people here. I was just hoping it might help us think about leaving our hearts and prides out of a very important subject like defending ourselves and keep them in our collectors discussions and places like picking out my next funny looking hat.
My Shield 9mm had 8 in the gun, and 8 in the spare.
My 365 has 11 in the gun, 15 in the spare.
When the Jackboyz appear, which would you prefer?
This is me too. If the insanity ever ends I may still buy a shield. Never have felt a burning need for one - but then I've never had the opportunity to shoot one either. I felt pretty much the same way about my LC9 as the OP does about his shield though. But I just fell in love with the P365 the first time I laid hands on one. I have short fat fingers and the fore and aft dimension as well as the trigger reach are real considerations for me. The P365 is really narrow in that dimension which makes it fit my hand far better than the shield or LC9.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.![]()
My Shield 9mm had 8 in the gun, and 8 in the spare.
My 365 has 11 in the gun, 15 in the spare.
When the Jackboyz appear, which would you prefer?
One thing that I find funny is that a company called Shield Arms makes 10 round magazines for the Glock 43 which bring it in line with the SIG P365, yet they don't make 10 round magazines for the Smith & Wesson M&P9 Shield.
Personally, I think that the Shield's big advantage over the competition is that it comes chambered in cartridges other than 9mm, and that you only lose a single round in the magazine with .40 S&W or .45 ACP, albeit the M&P45 Shield is a bit larger than the 9mm/.40cal version.
Pretty much everything else is strictly 9mm, so that's the Shield's niche. It can't match the P365/Hellcat in terms of capacity, but it comes chambered in larger diameter cartridges with more energy, so there's a trade-off for folks who don't necessarily subscribe to the belief that .40 S&W and .45 ACP offer absolutely no advantage over 9mm Luger.
Sounds like you want a 9mm revolver.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.
If I had any real fear of engaging in an extended gun battle and reloading in the middle of it, I’d agree with you. But I don’t, and I figure if that ever does happen three rounds isn’t gonna matter. I carry a gun for personal protection. If I didn’t already own a Shield I would very likely buy the 365. S&W does need to offer something to compete capacity wise. But I don’t feel under-gunned.