Traded G43 for a Shield! Father forgive me...

[Sloman]

As the title says, I recently traded my newly acquired Glock 43 for a USED Shield 9mm. Why? Because I was getting groups with the Shield I could not get with the G43. Secondly, the trigger was better with the Shield (for me).

I've had Glocks for years (as a cop, now retired). I'm a Glock Armorer.
Personally, I'm disappointed in the G43. They have redesigned the firing mechanism (take one apart and you'll see). To me the trigger is much heavier (5.5lbs??? Pleezzzzzze!) and the price point is way too high for what you get. Again, IMHO. I just had to have one. Paid $499 for it. Ran 250 rounds with no hiccups whatsoever. But, my groupings were terrible.

So, here I stand, a repentant sinner of the fold, coming to this new era in my life where my Shield is my daily carry and not my G26.

Now that I'm a Shield owner, are there anythings I need to know or look out for with the Shield? Any recalls, or issues to be made aware of?

I look forward to gleaning the wisdom of the board as I venture in this new "Shield" field.

Thank you all in advance for your help.

 

[Kmr54]

Shield issues

Check out ar15.com, under s&w

Quite a few shield experiencing FTE problems. Mine is going back for the second time..good luck with yours

 

[caribe]

This is the only recall that I know of.
[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jsQWGS-P9Pk[/ame]

 

[Sloman]

Thank you! Thankfully, mine was made in 6/14

 

[ATF]

Sloman welcome to M&P World. I've nothing against Glocks they have a reputation for reliability but personally I'm not sold on their looks. I used to own a G26. The Shield has been a very popular seller and has had great reviews but due to the very high volume of sales there have been various quality control issues. Not all of these issues can be blamed on S&W some of them are due to inexperienced owners buying their first gun and choosing the Shield because it's small and they have no idea how a gun actually works and how to resolve minor issues. I've always taken a gun and tuned it to my requirements probably like yourself. The 9mm has a very good record there's many very happy owners out there. The .40 S&W has had a few blowouts due to hot ammo but owners will always deny they have used hot ammo. You being an armorer I would suggest you look into the APEX mods and hope you enjoy your Shield.

 

[Sloman]

Thanks ATF!

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

Wow you wasted a bunch of money

 

[Sloman]

Not Really

Wow you wasted a bunch of money

Waste? Nah! In the trade, I got the original box, 2 pierce grip extensions, 4 mags (2 flush, 2 extended, all OEM), set of talon grips, TFO Night Sights installed and a $220 set of Crimson Trace Laser Guard installed. I've been accused of theft by my range buddies. LOL!

 

[Horn]

Wow! Was Theft!

Waste? Nah! In the trade, I got the original box, 2 pierce grip extensions, 4 mags (2 flush, 2 extended, all OEM), set of talon grips, TFO Night Sights installed and a $220 set of Crimson Trace Laser Guard installed. I've been accused of theft by my range buddies. LOL!

Good grief! You really did do a booking offense!
I think you'll come to really like your shield. I have a pair of them.
(Both no thumb safety) We both being retired cops__we understand that.
Enjoy and great shooting.

 

[USAF385]

I had a first run .40 which I still regret trading. No issues and I shot it a lot. Best of luck, they're fine guns.

 

[CaptRon956]

Congrats on your Shield purchase! It will serve you well I promise....

I was so impressed with my Shield 9 that I recently went out & bought a Shield 40 which is now my main EDC.

 

[Jakpro]

I just wonder why you did not sell the Glock and then buy a new Shield for a lot less money?

Nothing wrong with getting the gun that you like, though!

 

[hokiefyd]

I have a Shield 9 that was made very close to yours (05/2014) and I've had zero issues with mine. I really enjoy it. I've shot probably 400-600 rounds through it and it's my carry gun for when I do carry (unfortunately, I cannot carry on federal property where I work). I like the Shield so much, I recently bought a new M&P 9. Interestingly, both were made in 05/2014, about 10 days apart.

As I talk about guns with friends and neighbors, I discover that a lot of people are Shield owners. A guy at work. My neighbor across the street. Pretty much everyone at the gun counter at Gander Mountain owns a Shield (or at least say that they do). They seem to be everywhere. And for good reason.

The only "bobble" with mine is the recoil spring assembly. I haven't asked mama Smith for a new one, but mine does sometimes hang up and get gritty when I slowly cycle the slide all the way back. It's an extremely common issue, though, and Smith seems like they send new ones to anyone who asks...so they know it's a problem as well.

 

[Iwant2shootlikehickock45]

Waste? Nah! In the trade, I got the original box, 2 pierce grip extensions, 4 mags (2 flush, 2 extended, all OEM), set of talon grips, TFO Night Sights installed and a $220 set of Crimson Trace Laser Guard installed. I've been accused of theft by my range buddies. LOL!

Can't argue with that deal

 

[MIST]

I'm constantly searching for what I consider to be the perfect concealed carry pistol. To date, it's the Kahr PM9 and/or the S&W Shield 9 NTS (with Apex sear). Both have been flawless in performance and function for several thousand rounds.

My issued duty pistol is a Glock 21, through which I've fired a few thousand rounds. I also have extensive experience with the 26/27 and 17/19/22/23. The Glock 43 was released and I was chomping at the bit. I picked one up early last week. Took it to the range, along with the PM9 and Shield. I was disappointed . Function - Good, Accuracy - Good, Trigger - Sux, MSRP - Fair. I (emphasis on me) was more accurate with the PM9 and Shield 9 when shooting both range and carry ammunition. The trigger on the Glock was, to say the least, sub-standard compared to the other two. Since my personal review rated it a distant 3rd behind the others and I don't "need" another sub-compact 9, the G43 was sold and I lost only $25.

Although Glock is a little late to the single stack 9MM game, the G43 is a fine pistol. But, for me, there's others out there that currently serve my wants and needs much better....for now. However I, as well as others I'm sure, am on a constant quest.

 

[Bob T]

The Kimber Ultra RCPll is my go to. it's light, comfortable, reliable, has a trough sight for slick draw, and can keep groups within an 8" target at 25yds. Coupled that with an El Paso Saddlery Snap-Off Elite and dual mag carrier.

 

[Shielded]

Congrats on your Shield! Sounds like you got a great deal. I've looked at the G43, it was OK, but I think my Shield is a better gun, plus it has more capacity.

 

[bronconagurski]

As much as I like the Shield 9mm, I got a chance to shoot the G43 at my range. One of the ROs owns one and let me shoot his. Long story short, it shoots as good as my Shield, and it's accurate. No better, no worse imo. So all things equal, the Shield is a much better value. I would advise anyone who isn't sure to shoot them both and decide.