Upgrades for Shield 9mm

[ArmyArmor]

I am going to buy one this next weekend (free tax weekend!!) and I have been looking for some customization. I have tried to look for these but without actually looking at them sometimes its hard to see what it best. Here goes:
1) Apex Action Enhancement Kit for the trigger. This seems like a no brainer. Should I wait until I have broken in the weapon or do it right away?
2) Grips. I have large hands and like the feel of the extended mag but I also like having finger ridges. I see Talon grips talked about but I don't want it coming off in a few months or after cleaning. For concealed carry tape might be best since it does not increase the width very much. Options?
3) Sights. Many and varied options. I dont want them hanging over the sides and some pictures show what seems to be a large rear sight.
4) The holster will probably be something I have to experience hands on but I am looking for both IWB and OWB to suit different situations.
Anything else that I can do to make this MY weapon?

 

[Jim1392]

I carry mine in a Remora IWB holster. The only modification I'm thinking about is maybe putting night sights on it even though I do like the factory sights.

 

[Wishoot]

Just shoot the snot out of it before you invest in any mods. Mine will never be used in competition, but it's perfect for SD/HD in factory condition.

 

[Deadbug]

I am going to buy one this next weekend (free tax weekend!!) and I have been looking for some customization....1) Apex Action Enhancement Kit ...2) Grips...3) Sights... .4) The holster...Anything else that I can do to make this MY weapon?

You're going to get a lot of differing and conflicting information on those questions, and will not make the decision easy. If you haven't already, try a forum search for "9mm Shield Upgrade"...you'll find plenty of info and see what I mean. You have picked the 3 top upgrades I see considered for the Shield.

First of all, if you can, get your hands on a Shield and shoot one at a range (rental or loaned from a friend). At a minimum, handle one and experiment with the trigger at your LGS.

Second--and I mean right away, get that Mag Uplula loader.

I had a S&W certified gunsmith do a complete inner polish and "trigger job" without buying the Apex kit just working with my original factory parts. It reduced the pull from 7+ to 5 and very smooth. I don't have a manual safety on mine, and I really wouldn't want it any lighter than where it is now--perfect!.

I recommend the rubberized Talon grips--I really like how they improved the feel and are no issue at all while holstered, and so far have looked as good as the day I first put them on.

Sights--you're gonna get a lot of opinions on those--I evaluated all the choices and went with the TruGlo TFX HD sights, and couldn't be happier.

Good luck with your search. Every day I still think what a great pistol my Shield is. I shoot about 200 rounds per week right now since I bought it a little over a month ago.

 

[SpartanZeroOne]

I bought my Shield 9mm almost 21 months ago and I have not added anything to it. It's been flawless with over 1,000 rounds through it - half of that being various brands of HP.

I once heard in a class I took at my LGS called "Personal Protection and the Law" that you should not modify the trigger on a gun you intend to conceal carry or use for home defense on the grounds that it will just give the prosecution more ammo to use against you in the unfortunate event that you ever have to use the firearm to defend the lives of you and yours. I tend to think that makes sense. I know a lot of folks do mod the triggers on their carry guns (APEX kit for the Shield, for example), so take it for what it's worth! Just something to think about...

Compared to my M&P 9 FS and my M&P 40c, the trigger on my Shield 9 seems nicer.

 

[RobzGuns]

I bought my Shield a little over 3yrs ago, when they first came out and it's still factory stock. Well... I do have a couple mags with Pierce Extensions and all my mags now have the MagGuts mag spring conversions.

As mentioned, Find one to shoot BEFORE buying (rent, borrow, ask the guy a couple lanes down from you if you can try his... He'll probably let you )... You may not like how it shoots.

As mentioned, once you get it, shoot it (and dry fire it) a bunch, before thinking of upgrades. You may decide that it's fine just as it is.

If you do end up thinking that the trigger could be better and you're comfortable enough to install a trigger kit yourself...
Before spending money on an Apex Kit, try the Burwell's DIY trigger job.
Click this-> S&W M&P Trigger Job

If you do feel the need for different sights, most companies now do make them, that won't hang off the sides... Truglow is one.

 

[326MOD10]

My handgun is stock except for the addition of Talon rubberized grips to it and the magazine extensions. I have had no problems with them coming off, as of yet, but only looking at around 4 months now.

I purchased extra magazines and have added Pierce extensions to all, but one, of the 7 rounders. Keep one without to allow it to remain shorter at the grip in the holster. All the magazines have the Talon magazine cover part for the extended portion and I have had no problems with them coming off either.

Currently carry it IWB with a N82 Tactical Pro holster w/spare mag in off side pocket in a Desantis pocket mag holder. OWB in a Lobo Leather SL (snap loops for easy removal) Pancake with matching single mag carrier off-side.

It is a very accurate pistol and I have not had any problem with the stock trigger or sights.

Enjoy!!

 

[DJDave]

I Bought an Early Shield .40, Around a year after they came out.
Trigger was Gritty/Creep......just bad overall.

I added the Apex kit and it was well worth it.

My Girlfriend also bought a .40 Shield last year because she liked mine.

Trigger was great right out of the box.
not as nice as the apex kit, (it was close) but not enough difference to be worth changing.

I also added night sights and one extra 7 round mag, that's it for me.

been my EDC ever since.

 

[Mister Greene]

I picked one up a few months back and really like it, I carry mine in a Incog holster from Haley Strategic, I stippled it myself the at I like it. I will do something with the trigger in the next couple months when I get to it but so far so good

 

[Northshoreboar]

N82 professional IWB for me. Love it

 

[CaptRon956]

Bought a Shield 9 for the purpose of carrying once I got my CHL. Shot the heck out of it, passed my CHL shooting test with it, scored a 250 out of a possible 250. Been carrying it for the past yr. I now use it for weekly IDPA club matches. To date I have put in 3750 flawless rounds. The pistol is completely bone stock and has smoothed out like double churned butter pecan ice cream. There is nothing on the Shield that I would change, other than I would consider Ameriglo night sights.

I loved the Shield so much that I went out & bought a Shield 40. Put 200 flawless rounds thru that and now that has become my EDC. Carry ammo of choice is Win PDX1 165 gr. defender. The Shield 9 when I carry uses Win train & defend 147 gr. JHP. Picture is my EDC rig. M&P Shield 40 with the stock 6 rnd mag & pearce grip extension in a IWB alien gear cloak tuck 3.0

 

[dav2no1]

I carried mine daily for a few years now. I use a rocketman RM kydex ECP extreme cant paddle. Super comfortable, doesn't sweat like leather and has natural draw angle. The holster slips over your belt, so gun & holster can be re k over in seconds..very convenient.

 

[Roccaas]

Apex is the smoothest trigger I've ever used, reset becomes a mind meld, not listening for a click. Watch the videos, and check with their customer service on how to carefully polish the mating parts. Awesome CS response, call BEFOREHAND you get flustered.

ATS Firefly sights because of night carry. Also awesome CS, a real human being answers the phone and LISTENS to your needs before giving you 3 or 4 things to test/try.

Laser-ditto. Did have to file down the inside edges of the guard under the Apex trigger. Apex allows for fingertip control, but if you slip back to Distal Interphalangeal on the trigger, the edge of the lower guard "wrap" will drag the "pap" of your finger tip.

Talon because it is muggy in the South, fits my hand well. Also keeps my left thumb pointing down range, and yes, I tried the "behind the strong thumb grip" and have the left thumb cuts as marks of learning!

Stainless recoil rod, single spring, goes into battery very time, even on a full +1 Mag Guts. I began to see some creasing from the stock disc at the barrel, and went for a CNC stainless, can feel the difference. Seems to be less "ratcheting" as the barrel bottoms out-maybe it is just faster.

20 minutes on the range sitting with a dense foam block and the laser and Firefly co witness at 15 yards (bring your Lasermax tool, ATS tool and a touch of blue locktite (and tell the range master what you are doing so he'll know your a safety pro, not a tinkerer). A quiet morning also helps.

They were impressed enough that they let me shoot one handed instinctive at IDPA to test laser from chest level without co witness-through a gnats eye - this was on an empty range so we wouldn't make anyone else nervous!

Polished the stock steel mags inside and out, light polish to the feed ramp.

One FTE, but it was testing the last round fired with the mag out. This was a test because I'd only fired friend's autos with mag disconnects and wanted to ensure I understood this evolution.

Bought a nylon Rangemaster IWB cheap at Bass Pro, slit the stitching on the underside, fit the (unloaded) Shield, ATS sights (they sit high and mighty for those of us with old eyes). And restitched for a firm pocket and reset the over the slide strap for added security in the car and center back (Mexican) carry. Left an opening for the laser eye, so I can turn it on in the holster.

Yeah, it's my boy's Barbie toy, but it functions flawlessly, and other than the laser which will fade over time, it will be passed down some day.

Oh, and feed it well, not by $, but by quality. Those gnats eyes are with Winchester T&D, and I can't tell the difference between Train and Defend when punching cardboard.

Enjoy it, I'm hoping the U.S. Military will see the value of this system and give our troops a really well thought out and sorted sidearm for the next 40 years.

 

[Grey.Ghost]

No sense in wasting ammo on the factory trigger if you're determined to drop in the apex kit anyway. Go ahead and install the apex right away.

As for sights, you'll get a lot of varying responses, but I've been through several and I find the Ameriglo I-dot set to be the very best option for SD application IMO. I have the orange outlined front, I pick that color up fastest, but others pick up the green better.

The talon grip set is truly a magnificent addition. Especially if you are considering the .40. I take care not to get chemicals on them while cleaning, but I'm sure I have... I'm not the neatest person in the world. No issues here with peeling or the like.

The holster....I would suggest you get one of those nice plastic bins from Walmart that has a handy dandy lid... You're probably going to need the bin to store the holsters that didn't make the cut. I bought one IWB and a stack of leather and Kydex and worked on improving the design until I had a perfect holster.

 

[S&W Fan]

Grey nailed it. I carry mine almost daily-did the Apex duty/carry kit, Ameriglo front night sight with orange ring and the Talon grip. That's it. Bought a couple of extra mags and a bunch of ammo, feel very comfortable with my abilities with it.

 

[ghoffman]

I'm with Gary - I did the Apex kit before I fired the gun and it gave me a chance to really understand how it worked and I became very comfortable with this gun. Now when I read about the washer on the recoil spring or anything else, I know exactly what mine looks like and I will notice any changes. By the way, a couple of hundred rounds and this gun takes on a personality of its own. I don't want to say it gets loose, it doesn't, but it gets relaxed and much easier to work with. Same thing with the mags, I loaded mine up and the springs relaxed after a couple of weeks.

 

[Magload]

700 rounds now and mine is User Friendly. Don

 

[PROnSHIELD]

Like others, Apex from the start...

Because Kalifornia requires a safety on the Shield...I countered with
the Apex polished Competition Trigger Kit (smooth as silk - breaks like glass - under 3lbs).

Theis single clip hybrid inside/outside appendix carry works with the lasermax

Stock sights because I like the 3 dot system and it's accurate on my pistol right from the box

7 round magazine with Pearce pinky extension is the carry mag with 124g hollow point
(most accurate in this pistol) with two 8 round magazines for range use
and pocket carry one when/if I feel the need...rarely

Just to "make it mine" polished the barrel, slide lock and safety levers
Antique white lettering

Love...love this pistol...never a single failure to function

 

[RobzGuns]

Just to "make it mine" polished the barrel, slide lock and safety levers Antique white lettering

Got any Pics showing the polished hardware?
I may be interested in polishing my Slide Lock and Safety Lever, to give it a 2-Tone look.

 

[NoogMan]

My thoughts exactly....Apex isn't entirely necessary on the Shield.......but the M&P full size, it's a different story. I had to install the Apex FSS kit on my full size, and I love, love, love it. Much closer to my 1911's.

Back to the Shield.......Talon grips, Truglos, a maglula, and just shoot it a bunch....it's a carry gun. The trigger is good (much better than the full size).

You're going to get a lot of differing and conflicting information on those questions, and will not make the decision easy. If you haven't already, try a forum search for "9mm Shield Upgrade"...you'll find plenty of info and see what I mean. You have picked the 3 top upgrades I see considered for the Shield.

First of all, if you can, get your hands on a Shield and shoot one at a range (rental or loaned from a friend). At a minimum, handle one and experiment with the trigger at your LGS.

Second--and I mean right away, get that Mag Uplula loader.

I had a S&W certified gunsmith do a complete inner polish and "trigger job" without buying the Apex kit just working with my original factory parts. It reduced the pull from 7+ to 5 and very smooth. I don't have a manual safety on mine, and I really wouldn't want it any lighter than where it is now--perfect!.

I recommend the rubberized Talon grips--I really like how they improved the feel and are no issue at all while holstered, and so far have looked as good as the day I first put them on.

Sights--you're gonna get a lot of opinions on those--I evaluated all the choices and went with the TruGlo TFX HD sights, and couldn't be happier.

Good luck with your search. Every day I still think what a great pistol my Shield is. I shoot about 200 rounds per week right now since I bought it a little over a month ago.