What is the lure of the Shield?

[RobzGuns]

Lure? What lure? The lure that if something is hard to get it must be
better? I've only read one test report and it wasn't too favorable. Hard
to beat the Glock 19 and 26 for a compact 9mm.

I agree... For a Compact Double-Stack, it's hard to beat a G19 and I do like my G26 as well... But the Shield a is Single-Stack Subcompact, which is exactly what I was shopping for.

Which report was not to favorable? All the Test Reports I've seen (including Hickock45) were all Very Favorable.

Being hard to get definitely does not make it more desirable, at least not to me. If you ever get to actually shoot one, you'll finally understand.

 

[Mdzcpa]

I love my Glock 23. A nice mid frame pistol that is a real pleasure to shoot and maintain. But as my EDC, the Shield 40 runs circles around the G23. It is simply much easier to conceal and the smaller pistol gives up very little in terms of shootability. Recoil even with the 40 is no issue at all.

G27 you say? Nope...too thick. The smaller frame of the G27 is betrayed by the same big square slide and double stack thickness of the G23.

There is far more to the Shield than hype. If the XDs came out in a 40, I would be looking at that as well. Single Stack is where its at for larger calibers and a comfortable deep conceal.

 

[Sammy63]

I was looking hard for a BUG/ccw this time last year. LCP, LC9, then got hooked on the XDs, but then heard about the Shield and have not looked back. I research the heck out of everything. I hate buyer's remorse. If I had the money, I would have all these guns. I love guns. I love shooting guns. I love the smell of gunpowder in the morning.....

But, the reality is I wanted ONE BUG/ccw that would meet 90% of my needs. I finally was able to get a LEO version only (stupid California), and can't wait to pick it up. I am a huge fan of Smith and Wesson. My first duty weapon was a Model 69 .38 (which I purchased). Then the 4006, which I purchased when my Department retired them. That gun sits in my nightstand..... 11 plus one in the chamber. My duty weapon now is a 4006tsw. Definitely a tighter weapon than the original. In May I will get assigned a 4013tsw as an undercover carry. So, my M&P Shield .40 will complete the set! I have read all the discussions about 9mm vs. 40. I am waaaaaaay too biased to drink the 9mm koolaid. I was thinking I could buy the 9mm barrel for the .40. But then I thought, ya, right...

I am a hunter too, and I have a similar brand loyalty to Remington....

As a final note.... Born, bred, and manufactured in the USA goes a long way with me.

 

[badge]

I shot one and loved it. I bought one about three month ago for 389 clams. I shoot it well and it is very comfortable to carry. Whats not to like?

 

[kbm6893]

I don't know and I sell them. It's the same size or larger than a dozen other guns out there that are just as nice - including the Beretta Nano 9mm. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine pistol.

I chalk it up to the (pick your description) anti-Glock or pro-M&P fervor. I would rather (and do) carry a sub-compact (3") 1911. However, I can see how the size coupled with the price of the Shield is alluring. I do have a list of people waiting to get a shield.

The Beretta nano does not have a slide stop and the pistol has had many issues. I am a big Beretta fan and if you go on over to the Beretta forum, you'll see what I mean

Sorry, but the Nano or the ruger LC9 (and I owned the LC9) can't even begin to compete with the Shield. S&W has a grand slam with this one. it's the sub-compact by which others are measured.

 

[RussC]

The Beretta nano does not have a slide stop and the pistol has had many issues. I am a big Beretta fan and if you go on over to the Beretta forum, you'll see what I mean

Sorry, but the Nano or the ruger LC9 (and I owned the LC9) can't even begin to compete with the Shield. S&W has a grand slam with this one. it's the sub-compact by which others are measured.

+1

After more than a year I am still reading the same old same old. Nano FTE with target ammo.

I owned a Nano and shot 1300 rounds and could never get the Nano to kick out target ammo like my Shield.

I am done messing around with single stack 9mm. There is no reason to tryout another. My Shield 9mm is my only ccw.

Russ

 

[hd28cw]

Shields are great if you ever get in a sword fight with a viking...

 

[RussC]

Shields are great if you ever get in a sword fight with a viking...

Hd28cw

Funny

Russ

 

[TDC]

I believe the majority consensus is in, especially by those who own the guns and have had an opportunity to use it.... The Shield truly is a "grand slam" for S&W!

I enjoy separating hype from reality and find from my own experience the Shield deserves all the favorable "kudos" already well defined by others on this thread.

I'm currently working with a Shield 9mm, a Springfield XDs, and a Ruger LCP. They are all excellent firearms in their own right, all in a different caliber and all with a different purpose, but the Shield stands out as the one that can be considered "all things to all people", IMHO...

Concealable enough, powerful enough, accurate, well priced and it just feels like some very knowledgeable gun people had serious input with its creation and design...

Those of you who are still waiting for a Shield will be equally impressed when your gun arrives. The local interest I'm seeing with the Shield rivals the Mod.29 "Dirty Harry" craze of the 1970's.... Almost every gun person or LEO I know has or wants one...

Just sayin'

 

[Pointer1]

true i finally found one and soon as i picked it up i just knew this is the one. we left the store together and have been happy since

 

[Dino1]

Easy to grip, easy to conceal, shoot accurate, very reliable, light weight. Lifetime warranty. What more do you want from a CCW pistol?
I carry one daily in .40 caliber. and can not think of anything better to carry as of date.

 

[sdeeut69]

I feel exactly the same way. I have the M&P9c and the first time I took it to the range a guy had a new shield. He was gracious and we traded and shot both. The shield felt very thin in my hand... the kind of thin that I wouldn't want to shoot at the range alot. But... the kind of thin I would think would be a little better as a conceal. The only problem was that the grip on his shield and my 9c were the same. And that's the part that sticks out! So you didn't really gain anything with it being more thin, and in fact mine holds 4 and 5 rounds more in each clip compared to his 7 and 8 round mags, but that in turn makes it a lighter carry conceal. We BOTH liked the feel of the compact grip A LOT better and I would shoot that all day at the range. I love my 9c and carry it abdomen carry in a glaco and it's very comfortable, but I would agree that the shield being thinner would feel just that much better. I do see myself buying one, but not for the $600 - $750 people are trying to charge for a $450 gun. I'll patiently wait with my awesome 9c until things are back to normal.

 

[sdeeut69]

What are the advantages of a shield 9mm over a M&P9c..??

I've been considering the 9c and with it being out there can't see much of a reason to consider the shield..??

As I posted earlier, the ONLY advantage to the shield is it is a 1/4"thinner" than the 9c. Which in turn gives you less rounds but lighter weight. The barrel is a little bit shorter, but the grip is the same length, which for anyone who carries knows that is the part that prints. The shield shoots great and is for sure lighter/thinner, but I carry my 9c IWB with a Galco holster and it's comfortable and you cannot see it. Plus the 9c has the thicker grip which is WAY more comfortable as a range gun and holds more rounds so you're not reloading as fast. The shield is a GREAT shooter and a VERY nice gun. But the 9c conceals as well and holds more rounds and has the interchangeable back straps. I guess the big difference is price, the 9c is around $100 more than the sheild - in NORMAL times - right now people are trying to sell shields new or USED for $700 or more.. RIDICULOUS! I'm 6'-1" 190 lbs, the 9c is perfect. If I were smaller or a woman, I can see the shield being that much better for conceal carry. But I recommend anyone looking to try and hold both before deciding.. if you can find one to hold that is.

 

[Smitty357]

Shield is more comfortable for CC. Most of us will use the comfort more than we will use the capacity.

So if its for CC, i'd go with the Shield. If its just a normal carry weapon where comfort isnt a huge issue, i'd go with the 9C.

In the end, to each his own.

 

[Roger S&W]

Somebody told me I need to replace my M&P Shield 9mm with a Springfield XDs .45ACP
He asked, "Why carry a 9mm when you can carry a same sized .45ACP?"

 

[Smitty357]

Somebody told me I need to replace my M&P Shield 9mm with a Springfield XDs .45ACP
He asked, "Why carry a 9mm when you can carry a same sized .45ACP?"

It's funny u mention this though. My little brother actually bought his XDs a few days after I bought my Shield. After the first range trip of shooting both of them side by side. He finally came to the conclusion that he should have bought a Shield instead. Few days later he sold the XDs for a couple hundred more than he bought it for. Less than a week later I found him a Shield .40 and since then he's never missed his XDs.

I told him awhile back that I was thinking about buying me an XDs. He told me I should sell him my Shield if i buy the XDs. I told him "Are you stupid". His answer was "I was going to say the same thing about you"

 

[mcbizkit02]

Feels like pure sex in your hand.

 

[Roger S&W]

Feels like pure sex in your hand.

Careful now....you don't wanna compromise a firm grip and start limp wristing.

 

[Roger S&W]

It's funny u mention this though. My little brother actually bought his XDs a few days after I bought my Shield. After the first range trip of shooting both of them side by side. He finally came to the conclusion that he should have bought a Shield instead. Few days later he sold the XDs for a couple hundred more than he bought it for. Less than a week later I found him a Shield .40 and since then he's never missed his XDs.

I told him awhile back that I was thinking about buying me an XDs. He told me I should sell him my Shield if i buy the XDs. I told him "Are you stupid". His answer was "I was going to say the same thing about you"

so, what is it that he didn't like about the XDs?

 

[S&WForty]

I've shot a few rounds through an XDs, and IMO the pattern molded into the grip made the thin grip even less comfortable and harsher.

Otherwise, I thought it was really nice. The XD crowd has plenty to be proud of.