Which model of Shield .40 cal do I want

[Wagonmaster]

Still researching the purchase of a Shield .40 and thought all I had to decide on was safety or no safety. Now I see on the Internet there's one listed as equipped with a load indicator and safety. Don't they all have the load indicator?

 

[mustangman]

Safety or not, its whatever you feel comfortable with. I like the safety on mine, but thats me. Regular Shields have a cutout to visually see the brass from the top. CA. compliant Shields have an actual pop up indicator on top.

 

[Nomadic Vagabond]

Safety or not, its whatever you feel comfortable with. I like the safety on mine, but thats me. Regular Shields have a cutout to visually see the brass from the top. CA. compliant Shields have an actual pop up indicator on top.

That makes it CA compliant? Wow, I had no idea. That's so unnecessary and hideous.

OP, don't get that one. Narrow it down to safety or no safety. I personally, like the idea of having a safety with 1 in the chamber - my M&P without a safety doesn't carry 1 in the chamber. I know, I know...

 

[1hatchet]

If you are used to a handgun with a safety say a "1911" than get the Safety Model. Now if you are used to a handgun such as a striker fired "Glock" than perhaps No Safety Model. It real comes down to your personal preference and what you are comfortable with in drawing and firing your firearm. The Safety does add an extra step however minor to operate when firing your gun.

Myself I like the safety on my M&P Shield gives me some comfort in an uncomfortable world.

Happy Shopping

 

[RobzGuns]

Just make sure you don't accidentally order the Mass Compliant model with the heavier trigger.
Did you notice what the trigger weight was on the model that has the LCI? It may also have a heavier trigger.

I don't remember the specifics of each model, but the LCI and Thumb Safety may not be the only items that make it Cal Compliant.
Definitely compare the Spec Sheets before buying... Especially if you buy online.

 

[JohnSW]

S&W's web site lists the SKU# of the various Shield models, so you can make sure that you get what you want.

M&P SHIELD - Smith & Wesson

 

[ScrapmasterFlex]

I was raised a Glock guy and am a Glock guy and I very meticulously searched for an EDC-CCW gun...and I am happy to have chosen the Shield. I purposely bought a regular "safety version" despite never having a pistol w/ a manual thumb safety... for a few reasons. I wanted to carry this every day, in various methods including in the pocket and waistband etc. and I thought, it is better to have too much protection than not enough... Many will disagree but I could care less , they're not carrying it for me! Plus, you can always leave it off if it bothers you that much, because it is VERY positively actuated, it's not and I repeat NOT going to go on or off accidentally.

So for me it was an easy decision... I got just what I wanted and it has been exactly what I needed. Now it's second-nature, the Shield goes just everywhere with me all the time. And I do feel good knowing there is just a little bit more protection w/ that safety. I know many others will disagree but again, that is why they have their own guns right?

Good luck on your choosing and hope you love yours as much as I love mine.

 

[Gramps14]

40 ?

Have you fired the 40 shield? It's a small gun and I think you might be happier with the 9mm. I carry mine every day and enjoy shooting 100 practice rounds once a week. With the new self defense ammos on the market now I think 9mm makes more sense.

 

[NCW Ray]

The Shield 40 is a little sweetheart! I love it, easy shooting, easy carrying, and reliable! Since I've never owned a pistol with a safety I would have needed to train myself to use it, so rather than try to teach this old dog a new trick...I went with the no safety model.

 

[John R]

That makes it CA compliant? Wow, I had no idea. That's so unnecessary and hideous.

OP, don't get that one. Narrow it down to safety or no safety. I personally, like the idea of having a safety with 1 in the chamber - my M&P without a safety doesn't carry 1 in the chamber. I know, I know...

If you need a gun to save your butt, one in the chamber is pretty much a necessity.

 

[robkarrob]

First don't be concerned the 40 Shield has TOO MUCH recoil, as it does not. Sure it has more recoil than a 9mm, as the 40 is a more powerful cartridge. I carry and shoot the Shield 40 and find the felt recoil and flip to be just slightly more than the 9mm, and for me the little extra recoil is well worth it for the more powerful caliber. It might take me 1/4 to 1/2 second longer to get back on target for subsequent shots, compared to the 9mm.

Second this is a striker fired gun, and as such it is just like a cocked and loaded 1911. The safety is a personal preference, but if you should carry in any way that the trigger is not completely covered, then a safety might be advisable. I pocket carry my Shield 40 with no holster and I carry with the safety always on, as I would not want to reach into my pocket and accidentally pull the trigger while pulling the gun out of my pocket. That would not be a good thing. As I draw the gun, the safety is swiped off as the muzzle starts to rise, so there is no delay if I needed to shoot.

Bob

 

[Well Armed]

The recoil on the .40 Shield is not bad at all, and loaded, the Shield isn't a feather weight gun. I wouldn't be concerned about recoil. The only thing that concerns me is the extra cost of ammo...

 

[Wagonmaster]

Have you fired the 40 shield? It's a small gun and I think you might be happier with the 9mm. I carry mine every day and enjoy shooting 100 practice rounds once a week. With the new self defense ammos on the market now I think 9mm makes more sense.

I haven't actually fired the .40 shield, but I currently have a Kahr CM9 (9mm) for CC and just think I would like to move on up to something a little larger caliber but still small enough to be CC. Will the shield .40 hurt any more than a 4" .357 mag or a 6" .44mag revolvers? I was almost afraid to shot the Kahr 9mm the first time but find it's really a fun gun at the range.
I've been able to handle the shield several times at LCS and really like the way it feels and fits in the hand. At least my little pinky isn't hanging out in space like it is with the Kahr.

Appreciate all the excellent above information and suggestions. Since my .380 Beretta has a thumb safety and the Kahr doesn't I feel comfortable with either one but it does sound reasonable to have a shield with the safety to be able to use it either way.

 

[Well Armed]

I haven't actually fired the .40 shield, but I currently have a Kahr CM9 (9mm) for CC and just think I would like to move on up to something a little larger caliber but still small enough to be CC. Will the shield .40 hurt any more than a 4" .357 mag or a 6" .44mag revolvers? I was almost afraid to shot the Kahr 9mm the first time but find it's really a fun gun at the range.
I've been able to handle the shield several times at LCS and really like the way it feels and fits in the hand. At least my little pinky isn't hanging out in space like it is with the Kahr.

Appreciate all the excellent above information and suggestions. Since my .380 Beretta has a thumb safety and the Kahr doesn't I feel comfortable with either one but it does sound reasonable to have a shield with the safety to be able to use it either way.

The Shield 40 was the first 40s&w I've ever shot. I too wanted to move up to a larger caliber, and I wanted to add a new caliber to my collection. In handguns, I only ever owned and shot the 22lr, 380, 9mm, 38, and .357 mostly out of 3" barrels or less.

After listening to mostly "assumptions" and some opinions from people who were saying the Shield 40 kicked like a mule, I was scared to take that first shot too, but after I did, I did not understand what people were crying about. Using Winchester white box 165gr target ammo, the recoil wasn't much. Like robkarrob already touched on, the felt recoil, muzzle flip, and muzzle blast is just slightly more than the 9mm in our opinions.

I've also shot the .38 and .357 out of the 2" barrel of a Ruger LCR, but never out of a 4" barrel. While the .38 was fine, the shotgun-ish sound, the muzzle blast and the recoil from shooting the .357 out of the LCR still to this day scares the cr@p out of me. It hurts my hands even after only shooting a 5 or so rounds, and I've been hit in the face with gasses once. It's absolutely non compatible to shooting the Shield chambered in 40s&w IMHO and experience, but YMMV.

 

[Jersey James]

I purchased my 40 Shield, before the non safety model was offered. Since I am a 1911 fan, I don't have any problems with the safety model. As far as recoil (have NOT shot a 9 Shield) it is very manageable for me. Either way, a Smith and Wesson 40 Shield, is a EXCELLENT choice.

 

[sdeeut69]

Safety - No Safety

I bought my 9 shield with the safety a year and a 1/2 ago because I didn't have a choice. I used the safety for a few day before I took it to the range. After shooting it and feeling the trigger.. I NEVER once engaged the safety again. I carried it every day never felt uncomfortable with the safety off... and never had an issue. I just purchased the Non-Safety 9 shield model as I sold the other one to buy a shield 40.. and didn't care for it. Great gun, too snappy to just have fun shooting it. Anyway, either way you'll love the gun, but the safety doesn't matter, holster it with a covered trigger and you'll never need it.

 

[Bats1]

My first hangun was a glock27, love that thing its surgical, recoil doesnt bother me so it was only normal that I purchased a shield in 40sw,....all I have to say is wow, im sohappy im buying the shield 9 in a few weeks, love my smith and wesson

 

[erj_pilot]

NONE of my carry handguns have a safety. The safety is my trigger finger.

JMHO...NO safety (SKU 10034). Getting a quote from my FFL to buy one next week!!

 

[MSG Glenn]

I wouldn't buy any M&P or other striker fired pistols with a safety unless I got a very good deal on it. In that case I just wouldn't use it. It's been so long since I carried a pistol with a safety that I'd be afraid I'd forget to disengage it.

I heard where someone carried a pistol with a safety but never used it & assumed it was off all the time. One time he was practicing a self defense draw & shoot & discovered the safety was on. The only thing he could think of was that the holster engaged it. He tried a few more times & found that was the case. He started holding the safety with his thumb each time he reholstered. I don't know if that's a common problem or this was just a one time occurrence.

 

[Dikinalaska]

Just get the safety model. That way you have the option if ever need be, and it could be a possible selling point if you ever decided to get rid of it. I got my 40 before there was an option like most, but I've only clicked it on ONE time since I've owned it. It's just too hard to cluck off for me, and I was used to my XD so I never used an external safety. The recoil really isn't bad. My Fiance shoots my 40 at the range and she doesn't notice much difference in recoil at all. Than again sheshoots my 10mm 1911 with no problems as well so maybe she's not the best to speak about recoil lol.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk