Would you risk your life using a Shield

[ironhead7544]

G34 with a G26. G34 in a vertical snap out shoulder holster and the G26 on the right hip. Used a G17 and G26 in this manner when bodyguarding for many years. G34 wasnt out yet. CorBon 115 gr ammo.

 

[mikeyland]

I would go with a glock 19 only for mag capacity. I have a shield in 9mm an love it but you need capacity. I find I shoot better with a 9mm than 40 or 45. Body armor is great I'm here cause I wore mine.

 

[waynesigmeister]

Thanks for the different ideas. Even though I am retired LE, I live and work in Calif. My LE badge allows me to carry concealed but I still fall under the control under that State as a armed security officer. Therefore, my calibers are limited, no long guns though something can be concealed in my car nearby. These details may have you by the front door, in a suit with a mini badge on the lapel, supposedly your presence will scare the bad guys away. It is a high risk job because of this. I do carry hi cap mags and need a gun that I can totally trust. Legally, as a security guard, I cannot carry a BUG. If I had my choice I would carry my S&W Model 19 Combat .357 magnum but in today's world, it is hi cap guns needed for my safety. Sometimes I have a partner (very high risk situations) but usually it is a one man detail.

 

[tkdguy]

How about a second Glock or MP 40 Compact or ...

As a retired LEO, I now work high risk security details, such as plainclothes bank robbery prevention or wearing a suit for bank robbery prevention, robbery prevention in very expensive jewelery stores where they have $20,000,000 in product. I carry a Glock 23 40 cal, concealed for work but am looking at the Shield. I also wear body armor for these details. I have read a lot of negative reports on the Shield. I need a gun that is reliable and capable of putting down a suspect if I were to get in a shooting. The gun must be small enough to conceal, light enough to carry 12 hours a day. A 1911 is to big and heavy, am looking at the Shield due to its size.

XDS 40 subcompact. Or 9 mm versions. I like the idea of you staying with Glocks because of your learning history with the Glock. How does this sound?

 

[GKC]

While I like the Shield, if I was in your position (professional) I wouldn't make it my primary carry (too little capacity.) If you are looking to move away from the G23 (and .40S&W) I would suggest you consider a M&P .45c (holds 8 rounds, with 10 and 14 round mags available.) IF you want to go with 9mm, I'd certainly suggest a higher capacity gun...like a M&P 9 or 9c. Another gun to consider, if your user name is a clue, is a SIG SP2022 in 9mm (the polymer frame will be lighter than the metal framed SIGs.)

 

[ColbyBruce]

If I were you, facing the possible threats you must defend against, within the constraints placed on you by the state of California, I would ask myself if I needed THAT job so badly I was willing to die for it. I am no mathematician but the odds of your surviving an assault such as you anticipate do not appear to be high to me. Rather than look for a new pistol, I would search for a new job.

I certainly wish you the best.

 

[epj]

I would not intentionally place myself in harm's way with a Shield as my primary weapon. I carry mine when I do not expect trouble.

 

[Com 45acp]

Better to be a good witness instead of a dead one.

 

[Nakanokalronin]

I would not use a small gun meant for easy carry at a high risk security job. A service sized sidearm is much more suitable for the role.

 

[Marie13]

I'm a civilian and a 9mm Shield is my EDC. In your case, OP, I'd be carrying something high capacity with the Shield as a BUG.

My Shield has been flawless.

 

[NCW Ray]

Considering the great likelihood of you facing multiple bad-guys...I'd go with a higher capacity pistol, or at least a pistol capable of using it's big brother's full size magazines such as the M&Pc with the spare mags being full size mags w/xgrip adapters.

I liken what you're proposing to do as a person trying to haul 15 passengers in a 2 seater Corvette when you should be using a 15 passenger bus...you MIGHT be able to do it...but is it wise??!!

 

[cbr6864]

Why would you carry a handgun like the shield if you current job dictates you wearing armor? That would imply high risk so why not carry a gun that is more capable like a full size?

 

[Smitty357]

I wake up every morning risking my life with my Shield.

I'm still here today. =-)

 

[viceunit]

Glock 18…if only! Even though I have always subscribed to the bigger-the-bore-the-better theory, in this scenario I would prefer a G19 with some +p+ ammo. More capacity than a 357 sig with nearly similar ballistics. I had a G19 that I carried with +p+ 124gr Hydra-Shocks and I was very confident it would do the job. When the PD switched to the 40 s&w I sold the 19 for a 23. But, certainly, I would prefer a G19 (or a G23 for that matter) over a Shield under your circumstances. As others have suggested, proper, quality leather wear is imperative for 12 hour comfort and concealability.

 

[Muss Muggins]

As a retired LEO, I now work high risk security details, such as plainclothes bank robbery prevention or wearing a suit for bank robbery prevention, robbery prevention in very expensive jewelery stores where they have $20,000,000 in product. I carry a Glock 23 40 cal, concealed for work but am looking at the Shield. I also wear body armor for these details. I have read a lot of negative reports on the Shield. I need a gun that is reliable and capable of putting down a suspect if I were to get in a shooting. The gun must be small enough to conceal, light enough to carry 12 hours a day. A 1911 is to big and heavy, am looking at the Shield due to its size.

After reading everything about the Shield contained on this site, in a word, "No."

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Legally, as a security guard, I cannot carry a BUG.

I think that you can figure this one out for yourself.

 

[eli23nyc]

Yes I trust my Shield for CCW / off duty but after saying that,
I consider your job "offensive" and not "defensive" and therefore would suggest you keep your Glock 23, maybe get a Glock 27 and be sure to have 2 extra mags for the 23 as they also fit the 27.

+1 on this response.
The Shield is a fine weapon, but in your case capacity would certainly be an issue. I would agree that a "convertible" is what you should look into. I owned a Glock 27 for a while but it was a bit too short for my tastes without the extended mag and sleeve. I also owned a G23 at the time so the G27 wound up going away.
If you like M&P's I would suggest going with an M&P 40c.
It's comfortable with either the short mag (10 rounds), or the full size, (15 rounds). If you run it converted then you could go 12 rounds of 9mm with the short mag or 17 with the full size.
All in a package not much larger than the Shield.
It is thicker and a bit heavier but still conceals well.
In your situation I would carry the M&P 40c with the short mag and two full size mags in case things get hairy.
Converted or unconverted depending on how you feel about the 9mm round.

 

[Shield9mm]

No doubt I would trust my life to the shield.

Sent from my Galaxy S5

 

[Fatdaddy]

I trust my Shield for casual carry but for a high risk occupation like you're describing....no way as a primary. I might even consider moving up to the G22.

 

[skip4309]

As a retired LEO, I now work high risk security details, such as plainclothes bank robbery prevention or wearing a suit for bank robbery prevention, robbery prevention in very expensive jewelery stores where they have $20,000,000 in product. I carry a Glock 23 40 cal, concealed for work but am looking at the Shield. I also wear body armor for these details. I have read a lot of negative reports on the Shield. I need a gun that is reliable and capable of putting down a suspect if I were to get in a shooting. The gun must be small enough to conceal, light enough to carry 12 hours a day. A 1911 is to big and heavy, am looking at the Shield due to its size.

The Shield is a great carry weapon...slim, shoots great...but it ain't no GLOCK...in you line of work I would want something with more capacity...try a G26/27 and carry a spare G17/22 mag..