Would you risk your life using a Shield

I'll echo the thoughts that if you already have a GLOCK 23, the GLOCK 27 sub compact would be a great fit. I find I carry these two models the most.

There are a lot of benefits for you to pick the G27... It is the same caliber as your G23, G23 mags will fit and run flawlessly in it, many holsters and mag pouches for one will work with the other, they both have the same trigger, and the manual of arms is identical.

If faster follow up shots are desired, the 9mm team of the GLOCK 19 & 26 would be a great replacement choice. Modern ammo makes the difference between calibers less of a factor these days.

Now to my thoughts of the Shield. Mine is an early version of the 9mm Shield and it has been flawless with over 600 rounds through it. It is truly "GLOCK-like" in reliability and has a similar trigger pull and reset travel when compared to my GLOCKs. I mention this as your GLOCK-to-Shield transition would be easier because of it.

I rate the Shield as an excellent CCW and self defense gun, but would give it lower marks for you as a duty gun because of magazine capacity. For duty, pick something which can stay in the fight for longer than 7-8 rounds. This would be especially important if your job may put you into a confrontation with multiple assailants.

One man's opinion...

Edmo
 
Given the type of work you've suggested, I'd be looking to see if I could conceal a 12ga somehow.

Seriously, I trust the Shield as my primary CC pistol (and do carry a 1911 or a high power or a J frame depending on where I'm going and how I'm dressed).

HOWEVER, I'm just a normal citizen going about his daily routine (store, bank, gas station, work, home, fishing, walking through the neighborhood, etc.). It is highly unlikely I'll ever need to draw a weapon much less to actually use one.

You, on the other hand, have a much higher probability. I'd want as many rounds of as high power and large caliber as I could realistically carry and shoot. And I was only half joking about the shotgun. All things being equal the choice between a .45 and a 9mm is clear, I'm taking the 12ga every time.
 
Sounds like an FN 5 seven is a better choice for that type of work.... In my area, the MO of jewelry store robberies are multiple baddies. One typically carries an assault rifle while the others smash n grab all they can. 5.7 would cut right through body armor.
 
waynesigmeister said:
... I have read a lot of negative reports on the Shield. ...
Click to expand...

No gun is perfect but when you say "a lot of negative reports".. lets get to some specifics. How about providing a list of the negatives you've read ? We may be able to provide a bit more clarity.
 
In your situation where you could be attacked at one time by multiple assailants? Not as a primary. As a backup, sure.

However, as my EDC, I do trust the Shield. But again, I'm not primarily out there defending $20 MM in merchandise!
 
Get a Glock 19, it fits the holsters you have for the G23. A hi-cap 9mm is a great choice for what you're doing.
 
Any pistol with enough break in rounds to let it work correctly....

Correct ammo that feeds w/o any problems..........

and you can "Master" control with..................

can qualify, if..........

your brain gives you a "Green Light"

You can't be seeing "Red Lights".
 
Try a Glock 30S. It was designed for a lot of what you have described having to do. Good luck! Stay safe! Regards 18DAI.
 
As a retired Leo you should know what the answer to this question is. Look at what your agency now carries and I'm positive it will suit your needs as well.
 
Not to belabor the point about capacity.....

But a Shield is carried by those that don't anticipate trouble. If you are in a situation where something is likely to happen with more than one perp, you're gonna need more gun.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
How about a second Glock or MP 40 Compact or ...

waynesigmeister said:
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.
Click to expand...


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?
 
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.)
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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??!! :D
 
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?
 
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.
 
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waynesigmeister said:
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.
Click to expand...

After reading everything about the Shield contained on this site, in a word, "No."
 
ken158 said:
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.
Click to expand...

+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.
 
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.
 
waynesigmeister said:
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.
Click to expand...

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..:D
 
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