I am gonna have to side with Sypher on this one. Even though I personally am not interested in any of the guns mentioned.
Fair enough. I responded to cokeman's comment, and my guess is he suggested the shield at $249 as an fyi because the op may not have been aware that for an additional $15-$30 he could get a "better" firearm than the two he asked about. Plus the op did say he was open to other options
The OP is buying 3 pistols. The pistols the OP meantioned can be had for $200 or just under. An extra $50 equals an extra $150. I'm assuming the OP listed those two pistols because they're in his price range.
I've owned 5 Shields and 2 Taurus G2s. I honestly like the Taurus over the Shield. The Taurus was 100% relaible, and fit my hand better. Plus it was 12+1 in a very compact package vs 7+1 or 8+1 in the Shield. The 8+1 Shield will have a longer grip... The Shield had a nicer finish and looks nicer over all.
Four of my Shields were 100%, but one of my 45acp Shield's recoil assembly broke in peices after I took it apart for cleaning after the first range visit... There are multiple threads on the S&W forum from others who had the same happen to them. To their credit, S&W mailed me a new recoil assembly out free of charge... Not sure Taurus would have done the same, but I can't say for sure being that my G2s were 100%.
What turned me off from Taurus at the time I sold mine off was the lack of after market support, and others who were reporting that Taurus had long turnover time on warrenty service. This was a few years back when the PT111 G2 was first released though... If this has changed, the OP wouldn't be gaining anything by going with the EC9 and Shield over the G2C.
OP, the EC9 only comes with, correct me if I'm wrong, one mag and non adjustable/changeable sights. The G2C has more capacity, adjustable/changeable sights, and two mags. Something to keep in mind.
Shield with 7 round mag... With an 8 round mag, the Sheild will be taller...
PT111 with 12+1 rounds
Shield with 8+1 rounds...
Fron someone who has accually carried both, the weight and size difference is not noticeable when carried. For the about the little over an oz difference in weight, you get 4 more rounds....