S&w shield opinions

Detailed Range Review

And pictures

http://www.dayattherange.com/?p=1943

had mine for over a month now and I like it alot have about 300 rounds through it. It has a very smooth trigger and is comfortable to shoot. A friend just bought a Kahr CM9 and shot my shield and is now looking for the Shield. Another friend shot it and is also looking for one in 40. Mine is in 9.



Len

I've had mine for almost 2 weeks and 2 range sessions so far. It is a good carry gun, very light and concealable. For some reason, mine tends to shoot about 3 inches low at 7 yds. If I hold it really tight, like I'm choking it, it will shoot higher. I have read comments that they will shoot 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups at 7 yds. Mine doesn't. I'm not dis satisfied with it yet but I did expect better. My FIL got a PPS the same time I got my Shield and his is a shooter at the same range. Similiar to Glocks, there are several internal parts that could use some polishing to improve the trigger pull. The tab on the striker is the only one you can get to easily without completely disassembling the frame.
At this point I am considering two options. The first is to send it back to S&W and have them check it out. The second option is to call Dawson Precision and see what type of replacement front sight they have to fit it.

Over all I would say it is a good gun. Mine just may need some minor adjusting by the factory. Time will tell.

303 hunter said:

Has anyone had experience with the S&W Shield 9mm? Opinions?

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I have held couple. It's hard to get excited about plastic version of 3913 'Lady Smith'. I also looked at second-hand S&W 990L SC in .40S&W. I would rather have the $300 Walt-Smith. It was cheaper & lighter plus magazine capacity was either eight or 9 rounds but full length Walther .40S&W mag also worked fine in it.

I forgot to add in my first post that with 175 rounds through my Shield so far, I have had zero malfunctions of any kind. Even my G19 wasn't that good.

Went to the Range today. My PPQ 40 4" is absolutely awesome. Shot very, very tight groups. However, cannot say the same favorable report on my M&P Shield 40. On the extended mag after round fired the mag released. I did not have the same problem with the flush mag. Decided my two-hand grip needed to be modified. Then, shot somewhat better. BTW, don't care much for the Shield trigger, either.

I've got one - was looking for something thinner / lighter / smaller for CC in warmer weather. Got a DeSantis Die Hard Ankle Rig to carry it in (my first foray into ankle rigs - so far, OK).

I'm not an impulse buyer, but darn if I didn't walk out of the shop with one - had no intention of buying when I went in ($399) - didn't figure he'd even have one as he doesn't carry M&Ps.

Anywho...it's not quite as small as an LC9, but it just feels so good in my hand. Not quite as small as an LC9, but everything's a compromise (the LC9 is smaller, but doesn't feel quite as good in my hand simply because the grip is smaller).

Here are the things I don't like 'bout the SHIELD:
1. The 8-rd spacer ain't ready for prime time - it needs to be fixed in place so it can't slide up the magazine. I'm already seeing folks using electrical tape under the sleeve, silicone, glue, etc. I'm thinking 'bout trying hairspray under it (used to use hairspray to install motorcycle grips) since it will try to a tack.
2. Trigger is OK, but I don't think it's as great as folks make it out to be. I actually give the nod to the LC9 AFA trigger - it's long, but it's metal, it's smooth, and I can tell what's going on throughout the trigger stroke. I actually think the SHIELD feels spongy - the internal mechanisms may be great, but I'm guessing it's that darn plastic? articulated trigger that makes if feel so spongy?
3. Would prefer black magazines, 'specially for civilians that are CCing.
4. Pearce Grips (nor S&W) make a grip extender for it! I have Pearce Grip extenders on my XDSC9, and besides allowing that last finger on the grip, it really feels locked in with the extender's curve under the pinky (I've already e-mailed Pearce Grips to try and get them on the ball!).
5. Crappy cardboard box it came in! Yeah, that's nitpicking, but I'd be willing to pay a few bux extra for a nicer plastic box.

about how much are you folks paying for yours?

I've seen them at two gun shows over the past 5-wks but only by the same two dealers. They both have had it in .40 and 9mm.

One has them for $450. and the other < still in a cardboard box basicblur > for $500. S&W's MSRP is $450. the $500. dealer said to wait a few weeks and the price should be between $350. and $375.

That's when I'll be trading in my PF9 for one.

Our no-haggle dealer sells 'em for $399.
Not too shabby I guess, although I've seen some folks claiming they got 'em for $370 - maybe in a small town shop (which ours is).

I was debating between the Shield and the XDs, the XDs won out because it has better ambi controls (I shoot lefty) and it has no manual safety.

I have one and I find it to be a great gun. A little larger than my Kahr PM9 but more rounds. I have been on a lot of forums and read a lot of magazine articles on this gun and I have never seen a new gun better received by everyone.

Is the Shield magazine catch reversible like the other M&Ps?

I shot one recently at a S&W demo booth at an IDPA match. I wasn't going for a speed record, but was able to knock down a plate rack on the first try, which I thought was alright for a gun this small.

I am a lefty however, and my favorite thing about the regular M&P is the ambi controls. I noticed it does not have a right side slide catch, which is alright in a carry gun I think, but I would like a right side mag catch button.

Either way I have big hands and I'm thinking the M&Pc might be more my speed.

Regarding frame disassembly, if it is anything like a regular M&P, all you need is a mallet and a couple punches. Not as easy as a Glock, but not bad at all. The Shield I looked at appeared to have the same basic 3-pin frame design as all the others.

I'd like to see a side to side comparison with the Walther PPS which seems to be the "gold standard" in the sub-compact single stack 9MM's.

I've seen YouTube videos comparing the PPS to the SHIELD etc, but unless there are places to buy PPS mags at reasonable prices that I've not run across (haven't looked that closely), most folks say PPS mags run about $50 each.

$50 magazines kinda kicks a gun off my list of wants.

If money's an object, one needs to consider total cost of ownership before purchasing.

Is the Shield magazine catch reversible like the other M&Ps?

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No, the Shield is RH only. The slide stop is also RH only, whereas it is ambi on the other M&Ps.

I've had one in 9mm for a couple of months and really like the gun, fun to shoot and mild recoil. I've also got one in .40 that has yet to be shot.

Well Pilot, you're in luck. I got the Shield for Fathers Day and my FIL got a PPS. I've shot them both side by side on two occassions now and here is my honest opinion.
The trigger on the Shield is better. Not gritty and it doesn't stack like the PPS. I think the PPS trigger will get better with a few hundred more rounds through it but the Shield trigger was pretty good from the start.
Both pistols are thin and I believe the PPS is 2 oz. heavier. The PPS has 2 different backstraps, the Shield has the one it comes with and that is all. Both guns came with 2 mags. The cocking indicator in the PPS is totally unnecessary and adds to the gritty trigger. No such thing on the Shield. I have Glocks and hate the trigger shoe on them. The PPS has a Glock trigger shoe assembly and I like the trigger shoe on the Shield much better. We haven't encountered even one malfunction with either pistol.

As to accuracy: the PPS is more accurate at 7 yds. than MY Shield but I have read reviews of folks shooting 1 1/2 to 2 inch groups with the Shield and it should be capable of that. The PPS will do it all day.

The Shield fits my hand better than the PPS so I got it instead. The Shield was also $121.00 dollars cheaper( before taxes) than the PPS.

That's my opinion and I'm stickin to it.

Hi Folks

I got a Shield about a week or so ago, after doing quite a bit of research on the gun. I decided to look for one after trying the M&P 9c, which I felt was a nice gun, with a decent trigger. S&W seemed to have a very good line with the M&P pistols.

I have only put about 200 rounds through it, but I am very pleased with it in every way. I replaced the factory sear with an Apex sear and felt the difference right away. POI came to POA and accuracy improved, in my hands.

Below are the results from my last range session. A 10 shot group and a 5 shot group. Both from 7 yards. I did not measure this 5 shot group. This is using cheap, bulk 9mm and I have only shot this gun 3 times:





Not as accurate as my SIG's or a 1911...but for a $400 polymer gun with a 3in barrel that weighs 19oz (empty) and is 1in slim....it seems really good to me.

All in all, it is exactly what I wanted.

My best to all

J
ps - I just put a Hogue Handall Jr slip on grip on the gun's grip and it feels much nicer to me.

I held both the Shield and m&p9c at my LGS and walked out with the latter. The Shield was just too slim in the grip between the two guns.

The 9c's grip was slightly shorter and my feeling this part of the gun is the hardest to conceal. If the grip on the Shield were shorter then we are in pocket carry territory. Therefore, between the two both must be carried in a holster so why not get the gun with the longer barrel and better feeling grip IMHO.

vba said:

I held both the Shield and m&p9c at my LGS and walked out with the latter. The Shield was just too slim in the grip between the two guns.

The 9c's grip was slightly shorter and my feeling this part of the gun is the hardest to conceal. If the grip on the Shield were shorter then we are in pocket carry territory. Therefore, between the two both must be carried in a holster so why not get the gun with the longer barrel and better feeling grip IMHO.

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I'm going to agree with this having handled both.... I went the other way though because the Shield is slimmer and lighter. With the flush fitting mag there's barely a difference in grip length. The slimmer grip still felt pretty good to me, and it's been firing like a dream for me.

Does anyone know if the rear sight dovetail is the same as the other M&P pistols?

I'm looking for a sub-compact that I can mount a Trijicon RMR dual illuminated (no batteries) optic on. The list of mounts is pretty short, but there is one for the M&P.

OTOH I'd be thrilled to find a mount for my Kahr PM40.

I'm looking for a sub-compact that I can mount a Trijicon RMR dual illuminated (no batteries) optic on.

I'm almost afraid to ask...why?
(Oh come on...the rest of you were thinking the same thing!)

I'm almost afraid to ask...why?
(Oh come on...the rest of you were thinking the same thing!)

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Bullet placement on the target trumps all else when it comes to handgun effectiveness. You'll understand fine when you get old and can't focus on the front sight!

These are the smallest red dots out there, and work night or day without batteries.

You'll understand fine when you get old and can't focus on the front sight!

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Well I ain't no spring chicken, and I do have some screwy eyes (cross dominant, with dominance changing daily due to varying eye pressure).
Fortunately, I can still focus on the front sight, but I defy traditional dogma and tend to focus on the target.

I just seems a bit...unusual to be mounting a red dot on a compact, slimline gun!?

But...I offer no judgement!