Talk me out of this Shield

[ThomasT]

I have only owned one 45acp, a Llama 1911 (sorta) and it was a great gun after I got a good magazine for it. The faactory mag would only work with RN bullets but another mag they sold me at the GS worked with hollow points also. But I shot it most of all with 230gr RN lead reloads and also some 200gr SWC lead bullets. It was surprisingly accurate even though I have read lots of post calling the guns junk. I bought this gun way back around 1990 before there was any internet. I paid $125 for it with the box and paperwork. I was given a model 39-2 and sold the 45.

Now I am so invested in 9mm I'm not in the market for another 45 even though I have thought hard about getting one. But if I did it would most likely be a Springfield Legends that is just a basic 1911 with better sights and lowered ejection port. It would be a range and top of the closet house gun mostly. But there is a lot of comfort in that big fat round.

 

[Spats McGee]

Shoot a G36 while you're at it.

That would be an interesting and enlightening comparative report.....

In all honesty, I really should shoot a G36 in that mix. I'm not as interested in it as I am this Shield, but it is a single-stack .45 in polymer.

 

[LiveLife]

In all honesty, I really should shoot a G36 in that mix. I'm not as interested in it as I am this Shield, but it is a single-stack .45 in polymer.

Would you consider adding Glock 30 SF to the test?

 

[Spats McGee]

Would you consider adding Glock 30 SF to the test?

As a general proposition, yes. That said, I actually had a 30S for a while and it was just a bit too thick in the grip for me. I don't know how different from the 30S the 30SF is. Not much, according to Handgun Hero.

 

[Garandimal]

In all honesty, I really should shoot a G36 in that mix. I'm not as interested in it as I am this Shield, but it is a single-stack .45 in polymer.

Would be interested in the comparative recoil profiles.

The G36 has a little shorter Bbl. and a little lower bore axis, both of which should be somewhat of an advantage.

The longer Bbl. of the M&P will add good weight at the muzzle, but also add energy with extra velocity.

Don't know how the recoil spring assemblies compare, except that the G36 is a captured dual spring system.

As far as ergo's go, a little thicker or thinner in the grip may or may not matter, but would be an interesting comparison.

They are both great .45 ACP compact carry options, whichever you choose.

The M&P definitely wins the beauty contest, they are very sharp lookin'.
(although my old, no-rail G36's with the Rhinoplasty have a simple elegance.)

​

GR

 

[Spats McGee]

Unfortunately, I can't rent a 4" .45 Shield locally, so a 3.3" .45 Shield will have to do. That's as close of a comparison as I'll be able to get in Shields.

 

[Garandimal]

Unfortunately, I can't rent a 4" .45 Shield locally, so a 3.3" .45 Shield will have to do. That's as close of a comparison as I'll be able to get in Shields.

Then you will have to extrapolate a little bit.

Plenty close enough to make a love/hate call... right up to the "take a chance cuz' it may be love" decision.

As mentioned, the 45 Shield.2 4" looks awesome.


What is the Acquisition cost?

EDIT:

Looks like ~ $450 on line.
Would jump on that!

G36's are generally ~ $550.
(w/ plastic OEM sights)




GR

 

[LiveLife]

As a general proposition, yes. That said, I actually had a 30S for a while and it was just a bit too thick in the grip for me. I don't know how different from the 30S the 30SF is. Not much, according to Handgun Hero.

That's why I replaced G30 with PT145 SA/DA for my wife and reason why I still have it even though it's been recalled.

It's essentially the same size as G19/G23 with smaller double stack 45ACP grip with SA trigger way preferable to Glock trigger.

When I called about PT145, Taurus said they would replace it with a .357 revolver ... and I am not a revolver guy.

 

[Spats McGee]

Am at the range now. Shield 45 & G36 available for rent. Shield 9 on my hip. Will advise.

 

[Garandimal]

Am at the range now. Shield 45 & G36 available for rent. Shield 9 on my hip. Will advise.

Be advised:

The grip on the G36 requires that you push your strong hand thumb forward, to create a symmetrical "pocket" support for the backstrap.

the first knuckles of your thumb and trigger finger should be square ("T") and perpendicular to the bore axis (slide).

Fixes Low/Left and tightens groups a lot.


And while a range pistol may be shot in, a new G36 shoots much nicer with a Glock OEM minus "-" connector - the only mod done to my pistols.


Looking forward to the report.




GR

 

[94045]

So I went to Academy Sports and handled a Shield 2.0 in 45. The grip texture is a little on the aggressive side, but certainly manageable. The next step will be to to the range and shoot a Shield .45 side by side with my 9mm.

It was noticable when first gripping it and a little aggressive after a couple hundred rounds when I first got it. After shooting it and my M&P M2.0 .40c for a while now I don't even notice. Either my hands have gotten used to it or the high points have worn slightly or both.

Good Luck on the Test Run!

Long finger guys tend to like the G36.
I have 8" Hands but big palms and short fingers so I tend to like the Shield.

 

[Spats McGee]

Range Report:
I took my Shield 1.0 9mm, and I rented a G36 and a Shield 2.0 .45. At least I think it was 2.0. I got 50 rounds of S&B 230 grain ball (at range prices... ). My impressions are as follows:

1. I've only been shooting handguns regularly for about 10 years, since the time I got my CHCL. Up until then, I plinked with a .22 and shot the occasional .38 or .357, but that was about it. So I'm not a great shot with a handgun. With that said, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that I shoot .45 better than I shoot 9mm, at least on the one-way range. I'll also admit on the front end that I don't get to the range nearly as often as I should.
2. Part of what leads me to impression #1 is that I immediately shot the .45 Shield and the G36 as well as I shoot my 9mm Shield, and I've had it for about 2.5 years. I've been carrying and shooting 9mm for ~5 years.
3. I liked the G36 better than I thought I would, so I'm glad I rented it. I expected that mag base/grip to wobble (which is a pet peeve of mine), and it did, but not as bad as I expected. I also shot it comparably well as compared to the Shield .45. I did have one double feed and a couple of failures to feed in 25 rounds. That's an unacceptable failure rate in a defensive gun, but I'm willing to chalk that up to it being a range gun. Could be filthy-dirty, worn springs, etc.
4. I liked the Shield .45. A lot. As I mentioned, I instantly shot it as well as my 9mm. Zero failures. Sweet shooter.
   
5. As between the G36 and the Shield... Recoil was about the same, in terms of amount. However, the G36 felt like it focused that recoil through the hump on the back of the grip, straight into the heel of my hand. The Shield had it more spread out across my palm. I'm thinking that's a function of how the grip fits into my hand, so that point goes to the Shield.

 

[LiveLife]

Dang, that won't help much with selection.

I should have had you do some eyes closed natural point of aim at 5 yards from draw ... to see which pointed and shot more naturally to you.

 

[94045]

Range Report:
I took my Shield 1.0 9mm, and I rented a G36 and a Shield 2.0 .45. At least I think it was 2.0. I got 50 rounds of S&B 230 grain ball (at range prices... ). My impressions are as follows:

1. I've only been shooting handguns regularly for about 10 years, since the time I got my CHCL. Up until then, I plinked with a .22 and shot the occasional .38 or .357, but that was about it. So I'm not a great shot with a handgun. With that said, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that I shoot .45 better than I shoot 9mm, at least on the one-way range. I'll also admit on the front end that I don't get to the range nearly as often as I should.
2. Part of what leads me to impression #1 is that I immediately shot the .45 Shield and the G36 as well as I shoot my 9mm Shield, and I've had it for about 2.5 years. I've been carrying and shooting 9mm for ~5 years.
3. I liked the G36 better than I thought I would, so I'm glad I rented it. I expected that mag base/grip to wobble (which is a pet peeve of mine), and it did, but not as bad as I expected. I also shot it comparably well as compared to the Shield .45. I did have one double feed and a couple of failures to feed in 25 rounds. That's an unacceptable failure rate in a defensive gun, but I'm willing to chalk that up to it being a range gun. Could be filthy-dirty, worn springs, etc.
4. I liked the Shield .45. A lot. As I mentioned, I instantly shot it as well as my 9mm. Zero failures. Sweet shooter.
   
5. As between the G36 and the Shield... Recoil was about the same, in terms of amount. However, the G36 felt like it focused that recoil through the hump on the back of the grip, straight into the heel of my hand. The Shield had it more spread out across my palm. I'm thinking that's a function of how the grip fits into my hand, so that point goes to the Shield.

The S&B is usually pretty warm and shoots very clean. It is generally only 20-40 fps slower than the Fed 230 gr +P I carry and 800-820 fps out of a 3.3" barrel. So you probably got a real feel for how each feels with carry ammo.

You will get a little cheese grater effect on a new Shield from the rims until it breaks in. The little flecks of brass went away on mine after the first few hundred rounds. It did not effect function at all. Supposedly they finished the inside of the slide like that to help control slide speed (odd but no denying it's reliable).

I found I shot the .45 Shield better from the get go than I did the 9mm but.I had only shot the 9mm off and on. The 9mm.was okay, the .40 sucked and the .45 (due to the larger platform) was just right.

I wish I could help you on the 4" but I don't know anyone that's got one. Are you considering the standard FO Sight Model or the Optics Ready with or without the Red Dot?

I would love to tell you about all the malfunctions my .45 Shield 3.3" has had and if it ever has one I will.

Good luck with your decision and keep.us informed.

 

[Garandimal]

Range Report:
I took my Shield 1.0 9mm, and I rented a G36 and a Shield 2.0 .45. At least I think it was 2.0. I got 50 rounds of S&B 230 grain ball (at range prices... ). My impressions are as follows:

1. I've only been shooting handguns regularly for about 10 years, since the time I got my CHCL. Up until then, I plinked with a .22 and shot the occasional .38 or .357, but that was about it. So I'm not a great shot with a handgun. With that said, I think it's becoming increasingly clear that I shoot .45 better than I shoot 9mm, at least on the one-way range. I'll also admit on the front end that I don't get to the range nearly as often as I should.
2. Part of what leads me to impression #1 is that I immediately shot the .45 Shield and the G36 as well as I shoot my 9mm Shield, and I've had it for about 2.5 years. I've been carrying and shooting 9mm for ~5 years.
3. I liked the G36 better than I thought I would, so I'm glad I rented it. I expected that mag base/grip to wobble (which is a pet peeve of mine), and it did, but not as bad as I expected. I also shot it comparably well as compared to the Shield .45. I did have one double feed and a couple of failures to feed in 25 rounds. That's an unacceptable failure rate in a defensive gun, but I'm willing to chalk that up to it being a range gun. Could be filthy-dirty, worn springs, etc.
4. I liked the Shield .45. A lot. As I mentioned, I instantly shot it as well as my 9mm. Zero failures. Sweet shooter.
   
5. As between the G36 and the Shield... Recoil was about the same, in terms of amount. However, the G36 felt like it focused that recoil through the hump on the back of the grip, straight into the heel of my hand. The Shield had it more spread out across my palm. I'm thinking that's a function of how the grip fits into my hand, so that point goes to the Shield.

Thanks for the report!

The 45 Shield sounds sweet, and the Performance Center trigger and 4" Bbl. even more so.

As mentioned in the above post after you were already at the range, the G36 requires that you come to it, and wrap the thumb and palm pad around the grip, knuckles square, and lay the palm on the back-strap, almost like a birds-head grip.

Otherwise, it sits on the palm swell like a golf ball, and then the gun usually pivots on it left during recoil, due to the unsupported load-path.

Not as obvious when shooting two-handed, but critical for single-hand shooting.

As for the G36 function problems, It could be a lot of things - including being an early production troubled model.

...all mine run like industrial machinery.


For $450 with the full 4" Bbl, better sights, and the PC trigger work, the 45 Shield.2 4" looks like a winner!




GR

 

[94045]

For $450 with the full 4" Bbl, better sights, and the PC trigger work, the 45 Shield.2 4" looks like a winner!




GR

I wouldn't bet on the PC Trigger being a lot better.

.45 Shield Trigger
Smooth Light Take Up
No Creep
Hard Wall
Crisp barely 5 lb Break (After break-in)
No noticable over-travel.
Short Tactile Reset.

For a carry pistol I don't know that it gets much better. It's better than my P365 (which has a smooth but relatively long stack then a wall and a less crisp break).

 

[Garandimal]

I wouldn't bet on the PC Trigger being a lot better.

.45 Shield Trigger
Smooth Light Take Up
No Creep
Hard Wall
Crisp barely 5 lb Break (After break-in)
No noticable over-travel.
Short Tactile Reset.

For a carry pistol I don't know that it gets much better. It's better than my P365 (which has a smooth but relatively long stack then a wall and a less crisp break).

Saw a YouTube where the PC Trigger was breaking at 2.5-3.5 lbs.

Which seems a little light for SD carry.




GR

 

[TomJ]

I have the 4 inch Shield 2.0 from the performance center as well as 7 other M&P 2.0’s (a 9mm Shield with the 3 inch barrel, a 40, two 45’s and 3 other 9’s. I like the 2.0’s alot). I haven’t noticed that the PC trigger is lighter.

 

[94045]

Just a heads up. I have a pre-M2.0 .45 Shield.
If a difference exist between it and the M2.0 I can't tell it.

Same texture, miniscule forward slide serrations and trigger (near as I can tell).

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Logically, I know this is the most reasonable answer. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have a teenager who will start college in about a year and a half. That means that the time when "money is less tight" is out there somewhere, probably at least 5 years out.

Yeeeeeaaaahhhh...about the "teenager who will start college" bit...

I feel for ya. Our youngest starts college this fall.

That will mean THREE kids in college...at the same time.

"Money is less tight" will probably be just a wee bit more than 5 years for us!

 

[Spats McGee]

....I wish I could help you on the 4" but I don't know anyone that's got one. Are you considering the standard FO Sight Model or the Optics Ready with or without the Red Dot?

I think I'd be perfectly happy with the FO Sight Model.

I would love to tell you about all the malfunctions my .45 Shield 3.3" has had and if it ever has one I will.

Good luck with your decision and keep.us informed.

Good to know, and will do.

....As for the G36 function problems, It could be a lot of things - including being an early production troubled model.

Possible, but unlikely. The G36 has been around considerably longer than the range I went to.[/QUOTE]

I have the 4 inch Shield 2.0 from the performance center as well as 7 other M&P 2.0’s (a 9mm Shield with the 3 inch barrel, a 40, two 45’s and 3 other 9’s. I like the 2.0’s alot). I haven’t noticed that the PC trigger is lighter.

Well?!? Don't hold out on me! I'm gathering you like the M&P line. Any problems with the 4"? Any notable differences in performance between it and the basic (3.3") .45?

ETA: I think the decision of what I want has been made. Now the $64K question will be whether I can scrape the funds together to buy it.

ETA #2: A little nosing around on the web tells me that holster selection may be very limited, too. My 'usual suspects' don't list holsters for the 4" Shield .45.

 

[TomJ]

Spats,

The only problem I've had with any of them is the Shield with the 4 inch barrel wasn't feeding hollow points when I first bought it. I sent it to S&W, they polished the feed ramp and it's been perfect since then. I've shot thousands of rounds through the others without a malfunction.

They're all accurate, but the Shield with the 4 inch barrel is a little more accurate for me than the Shield, but that's to be expected given the longer barrel.

I dry fired some of mine this morning and measured the trigger pulls and listed them below. The Shield from the PC is lowest and the difference between that and the Shield is noticable. The perceived difference between the Shield from the PC and some of the others is non existant to me. I've shot the Shield from the PC and the full size 9mm (the first M&P 2.0 I bought) significntly more than the others, which may account for the difference in trigger pulls. I'm sure the PC tuning the action on the trigger has something to do with the difference as well, but again when dry firing them I don't really notice the difference between a 4.75 and 6 trigger pull weight.

Shield PC 4 inch barrel - 4.75
9mm fullsize - 5.5
45 subcompact - 5.5
9mm subcompact - 6
45 full size - 6
9mm compact - 6.5
Shield - 6.75

In regards to the financial part, my rule of thumb in regards to guns is if I'm looking to buy one that's a want, not a need, I need to sell something which will cover most, if not all of the cost of the new gun.

 

[Spats McGee]

@TomJ - Do you have a holster that fits your PC Shield (4")? I've searched high and low and can't find anything, from anybody.

ETA: After a whole lot of searching, I found a grand sum of ONE holster company that lists the 4.0" Shield 45 by name. Vedder makes two holsters for it, and neither is a design that I like. Harrumph.

ETA #2: Make that two. TT Gunleather has them on their list, too.

ETA: #3: JM Custom Kydex also makes one.

 

[94045]

@TomJ - Do you have a holster that fits your PC Shield (4")? I've searched high and low and can't find anything, from anybody.

ETA: After a whole lot of searching, I found a grand sum of ONE holster company that lists the 4.0" Shield 45 by name. Vedder makes two holsters for it, and neither is a design that I like. Harrumph.

ETA #2: Make that two. TT Gunleather has them on their list, too.

Alien Gear
Cloak Tuck 3.5 IWB is what I use.
I'm not sure about the 4" though.
Might chat or call with them tomorrow.

 

[TomJ]

@TomJ - Do you have a holster that fits your PC Shield (4")? I've searched high and low and can't find anything, from anybody.[/QUOTE

I pocket carry using a Sticky Holster, so I'm not aware of IWB or OWB holsters made specifically for it. I have a Stealthgear OWB holster for the Shield, but the Kydex shell covers the end of the barrel so the 4 inch Shield won't fit in it unless you cut the Kydex shell and open it up. N82 makes a one size fits all holster that I could use with it, but it's an elastic band that covers the trigger so you need to be careful holstering it.