I just got my CC license and am looking at getting either a G43 or Shield. I have been around Shotguns and Rifles my whole life but have very little exposure to handguns and carrying them. The big factor that I am hung up on is the manual safety the shield offers that the G43 obviously doesn't. Obviously I would practice my "draw" with any weapon I get, Just didn't know if being newer to this type of weapon it would be better to get something with a manual safety.
Glock G43 vs S&W Shield 9
- Thread starter rmatney
- Start date
Just because everyone hypes glock doesn't mean you HAVE to buy one, or even consider one if it doesn't meet YOUR criteria. Be your own person, refuse to be told "your funeral" or "only glocks are dependable" or "only glocks are real guns" or "they shoot themselves" or "glocks never fail, all others always fail" or whatever line glockers are trying to feed you that day. An example in your case would be "external safeties are for idiots" or "my safety is between my ears" or "you're too new to learn how to use a safety"
If you want a manual safety, choose from a group of guns equipped that way.
BTW: Have you held a 43 vs the Shield yet?
If you want a manual safety, choose from a group of guns equipped that way.
BTW: Have you held a 43 vs the Shield yet?
What ever you choose, be sure to practice bringing it into the fight. I have seen seasoned shooters forget to sweep off the safety on the range many times. Practice is key. Choose what you are comfortable carrying and shooting.
BTW Glocks do have safeties, they just aren't manual. I'm not a Glock fanboy but I do have a couple; they do take a bit to get comfortable carrying chambered, but I wouldn't carry any other way.
BTW Glocks do have safeties, they just aren't manual. I'm not a Glock fanboy but I do have a couple; they do take a bit to get comfortable carrying chambered, but I wouldn't carry any other way.
lee n. field
New member
If it were me, I would look most seriously at the Shield over the Glock. It would be for this reason: that model Glock is very new, and has little track record.
Also, you probably ought to start out with something larger than a "micro 9".
Also, you probably ought to start out with something larger than a "micro 9".
Spats McGee
Administrator
Welcome to TFL, rmatney!
As much as I love my Glock, and I do, I'd go with the Shield, all other things being equal. You want it for a CC gun. To my mind, that means that you need a pistol that's had all of the kinks worked out. I'm not convinced that the G43 fits that description. The Shield, on the other hand, has been around for a few years, so I'd be more likely to think that it has.
Also, there are pistols with manual safeties, pistols without manual safeties, and pistols that can be had either way. If you're more comfortable with a manual safety, get a pistol that has one.
Finally, go try to find a shop that has both. Hold them & see how they feel in the hand. Better yet, if you can rent them and shoot 'em side by side, do so. Only you can decide how a gun feels in your hand, how well you shoot them, how much you like shooting them, etc.
ETA: My advice is worth exactly what you've paid for it. I haven't shot either one of those pistols. I've held a Shield, but not a G43, for whatever that's worth.
As much as I love my Glock, and I do, I'd go with the Shield, all other things being equal. You want it for a CC gun. To my mind, that means that you need a pistol that's had all of the kinks worked out. I'm not convinced that the G43 fits that description. The Shield, on the other hand, has been around for a few years, so I'd be more likely to think that it has.
Also, there are pistols with manual safeties, pistols without manual safeties, and pistols that can be had either way. If you're more comfortable with a manual safety, get a pistol that has one.
Finally, go try to find a shop that has both. Hold them & see how they feel in the hand. Better yet, if you can rent them and shoot 'em side by side, do so. Only you can decide how a gun feels in your hand, how well you shoot them, how much you like shooting them, etc.
ETA: My advice is worth exactly what you've paid for it. I haven't shot either one of those pistols. I've held a Shield, but not a G43, for whatever that's worth.
2damnold4this
New member
S&W makes a version of the Shield with a thumb safety and a version without. It might be good to find a range where you could rent both the Shield and the G43. I don't have any experience with either and I think I would try them out before buying if I could. Good luck with your choice. 
Uncle Malice
New member
Here's another vote for the Shield!
the Shield is a monster of a little gun, In my hands I can match all my other pistols shot for shot from 5-25 yards except my 1911. I shoot it better than the G 19 I just traded off for the Ruger 9E and I was not bad with it. I have shot more money down range in ammo than what I paid for the Shield and it has never faltered ... so in other words I would go with the Shield.
marine6680
New member
I am usually a little trepidatious about new shooters getting small pistols for their first. Due to the added difficulty a small pistol brings, like heavier felt recoil and smaller sight radius. You do have experience elsewhere that will be helpful, but there is a difference between long guns and pistols. Gaining experience with a larger pistol will be a good idea if possible.
I own a shield. I found the trigger improved over the other M&P line, but a little heavy. It measured around 6.5-7lb.
The shield is a little larger than the g43, so the glock wins on size, it's not much though. The shield does hold 7 rounds vs the g43 holding 6. The shield comes with a second magazine that holds 8 rounds and gives a little longer grip, that I can get all of my fingers on.
Glocks are generally regarded as being reliable, but the g43 is very new and unproven. The shield has been around and has been shown reliable. Some do complain that the shield is difficult to rack the slide when new, but it tends to loosen up after a couple hundred rounds, making it easier.
The shield has the option of a manual safety. While I personally feel that a modern striker pistol is safe to carry without a manual safety, so long as it is carried properly in a good holster, and one knows to be diligent when holstering the pistol... Then you will be fine. The pistol is designed to prevent any possible discharge not caused by a trigger pull.
That being said, I understand that some people are not comfortable with carrying a pistol without a safety. If you do not feel that you can get past that hang up in your mind, then the shield with safety is the better choice.
I own a shield. I found the trigger improved over the other M&P line, but a little heavy. It measured around 6.5-7lb.
The shield is a little larger than the g43, so the glock wins on size, it's not much though. The shield does hold 7 rounds vs the g43 holding 6. The shield comes with a second magazine that holds 8 rounds and gives a little longer grip, that I can get all of my fingers on.
Glocks are generally regarded as being reliable, but the g43 is very new and unproven. The shield has been around and has been shown reliable. Some do complain that the shield is difficult to rack the slide when new, but it tends to loosen up after a couple hundred rounds, making it easier.
The shield has the option of a manual safety. While I personally feel that a modern striker pistol is safe to carry without a manual safety, so long as it is carried properly in a good holster, and one knows to be diligent when holstering the pistol... Then you will be fine. The pistol is designed to prevent any possible discharge not caused by a trigger pull.
That being said, I understand that some people are not comfortable with carrying a pistol without a safety. If you do not feel that you can get past that hang up in your mind, then the shield with safety is the better choice.
I have the Shield and carry it every day, and almost forget I have it on. Very comfortable to carry and shoot. I am interest in the Glock 43, only because arthritis in my hands is becoming an issue, and from what I have read, the Glock is easier to rack. But if arthritis wasn't an issue, I wouldn't even be interested. I'm satisfied with my Shield. One thing about the manual safety issue. I got my Shield when only versions with safeties were available. I don't see the issue with the gun having a safety. Don't like it being there? Flip it off and leave it off. Problem solved.
Id go with G43. You get used to not having a safety. I know people say there is no manual safety, in my eyes there is no safety at all. It will go bang if you press the trigger as would any other gun with the safety off.
Feel both before deciding. You cant decide your life behind your computer
Feel both before deciding. You cant decide your life behind your computer
I just picked up a 43 and own both a Shield and XDs9. I bought the 43 because I do NOT like the XDs9 and the Shield was always lacking just a little for me. I have a 19 for weekend carry but needed something for deeper concealment during work. The Shield was very comfortable to carry but I didn't find it any easier to conceal than my 19. The 43 is the easiest to conceal of the 3. The Shield is a great gun though and is probably going to be a better choice for someone new to pistols with its longer grip. It's about the best value out there for a SS9 as well since you can usually find them for $75-100 cheaper than the other 2. One thing I will say though is that I find the Shield safety to be useless and borderline dangerous. It is much too small for easy manipulation when the blood is pumping in my opinion. Being someone new to pistols, can I suggest something like an M&P9? They're a bit larger than the Shield and have a nice 1911-style safety that is easy to manipulate.
8MM Mauser
New member
Shoot them both and see how they feel in your hand while shooting.
Last year I was seriously interested in a Shield but the. I went and rented one and I hated it! Even though it felt good in my hand at the counter I shot it very poorly and didn't feel like I controlled it very well under fire compared to the Kahr CM9 I was shooting at the same time. The Kahr I shot almost as well as my Glock 19...
Just my $0.02.
Last year I was seriously interested in a Shield but the. I went and rented one and I hated it! Even though it felt good in my hand at the counter I shot it very poorly and didn't feel like I controlled it very well under fire compared to the Kahr CM9 I was shooting at the same time. The Kahr I shot almost as well as my Glock 19...
Just my $0.02.
I only know one RMatney and he'd be happier with the Shield without the safety. I know its been a long time but they're more like the weapons you were familiar with at RPD.
Zac turned me on to one about six months ago and it is a great concealed carry gun. Especially in the summer months.
Welcome to TFL
Zac turned me on to one about six months ago and it is a great concealed carry gun. Especially in the summer months.
Welcome to TFL