I've been seeing a ton of thread pop up all over the place asking about the Shield versus something else. Considering I, as a newer shooter and CCW holder, have recently went though my decision-making process it may be helpful to some other newer shooters out there if I did another review (in addition to My Review on the Mosquito).
Yes, that's 4 shots touching in the middle...
After over a month of research, shooting, deliberating, second-guessing, and flip-flopping I chose the M&P Shield in 9mm. It was on the top of a very short list. The final 3 contenders were, naturally, my chosen CCW, the Kahr PM9, and the S&W 638 Airweight. I had no budget and every other compact or sub-compact I looked at was slowly tossed off the list for various reasons. This includes the Glock 43 as well as comparably designed items from Sig Sauer, Taurus, KelTec, and everything in between.
Most of the top contenders...
For the purposes of this review let's forget about everything except my top three. Right off the bat I can tell you I ditched the revolver idea due to its 5-round capacity, the fact that we already have a 9mm in the household to "share" ammunition with, and both the Shield and PM9 felt better in my hands.
Mmmmm, like hand-candy... Notice how perfect the after-market floor-plate makes that 7-round magazine.
After shooting the 2 guns chose the Shield over the Kahr. The decision came down to some small details:
1) Trigger - The Kahr has this smooth Double-Action-Only trigger that I kinda' liked... But I found that the Shield's trigger allowed me to be more accurate and was much more "predictable". The Kahr just kind of pulled and pulled and pulled and then broke at some point. The Shield's trigger has some slack where I can stop and then just pull a little bit more for the break.
2) Construction - The Kahr is tight and well built no doubt, but it has too much polymer for me. I liked the sturdy metal contacts for the Shield's rails.
3) Capacity - 7 or 8 + 1 for the Shield versus 6 + 1 only for the Kahr.
4) Ergonomics - Everything about the Shield fit me better. It "bit" less than the Kahr while firing, I am able to get a better purchase on it, and with the pinkie extensions can basically get my whole hand on the grip.
Now, about the Shield... I have NOTHING bad to say about it. It is, for all intents and purposes, a perfect concealable 9mm semi-automatic pistol. No frills, nothing fancy, not "tacticool", just functional as all get-go. It feel great, shoots great, and works great. I have had absolutely no issues with any ammuntion; it has eaten the cheapest crap I could find and fires the hottest self-defense rounds flawlessly.
The ONLY additions I have made so far are the Pearce Grip Extensions and a Hogue Jr. Grip Sleeve. The are NO issues with the stock trigger; it isn't just "not bad". It is crisp with a solid, predictable amount of take-up and a short reset for quick and accurate followup shots. If you buy one new, PLEASE shoot it stock for a few sessions before you start-a-smithin' the guts out of it. This sights are also pretty nice and perfect right out of the box, although I can see why some people want to throw some bright tritium sets in. I also used some dark green nail polish to color the slide's inlay; it is nice and subtle. If they ever make an OD Green Hogue Jr., I'll get one of those up as well. For me it has the perfect combination of size, function, form, and reliability that I want in a CCW.
Something this solid, this sweet a shooter, and THIS thin... Very nice.
I've heard many complain about the safety. I have had no issues with it. It is in a good position and well designed. The way it is "beveled" into the frame makes it easy to disengage by swiping your thumb-knuckle down across it and damn near impossible to flip on "by accident". You really need to make a full attempt to put that safety on; it requires me to use the tip of my thumb. Practice makes perfect, so if you aren't going to remove or plug the safety, get used to developing a nice callous on the inside of your thumb from dragging that lever down.
With practice, disengaging the safety as you draw becomes a smooth and effortless process...
My Shield is my daily CCW. I wear it IWB in a nice Kydex holster. It disappears under a simple T-Shirt and I can even throw a collared button-up over it to make it go completely unnoticed. I carry it loaded, 7+1, with an extra 7-round magazine in a pocket.
In the future I may throw some tritium sights in there, but for now it's right on. If a scrub like me can pour 7 rounds into a 3-inch group at 6 yards and even have 4 of them touch, you know it shoots straight. If I can pound 300+ assorted rounds through it while clean, dirty, and everything in between, you know it's reliable. If I can effortlessly take it down to clean it you know it's well-designed. And, if I can't take my eyes off of it while it's in sight you know it's a sexy beast.
As always please feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made, ask any questions you think I may be able to answer, and share your own opinions!
Shoot safe and shoot straight!
Yes, that's 4 shots touching in the middle...
After over a month of research, shooting, deliberating, second-guessing, and flip-flopping I chose the M&P Shield in 9mm. It was on the top of a very short list. The final 3 contenders were, naturally, my chosen CCW, the Kahr PM9, and the S&W 638 Airweight. I had no budget and every other compact or sub-compact I looked at was slowly tossed off the list for various reasons. This includes the Glock 43 as well as comparably designed items from Sig Sauer, Taurus, KelTec, and everything in between.
Most of the top contenders...
For the purposes of this review let's forget about everything except my top three. Right off the bat I can tell you I ditched the revolver idea due to its 5-round capacity, the fact that we already have a 9mm in the household to "share" ammunition with, and both the Shield and PM9 felt better in my hands.
Mmmmm, like hand-candy... Notice how perfect the after-market floor-plate makes that 7-round magazine.
After shooting the 2 guns chose the Shield over the Kahr. The decision came down to some small details:
1) Trigger - The Kahr has this smooth Double-Action-Only trigger that I kinda' liked... But I found that the Shield's trigger allowed me to be more accurate and was much more "predictable". The Kahr just kind of pulled and pulled and pulled and then broke at some point. The Shield's trigger has some slack where I can stop and then just pull a little bit more for the break.
2) Construction - The Kahr is tight and well built no doubt, but it has too much polymer for me. I liked the sturdy metal contacts for the Shield's rails.
3) Capacity - 7 or 8 + 1 for the Shield versus 6 + 1 only for the Kahr.
4) Ergonomics - Everything about the Shield fit me better. It "bit" less than the Kahr while firing, I am able to get a better purchase on it, and with the pinkie extensions can basically get my whole hand on the grip.
Now, about the Shield... I have NOTHING bad to say about it. It is, for all intents and purposes, a perfect concealable 9mm semi-automatic pistol. No frills, nothing fancy, not "tacticool", just functional as all get-go. It feel great, shoots great, and works great. I have had absolutely no issues with any ammuntion; it has eaten the cheapest crap I could find and fires the hottest self-defense rounds flawlessly.
The ONLY additions I have made so far are the Pearce Grip Extensions and a Hogue Jr. Grip Sleeve. The are NO issues with the stock trigger; it isn't just "not bad". It is crisp with a solid, predictable amount of take-up and a short reset for quick and accurate followup shots. If you buy one new, PLEASE shoot it stock for a few sessions before you start-a-smithin' the guts out of it. This sights are also pretty nice and perfect right out of the box, although I can see why some people want to throw some bright tritium sets in. I also used some dark green nail polish to color the slide's inlay; it is nice and subtle. If they ever make an OD Green Hogue Jr., I'll get one of those up as well. For me it has the perfect combination of size, function, form, and reliability that I want in a CCW.
Something this solid, this sweet a shooter, and THIS thin... Very nice.
I've heard many complain about the safety. I have had no issues with it. It is in a good position and well designed. The way it is "beveled" into the frame makes it easy to disengage by swiping your thumb-knuckle down across it and damn near impossible to flip on "by accident". You really need to make a full attempt to put that safety on; it requires me to use the tip of my thumb. Practice makes perfect, so if you aren't going to remove or plug the safety, get used to developing a nice callous on the inside of your thumb from dragging that lever down.
With practice, disengaging the safety as you draw becomes a smooth and effortless process...
My Shield is my daily CCW. I wear it IWB in a nice Kydex holster. It disappears under a simple T-Shirt and I can even throw a collared button-up over it to make it go completely unnoticed. I carry it loaded, 7+1, with an extra 7-round magazine in a pocket.
In the future I may throw some tritium sights in there, but for now it's right on. If a scrub like me can pour 7 rounds into a 3-inch group at 6 yards and even have 4 of them touch, you know it shoots straight. If I can pound 300+ assorted rounds through it while clean, dirty, and everything in between, you know it's reliable. If I can effortlessly take it down to clean it you know it's well-designed. And, if I can't take my eyes off of it while it's in sight you know it's a sexy beast.
As always please feel free to correct any mistakes I may have made, ask any questions you think I may be able to answer, and share your own opinions!
Shoot safe and shoot straight!
Shield Resources:
Field Strip Video
Lubrication Video
Nail Polish Color Fill Tutorial
Field Strip Video
Lubrication Video
Nail Polish Color Fill Tutorial
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