Some observations on 9mm Shield

G

great scot

New member
Recently I acquired a LNIB Shield 9mm in a trade, and after a few shooting sessions, I've made some conclusions.

1. This is a very well made gun. Everything operates smoothly, the trigger breaks cleanly, and mags are easy to load.

2. While it is very small, and easy to conceal, the 9mm Shield shoots like a service pistol. Recoil is very mild with standard pressure loads and bearable with +p loads.

3. The pistol has been reliable with everything I've put thru it, and it's easy to shoot relatively small groups.

This pistol is the modern version of a Colt Detective Special. Notice I didn't say Smith Chiefs. That's because I always found the Detective Special easier to shoot then the tiny Smiths, and the Shield is easier to shoot then the Kahr PM9, even though it's a bit bigger. Sometimes giving up a little in conceal ability pays huge dividends when it comes to using these little blasters.

In the end, I think Smith and Wesson has achieved an amazing thing in the Shield. They have created a pistol that covers several bases for the shooting community. The Shield is an exceptional CCW with enough capacity to serve as an equally competent home defense gun. Finally, the Shield is a lot of fun at the range. In the past, when a new shooter asked my about a self defense gun, I pointed them to the Glock 19 or 3 inch Smith/Ruger. Now I'm more inclined to send them to the Smith part of the gun store!
 
Agree... for the most part. I'm not sure I'd say the Shield is as competent for home defense as for concealed carry. I think it's a great carry gun and a serviceable gun for home defense. But, that's just splitting hairs.:D

I've really been impressed with how shootable it is. Honestly, if the trigger were just a little bit lighter IMO it would be the perfect carry gun for me. With that being said, I'm sure it's no shock that I'm looking at picking up an Apex Trigger Kit.:)
 
I bought one last year to carry as an alternative to my 5 shot revolvers. I agree that SW did a lot of things right with this weapon. What I really like are the sights: Big and steel. Mine has been 100% reliable and very accurate. The shield has a nice feel to it and it rides nice in the waistband.
 
They shoot like a full size gun.

Had two but ended up selling them because they didn't serve a purpose for me. Kind of an in between size I wasn't using.
 
BigBL87 said:
I've really been impressed with how shootable it is. Honestly, if the trigger were just a little bit lighter IMO it would be the perfect carry gun for me. With that being said, I'm sure it's no shock that I'm looking at picking up an Apex Trigger Kit.
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I'm in agreement with everything that has been said so far. And then some...

But one thing I did was buy the Apex Tactical fully machined hard sear (that only, about 42 bux) and replace the stock one and that trigger pull is now quite incredible. Light and crisp. I wouldn't need to do another thing to it.
 
I picked one up a couple months ago, finding I'm not a fan of the trigger, and not sure I want to spend the 1k of ammo learning the trigger.

Debating trading it and $150-$200 on a Glock 43 or spending $150 on an Apex trigger kit.
 
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9mm Shield

I have one I carry off duty, bought one for my wife as well. I looked at the Glock 43, didn't care for it as much as the Shield. Just my personal preference. Conceals well, shoots great. As a beginning shooter, my wife took to it quickly, and prefers it over the Glock.
 
'I picked one up a couple months ago, finding I'm not a fan of the trigger, and not sure I want to spend the 1k of ammo learning the trigger.

Debating trading it and $150-$200 on a Glock 43 or spending $150 on an Apex trigger kit.'

Get the Apex kit, they now offer a flat face trigger version and it's great.
 
I was at one of our local stores today, and picked up a LNIB 9mm Shield. The price was right. Went over to the range ran about 50rds thru it. My Daughter whom was with me, tried it and promptly claimed it as hers. She has been looking at getting a Beretta Nano, lets just say she gave up one the Nano, after her first three rounds, at 7 meters went into a silver dollar size group.



IMG_2399.jpg
 
Love the Shield, it vaulted to the top of my carry list (my other current "carry types" are Kahr PM9, S&W 442, Sig 938, for comparison).

I have found over the years that I don't practice as much with my carry guns as i should have because they aren't as much fun in a long range session.

Not so with the shield, its great fun.
 
I had one and sold it. It was an earlier model and I couldn't stand the trigger. I have handled a few others and each trigger is different. I'll stick to my glocks. I really wanted to like it.... but that dang trigger

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The shield is just an awesome pistol. Easy to hit with out to 25 meters, (accurate) and it's hard to beat 100% reliable. Excellent trigger like all M&Ps.

Last but not least thin enough to conceal easily...


I'd really like a pro version of the 9mm, but really need the 45 first.
 
I have had my 9mm PC Shield since last December, and love it. I carry daily IWB, and it is light weight, and very thin, so it conceals well. I did swap out the sights for tru Night Sights. I carried a 1911 45 often in the Army, and find this a much better shooter.

I wanted something a little bigger, with more rounds for Home Defense, so added a Inland Advisor 30 cal pistol for the more serious stuff.

pistols.jpg
 
I have been through countless carry guns from every major brand, with every type of action from semi's to revolvers. I have yet to find something that suits my needs better than the Shield. It is IMO the perfect carry gun.
 
I carry my shield daily. The extended magazine is nice, but if I had to do it again, I would go with another Pearce Grip magazine extension for it. It's inexpensive, and simply replaces the butt plate on the end of the magazine.

The weapon has excellent purchase with it installed.
 
Forgot to mention that my shield is the PC model. Trigger is much improved in these over the earlier shield. Don't know which trigger they are putting in current standard models.

I love shooting that little dragon.

Quick story - I was at the range recently, and in the lane next to me was a couple trying out a couple of semi-autos. lt was clearly her first time. They had what appeared to be a sig 226 (have one, love it) and a glock, not sure of the model. She was OK with the sig, he liked the glock and was trying to convince her. I happen to be not-a-glock fangirl. Just don't like the grip, never have, any model.

I could see she had the same issue with the grip I do (darn hump), and said "here try this" and handed her the PC shield and a loaded mag. She shot it really well, and was sold.

My work was done - new shooter, woman, had fun so would come back. Guy had significant other who liked shooting so he would not have to plead for range time and gun expenditure.

I love the shield for new shooters.
 
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