S&W M&P Shield 9mm (Happy Mother's Day)

[JodyH]

Gave my wife a new S&W M&P Shield 9mm for Mother's day.
So far we have 250 flawless rounds downrange, 200 Win Value pack, 50 Gold Dot 115gr. JHP.
She's been wanting a slimmer carry pistol than her Glock 26 and she's not a fan of the long DAO Kahr triggers.
She was easily keeping all rounds in a 3x5 at 10 yards and even when she picked up the pace all rounds were in the upper A zone of an IPSC.
It fits her "Pistol Wear" belly band and I have a Fist #1K holster as well as some Ameriglo Pro (HD/Hack style) sights coming.
Now if I could just find a few extra magazines (and more 9mm FMJ) she'd be set.

[JHC]

Gave my wife a new S&W M&P Shield 9mm for Mother's day.
So far we have 250 flawless rounds downrange, 200 Win Value pack, 50 Gold Dot 115gr. JHP.
She's been wanting a slimmer carry pistol than her Glock 26 and she's not a fan of the long DAO Kahr triggers.
She was easily keeping all rounds in a 3x5 at 10 yards and even when she picked up the pace all rounds were in the upper A zone of an IPSC.
It fits her "Pistol Wear" belly band and I have a Fist #1K holster as well as some Ameriglo Pro (HD/Hack style) sights coming.
Now if I could just find a few extra magazines (and more 9mm FMJ) she'd be set.

I've been using the hell outta those for years. Love them. Slim!

[JBP55]

The Shield fits in some holsters made for the G26 and G19, they do not work in the Safariland ALS 6377 with retention. My first 8 rounds fired were HST 124+P and in a light rain shooting slow from 7 yards the group measured .092" and I had to quit shooting due to heavy rain.

[GJM]

Jody, the reports I have seen suggest a Shield typically shoots 2 inches at 25 yards. Have you had the opportunity to check accuracy on your Shield yet?

[orionz06]

Mine is spot on with factory sights (Federal HST and ASYM 9mm Match).

[JodyH]

Jody, the reports I have seen suggest a Shield typically shoots 2 inches at 25 yards. Have you had the opportunity to check accuracy on your Shield yet?
I backed off to 20 yards and put 7 rounds into a 3"x4" square (4"x6" card folded in half) without much effort.
So yea, I believe it's capable of 2" at 25.

[Al T.]

Jody, we have a retail source for Shield magazines locally. If you get stuck, I can front you some. Retail is about 32 bucks each. :(

GJM, mine is capable of staying on an 8 inch steel plate at 40ish yards. Not sure if that's relevant, but it's an interesting data point to me.

[orionz06]

I backed off to 20 yards and put 7 rounds into a 3"x4" square (4"x6" card folded in half) without much effort.
So yea, I believe it's capable of 2" at 25.
Mine shot about 2.25" for me, 5 shots, standing.

[Erik]

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Firearm-Components/Magazines-Clips%7C/pc/104792580/c/104717880/sc/104442480/Smith-Wesson-Factory-Magazines/741228.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshoot ing-firearm-components-magazines-clips%2F_%2FN-1100238%2F&rid=11&WT.mc_id=cj3946285&WT.tsrc=AFF

[JodyH]

Never even thought about checking Cabela's, heck I even had $30 worth of rewards and coupons to knock the price down.
Thanks for the heads up.
:cool:

[Erik]

Glad to help.

[tmoore912]

Thanks for the link to Cabela's. I've had a $100 gift card for there just laying around, so I just picked up a couple Shield mags. :D

[98z28]

JodyH,

You have some trigger time on the Walther PPS and S&W Shield now. The inevitable comparison questions begin...

Do you sense any meaningful differences in shooting characteristics between the two? Accuracy, front sight tracking, reloading, etc.?

[JodyH]

PPS vs. Shield
There's really no difference between the two guns when it comes to shooting.
Both have great triggers for "pocket guns", both have great sights and ergonomics and they're both more accurate than the shooter.
The only real difference is the PPS magazine floor plates are some palm pinching, blood blister creating monstrosities and the Shield has a tiny, stiff little safety lever.
6 vs. 1/2 dozen.

[mnealtx]

Congrats on the new acquisition!

Had the opportunity to run some rounds through a range rental Shield while I was home, and got my name on the list for one when they get more.

[Up1911Fan]

PPS vs. Shield
There's really no difference between the two guns when it comes to shooting.
Both have great triggers for "pocket guns", both have great sights and ergonomics and they're both more accurate than the shooter.
The only real difference is the PPS magazine floor plates are some palm pinching, blood blister creating monstrosities and the Shield has a tiny, stiff little safety lever.
6 vs. 1/2 dozen.

When you get a chance, a few side by side pics would be awesome.

[B.K.]

I accidentally bought a Shield on Saturday myself. I walked into a sporting goods store to buy some fly fishing stuff and made my cursory walk through the gun section expecting to see bare ammo shelves. First I was amazed to find a full shelf of 9mm FMJ. Then I looked at the gun counter and saw a sign advertising Shields, which had just arrived. I ended up walking out of there with a Shield, 9mm ammo, and I even got the last two spare magazines. I felt like I won the lottery or something, I've never even seen a Shield in a local shop and I haven't seen 9mm ammo for months.

I probably don't even need this darn thing but I had some good gun stuff buying mojo going on and couldn't help myself. I must admit I like it and am eager to put some rounds through it tonight.

[JodyH]

When you get a chance, a few side by side pics would be awesome.
PPS, Shield, PM9 comparison pics.
Both the PPS and Shield have the 7 round mags, the PM9 is a 6 round mag.
The PPS is larger than the Shield by about 1/4" in length and height.
The Kahr PM9 is significantly smaller than both.

http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/JodyHuggins/20130514_163057_zps6037e73b.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/JodyHuggins/20130514_163209_zps213ce44b.jpg
http://i126.photobucket.com/albums/p82/JodyHuggins/20130514_163004_zps56eadc28.jpg

[JodyH]

A quick note.
Changing out sights on the Shield is a royal pain in the butt.
The rear sight is really, really, really tight.
As in I had to use a hacksaw to split the rear sight in order to drift it out with a hammer and punch.
Yes... it was that freaking tight.
There's also a spring with a plastic cap on it that is held in place by the rear sight.
It's not that difficult to hold in place, but it does take three hands to accomplish.
One hand to hold the hammer, one to hold the punch and one to keep the spring depressed where the rear sight will retain it.

But... swapping out the stock 3 white dots for a Ameriglo ProGlo (HD style) tritium front sight and plain black U-notch rear was worth the aggravation.
:cool:

[Cool Breeze]

I've also shot both. I thought the Shield was a little more comfortable in my hand (the grip was more rounded and I liked that). I also liked the trigger better. The out of the box trigger on the PPS was stiff and gritty. I'm sure it would have smoothed out though. The two things I didn't like about the shield is that the rear sight has to be removed to get access to internal parts (a la all M&Ps) and the manual safety. I would probably carry it without the manual safety on for sure. On the PPS, besides the trigger, I didn't like the type of mag release, I'm sure it just takes training but I love thumb mag releases from my years with Glocks.

Just my 2 cents. I would carry either of them though, but I think I just slightly prefer the Shield.

[Nephrology]

I am quite jealous. I was looking for a Shield locally about a year ago, couldn't find one, ended up with a J frame for summer carry instead. I will end up with a Shield eventually - finances are tight right now but they look like great guns. If only I could fine one!!

[JodyH]

Wife used the Shield and Fist #1K in last weekends concealed carry match.
She did well, shot the Shield as well or better than her PPQ and much better than her previous carry gun (Glock 26).
She was very impressed with how well the combo worked AIWB.
She's also decided to start carrying AIWB a lot more instead of purse carry.

I really scored some brownie points with buying her this gun/holster combo.
:cool:

[Clyde from Carolina]

Just saw this thread. Sounds like a win-win all around. ;)

I've had a Shield on order for my wife for a couple months now.

[JodyH]

Just saw this thread. Sounds like a win-win all around. ;)

I've had a Shield on order for my wife for a couple months now.
Local pawn shop/gun store gets them in all the time, priced at $419.