Smith&Wesson Shield 9mm

[Jerry R]

I've been looking at the "pocket" pistol offerings for some time. Was getting tired of strapping on a two and a half pound 1911 for a quick run to the store, and wanted something discreet for a dinner out (shirt tail in and no jacket). I personally do not open carry even though Georgia "permits" it.

I considered the XDS in .45 (didn't see the point of a rail on a pistol that small), and some of the other small options in 40 caliber. I was fortunate enough to get to shoot a couple. For me, time to regain the sight picture for the second shot seemed a bit excessive due to muzzle rise in both those calibers (pocket pistol versions), so I opted for a 9mm.

The Smith&Wesson Shield is acceptably small, with higher capacity than some of the others. It comes with a seven round magazine, and an eight rounder - add one to each for a chambered round.



The trigger is actually pretty nice. Has the feel of a single action with about a quarter inch take-up. Some of the other pistols have what feels like a true double-action with a long stroke. The Shield has a "Glock-Like" tab in the trigger as part of the safety system, but also has a manual thumb safety. The thumb safety is easily manipulated - on or off. No personal issues with either, they work and are relatively intuitive.

The pistol has three white-dots for the sighting arrangement and both the front an rear are dovetailed. The rear has a set screw to lock it into place, but drift adjustable for windage if required. Mine shot to point of aim at fifteen yards. Off a sandbag at that distance it kept Federal 115 Grain Hollowpoints inside two inches.

There is a loaded chamber indicator, but it is merely a hole in the top - no tactile indicator protruding from the pistol. This is a non-issue for me. There is no such thing as an Ammunition Fairy that steals ammo from your loaded pistol. If you load the chamber, it stays that way until you shoot it dry.

Since there might be times I wanted to "wear" the Shield, I went to WERKZ for a synthetic holster. They make a nice OWB high-ride that is molded to the pistol, and a single mag-pouch for it. You can see the molded impression of the Smith logo and the rear cocking serrations on the sweat tab. Their products are well thought out, very reasonably priced, and all the edges are burnished smooth. Their web site is https://www.werkz.com/





Since I don't plan to reload for the 9mm, I have only run a box of 115 ball and a box of 115 HP's through it so far. 9MM is getting a little easier to find, but still a bit pricey for carry ammunition. I have had zero MALF's with the Shield so far (only a 100 rounds). For it's size it is pleasant to shoot, reliable, and accurate. Hard to ask for more than that.

I'm not a cartridge bigot, but never really gave much thought to carrying a nine. Overall, I am very pleased with the selection.

[MoxyDave]

I tried a bunch of small autos before I settled on the Shield. I put an Apex trigger and Ameriglo night sights on mine and I couldn't be happier. This is one of the few micro autos that I can shoot all day without it destroying my hands/fingers. Haven't had a single failure in over a thousand rounds. Good choice!

[Eric]

Thanks for the great write-up and photos Jerry. A couple months ago I was teetering between the Shield and the M&P Compact and ended up going with the slightly larger Compact. They share many common features and both have quickly gained a good reputation for easy carry, with high reliability.

[Army Chief]

Still a 1911 guy, but I can relate to the journey here, and the Shield is unquestionably an interesting gun. I have given some thought to guns like the Walther PPS or P99C for similar reasons, even though I've made no actual investment in them. The S&W would seem to bring much more to the table, and the size advantage is compelling enough to at least put it into strong contention. Even a Lightweight Colt Commander can't do everything or go everywhere that a true subcompact gun can.

Good review piece that affords a truly useful perspective. Thanks!

AC

[Jerry R]

Thanks - I did a lot of looking, and gave a lot of thought to this purchase. I'm not giving up the 1911 platform, but this is an awfully easy "take with" when the Boss says, "We need some milk."

[thinkfastholsters]

reviving an old thread, I know, but I wanted to chime in and express my love for the Shield. I was an early adopter of the shield and picked it up the day it hit stores. I purchased it because it was clear that it was going to be a hot seller and I needed to have it to make holsters for since the dummy guns took a while before they were available. I loved it from the moment I picked it up. I had a full size M&P at the time and always loved the ergos of the M&P line and I too was contemplating an M&P compact as my next purchase but the Shield sealed the deal. The mag capacity is the only downside but I have no issue carrying 1 or 2 spare mags considering how small they are. Im now eyeballing that new XDs long slide 9mm.

[browcs]

reviving an old thread, I know, but I wanted to chime in and express my love for the Shield. I was an early adopter of the shield and picked it up the day it hit stores. I purchased it because it was clear that it was going to be a hot seller and I needed to have it to make holsters for since the dummy guns took a while before they were available. I loved it from the moment I picked it up. I had a full size M&P at the time and always loved the ergos of the M&P line and I too was contemplating an M&P compact as my next purchase but the Shield sealed the deal. The mag capacity is the only downside but I have no issue carrying 1 or 2 spare mags considering how small they are. Im now eyeballing that new XDs long slide 9mm.

Welcome to WEVO ThinkFast! Thanks for sharing your love of the Shield. I look forward to seeing pics of your great kydex work.

[thinkfastholsters]

Welcome to WEVO ThinkFast! Thanks for sharing your love of the Shield. I look forward to seeing pics of your great kydex work.

oh, its gonna happen! Brace yourselves...lol

[thinkfastholsters]

as a matter of fact, heres one of our Stalker OWB holsters for a Shield. I actually prefer carrying the shield as an IWB in one of these holsters than in our Minimalist IWB rigs because it seems to distribute weight a little bit better.

[Mada005]

I picked up a shield two weeks ago. So far I really like it. Shoots nice. Conceals perfect. I would suggest getting one.

[Wrecker1]

I borrowed a friends .40 Shield and put 150 rounds of mixed bag ball and HP. I liked it and the wife her first time ever shooting a handgun shot the eyes out of it.
Convince me one way or the other 9mm or .40 .

[Gaspipeshooter]

I borrowed a friends .40 Shield and put 150 rounds of mixed bag ball and HP. I liked it and the wife her first time ever shooting a handgun shot the eyes out of it.
Convince me one way or the other 9mm or .40 .

I have an XDs in .45 and a Shield in .40. My EDC is the Shield in .40. Why carry a 9mm when you can carry a .40 in the exact same size package?

[Eric]

Why carry a 9mm when you can carry a .40 in the exact same size package?

Because for most folks, the 9mm is easier to shoot than the .40. The .40 in a compact is rather snappy, but if it works for you, great. Current duty loads in 9mm/.40/.45 perform in a similar fashion.

[Txfilmmaker]

Because for most folks, the 9mm is easier to shoot than the .40. The .40 in a compact is rather snappy, but if it works for you, great. Current duty loads in 9mm/.40/.45 perform in a similar fashion.

A lot of well known teachers have switched to 9mm because you don't get more out of a larger round, but snappy recoil, slower shots on target, less rounds and higher cost. I like my 9mm or if I am going to go big, it's my 45acp. Please, everyone who reads this. Don't go 9mm because that's more ammo for me. ;-)

[Gaspipeshooter]

Because for most folks, the 9mm is easier to shoot than the .40. The .40 in a compact is rather snappy, but if it works for you, great. Current duty loads in 9mm/.40/.45 perform in a similar fashion.

Understood, which is the reason I carry the Shield in .40 versus the XDs in .45. The XDs in .45 is much "snappier" than the .40 cal Shield. I personally don't notice much difference between the 9mm and the .40 though.