M&P sheild vs J frame?

[Axis II]

I am debating getting away from my S&W J frame for ccw. I have been getting light firing pin strikes and misfires with both factory and reloads so my confidence in it is very low. I handled an M&P shield the other day and kind of like it. I found a few on several online firearms stores for very good prices under $400 but I'm not sure why some are listed over $400 and some under $400.

How do you guys feel about ordering handguns from buds or grab a gun?

I have a slight concern with the shield.
Smaller frame=harder to shoot accurately?
Lighter trigger maybe bad for CCW? Not much of a fan of safeties on defense guns.
Shield is somewhat new to the firearms board so stick with the tried and true J frame?

 

[1KPerDay]

The trigger on the shield will likely be very easy for you to manipulate if you've been shooting a J frame regularly. Are you looking at 2.0s? Because the original shields should be around $300. Also note they come in safety and no safety versions. They are pretty big if you pocket carry, particularly with the 8 round mag in.

 

[1KPerDay]

Have you tried a fresh mainspring in your J frame?

 

[CDW4ME]

Wife has a Shield 9mm, I have a J-frame 38, prefer the Shield, carry neither.
Shield is easier to shoot quickly & accurately, greater capacity, better sights.
Shield is not pocket size for me; I carry a Glock 43 as a 2nd option in weak hand front pocket.
Shield would be okay IWB, especially if one had to tuck in shirt (I don't anymore) and was trying to use some tuckable holster.

 

[VoodooMountain]

Since you asked about vendors I personally I wont buy from buds or grabagun. Both are on my short list.

I would take a ss pistol over a j frame any day of the week unless I felt I specifically needed a revolver.

Better capacity,
Easier to reload,
Better trigger,
Recoil management is easier,
Better aftermarket sight options,
Easier to carry spare mag
Factory sights are often better on the pistol.

 

[Axis II]

The trigger on the shield will likely be very easy for you to manipulate if you've been shooting a J frame regularly. Are you looking at 2.0s? Because the original shields should be around $300. Also note they come in safety and no safety versions. They are pretty big if you pocket carry, particularly with the 8 round mag in.

No pocket carry. I do OWB on a Blackhawk or IWB with a safariland with the J frame. I had to put the larger grips on it so no way to pocket that. I would probably carry the shield IWB or OWB in a pancake holster.

I wasn't even aware they made a shield 2.0? Any concerns with those being fairly new in production?

 

[Axis II]

Have you tried a fresh mainspring in your J frame?

I have not. Upon looking online i see its a pretty common problem with the 642. The gun is pretty much brand new. I purchased it used from the original owner who only ran 100 rounds through it. I have always had a weakness for revolvers and got this one for $250 with ammo but over the years even with the larger grips i find it very hard to get a decent sight picture. I contacted S&W about it and they said send it in but it would take a month or more to get it back. I find now that I've lost a bunch of weight and my fat cant help hide or cushion it that the J frame is kind of uncomfortable to carry.

 

[Axis II]

Since you asked about vendors I personally I wont buy from buds or grabagun. Both are on my short list.

I would take a ss pistol over a j frame any day of the week unless I felt I specifically needed a revolver.

Better capacity,
Easier to reload,
Better trigger,
Recoil management is easier,
Better aftermarket sight options,
Easier to carry spare mag
Factory sights are often better on the pistol.

why don't you like Buds or Grab a gun?

 

[SharpDog]

I really like revolvers. That said, get the M&P Shield 2.0.

The 2.0 is not really new, it's an improvement over the original shield where they listened to customer feedback. Others above have already outlined the differences / benefits.

btw. If you have a mind ... come over to the Sig side ...



https://www.sigsauer.com/products/firearms/pistols/p365/



I've got 12 S&W's, 11 Sigs and 10 Glocks so I'm not really a fanboy ...

 

[burrhead]

Before plastic guns were a thing I carried an M38 when I didn't carry a Colt Government. As I got older the Colt got heavier so I moved to a Glock 21. Broke me in as to plastic guns. For the last 3-4 years I've carried a Shield almost every day and it's a good gun. Accurate and easy to shoot. I'll still grab my old J frame occasionally but the Shield is far superior.

 

[FL-NC]

The shield is a fine CCW firearm, and IMO is far superior to any 5 shot wheelgun. It holds a couple more rounds, is very thin, more accurate than most guns in its class, and broingly reliable. The only issue I have seen with them is that they will likely malfunction with the cheaper steel cased rounds from russia or that winchester forged stuff (like many other handguns). The trigger is not an issue- like any handgun, it must be carried in some type of holster that covers the trigger to prevent an accident. They can be ordered from PSA on sale for less than $300 sometimes.

 

[Cokeman]

There is also a Performance Center Shield that costs more than the regular Shield. That might have been the price difference you saw.

 

[Axis II]

There is also a Performance Center Shield that costs more than the regular Shield. That might have been the price difference you saw.

I've found the shield 1 as low as $299 and the 2.0 as high as $400. Could have been the performance center though.

 

[bannockburn]

ohihunter

One of the reasons I went with the Kahr CM9 is that the DAO trigger gave me pretty much the same trigger pull as the J frame snubbies I have been carrying all these years.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

I have a few J-frame revolvers, a few K-frames, a few of this and that.
And one Shield in 9mm.

In winter, I usually carry the Shield, sometimes a J-frame, sometimes a K-frame.
In summer, I pocket carry an LCP, sometimes the Shield, sometimes a J-frame.

The Shield is much easier to carry, especially IWB. It's easy to shoot, at least as easy as a J-frame.

As for Buds, I've purchased from them few times. No problems, easy transactions.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

In the current climate I would say carry both, I know some people balk at the idea of carrying a backup gun, but maybe now they'll start to consider.

People love to state that modern semi autos are ultra reliable and will run like a revolver. Sorry this is not as clear as you want to believe, its true that modern semi autos are WAY more reliable than their earlier counter parts but they are still dependent on the ammunition type that just doesnt apply to revolvers, I have had glocks that jam with certain hollow points, I have seen 1911s the same way, Any semi auto is dependent on ammunition with a particular shape and load, revolvers are not dependent on bullet shape or by cartridge loading to charge out the old round and bring in the new.

Thats not to say at however that semi autos dont have their merits, faster reloads and generally higher capacity (in ccw type pistols anyway)

I would carry both and not worry about which one is better, or even carry one and not think the other one is better but carry something.

 

[340PD]

I have come to the conclusion that capacity may becoming an important factor in my choice of a carry gun.
If it is a semi- auto, my Sig P365 has relegated my much loved Kahr PM9 to the back of the safe.
If it is a revolver, my Kimber K6s with its superb trigger and six round capacity has replaced my f round snubbies.

BTW your j-frame needs attention. You did not give enough information about your j-frame but I would replace the mainspring, rebound, hammer spring, and a close look at the firing pin and you should be good to go for a very long time.

 

[Sappyg2.0]

Had a shield and don't really miss it. Had a nice j frame 642 and wish I had it back.

The shield was plenty accurate for what it is but I never liked the trigger personally. I have experienced mag failures with the higher cap mags and witnessed others.

Not so with the 642. Never had a failure of any kind. The trigger wasn't an issue for me but it's just personal preference in the end

I don't CC but if I did it would be s toss up though I would likely choose something different. I really like the g42 so there's that.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have been getting light firing pin strikes and misfires with both factory and reloads so my confidence in it is very low.

Try replacing the mainspring on the J-frame. I had a similar situation with my 642 10/15 years ago and a replacement mainspring made it reliable again.

How do you guys feel about ordering handguns from buds or grab a gun?

I have ordered a number of guns through Bud's without any problems. But, I have a Bud's satellite store nearby so my orders and purchases have remained within their "system". I'm sure if you use one of their primary dealers, good customer service will not be a problem.

I have a slight concern with the shield.

In general, I am not comfortable carrying a pistol with potential energy stored in the firing mechanism regardless of the safety mechanism installed on the pistol whether a manual safety or a little level installed in the trigger. My 2016 vintage Shield does shoot well though. I did replace the S&W trigger with an APEX unit.

But whatever floats your boat.

I'd rather carry a J-frame or my H&K P30SK with a DA/SA trigger.

 

[jdh]

Before I started replacing parts in the J I would tighten the mainspring screw a half turn check it, then another half turn if needed especially if bought second hand with as few rounds as it had through it. Too many people think backing off the mainspring screw is a good way to lighten the trigger pull.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

ohihunter2014, I have not previously heard of any M642 or M442 that has not been altered failing to fire factory ammo. If your gun has not been changed th is something wrong with it. If that us the only reason you are changing your carry gun I would have it repaired before you chuck it.

I have carried at least 6 different J frames and never ever had a misfire. (M36, M640, M638, M442, M642 another M36 and may be a few more lol)

 

[P5 Guy]

I have been getting light firing pin strikes and misfires with both factory and reloads so my confidence in it is very low.

Could be spring or could be dried out lube. I'd do a thorough fire control cleaning and a light drop or two of oil first.
A factory unaltered hammer spring should not have 'worn-out' in thousands of rounds fired or dry fired. The frame mounted firing pin may be too short?

 

[Axis II]

Ill have my buddy give it a look over and see whats going on.

Main reason I wanted to ditch it was the shield seems a lot better to conceal and more comfortable.

 

[MidRoad]

Ill have my buddy give it a look over and see whats going on.

Main reason I wanted to ditch it was the shield seems a lot better to conceal and more comfortable.

Have you tried a few different holsters? I changed holsters on my sp101 (same position,belt,and still iwb) and it helped alot

 

[Hangingrock]

I have the original release of the M640 with the serial number prefix CEN**** and lettering in the frame cylinder window TESTED FOR +P+. Follow on production eliminated that wording as there was no industry standard for +P+. A comparison of the J frame 38Spl (5) shot revolver is a apples to oranges to the 9mmShield. I've never experienced light firing pin strikes with the M640 but then my example is factory standard as opposed to aftermarket reworked/modified trigger press.

With that said I simply prefer the 9mm Shield over the 38Spl M640. The Shield adequate caliber 9X19mm, Winchester Ranger 147Gr-JHP, 9Rd capacity with 8Rd magazine and one round chambered, easily concealed (with that said I don't pocket carry as some among us do with the M640) and better standard sights on the Shield.