M&P sheild vs J frame?

[roscoe]

The Shield is by far the better shooter, with 8-9 rounds to boot. The j-frame is more concealable, buy a considerable margin, in my estimation.

There is always a compromise . . .

 

[jdmb03]

I carry the .45 Shield. I'm very happy with it. The 45 feels better in my hand over the 9.

 

[beagler]

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.

+1
Same thing as me. I have never used Buds though. I love my Shield. Easy to shoot and conceal IWB in a Vedder Lite Tuck. J frame or LCP in summer time pocket carry.

 

[Col. Cornelius]

For IWB holster, Shield over the J-Frame, hands down. Much more comfortable in waistband, easier to shoot fast & accurate, similar ammo effectiveness w/ hollow points and higher ammo capacity.

My shield 9 has over 1,000 rnds thru it with NO malfunctions, with a variety of bullets weights, shapes, factory and reloads.

 

[cougar1717]

The single stack compact gives a couple more capacity but it's really the time of reloading and the accessories like a greater pool of aftermarket night sights/holsters/etc that makes it an easy choice over a CC revolver for many people. The only things would be to make sure that the thinner profile fits your hand well and that you can shoot it with proficiency. Now don't get me wrong, carrying a revolver is good. Five in it with a speedloader or a couple of strip ammo holders is sufficient. It just takes more practice not to fumble the reload.
For many people, CC'ing a J frame or LCR is almost effortless - you forget it's even there. This may or may not apply to you - If a person starts running some drills and keeping time, you may start to see the benefit of the semi-auto. A person's cc is a very personal choice and revolver vs. semi-auto is a 100+ year old debate. Either way, I'd get the parts or have a smith look at the revolver to get it back to 100% trust.

 

[Texas1880]

Buds and grab a gun usually have the best prices. I’ve used both, excellent.

Gallery of guns and shooting store are second, their prices are usually higher.

 

[Al-jim19]

Shield vs. J Frame:

I have a shield and have handled some j frames. If you can carry on your belt the shield beats the j frame hands down. The shield can be carried in a pocket, but it’s not comfortable. Others who own small revolvers report that their worth is in the pocket. Depends on how you will carry.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

jdh........J frame Smiths don't and have never had strain screws. They use a fixed coil spring.

 

[rskent]

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

Then by all means, get one. But I wouldn't be in any hurry to get rid of the J frame. And I would, for sure, get it fixed. I haven't carried my J frame in a long time, but you just never know.

 

[Axis II]

Then by all means, get one. But I wouldn't be in any hurry to get rid of the J frame. And I would, for sure, get it fixed. I haven't carried my J frame in a long time, but you just never know.

I only paid $225 for it so I wont be getting rid of it and I CC a lot so I would need something to back it up while the J frame is at S&W.

 

[Rick McC.]

A Performance Center Shield 9 has been my primary carry pistol for the last couple of years, due to my increasing back problems. It carries comfortably, is totally reliable, and accurate.

The only mod I've done is installing an Apex striker block, as the PC sear is pretty good.

 

[Jeb Stuart]

If you are looking for a semi- to move away from the revolver is your choice. But do not just think Shield. There are other smaller Micro 9s out there that are every bit as good or better. Try and get to the range and shoot some if you have any range buddies. The Shield is a nice gun, but not my choice. I went to the range for six months and shot every thing I could get my hands on. I shoot often and belong to a club and three range memberships, so it was fairly easy for myself to try out the majority of them. Do as much homework as possible. Look for quality of build. Recoil, muzzle flip, size and weight. A CCW is a very personal choice and you want it perfect. Once you decide on the gun you want to carry, then shoot the hell out of it each week. Get to know the gun.
And if you like your revolver that is fine. Do not let anyone talk you out of a gun you know all ready. Take it to a Smith and get it right. Accuracy will always trump round count. And a revolver is known to be very reliable. I have both and carry both and can shoot with total confidence with both. .

 

[drobs]

Can you shoot one before buying? I made more or less that exact trade, a 442 for a S&W Shield, and I regret it.
My 442 disappeared in a pocket. The Shield is not a pocket gun. I cant shoot the Shield worth a crap. Being used to Glock triggers, I don't care for the S&W trigger nor do I care to learn it.

I picked up a Ruger LC9S Pro that I shoot better than the shield. It has longer heavier DA revolver-esque trigger that somehow works for me. It also is a little large for a pocket gun.
I'm hoping to even trade the Shield either on another J Frame or a side by side 12 gauge to use for cowboy action.

 

[ThomasT]

If you don't know how to do it take your J to a GS and let him do a thorough cleaning especially the firing pin hole to make sure its not clogged by lint. A common problem with a pocket gun.

Make sure you are using quality ammo and not any steel cased stuff with extra hard primers. I bet that will repair your gun.

I have never shot a Shield but I did help a bud put new sights on his. Nice little gun but I wouldn't trade my 442 for one.

 

[Axis II]

Can you shoot one before buying? I made more or less that exact trade, a 442 for a S&W Shield, and I regret it.
My 442 disappeared in a pocket. The Shield is not a pocket gun. I cant shoot the Shield worth a crap. Being used to Glock triggers, I don't care for the S&W trigger nor do I care to learn it.

I picked up a Ruger LC9S Pro that I shoot better than the shield. It has longer heavier DA revolver-esque trigger that somehow works for me. It also is a little large for a pocket gun.
I'm hoping to even trade the Shield either on another J Frame or a side by side 12 gauge to use for cowboy action.

I can I have friends who have the performance, gen 1 and 2.

 

[Axis II]

If you don't know how to do it take your J to a GS and let him do a thorough cleaning especially the firing pin hole to make sure its not clogged by lint. A common problem with a pocket gun.

Make sure you are using quality ammo and not any steel cased stuff with extra hard primers. I bet that will repair your gun.

I have never shot a Shield but I did help a bud put new sights on his. Nice little gun but I wouldn't trade my 442 for one.

At first reloads were the issue so I switched primers and it went away for a few more rounds and then I ran gold dots and still FTF.

 

[Tallball]

I am a revolver guy, so I would personally prefer a properly functioning J frame.

When I carry a small single-stack 9mm OWB (such as my fishing trip this morning), I carry a Glock 43. Admittedly, I've never tried the Shield.

 

[shafter]

The Shield is definitely a better defensive weapon. That's a general statement and there may be unique cases where a J frame might be a better option for a particular person. That said, the Shield offers a slim and very concealable profile with up to 9 rounds available. I've discovered that they are surprisingly easy to shoot for such a small gun.

 

[Axis II]

Well I did a comparison yesterday between the shield and the J frame and im not sold on the shield!

I started off about 20ft with federal target ammo and was able to print 8 shots in a paper plate. I noticed that it wanted to shoot about 3-4'' to the left which I figured is just the sights needing adjusted. I was somewhat happy until I put the gun in an IWB holster and attempted to draw and the gun is so small that I could not get a good grip when coming out of the IWB holster. I also attempted to draw and shoot from the hip and that was very hard due to how the gun sits IWB. I am playing with the idea of getting a OWB holster and giving it another shot but right now im just not sold on the gun! I also didn't care for how skinny the grip is but it does conceal very well with the IWB holster and is very comfortable. Right now I think ill just stick with my J frame until I can play with the shield a little more.

 

[Cokeman]

Everyone shoots the Shield low left at first. Everyone thinks the sites need to be adjusted at first. You have to shoot it a bit to get used to the trigger.

 

[Bartojc]

Mine shot low for a while until I got used to it. For some reason now it shoots fine, in fact I am surprised at how accurate it is. I have close to 3000 rounds through my Shield (gen1), and I like it more every time I shoot it. It conceals very well, although not a pocket carry IMHO. For the price I see the gen1 Shields I don't know how you could go wrong for ~$300.

FWIW I have made one purchase from Buds and it went well. They shipped fast, and no issues.

-Jeff

 

[mongoslow]

if you like the DA j- frame trigger and you are just wanting a small higher capacity 9mm look at a SCCY 9mm, $225, 10 round capacity, comes with a spare mag, and it is DAO with that long revolver like trigger pull



beside my shield

 

[roo_ster]

Before doing anything else, get yourself a small set of gunsmith screwdrivers or the Brownells S&W set with just the bits for S&W. Hit youtube and then open that revolver up. It is not hard, just follow instructions. Clean/degrease/devarnish all the innards, lube, and re-assemble. You will learn a lot.

Play around with a spring set from Wolff while you are at it. A S&W snubby can have a smooth, reasonably light trigger if you take just a little time.

===========

I own multiple .38/.357 snubbies and pocket semi-autos of single and double stack configuration. Carried them all a lot. These days I default to a SW638 for my pocket carry. Also carry it OWB every once in a while. De Santis 085 and Don Hume JIT holsters for the win.

The pluses & minuses have mostly been addressed. Neither SA nor revo is a bad answer. Just got to figure out what is best for you.

Reasons why I have transitioned mostly to snubbies:
1. Wife can shoot them, provided I load them with target wadcutters.
2. I can load with hard cast LWC if I want serious penetration in a light, bitty package. Yes, sometimes my trail gun is a bitty SW638 loaded with 150 grain cast LWC.
3. Easy manual of arms.
4. Just plain more versatile. A sa pocket gun is a very good point solution: highly concealable for SD vs humans. A snubby is a good answer for a larger problem set.

 

[1MoreFord]

I have a Smith 640 no dash that I like and a couple of years ago went looking for a new 9mm single stack back before the election. I finally got to handle and try the trigger on a Smith Shield and a Sig P290RS at the same time and quickly chose the Sig's DAO trigger over the Shield. There are still a few P290's left to be found after they'ed been discontinued. I've seen one's like mine still going for ~$400 with night sights. I'm very happy with mine and I've even grabbed a couple of Sig P250's with the same DAO trigger to complement the 290.

 

[ancientnoob]

Both a good choices but some J's you never have to take out of your pocket...