S&W M&P SHIELD On a scale of 1-10

I know a growing number of firearms instructors who have either bought or have ordered Shield 9's (after trying one). These instructors represent a broad range of experience, and include folks who are dedicated 1911, Glock & TDA users (TDA is Traditional Double Action, or DA/SA as it's sometimes called) users.

Of course, they've also been buying and using M&P's, too.

I spent an afternoon working with a Shield 9 (belonging to another instructor). Even though I already own a fair collection of smallish 9's (a couple of G26's, SW999c, CS9 & 3913), I'll be ordering a Shield 9 of my own in the near future. I have little doubt it'll replace the slightly larger & thicker 9's I've been using for many years, and might result in my 5-shot J-frames seeing a bit less retirement CCW use, as well.

Being an owner/armorer for the M&P pistol series, I don't mind the sear disconnect lever and field-stripping method for the M&P series. Hey, I got used to reaching into the open ejection port of the Ruger P-series pistols many years ago. Not hard to do, and it definitely gives the owner/user an added opportunity to make sure the weapon is EMPTY.

I found the Shield 9 to be reliable, with nice ergonomics and a slim profile (overall), excellent controllability and surprisingly good practical accuracy.

I generally don't over-concern myself with service/duty "triggers", but the trigger on the new Shield 9 I used for that afternoon was quite nice when compared to my G26's & 3rd gen S&W's. Only my compact 99-series (SW999c) has a "better" trigger.

I don't make it a practice to "recommend" handguns to folks, preferring to work with them on a practice/training range so I can get a good idea of their experience & skillset.

Trying to find one that can be tried (rental?) before deciding would seem a prudent idea.

You can't go wrong with the Shield. So far mine has been great. Recoils less than a G26 IMO and the trigger is pretty good. I was thinking about selling my Shield and make a few bucks off of it but who knows when I'll be able to find another one at a reasonable price.

Excellent gun.

You want a ranking though? Let the debate begin!

I've been carrying my 40 Shield for a couple of months now. Finest little plastic semi I've ever held in my hands. Feels good in my hand. Conceals well (and fits in my Glock G36 holsters like a glove.) Rock solid reliable with any ammo I've fed it. Easy to shoot accurately. I'd give it a 10. (There may well be one out there that would bump it to a 9, but I haven't seen it yet.)

BTW, you don't have to dig into the mag well to disassemble it. (Need I say? CLEAR THE GUN FIRST!) lock the slide back, throw the takedown release, ease the slide forward to approximately the in-battery position, pull the trigger, and let the slide continue forward.

Now, for the downside. Finding one right away at a reasonable price may be easier said than done.

for me I'll say 10+...I love mine...I have a shield 9mm,and an XDS 45...I alternate carry between these two...both guns have been flawless..I won't give up either...

Its a great gun. I shoot it well. SW has a winner with the Shield....


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Solid 10 for its class. Easy to shoot well ,reliable, concealable, what more can you ask.

The barrel drops down in the rear to allow for a positive angle to chamber a round.

And by the way, I love my Shield .40, the only disappointment is S&W didn't include the tool for the sear disconnect in the bottom of the grip like they do with the other full size M&P series, it has the same void for it but no tool.

Love my Shield in 40

Best CCW i have owned

I love the Shield, but I love the SA XDs 45 more. Shield 8pts, XDs 9pts

I have been a Glock guy or over 20 years. After buying and shooting the Shield two weeks ago, I like the Shield well enough that I picked up a nice used M&P45 this week. Combine this with my j frame and it appears I have become quite a fan of the S&W brand. I give the Shield very high marks.

Airbrush Artist said:

At the suggestion of some here at THR what about the S&W M&P 9mm Shield How about it for a Everyday Carry,after about a month and too many Hours of Researching with $550 In My Pocket This hopefeully is My Choice I'm just about Burnt out On Making The deciscion ,I think if this isn't it I'm gonna walk away a few days..and get my mind off the purchase..The only negative for me is the field break down...I do not like diggin in a empty magazine void looking for a wire too pull out ..Thanks Tired and weiry...

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I have had my shield 9mm for about 2 months now.300 rounds down the pipe with no issues.I would rate it a 10 plus.I used to carry my S&W 3913 & 3914 TSW all of the time,now switched over to the shield full time.

dbb1776 said:

Solid 10 for its class. Easy to shoot well ,reliable, concealable, what more can you ask.

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I second this emotion.

I'd rate it higher than the XDS because of grip safeties: I'm not a fan of one on anything other than a 1911.

Also, wire for disassembly? Dry fire it.

Airbrush Artist said:

Thanks for the input on that extreme barrel angle,This might sound really Naive and Corny but I do not pull a Trigger on any of my guns Unless I'm Firing a round .Thats just How I learned and Can't seemed to get away from that its burnt in My freakin brain..I just fined it hard to break a gun down by pullin the Trigger....I gotta blame my Dad for that..

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It doesn't hurt a thing, and it gets you into the practice of checking, rechecking, and triple checking to make sure your weapon is clear.

You aren't firing a round using snap caps, so just dry fire the bloody thing.

Thanks for the input on that extreme barrel angle,This might sound really Naive and Corny but I do not pull a Trigger on any of my guns Unless I'm Firing a round .Thats just How I learned and Can't seemed to get away from that its burnt in My freakin brain..I just fined it hard to break a gun down by pullin the Trigger....I gotta blame my Dad for that..

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Wow, you would hate Glocks then! They don't give you the option of a sear override lever. Pulling the trigger is part of the disassembly process. If you have good habits as far as practicing standard normal safety procedure, which dictates obsessively clearing the gun before you futz with it, it's not a problem at all.

With apologies to Spinal Tap, I vote for 11.

If you dry fire, you should be fine with pulling the trigger for dis-assembly.

I don't really get the concern over it, but then again I LIKE thumb safeties so I'll leave you with your preferences.

Yes, the Shield is great. Would like to see a version in 45 ACP.

8 1/2: trouble topping and seating a full mag (tight) and the front sight insert came out during the first 5 rounds. Ergonomics and function are great however. Hope my J-frame will forgive me.

Odd man out. After a couple of shooting sessions, prefer my 26 block. Very slim, maybe to slim for me. Rate it at 6-7 1/2. If you don't like it, they are easy to resell.

After looking for quite sometime for one selling for no more than MSRP I happen to be sitting at my computer yesterday afternoon when an email showed up. It was the regular newsletter from my favorite toy store and it mentioned that they got some 9mm Shields in. I immediately called and they still had one (some?). I told them I'd be there within an hour and they set one aside for me. Less than 2 hours after receiving the newsletter I'm walking out to my truck with it. I haven't shot it yet but once I get a few hundred through the barrel I'm quite sure it will cause my 442 to get upset with me as it will become my EDC. Even my 3913 and 4513 weren't able to do that.

The trigger is a tad gritty but I'm sure it will smooth out. I haven't even cleaned the factory gunk out of it yet. I don't think I'll be disappointed. S&W has got a winner with the Shield.