I've been Shielded x3!

[Shipwreck]

I picked up a S&W 4" Performance Center Shield this morning. I will say that it does whip the llamas' ass - I am really impressed by how this gun shoots. No kidding.

I also got a 4" Shield 2.0 earlier this summer. And, at the time - I debated as to which version to get... Go figure, now I have both... The original thin version, and the Plus size version as well. Both are awesome guns.



I've never been a fan of fiber optics, until now. I like that S&W puts some spiral metal around the fiber optic tube in order to protect it from breaking. I'd never seen that before. Now, I am not so worried about something happening to the light rod.

Also, I complained on another thread recently about having trouble seeing the front sight on some of my handguns (as I get older). No issues with that with the fiber optics. Very cool.

I did compare both the thin 4" Shield and the new Shield Plus 4" version. I do shoot both equally as well. But, the original Shield size has always felt almost TOO thin. I no longer have that with the Shield Plus. It feels great in the hand.

I might replace my Glock 19 with this as my main carry gun. It shoots that well.

The shop had some of the 13 round Shield Plus mags, so I picked up an extra one today as well.

Anyway, now I have 3 Shields...

The original, smaller Shield really makes a great pocket gun with my cargo pants. And, I got that one for $249 (right before this covid mess hit). But, I will say that the 4" Plus is my favorite of the three...

Anyone else have one?

 

[Spats McGee]

I've had 3 Shields over the years, and I've been awfully impressed with them. The first one, a 1.0 9mm, was 100%, and I do mean 100% reliable. I've been known to comment that my 1.0 "told my G19 to go sit in the safe, and she did." I eventually added a 4" Shield 2.0 in .45 to the mix, and it's my current EDC. I also grabbed a Plus when they first came out, and the 1.0 went down the road to a buddy who needed it worse than I needed for it to sit in my safe.

 

[Shipwreck]

If not for the $, I'd probably replace my original Shield with the smaller sized Shield Plus. But, I don't carry it but maybe 10x a year. So, I'll keep what I have. But who knows. I may end up with 4 of them eventually

 

[Airborne Falcon]

I have two original Shields and just recently picked-up a Plus. Haven't even had a chance to break-in the Plus yet. (One of the originals was a spare I bought for my wife but she went back to her Bodyguard and I was fine with that.)

Yeah, I love these little pistols. This coming from a dedicated SIG man. I have several P226s, (sold my two P229s) a P230 and P232 and now three P320s (One of the an M18 and another an M17 and the third an X5) .... but I have not invested in a P365 because I just love these little Shields.

I have big hands so I did invest in the Pachmyer slipovers on the two original Shields to enlarge them some but on this Plus the grips are just right for my hands and I like the new grips, the texture, so far. Kind of sandpapery is the best way to describe it I guess.

And man oh man do I love the new trigger!

S&W hit a homerun with the Shield .... I was on a waiting list for three months befode I got mine finally. High cap makes a big difference and I am money in the bank with these things. They are great front sight post shooters.

 

[huntsman]

They come out with a 40 plus I’m buying but I already have an M&P9SC so I can’t justify $500. for a similar gun.

Love my Shield40 2.0 but Shield9 could use a trigger tuneup

 

[rdnktrkr]

I have a couple of Shield 45s and they have been trouble free, I purchased them when there was a $75 rebate prior to Shield2s. I EDC one and other is a back-up at my desk, my only complaint about Smiths M&P line is mags run mid to upper $30 where Glock mags run around $20. There is a Utube video about polishing the trigger that helps them or look into Apex triggers.

 

[Shipwreck]

I have a couple of Shield 45s and they have been trouble free, I purchased them when there was a $75 rebate prior to Shield2s. I EDC one and other is a back-up at my desk, my only complaint about Smiths M&P line is mags run mid to upper $30 where Glock mags run around $20. There is a Utube video about polishing the trigger that helps them or look into Apex triggers.

Yea, I remember those rebates. I had two Shields back in 2012, but I later sold them.

In Jan 2020, I bought a new version 1 Shield for $249 from PSA. And, I could have gotten it for less just the month before - but I was still making up my mind at the time.

I wonder if the Shield Plus will eventually drop down to those prices one day....

 

[1942bull]

As I look at the OP’s photos it seems to me that the Plus has some substantial ergonomic compromises. Ergonomics are important to me. I passed on a shield for that reason years ago. From what my eyes tell me I don’t think the Plus would be a plus for me.

 

[LeftyRed]

I’m awaiting for more 2.0s with 4” barrels to be being traded in so I can snag one at a good price. My favorite Shield!

Cant remember if the 45 version comes with a 4” or not. Would really like to get one of those!

 

[Shipwreck]

As I look at the OP’s photos it seems to me that the Plus has some substantial ergonomic compromises. Ergonomics are important to me. I passed on a shield for that reason years ago. From what my eyes tell me I don’t think the Plus would be a plus for me.

Just out of curiosity - what "ergonomic compromises"?

I like the Plus feel more than the original Shield, personally

 

[JohnB-40]

Cant remember if the 45 version comes with a 4” or not. Would really like to get one of those!

My Shield 45 2.0 has a 4" barrel....In my humble opinion,it is a very nice pistol.

 

[LeftyRed]

My Shield 45 2.0 has a 4" barrel....In my humble opinion,it is a very nice pistol.

Im glad to here that! My 3.3” 45 is one of my favorite pistols. Just like the XDS, I always thought it was be even better with a longer barrel.

 

[1942bull]

Just out of curiosity - what "ergonomic compromises"?

I like the Plus feel more than the original Shield, personally

For me one of the most important aspects of gun selection is the feel in the hand. I never felt comfortable with the two earlier Shield models. That is related to grip angle and with along with trigger guard size and design. The older Shield models just never felt good in my hands. The Plus’s does not seem to be differentiated enough to make a difference. Of course, that is personal preference. I feel the same way about my LC9s and my Security 9 Compact. I much prefer the feel of the Security 9 Compact to the LC9s. Ergonomics are personal not design choices.

 

[WheelGunMan]

Never had or held an older Shield... but the grip on the Shield Plus is what got my attention and the trigger is what clinched the deal for me.

 

[Shipwreck]

For me one of the most important aspects of gun selection is the feel in the hand. I never felt comfortable with the two earlier Shield models. That is related to grip angle and with along with trigger guard size and design. The older Shield models just never felt good in my hands. The Plus’s does not seem to be differentiated enough to make a difference. Of course, that is personal preference. I feel the same way about my LC9s and my Security 9 Compact. I much prefer the feel of the Security 9 Compact to the LC9s. Ergonomics are personal not design choices.

Well, I like the feel of the slightly wider grip on the plus. And that trigger is pretty damn good. If they start putting that trigger on M&Ps, I may buy one again.

Also, the fiber optics sights are killer, and I never even liked fiber optics before. I always avoided them previously

 

[Shipwreck]

Well, I took that 4" Shield Plus to the range again today - for the 2nd time.

I must say that I shoot it as well or better than my Berettas. I did very well at the farthest distance at the indoor range too (15 yards). And, out of all the guns I own, I do doubletaps with this gun the best.

I really think it is because of two reasons. One, I have small hands. I do like the feel of the 92FS in my hand. But, I have sold many guns over the years - because the grip is just too big for my hands... So, so many.

This Shield Plus does feel better than the thinner original Shield grip. It's "just right." I think I get a better grip on the gun for my size hands. I think that is why I shoot doubletaps better with this gun than any other gun I have owned.

And two, this new Shield Plus trigger is fantastic. It really helps with the accuracy...

And finally - I posted a few weeks ago about having a tough time seeing the front dot with my 50 year old eyes. I said that I could see a red dot optic is in my future because of age... And, I don't really care for red dots on pistols. But man, these fiber optic sights that S&W uses on their Performance Center models are just awesome. I like how they have a metal spiral around the light rod to protect them. Most fiber optics don't have that, and the light rods break so easily. Not on these....

These bright red and green dots solve my eye issues. That may be another reason why I shoot the gun so well.

 

[Ethan Verity]

I too am a fan of the M&P Shield, or for that matter any pistol in the S&W M&P series!

I originally got the Shield 45 when they first came out in late 2016, you can see it predates the M2.0 stamp on the slide. Later on I got a 9 Shield, when they were selling super cheap to make room for the new M2.0 9mm models.

Both are great, and get carried a lot! My round count is over 5,000 in each.

Seeing the updated Shield +, and the new 4" barrel models is definitely tempting me to get another one!

 

[danez71]

I like my 1.0 Shield though I think it shoots lower than my MP9c 1.0.

Not to derail the thread.....

Does anyone know if the slides are interchangeable?

Specifically, could you put a 4" slide on a frame with a thumb safety that originally came with a 3.1" slide?

I'm drooling for a 4" with a thumb safety.

 

[HPJeep]

I've considered getting a Plus and wondered if you can mix and match slides to frames. The reason I'm curious is because I noticed that Sig is selling short or long slides for their P365 series. So I looked on S&W's website and they don't sell slides or barrels unless I looked in the wrong spot.

 

[Shipwreck]

I've considered getting a Plus and wondered if you can mix and match slides to frames. The reason I'm curious is because I noticed that Sig is selling short or long slides for their P365 series. So I looked on S&W's website and they don't sell slides or barrels unless I looked in the wrong spot.

I have already called S&W - I am waiting on a Performance Center Plus 3.1" - I ordered it last week. That version ONLY comes with a ported barrel.

I called S&W to see if I can order an extra, regular barrel. This way, if I want to shoot without the ported barrel, I can... I was told that S&W does not sell barrels to people at all - for any gun.

Some places stock them, but they are all out of stock. 1 vendor told me that S&W is struggling just to keep up with orders. It will be a while before they start making parts available to vendors again.

So, unless you get used from someone, or an aftermarket barrel - you can't buy a barrel from them... I don't know about the slide.

 

[Autodidactic]

I picked up a S&W 4" Performance Center Shield this morning. I will say that it does whip the llamas' ass - I am really impressed by how this gun shoots. No kidding.

I also got a 4" Shield 2.0 earlier this summer. And, at the time - I debated as to which version to get... Go figure, now I have both... The original thin version, and the Plus size version as well. Both are awesome guns.

View attachment 1030958

I've never been a fan of fiber optics, until now. I like that S&W puts some spiral metal around the fiber optic tube in order to protect it from breaking. I'd never seen that before. Now, I am not so worried about something happening to the light rod.

Also, I complained on another thread recently about having trouble seeing the front sight on some of my handguns (as I get older). No issues with that with the fiber optics. Very cool.

I did compare both the thin 4" Shield and the new Shield Plus 4" version. I do shoot both equally as well. But, the original Shield size has always felt almost TOO thin. I no longer have that with the Shield Plus. It feels great in the hand.

I might replace my Glock 19 with this as my main carry gun. It shoots that well.

The shop had some of the 13 round Shield Plus mags, so I picked up an extra one today as well.

Anyway, now I have 3 Shields...

The original, smaller Shield really makes a great pocket gun with my cargo pants. And, I got that one for $249 (right before this covid mess hit). But, I will say that the 4" Plus is my favorite of the three...

Anyone else have one?

View attachment 1030959

I am jealous of your Shield collection. I love the Shields, and S&W in general.

I have a Shield 1.0 in 9mm.

I've had 3 Shields over the years, and I've been awfully impressed with them. The first one, a 1.0 9mm, was 100%, and I do mean 100% reliable. I've been known to comment that my 1.0 "told my G19 to go sit in the safe, and she did." I eventually added a 4" Shield 2.0 in .45 to the mix, and it's my current EDC. I also grabbed a Plus when they first came out, and the 1.0 went down the road to a buddy who needed it worse than I needed for it to sit in my safe.

My Shield 9mm 1.0 has likewise been 100% reliable, and I do mean 100%. I think it might be the only gun I have that has literally not had a single failure. My Glock 19 had 1, which is still fine. May have been the ammo.

If not for the $, I'd probably replace my original Shield with the smaller sized Shield Plus. But, I don't carry it but maybe 10x a year. So, I'll keep what I have. But who knows. I may end up with 4 of them eventually

I hope one day to add a Plus as well, but currently don't need it and as you said, $500.

I have two original Shields and just recently picked-up a Plus. Haven't even had a chance to break-in the Plus yet. (One of the originals was a spare I bought for my wife but she went back to her Bodyguard and I was fine with that.)

Yeah, I love these little pistols. This coming from a dedicated SIG man. I have several P226s, (sold my two P229s) a P230 and P232 and now three P320s (One of the an M18 and another an M17 and the third an X5) .... but I have not invested in a P365 because I just love these little Shields.

I have big hands so I did invest in the Pachmyer slipovers on the two original Shields to enlarge them some but on this Plus the grips are just right for my hands and I like the new grips, the texture, so far. Kind of sandpapery is the best way to describe it I guess.

And man oh man do I love the new trigger!

S&W hit a homerun with the Shield .... I was on a waiting list for three months befode I got mine finally. High cap makes a big difference and I am money in the bank with these things. They are great front sight post shooters.

I have a couple of Shield 45s and they have been trouble free, I purchased them when there was a $75 rebate prior to Shield2s. I EDC one and other is a back-up at my desk, my only complaint about Smiths M&P line is mags run mid to upper $30 where Glock mags run around $20. There is a Utube video about polishing the trigger that helps them or look into Apex triggers.

I would like a Shield in .45 ACP.