M&P Shield now available w/o thumb safety.

[Plan2Live]

Okay, so I honestly have to ask. For the people that think eliminating the safety improved the Shield, why?

1. Murphy's Law
2. If the pistol is properly handled it is simply unnecessary
3. Removing it might and I emphasize might bring unwanted legal scrutiny to the owner if the gun ever has to be used in a defensive situation. Reason, you are carrying a "modified" firearm.
4. If you are using it as a back up gun and your primary gun doesn't have a safety you are more likely to forget its there if needed in a fight. See #1.

Just to name a few.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

The safety on the Shield is both a nonissue and the worst of both worlds, in a way.

It's a nonissue because if you don't want to use it, you can just leave it off with almost no worry that it'll flip on, due to the unobtrusive safety and the very positive click to flip it on or off.

It's the worst of both worlds because it has a safety, for those who would prefer it configured like the traditional M&P guns, and because that safety is very difficult to rapidly swipe off... due to the unobtrusive safety and the very positive click to flip it on or off.

I would not mind having a rounded 1911-style extended safety myself.

 

[TestPilot]

Accidental switch on of the thumb lever without user intent can and did happen. If you don't use it, then why the hell would you want that probability?

Besides, if I want to flip up a stinkin lever up and down to make a gun fire, then I'd get a pistol that gives me an easier trigger, not a 6.5 lb striker trigger. I don't give something for nothing.

 

[george burns]

The new model without the safety and with palm swells was listed on slickguns today

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Accidental switch on of the thumb lever without user intend can an did happen.

Well you see, that's what I'm questioning.. That it's ever really happened outside of internet myth, lore and "if happened to my brothers, cousins former roommate" I have yet to meet a real live person who had the safety on their shield accidentally engage while being carried.

 

[Plan2Live]

The rub for me and I believe the rub for some other folks is simply why risk it? I was ready to buy one with the safety this past weekend but I was doing so while wishing it wasn't there. Thankfully S&W has acknowledged that some buyers prefer it without a safety and are now accommodating that market segment. Thank you S&W.

 

[george burns]

There is also an adjustable palm swell now, if no one mentioned it.

 

[RustyShackelford]

TheYankeeMarshal, Shields....

The You-Tube channel host; The Yankee Marshal railed against the first M&P Shields saying the safety levers could go on/off by accident, .
He has a valid point in the video.
Id guess that 90/95% of the time a M&P Shield pistol will be deployed in a real critical incident(by a CC license holder or armed citizen not a sworn LEO or armed security), it will either be as a back-up or worn in a bag, case, ankle rig, pocket, etc. A smooth slide(no safety) version M&P shield would be ideal for these uses. You don't want to cling for a Shield pull the trigger & go; oh, ___ .

You can say it's a training issue, but I agree with TYM about the sub-compact pistols. The Shields should be "point & shoot" . No fuss, no bumps or lumps. Just load it, check it & off you go.

 

[TarDevil]

Well you see, that's what I'm questioning.. That it's ever really happened outside of internet myth, lore and "if happened to my brothers, cousins former roommate" I have yet to meet a real live person who had the safety on their shield accidentally engage while being carried.

I know it's a different gun, but the safety on my SR9c has been accidentally bumped off numerous times. It can happen.

If a safety is on my gun, it will be included in my training.

Every.

Single.

Time.

 

[beeenbag]

Well you see, that's what I'm questioning.. That it's ever really happened outside of internet myth, lore and "if happened to my brothers, cousins former roommate" I have yet to meet a real live person who had the safety on their shield accidentally engage while being carried.

This is precisely why I sold my 9mm shield, I loved the gun over all, but I found the safety ON twice while carrying IWB in a hybrid type holster. I really wish it wouldn't have happened, I really liked it, now the problem is solved.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

but I found the safety ON twice while carrying IWB in a hybrid type holster.

Can you elaborate on who made the holster and if it was a holster made specifically for the shield or one that just fit it?

 

[beeenbag]

Can you elaborate on who made the holster and if it was a holster made specifically for the shield or one that just fit it?

Comp tac Spartan made for the shield.

 

[PabloJ]

Ideally safety is a hinderance on CCW weapon heavier longer smooth trigger pull being preferable to manual safety (just like in DA revolver). The 1911 and BHP carriers are the only ones that are infatuated with them.

 

[RustyShackelford]

TYM; Shield.....

The Yankee Marshal posted a new video claiming his input & remarks led Smith and Wesson to bringing out the new safety-less format Shields.

Now, the video is a joke. But I'm sure a few senior employees or engineers in Springfield MA may of heard a few - comments or fielded a few questions as to why S&W designed the Shield that way.

I, for one considered a "no lock" 642 .38spl but I may now steer towards a .40 or 9x19 Shield without the manual safety. Prices I see for these pistols go from $335.00 to $450.00.

Rusty S

 

[PabloJ]

The Shield is fine choice for CCW especially at prevailing prices.