For anyone who has a Shield and a larger size pistol in the M&P Line Up, can you tell me how the shooting characteristics compare. I really like shooting the Shield - my impression was that the recoil was extremely low making follow up shots quick. The trigger also broke very very nicely. And I found the gun at 20 feet to be almost ridiculously accurate. I don't have experience with the other M&Ps other than I have heard some say the triggers are 'gritty'. What do you guys think? Would a Shield for Carry and a Larger duty sized M&P for a house gun be a good combo?
S&W Shield Vs S&W M&P line
- Thread starter CTGunner
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I like the shield and have one in 9mm for ccw but I do not like the trigger on the full size m&p at all I found it gritty with a poor reset many folks swap out the factory tiger with an after market one.
also keep in mind that the shield can not use the full size m&p mags if your
thinking a combo set up.
It really is up to what you like and shoot best
also keep in mind that the shield can not use the full size m&p mags if your
thinking a combo set up.
It really is up to what you like and shoot best
Stony
Member
I have a Shield, a full sized M&P, and a Pro model M&P. They are all excellent shooters. All you need to do with the triggers is use them as they just keep getting better. I also have Glocks in most of the calibers they make them in, but prefer the triggers on the Smiths, and shoot them more.
Old Dog
Member
Got the Shield, the M&PC and the M&P full-size (a couple of 'em), all in 9mm.
Shield for sure has the better trigger, but I favor the M&P9C for the ergonomics and the extra rounds -- the Compact simply points and feels better and the slightly larger size is simply not an issue for me ...
The FS M&P for a house gun isn't a bad choice. Arguably the best ergonomics of any polymer service pistol on the market, it can be had from the factory with very good night-sights, and it's typically a reliable pistol.
Apparently, S&W has "fixed" the trigger problem on the M&Ps -- word is, recent production pistols have vastly improved triggers. The somewhat mushy, indistinct reset on the M&Ps has been a major issue for many, even though there's so much else to like about the platform.
Shield for sure has the better trigger, but I favor the M&P9C for the ergonomics and the extra rounds -- the Compact simply points and feels better and the slightly larger size is simply not an issue for me ...
The FS M&P for a house gun isn't a bad choice. Arguably the best ergonomics of any polymer service pistol on the market, it can be had from the factory with very good night-sights, and it's typically a reliable pistol.
Apparently, S&W has "fixed" the trigger problem on the M&Ps -- word is, recent production pistols have vastly improved triggers. The somewhat mushy, indistinct reset on the M&Ps has been a major issue for many, even though there's so much else to like about the platform.
You've obviously never held an HK P30.
JWH321
Member
There is little way to compare the Shield with other M&P guns. Its very different. Some (most) like it a lot. Others find its slide very hard to operate and its overall feel a bit too thin. Others are concerned about its round count. Its kinda like asking if you like blondes or brunettes.
I have a Shield and a 9c. The 9c goes out a lot more than the Shield. Don't know which is the blonde.
I have a Shield and a 9c. The 9c goes out a lot more than the Shield. Don't know which is the blonde.
32_d3gr33s
Member
I started out with a 9c. Love shooting that gun, especially with the 17 round mag. Very very comfortable and the trigger feels great.
Just picked up a shield last week and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it shoots. The skinnier grip didn't seem to affect me too much over the 9c. I have hands on the larger side so I have either the large blackstrap or the crimson trace on it most of the time.
The trigger didn't feel quite as nice on the shield as the 9c. But then again the 9c has thousands of rounds through it and the shield only had 80. I'm sure it will get better in time.
I definitely will be completing my collection of the m&p line now.
Just picked up a shield last week and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it shoots. The skinnier grip didn't seem to affect me too much over the 9c. I have hands on the larger side so I have either the large blackstrap or the crimson trace on it most of the time.
The trigger didn't feel quite as nice on the shield as the 9c. But then again the 9c has thousands of rounds through it and the shield only had 80. I'm sure it will get better in time.
I definitely will be completing my collection of the m&p line now.
futurerider103
Member
When getting a new ccw pistol I was looking at several but then quickly narrowed it down to to M&P shield and compact both in 9mm.
I was holding both at a store and found that with my small woman like hands the Shield just felt better in my hands and in my fiance's hand as well(she choose a PK380) so I ended up with one of those.
I do love my Shield and have over 800rnds down it and have had a couple complaints.
1. As many others have had mine shot left and low or of the box.
2. Front white dot feel out of the sight.
Neither was a huge issue to me but it is what it is. I think small and medium sized glove hands will be better suited with the shield and upper size medium to large will benefit from the changeable back straps from the compact
I was holding both at a store and found that with my small woman like hands the Shield just felt better in my hands and in my fiance's hand as well(she choose a PK380) so I ended up with one of those.
I do love my Shield and have over 800rnds down it and have had a couple complaints.
1. As many others have had mine shot left and low or of the box.
2. Front white dot feel out of the sight.
Neither was a huge issue to me but it is what it is. I think small and medium sized glove hands will be better suited with the shield and upper size medium to large will benefit from the changeable back straps from the compact
I have the shield now...great pistol for CC. I used to have a 9c but traded it. For home use I'd pickup a pro; good trigger, accurate, reliable and of course M&P quality. I've put several rounds down a 9mm pro and I love it. YOU can be accurate with it from the first magazine.
Old Dog
Member
Yep. I have. Never quite know what someone's really implying when they say, "You obviously ...
"
Thanks for all the input. Let me clarify one thing though - I'm not trying to decide between a Shield and a Compact for CCW. I am going with the Shield. I'm really wondering if a Full Size M&P for Home Defense would be a nice compliment to the Shield in terms of shooting characteristics. The reason I ask is that I could not be happier than I am with the Shield and if the Full Size is just as good then I definitely want to get one. I am looking into the CORE model.
glocknurse
Member
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2013
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I have a Shield and I'm on my second full size M&P. I love the Shield, mine points well, has a good trigger feel, and is great for CCW. My first FS M&P was extremely accurate but I just didn't like the trigger even though I shot it well. I got rid of it and regretted it so I got another one. The secone FS M&P has the Apex duty carry kit and aluminum trigger. It also points and shoots extremely well. The trigger is a vast improvement over my old stock pistol. I still really don't like the "FEEL" of it. I've handled the new batch at a dealer and I agree their triggers are vastly improved over the old ones. I still need to add the Apex RAM(reset assist mechanism) to my current FS M&P and hopefully that will make me like it more. Like I said, great gun! Shoots accurately, points well but I just don't really care for the "FEEL"
another thing to consider most shields have a safety and many full sized m&p do not
I would be concerned that under stress I would not want to think does this one have the
safety or not , may or may not matter to you.
If I was going to have a ccw and night stand combo I would want them as close to function
as possible for muscle memory, just a thought to add
I would be concerned that under stress I would not want to think does this one have the
safety or not , may or may not matter to you.
If I was going to have a ccw and night stand combo I would want them as close to function
as possible for muscle memory, just a thought to add
breakingcontact
Member
CORE is setup nicely but trigger is nothing special.
breakingcontact
Member
Triggers on M&P pistols arent great. They do improve with use. For a cheap improvement, get an Apex sear. $50 and 15 minutes and you have a much better trigger.
I am getting ready to install the Apex Forward Set Sear aluminum trigger kit in my full size. Its supposed to be as 1911 like as you can get in a polymer striker gun. Plan on installing the Duty/Carry trigger and parts in my Shield as well.
Shield doesnt have a bad trigger and it is better than the full and compact M&Ps.
I am getting ready to install the Apex Forward Set Sear aluminum trigger kit in my full size. Its supposed to be as 1911 like as you can get in a polymer striker gun. Plan on installing the Duty/Carry trigger and parts in my Shield as well.
Shield doesnt have a bad trigger and it is better than the full and compact M&Ps.
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breakingcontact
Member
Here we go again. Its a training issue. Everyone is fine with 1911's ARs and shotguns having manual safeties but concerned about pistols?
Id feel comfortable with a Glock or Sig or 1911 because I train with what I use.
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