Success of the new M&P Shield..

[SpringfieldArmoryXD]

I think it is pretty mutually conclusive that Smith and Wesson's launch of the M&P Shield has been a big success. It seems their sale numbers have been high, and there is a strong demand for more of them. I'm having a hard time trying to track one down myself.

This led me to wonder why Glock never extended their "Slimline" model G36 to other calibers. I feel like if they could have came up with a 9mm slimline, it could have been a big success like the Shield seems to be. Your thoughts?

 

[TennJed]

Yes the shield is getting great reviews.

I have never seen a shield in person, much less held or shot one, so the is an honest want to know question. What seperates the shield from the rest of the small single stack 9s like the:

Ruger LC9,
Beretta NANO,
Kahr CM9,
Kel Tec PF9,
Sig P290,
Walther PPS
Taurus 709
ect

 

[ColdDayInHell]

I think it is pretty mutually conclusive that Smith and Wesson's launch of the M&P Shield has been a big success. It seems their sale numbers have been high, and there is a strong demand for more of them. I'm having a hard time trying to track one down myself.

This led me to wonder why Glock never extended their "Slimline" model G36 to other calibers. I feel like if they could have came up with a 9mm slimline, it could have been a big success like the Shield seems to be. Your thoughts?

I agree. I just got my Glock 36 and love it. It fits perfect in my hand and conceals even better. I love the .45ACP cartridge but having a slimline 9mm Glock would be incredible. I like S&W but their M&P triggers are horrid. After a trigger job they shoot like a dream. I'll stick with my SR9c and Glock but a slimline 9mm would be great. I could see it happening!

 

[skt239]

I think the success of the Shield has a lot to do with the success of its bigger brother, the M&P. Lots of agencies issue the M&P and even more people used them for CC. When the M&P came out, it was a no brainer and easy transition for a lot of folks.

I don't understand why Glock does not even attempt to compete in the small auto market that has exploded over the last few years. If they haven't done it by now, I wonder if we will ever see a shield like gun from Glock.

 

[LightningMan]

Must be a big seller, can't find them around here, but there are other pistols that come to mind that just can't be found in my LGS. The Ruger SR1911, Kimber Solo, & Springfield XDs to name a few. LM

 

[Pilot]

Does the Shield have an external safety seperate from the triger safety?

 

[skt239]

Does the Shield have an external safety seperate from the triger safety?

Yes. One of the downsides, IMO. However, all the reviews I've read say its not even worth using and stays out of the way.

 

[Pilot]

Thanks. Although with the recent ND from the off duty cop's M&P that killed a woman, it may be more in use today.

All things aside, I am leaning more towards the Walther PPS.

 

[Shipwreck]

I like S&W but their M&P triggers are horrid.

I HATE M&P triggers as well. But I took a chance on the Shield and rented one. I was pleasantly surprised.

The Shield's trigger is a little different than a standard M&P.

Got one two days later. Spent the last 2 months looking for another. Got my 2nd on this past Saturday

 

[PabloJ]

Yes the shield is getting great reviews.

I have never seen a shield in person, much less held or shot one, so the is an honest want to know question. What seperates the shield from the rest of the small single stack 9s like the:

Ruger LC9,
Beretta NANO,
Kahr CM9,
Kel Tec PF9,
Sig P290,
Walther PPS
Taurus 709
ect

The Shield has more comfortable grip to most you have listed. It is about 1/8" or 1cm thinner then G26 but it is inferior weapon to it in terms of cartridge capacity.

 

[RBid]

By all accounts, the Shield also has a better trigger than those other pistols, and better ergonomics.

Not having a long, DAO pull is a big difference!

 

[jfrey]

Pilot,
I can tell you from personal experience shooting my Shield and a PPS side by side, that the Shield has a better trigger and the backstrap isn't nearly as rough. The striker spring in the PPS is much stronger and causes the trigger to stack as you pull it back. You can do a little "spit and polish" on the PPS sear to improve things some, but it still stacks regardless of what you do. Both guns are built very well but the grip on the Shield fills the hand better, at least for me. The PPS has that Glock trigger safety and it seems sharp on the edges. The Shield trigger is much more comfortable on the trigger finger. You can get an Apex sear for the Shield that improves the trigger a lot. Can't get such for the PPS. The Shield conceals just as well as the PPS, so no advantage there. The advantage to the Shield is it costs $150.00 less for just as good, or better gun.

 

[allaroundhunter]

It is about 1/8" or 1cm thinner then G26 but it is inferior weapon to it in terms of cartridge capacity

It is hardly fair to compare the M&P Shield's cartridge capacity to that of a G26 in terms of superiority considering the role that each is designed for. The M&P is designed to be slimmer, and it does that better than any Glock pistol on the market.

If you are comparing an M&P's cartridge capacity to the Glock 26, you should compare it to the M&P9c.

 

[Captain33036]

I think the Shield is a very intelligent and clever piece of design, engineering and marketing.

It comes after the success and reputation of a top pistol line from a company with a solid background in producing good guns.

The grip is one of the most ergonomic I have held. Sculpted. The Shield did not compromise on the grip, just for the sake of smallness or trying to make it Into the pocket pistol market. And even more intelligent, they give you the option to extend the grip, to make it almost full sized and mor comfortable.

In extending the grip, and giving you the second extended magazine, they negate the argument that you are not carrying enough round. 7-8 is fine for all affectionados of the 1911, so, if you are designing a slim, modern 9mm, you must believe that 7-8 rounds of good SD 9mm will meet most customer needs.

And then the trigger. The stock trigger is nothing to write home about. But everyone knows that for $45, this situation is solved with an Apex trigger.

Finally, since you might assume that just about every customer might put a 4.5lb apex trigger on....a safety would then make sense to a significant segment of the customer base.

Add in a good warrantee, customer service, good manufacturing to make a pistol that is accurate and shoots well. Nicely balanced. And then price it less than your main line of service level pistols.

But, all in all, I think the smart move was not trying to force it to be a pocket pistol. Too many compromises there...which....IMHO....is one reason the Shield is more popular than most on the list above. I also think there is a move away from pocket pistols, back to slim pistols that are carried on the waist.

And keep the price low.

Just my observations.

Best
J

 

[Pilot]

Pilot,
I can tell you from personal experience shooting my Shield and a PPS side by side, that the Shield has a better trigger and the backstrap isn't nearly as rough. The striker spring in the PPS is much stronger and causes the trigger to stack as you pull it back. You can do a little "spit and polish" on the PPS sear to improve things some, but it still stacks regardless of what you do. Both guns are built very well but the grip on the Shield fills the hand better, at least for me. The PPS has that Glock trigger safety and it seems sharp on the edges. The Shield trigger is much more comfortable on the trigger finger. You can get an Apex sear for the Shield that improves the trigger a lot. Can't get such for the PPS. The Shield conceals just as well as the PPS, so no advantage there. The advantage to the Shield is it costs $150.00 less for just as good, or better gun.

Jfrey. That is really good informaton. I will have to dry fire the Shield. The fact you can improve the trigger with the Apex is nice, as well as the other factors you mention.

Thanks.

 

[PabloJ]

It is hardly fair to compare the M&P Shield's cartridge capacity to that of a G26 in terms of superiority considering the role that each is designed for. The M&P is designed to be slimmer, and it does that better than any Glock pistol on the market.

If you are comparing an M&P's cartridge capacity to the Glock 26, you should compare it to the M&P9c.

The M&P9c is far superior platform to the Shield.

 

[jimbo555]

Sounds like the handgun companys of the world should cease production because the perfect handgun is here! Ergonomics,grip feel and trigger are all subjective,while the shield sounds nice like everthing else it won't be perfect for everyone!

 

[kcshooter]

about 1/8" or 1cm thinner

What? Which is it? These aren't even close to being equal.

The M&P9c is far superior platform to the Shield.

Why? Are you basing this solely on capacity?

 

[checkmyswag]

-Ergonomics.

It fits in the hand extremely well, the controls (even the safety) are very well placed and operate naturally. As much as I like the XDS and I do, the Shield fits my hand better.

The trigger is better in the shield than in the full size M&P models, but I don't find them abhorrent to begin with.

-Awesome sights.

Big and bright. Although a fiber optic front sight would be awesome. Dang it XDS stop making me stick up for you!

-Relatively inexpensive.

-Relatively lightweight.

-Reputation due to LEAs adopting the full size M&P. It gives the Shield a certain street cred and desire. (warranted or not, weapons associated w the military or LEAs usually have an built in assumed quality)

None of the above is an attack on your preferential gun. They've all got positives and negatives inherent to the gun and due to our individual requirements and preferences.

 

[basicblur]

As a (pragmatic) owner, I'll toss in my two cents:
1. Nice gun, but not deserving of all the gushing being done over it (never underestimate the power of salesmanship).
2. It was a bit of an impulse purchase - I had been eyeballing reasonably priced slim 9's for a while, but the SHIELD felt so good I walked out with it (and it was under MSRP).
3. While it does feel good in MY hand, YMMV - some folks may find the LC9 (or other smaller guns) feel better.
4. I realize (unlike some?) that even though it feels better in my hand than my LC9, I am trading size for comfort.
5. I'd actually give the nod to the LC9's trigger - long triggers don't bother me (grew up on DA revolvers), and the SHIELD's trigger internals may be 'all that', but darn if that plastic? / articulated trigger doesn't feel spongy to me.
6. The LC9 trigger, while long, is metal and solid - I can feel what's going on throughout the trigger stroke.
7. S&W screwed the pooch with the sleeve on the extended magazine - it should be part of the base so it cannot slide up the body.
8. Maybe not a biggie, but I prefer the magazine bodies be black, 'specially for CC.

 

[checkmyswag]

7. S&W screwed the pooch with the sleeve on the extended magazine - it should be part of the base so it cannot slide up the body.

Isn't that how most manufacturer's extended mag sleeves are? I don't know. But agree, would be better to be fixed. I prefer the 7 round mag anyways. Have thought of gluing my 8 round mag sleeve in place.

8. Maybe not a biggie, but I prefer the magazine bodies be black, 'specially for CC.

Not sure why they did that. The full size M&P mags are black. Different metal? Lighter?

After going through many CC pistols, I am very happy with the Shield. Doesn't make it the objective best pistol. Best one I've found for me. I'm sure there are better options out there for others, but many like the Shield.

Much like there are guns suited for specific purposes, there are guns suited for different people.

Whatever you like, practice with it. Training is so much more important than gear.

 

[CZguy]

The M&P9c is far superior platform to the Shield.

In what way?

 

[checkmyswag]

The M&P9c is far superior platform to the Shield.

I agree, but not for CC for me.

The full size is even better, but not for CC.

 

[basicblur]

Isn't that how most manufacturer's extended mag sleeves are? I don't know. But agree, would be better to be fixed. I prefer the 7 round mag anyways. Have thought of gluing my 8 round mag sleeve in place

I have an XDSC - the extended mag 'sleeve' is not a sleeve - it's part of the base / magazine (I haven't really looked), but it's fixed.

Like yourself, I'm sticking with the 7-rd magazines, but it's because I don't like the sliding sleeve. For something less permanent (I hate to try gluing it to the mag body), you might try hairspray? I used to install motorcycle grips with it - while wet, allows easy positioning, but dries to a non-permanent tack.

 

[jfrey]

As to #7, the sliding sleeve on the extended magazine - I slid mine up a little, put a drop of Gorilla glue on the flat side of the mag body, spread it a little with a toothpick, and slid the sleeve back down over it. Left it like that for a day to dry and no problems since. It was easy, and since I already had the glue, cost me nothing. If it comes loose I'll just glue it again.

The issue may be a little short sighted on the part of S&W but certainly not a deal breaker in my book. It's not near as big a deal as the grip safety on the Kimber I once had that didn't work.