Which small 9mm, Ruger LC9S or S&W Shield

[astocks2622]

I own the shield. I used to own a M&P 9C & Kahr CW9. I tried the xds 9, the sccy, compact glocks, & the sig p938. of all of them, the shield seemed to have the softest recoil impulse, & i was able to shoot it quite well... After 700 rds, neither of my shields has ever malfunctioned in any way.
I purchased my first one before they offered a no-safety version. I carried it in an IWB holster (crossbreed mini-tuck, can't say enough good things about that holster) with the manual safety off. over time, I had several instances practicing at the range where I drew only to find the safety engaged (I holstered it with the safety off...) Almost broke the trigger trying to shoot a timed round. Once S&W offered the shield w/o the safety, i sold mine to a friend who really wanted one with the safety, & bought myself a new Shield w/o the safety. great weapon.

i was really excited about the LC9s until I read about the mag disconnect. I understand the argument for them, but will NEVER own a firearm with one. total deal-breaker for me.

 

[george burns]

Just for clarification that mag safety is simple to remove. But then you can have a legal problem.

 

[basicblur]

As an owner of both an LC9 (not the "s") and Shield, I can tell you:
1. The Shield is a much softer shooting gun (if that's important to you).
2. Despite many thinking the Shield has more quality, I'm the opposite - I'm a little disappointed with the fit of the magazine in the Shield - it works fine, but I'd like to have a little closer tolerances on the mag fit.
3. The sleeve on the longer Shield magazine is a disappointment - I'd rather have the sleeve molded to the bottom plate instead of just a friction fit.

I actually like the trigger on my (now denigrated) non-S model LC9 a little better than my Shield. I think the pivot in the middle of the Shield trigger (and it being plastic?) gives it a vague feel.

My old LC9 may have a long, heavy pull (but I grew up on DA revolvers), but it's smooth, predictable, repeatable, and I can always tell what's going on with it.

There's a lot to love about hammer fired semi-autos...

 

[Orion8472]

The LC9s does have more recoil to it, but I didn't consider it to be that much more. Maybe the LC9 has a different recoil spring system in it than the LC9s?

 

[Captains1911]

I used to own an older LC9, and agree that it has noticeably more felt recoil than the Shield and XDs. Of course it is a lighter and smaller gun. I just never really warmed up to it. I'd like to try an LC9s sometime.

 

[TarDevil]

I've never shot the Shield, but I would be surprised if the LC9s didn't have more recoil than the Shield. The Shield is larger... more grip area... more weight... all combine to soften the effect of recoil This is physics.

But for 17 ounce gun, the LC9s is surprisingly soft shooting. It's all about compromise.

Both are good guns. You want a slightly larger, softer shooting holstered gun, the Shield is the way to go. You need to go light, maybe pocket carry and still have a gun that won't beat up your hand, the LC9s is a good choice.

Pick your poison.

 

[mnhntr]

I would have said the Shield until my recent purchase of 2 Sig P938s. But instead of others opinions I would just say try to find a place that rents them and shoot as many as you can.

 

[george burns]

Truth be told that before the thread is finished there will be a new 9's on the market the way things are going, like the CCP and a few others. It's really getting hard to stick to a gun when every day something new is out that people feel they must try or buy.
When after a week the newness fades and the real gun shows itself.
There isn't that much difference to make it a deal breaker regardless of which one you choose.