Not that I needed another gun, but I broke down a purchased a Shield 9mm. I have a 27 handgun collection and some of my smaller pistols are a NAA 22mag Pug, Bodyguard 380,and a P938 that fills the pocket pistol category. I have always admired the Shields ergos and thinness but never considered it a pocket pistol but more of a light weight carry duty gun.
The Shield is what I would call my "gray area" pistol. It can be used as a pocket pistol but its a bit big. It can be used as a service pistol but its a bit small. Its right where a Glock 26 is and I sold mine because it was too thick. I have a few Glocks and never liked their pointing angle but they always went bang so they served their purpose. Now the M&P have become my Glock replacement firearm except they point more natural. This is why I purchased the Shield as a G26 replacement. Great gun for on the hip or in the waistband. Tough and reliable, yet light enough you can carry it about anywhere. I also like the safety on the Bodyguard and Shield in some carry conditions. I am more inclined to pocket carry this gun in a emergency without a holster or shove it in a coat pocket if needed. I would never consider pocket carrying a G26. If you train on a 1911, the M&P Safety is a non-issue to use. It tucks back in so close to the slide that it is almost invisible.
At the range I put 200 rounds through it without any issue. I even tested to see if I could get it to jam by weak wristing and riding the slide. The only thing I was able to do was to ride the slide stop with a high grip and that would not allow the slide to remain open at the last shot. I tried 135+p Critical Duty, 124+p Golden Saber, 124+p PDX1, 115 +P Barnes Tac-XPD, WWB,Federal FMJ, Herters FMJ. All functioned flawlessly. The 135+p Critical Duty shot a bit left as did the PDX1. The lighter 115 +P Barnes were tack drivers and had the less felt recoil. The 124+p Golden Saber was almost as good as the Barnes.
I did have to move the front sight a very slight bit left. I mean a very slight bit. With its sight radius, you don't have to move the front sight more than 1-2mm to make a impact change. It was one of the toughest ones I have done and that is saying something considering all the handguns I have adjusted. I was gonna put a set of night sights on it but I really like the sight picture, low profile and quality of the S&W metal stock sights so I may not. Trigger broke clean at about 7-8lbs. I would lighten it to a honest 5lbs but I want to keep this gun lawerproof so I am not touching it. My wife shot it and she had no problem taking out the center of a IPSC target her first time with the Shield. Her weapon of choice is a HK USP Compact 9mm.
I carried it all day in a nylon Uncle Mikes Sidekick hip holster size 16 and it disappeared. No weight and rode close. Perfect carry rig for hiking long days in rough terrain. The Uncle Mikes Sidekick Size 16 IWB is also the perfect fit for Shield.
I am very satisfied with my "gray area" Shield. Should be a great trail gun as well as a light weight EDC.
Two magazines of WWB:
as a comparison,
My Bodyguard:
P938
The Shield is what I would call my "gray area" pistol. It can be used as a pocket pistol but its a bit big. It can be used as a service pistol but its a bit small. Its right where a Glock 26 is and I sold mine because it was too thick. I have a few Glocks and never liked their pointing angle but they always went bang so they served their purpose. Now the M&P have become my Glock replacement firearm except they point more natural. This is why I purchased the Shield as a G26 replacement. Great gun for on the hip or in the waistband. Tough and reliable, yet light enough you can carry it about anywhere. I also like the safety on the Bodyguard and Shield in some carry conditions. I am more inclined to pocket carry this gun in a emergency without a holster or shove it in a coat pocket if needed. I would never consider pocket carrying a G26. If you train on a 1911, the M&P Safety is a non-issue to use. It tucks back in so close to the slide that it is almost invisible.
At the range I put 200 rounds through it without any issue. I even tested to see if I could get it to jam by weak wristing and riding the slide. The only thing I was able to do was to ride the slide stop with a high grip and that would not allow the slide to remain open at the last shot. I tried 135+p Critical Duty, 124+p Golden Saber, 124+p PDX1, 115 +P Barnes Tac-XPD, WWB,Federal FMJ, Herters FMJ. All functioned flawlessly. The 135+p Critical Duty shot a bit left as did the PDX1. The lighter 115 +P Barnes were tack drivers and had the less felt recoil. The 124+p Golden Saber was almost as good as the Barnes.
I did have to move the front sight a very slight bit left. I mean a very slight bit. With its sight radius, you don't have to move the front sight more than 1-2mm to make a impact change. It was one of the toughest ones I have done and that is saying something considering all the handguns I have adjusted. I was gonna put a set of night sights on it but I really like the sight picture, low profile and quality of the S&W metal stock sights so I may not. Trigger broke clean at about 7-8lbs. I would lighten it to a honest 5lbs but I want to keep this gun lawerproof so I am not touching it. My wife shot it and she had no problem taking out the center of a IPSC target her first time with the Shield. Her weapon of choice is a HK USP Compact 9mm.
I carried it all day in a nylon Uncle Mikes Sidekick hip holster size 16 and it disappeared. No weight and rode close. Perfect carry rig for hiking long days in rough terrain. The Uncle Mikes Sidekick Size 16 IWB is also the perfect fit for Shield.
I am very satisfied with my "gray area" Shield. Should be a great trail gun as well as a light weight EDC.
Two magazines of WWB:
as a comparison,
My Bodyguard:
P938
.