Had fun and confidence building rangetime with Shield Plus

[Podmonkey]

I don't go to the range nearly enough these days so I bought 200 rounds of basic 9mm range fodder and sent it all, plus 100 rounds of some leftovers, through the Shield. Mostly on steel plates @ 20 yards.
I surprised myself with how easy it is to hit with that little gun, even during one handed shooting including weak side shooting.
It's seems to be in vogue these days to look down on today's micro compact carry guns but I am now quite confident that I can get the job done if needed with the Shield. I didn't even notice any difference in accuracy between the flush and extended magazines.
In fact I really enjoyed my range session, the Shiled actually is a sweet shooting piece to the point of being fun.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

I don't go to the range nearly enough these days so I bought 200 rounds of basic 9mm range fodder and sent it all, plus 100 rounds of some leftovers, through the Shield. Mostly on steel plates @ 20 yards.
I surprised myself with how easy it is to hit with that little gun, even during one handed shooting including weak side shooting.
It's seems to be in vogue these days to look down on today's micro compact carry guns but I am now quite confident that I can get the job done if needed with the Shield. I didn't even notice any difference in accuracy between the flush and extended magazines.
In fact I really enjoyed my range session, the Shiled actually is a sweet shooting piece to the point of being fun.

Agreed!

 

[Deplorable Me]

I like my Shield 1.0 for summer carry. No trouble keeping it on paper at 50'. Nice ergonomics for such a small 9mm.

 

[Podmonkey]

I just see, read and hear in articles, on the YouTubes, here in these very forums that small concealment guns are next to useless and that one should carry something more in the vein of a Glock 19 sized compact.
I honestly think that least with the Shield an average shooter has enough control to decisively deal with a defensive situation. Especially with the 10/13 round Plus model. I am not much of a pistolero but I was able to consistently swing plates on the dueling tree one handed at 20 yards. I was just really happy and entertained with how the little S&W shot that day.
Best gun of it's class IMO.
That I can totally invisibly carry a Shield under light summer clothing but still have something that I can shoot well just does it for me.
I (legally) carry in non-permissive areas all the time so not printing is very important for me.

 

[stokes]

I carried the 19 for 30 yrs and recently switched to the 43X, I found no difference in handling or accuracy, only difference is the ease of carry with the 43X.

 

[Deplorable Me]

S&W got it right with the Shield.

Smith & Wesson announced in mid-June 2019 it has produced and shipped more than three million of its market-leading M&P Shield pistol series, a figure that averages out to greater than 400,000 annually. The reliable, lightweight and slim, striker-fired personal protection pistol was introduced in spring of 2012.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | Smith & Wesson Ships 3 Million M&P Shields

In mid-June 2019, Smith & Wesson announced it had shipped its three-millionth M&P Shield, one of the most-popular concealed-carry guns on the market today.

www.shootingillustrated.com

The only modification I've done. On my 8 round mags.

 

[Podmonkey]

Funnily enough I think the reason I like the Shield, why I thinkbit shoots better, than it's competitors is that it is a little larger, a little heftier than other micro compacts. Not enough so to make any difference for concealability bur enough to make it stable and pleasant to shoot. I'll allow that the Shield is too bug to be a pocket gun whereas you might be able to get away with it on a P365.
I've shot a number if P365s and while I think it is a fine gun they move around in my hand under fire to much.
I have never shot a Hellxat though.

 

[seezur]

Have you had any issues with slide not locking back? I have a few hundred rounds through my Plus, and while all three mags originally locked the slide back, the two I use (CC mag which is always loaded, range mag which is loaded/fired) no longer lock slide back.

Reached out to SW and they suggested it was the slide stop assembly or mag catch and sent parts, but just out of curiosity I bought a fourth mag and that one locks the slide back perfectly when empty. Seems like the mag springs are now weak on the two of four mags I have used for shooting. Disassembled and wiped away some grime but still the same issue.

Gun feeds fine with the problem mags, but still disconcerting.

 

[Podmonkey]

Have you had any issues with slide not locking back? I have a few hundred rounds through my Plus, and while all three mags originally locked the slide back, the two I use (CC mag which is always loaded, range mag which is loaded/fired) no longer lock slide back.

Reached out to SW and they suggested it was the slide stop assembly or mag catch and sent parts, but just out of curiosity I bought a fourth mag and that one locks the slide back perfectly when empty. Seems like the mag springs are now weak on the two of four mags I have used for shooting. Disassembled and wiped away some grime but still the same issue.

Gun feeds fine with the problem mags, but still disconcerting.

I haven't had any issues no. I only have 6 magazines total, three 10 rounders and three 13 rounders. All magazines and controls on the pistol itself were very stiff when new as seems is typical for Shields but loosened up after 200 rounds. I don't have as many rounds through the Plus as I did the Gen 1, only around 1k so far, but I haven't had any issues at all thus far. Magazines for the Plus seem to finally be readily available now, perhaps you should replace the problem mags?

 

[VietnamEraVet]

I own three Shields, two 9's and a .45. I carry the 9's with extended 10 round mags in a customized dual Triple K shoulder holster on long driving trips as that is the most comfortable for me when driving. But on a daily basis, I carry my .45 with 7+1 in a Desantis E1 holster in my pocket, and two spare mags in a wallet sized pouch. I wear baggy pants with oversized pockets for easy draw. It doesn't print at all.

Still get nostalgic at times over my first carry gun (that I still have), a Ruger SP101 snubby in .357 that I carried in a Desantis OWB retention holster at 5 o'clock. Tuck free Florida shirts worked best for that.

But, at present, my Shields are my go to EDC's.

 

[maverick52]

With you @Podmonkey. I own a shield plus and it’s such an easy gun to shoot. I also like the p365 and rotate between the two. Both wj get the job done. The p365 is a nicer looking gun, and the shield plus is a no frills but very accurate shooter.

 

[Vapor]

I'm thinking about this as my first carry gun when I leave. Seems to get almost all psotive reviews.