xICEMANx 13 Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 I recently picked up a M&P shield this weekend. Here are a few initial thoughts. Ok took the Shield to the range today. Shot about 100 rounds of my reloads. Not one malfunction. Here are a few thoughts. Shooting -Very soft recoil. Literally feels like shooting a full size 9. I shot the shield and my PPQ and I couldn't tell a difference. In comparision, the Kahr CM9 I own is alot more snappy. The kel tec pf9 I owned was even snappier than the Kahr. -Great trigger! It's about time. The M&P trigger needed work, and man this is a totally different trigger than the other M&P models I've owned. Much Improved. Has a very quick reset, almost as good as my PPQ, and that is saying alot! -Accurate. 12 yds it was almost as accurate as my PPQ, which is known for being very accurate, and a full size gun! Carrying I've been carrying this gun since I bought it. It fits perfectly in the Remora holster I had for my CM9. It is apparent there is more weight than the CM9, but it still basically disappears in your waistband. I am average size too(5'9,185). Very nice to carry. Much more comfortable than a double stack 9 like the G26 and M&P9c(carried both). -I actually think you can pocket this thing! I didn't think it possible, until I did it in Walmart wearing a pair of dockers! I normally carry IWB these days but when I have to tuck in a shirt I like to be able to pocket carry. The pocket holster I was using(uncle mike's size 3) worked, but it's too small. Just ordered a size 4, should be perfect Overall I'm really glad I bought it. Sold my CM9 to my uncle today so I broke even! If your in the market for a sub-compact or pocket 9, you have to look at the Shield. I've owned 3 "pocket" 9's. The PF9, CM9, and now the Shield. I've also owned sub-compacts(g26, M&P9c). The Shield shoots like a double stack or even full size 9, but carries like the pf9 and cm9. IMO it's the best of both worlds! S&W really hit a home run with this one! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PRISONSHANK 70 Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 nice review, a friend of mine has one of the full size s&w 9mm pistols and i cant stand the trigger. after seeing pics of these hitting the market i just figured the worst but from your review i'll definetly have to take a peek i come across one locally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xICEMANx 13 Posted April 30, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 I'm not sure why the text is all highlighted like that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted April 30, 2012 Report Share Posted April 30, 2012 Thanks for the info. I am eagerly waiting for someone to make one an inch shorter than that, say a half inch bigger than ruger LCP but in 9x19. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JCP281 2 Posted May 5, 2012 Report Share Posted May 5, 2012 @gunfun, Ill never understand why S&W didnt shorten it up more. Why compete with the LC9 when the PM9/CM9 are top dog in the smaller gun market. Just my opinion of course.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anathoth 4 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Gunfun, have you taken a look at the Rohrbaugh R9? Probably the smallest 9mm in production, similar dimensions to the .380s such as the LCP, etc. Price is relatively high, however. JCP, it may have been their determination of a best balance of compact size weighed against shootability.. I haven't yet shot a Shield, but from reports of others who have, it appears to be an exceptionally well-handling pistol for its size. I've carried a PM9 for years, but I have no illusions about the ease of shooting it under stress compared to something like a Glock 26. The Shield may be one of the few single-stack compact 9mms that could make me reconsider that idea. I agree that the dimensions of it do seem a little long on paper, but whether that would have any practical relevance for me remains to be seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Good review. Pics would make it better. I'll have to look into a Shield. They sound pretty damn close to exactly what I've been looking for in a compact 9. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xICEMANx 13 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 Good review. Pics would make it better. I'll have to look into a Shield. They sound pretty damn close to exactly what I've been looking for in a compact 9. Ask and you shall receive! Gunfun, have you taken a look at the Rohrbaugh R9? Probably the smallest 9mm in production, similar dimensions to the .380s such as the LCP, etc. Price is relatively high, however. JCP, it may have been their determination of a best balance of compact size weighed against shootability.. I haven't yet shot a Shield, but from reports of others who have, it appears to be an exceptionally well-handling pistol for its size. I've carried a PM9 for years, but I have no illusions about the ease of shooting it under stress compared to something like a Glock 26. The Shield may be one of the few single-stack compact 9mms that could make me reconsider that idea. I agree that the dimensions of it do seem a little long on paper, but whether that would have any practical relevance for me remains to be seen. I can tell you from owning a CM9, that the Shield is a MUCH easier gun to shoot because of the softer recoil. The trigger also is more like a combat trigger, meaning it has a very quick reset. Follow up shots are easy. The Kahr trigger is much more like a revolver trigger. As far as carrying the Shield vs. the CM9, I really don't notice much of a difference. There is a weight difference but IWB negates that. Once I figured I could pocket carry the gun the CM9 went up for sale. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Anathoth 4 Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I'll have to go find one of these to fondle. I'll be interested to see a wider sample of reported reliability on these. I had a "good" PM9, none of the issues that some are plagued with, it's been flawless with the 6 round magazine. I guess I'm still somewhat hesitant on purchases of new models until I know what I may be dealing with.. Shoot yours a bunch, and let us know how it goes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xICEMANx 13 Posted May 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 I'll have to go find one of these to fondle. I'll be interested to see a wider sample of reported reliability on these. I had a "good" PM9, none of the issues that some are plagued with, it's been flawless with the 6 round magazine. I guess I'm still somewhat hesitant on purchases of new models until I know what I may be dealing with.. Shoot yours a bunch, and let us know how it goes. Head on over to the S&W forum. Their are a TON of shield reviews. The M&P forum is overrun by them. I've got about 300 rounds through mine so far, alot of them being my reloads. No malfunctions yet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gunfun 3,931 Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Gunfun, have you taken a look at the Rohrbaugh R9? Probably the smallest 9mm in production, similar dimensions to the .380s such as the LCP, etc. Price is relatively high, however. JCP, it may have been their determination of a best balance of compact size weighed against shootability.. I haven't yet shot a Shield, but from reports of others who have, it appears to be an exceptionally well-handling pistol for its size. I've carried a PM9 for years, but I have no illusions about the ease of shooting it under stress compared to something like a Glock 26. The Shield may be one of the few single-stack compact 9mms that could make me reconsider that idea. I agree that the dimensions of it do seem a little long on paper, but whether that would have any practical relevance for me remains to be seen. Nope, but now I am going to for sure. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
shades_of_grey 1,092 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Thanks for the pics and info, xICEMANx. Yep, one of these is definitely on my short list. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
xICEMANx 13 Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Another 50 rounds through her today. All my HP reloads. Some 115 grn, some 124. Very impressed with this little pistol. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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