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Ive been looking around for a good personal carry/self defense/concealed carry pistol. I already own the following:

SW Model 19-4 4 inch

Taurus Model 85 2 inch Snub

Taurus 357 snub DAO

Sig Sauer P250

Makarov 9mm

Lady Smith 357

Out of all these, I still haven't been able to choose one for an every day carry. Ive looked at Glocks, but something about the M&P Shield really attracts me. And I like the Urban Carry IWB holster, also some of the concealed waistband carries Ive seen on youtube. The Shield seems to be the right dimensions. Anyone care to elaborate?

I carry my Shield 9mm every day I'm allowed to (come Aug 1 will be every day), and I love it. Size is perfect for my size and it shoots well. I have mine paired with an Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 2.0 IWB and a Magpul Tejas El Original belt.

I own an M&P full size that I love and I was dead set on getting the shield. Saw a range had it for rental so I took the chance to shoot it to see how I liked it and I was surprisingly disappointed. I can't describe it other than just not feeling the spark I get when I shoot a gun that makes me feel like "Yeah! This is great!"

My advice is to take any chance you have to shoot something before you get it. I know that isn't always possible but I am grateful I had the chance to test out a couple guns before I put money into them. I had to scrap my shield dreams and start my search again, which wasn't bad.

I have my brother-in-law to blame (thank really) for getting me to consider Sigs. Shot his P220 and was really impressed by it.

I've also discovered an interest in 1911s in general from this sort of exploration. One of the perks of visiting family in central Texas is we now make a mandatory trip to a nice gun range to spend some quality shooting time together :)

Try it before you buy it.

I've had one for a while now and carry it just about every day. It shoots well for a gun of it's size. It practically disappears in an IWB holster. Carrying one or 2 spare mags is just as easy as carrying the pistol itself.

I carry mine everyday. At first it was a substitute to my g19 on days when I couldn't conceal it very well, now it's my everyday carry. I carry my g19 only on the weekends now. I have tried to carry a Glock 43 and it carries well, but when I took to the range it tore up my hand from recoil.

I carry my Shield (9mm) daily in a Galco King-Tuk and it is very comfy. I carry in SOB and sometimes forget I am carrying.

You didn't state that you are considering a Glock 43 as well, but I recently did a search on YouTube for Shield v. Glock 43. The results were very interesting, with all but one video I watched preferring the Shield.

Chas.

Charles L. Cotton wrote:You didn't state that you are considering a Glock 43 as well, but I recently did a search on YouTube for Shield v. Glock 43. The results were very interesting, with all but one video I watched preferring the Shield.

Chas.

Right out the gate the shield has a higher capacity, 3 dot metal sights and is about 100 dollars cheaper

There are only two pocket pistols that I can say I really like. One is the Sig P938, the other is the Shield. I prefer the P938 to the Shield, but that is mainly due to the difference in the triggers. The 938 has a 1911 trigger that I didn't modify at all, the Shield has a long pull on a heavy trigger that I don't care for much.

But, a trigger can easily be improved after market. Even with a lot of trigger work, you wind up less expensive with the shield than the 938.

canvasbck wrote:There are only two pocket pistols that I can say I really like. One is the Sig P938, the other is the Shield. I prefer the P938 to the Shield, but that is mainly due to the difference in the triggers. The 938 has a 1911 trigger that I didn't modify at all, the Shield has a long pull on a heavy trigger that I don't care for much.

But, a trigger can easily be improved after market. Even with a lot of trigger work, you wind up less expensive with the shield than the 938.

Initially, the trigger on my shield was pretty stiff. But it loosened up quite a bit after a couple hundred rounds (my normal break in for a carry gun). I've now got about 1700 rounds through it & it runs really smooth.

I bought an M&P Shield for my wife, but she had trouble remembering to disengaged the thumb safety at the range during practice sessions, so she switched to the XDs for her personal carry. I inherited the Shield after that. I don't carry it too often as I prefer a full-size pistol, but whenever I need something very concealable, the Shield in a Crossbreed Supertuck works great. The Shield is very reliable, has decent accuracy and conceals great. I don't know of many folks who have been dissatisfied with it. There are a number of good guns in the sub-compact category, and the Shield is one of the best IMO.

DannyBoy

I own your top two pistols. The S&W 19 shoots beautifully, but not really an every day concealed carry. The Taurus 85 is meh, prefer the Ruger LCR for a .30 snubby.

Bought my Shield about 3 years ago and it is my EDC. Like another poster, if concealment is not an issue, I go with my Glock 19. I have fired the Glock 43 and it was OK, but not enough of a difference for me to switch over from my Shield. really don't think you can go wrong with the Shield, good luck----so many choices and so little money.

karder wrote:I bought an M&P Shield for my wife, but she had trouble remembering to disengaged the thumb safety at the range during practice sessions, so she switched to the XDs for her personal carry. I inherited the Shield after that. I don't carry it too often as I prefer a full-size pistol, but whenever I need something very concealable, the Shield in a Crossbreed Supertuck works great. The Shield is very reliable, has decent accuracy and conceals great. I don't know of many folks who have been dissatisfied with it. There are a number of good guns in the sub-compact category, and the Shield is one of the best IMO.

I often forget the shield has a version with a safety. whenever I talk about the shield, know that i mean the version without the safety.

I looked at the Shield and the Glock 43, but ended up with the Springfield XD Mod 2 subcompact 3" in 9mm primarily due to having 13+1 and 16+1 rounds available for a not much bigger gun.

Joe

Love my 9mm Shield...Have full size also..can't go wrong..