View Full Version : New Addition To My Fleet: S&W M&P SHIELD 45
shlike
10-02-2016, 01:06 PM
I just picked up my new Shield 45 from my FFL last week. I bought it as a companion to my Shield 9 Performance Center. I really like my Shield 9 and I shoot it very well, so I expected the same from the Shield 45 and I was not disappointed!
This is a really sweet gun. Slightly larger in all dimensions than the Shield 9/40, It fits my hand even better than my Shield 9. I can grip it well even with the flush 6-round mag, which is what I use for CCW. It also comes with an extended 7-round mag, which feels really good in the hand but is a bit long for CCW, at least for me. As others have reported, the stippling on the grip is aggressive and can become uncomfortable after a while. There are remedies for this, so it's not a big deal for me.
Prior to taking it to the range, I field stripped it and cleaned and lubed it properly. At the range, it ran 100% out of the box without a single malfunction. The sights were set right at the factory, and it was dead-nuts accurate. I was running a combination of standard WWB 230 gr. FMJ range fodder, and for defensive ammo I tried both Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr. FTX, and Speer Gold Dot 230 Gr. JHP. The Critical Defense just felt really good to shoot in this gun subjectively, so that's what I will standardize on for CCW.
M&P's are known for having crappy triggers out of the box, but this trigger really surprised me. It has a smooth take-up, not at all gritty, with a crisp break. The overall subjective quality of the trigger approaches the enhanced trigger in my Shield 9 Performance Center. I am pleased that I won't need to have any work done on the trigger; it is fine as-is. In fact, since the model I chose does not have a thumb safety, I would not want the trigger to be any lighter.
In summary, I really like this gun, and it has claimed a preferred spot in my carry rotation, especially when I want to carry a slim single-stack (My Glock 19 is still my go-to carry gun, except when circumstances dictate something smaller/slimmer).
The recoil is modest and controllable, comparable to my CW45. I have shot a friend's Shield 40, which I found to be too snappy for my taste. The 45, IMHO, is less snappy and easier to control. Shields are high-quality, well-engineered, super-reliable guns and this one is no exception.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD451_zpssjaq1wja.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD453_zpsidsgyjrd.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD452_zpsxewgrlxj.jpg
For Comparison, this photo shows my Shield 45 and my Shield 9 Performance Center (The 45 is on top).
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/571f56e0-bea7-4e21-9006-297dd5450e18_zpsxzfaagzx.jpg
I was able to re-purpose two of my existing holsters for this gun. The top one is a Desantis Mini Belt-Slide. It was originally for a M&P 9C, but by simply tightening down the retention screw a bit, it fits the Shield 45 perfectly! The bottom photo is a Lobo Gun Leather Pancake, originally intended for the Shield 9. It was a little loose for the 9, but fits the 45 perfectly.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD45DESANTIS2_zpsh4woyjjd.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD45LOBO1_zpsfldsxqee.jpg
Barth
10-02-2016, 02:08 PM
Congratulations!
Reading lots of good things about this Shield 45 :D
berettabone
10-02-2016, 04:18 PM
I may have to check one out...................................I must be one of the lucky one's......................my M&P trigger has been smooth out of the box, with no grit, and most can be made better with a bit of cleaning in the right places.
gb6491
10-02-2016, 04:24 PM
I just picked up my new Shield 45 from my FFL last week. I bought it as a companion to my Shield 9 Performance Center. I really like my Shield 9 and I shoot it very well, so I expected the same from the Shield 45 and I was not disappointed!
This is a really sweet gun. Slightly larger in all dimensions than the Shield 9/40, It fits my hand even better than my Shield 9. I can grip it well even with the flush 6-round mag, which is what I use for CCW. It also comes with an extended 7-round mag, which feels really good in the hand but is a bit long for CCW, at least for me. As others have reported, the stippling on the grip is aggressive and can become uncomfortable after a while. There are remedies for this, so it's not a big deal for me.
Prior to taking it to the range, I field stripped it and cleaned and lubed it properly. At the range, it ran 100% out of the box without a single malfunction. The sights were set right at the factory, and it was dead-nuts accurate. I was running a combination of standard WWB 230 gr. FMJ range fodder, and for defensive ammo I tried both Hornady Critical Defense 185 gr. FTX, and Speer Gold Dot 230 Gr. JHP. The Critical Defense just felt really good to shoot in this gun subjectively, so that's what I will standardize on for CCW.
M&P's are known for having crappy triggers out of the box, but this trigger really surprised me. It has a smooth take-up, not at all gritty, with a crisp break. The overall subjective quality of the trigger approaches the enhanced trigger in my Shield 9 Performance Center. I am pleased that I won't need to have any work done on the trigger; it is fine as-is. In fact, since the model I chose does not have a thumb safety, I would not want the trigger to be any lighter.
In summary, I really like this gun, and it has claimed a preferred spot in my carry rotation, especially when I want to carry a slim single-stack (My Glock 19 is still my go-to carry gun, except when circumstances dictate something smaller/slimmer).
The recoil is modest and controllable, comparable to my CW45. I have shot a friend's Shield 40, which I found to be too snappy for my taste. The 45, IMHO, is less snappy and easier to control. Shields are high-quality, well-engineered, super-reliable guns and this one is no exception.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d138/shlike48316/SHIELD451_zpssjaq1wja.jpg
For Comparison, this photo shows my Shield 45 and my Shield 9 Performance Center (The 45 is on top).
I was able to re-purpose two of my existing holsters for this gun. The top one is a Desantis Mini Belt-Slide. It was originally for a M&P 9C, but by simply tightening down the retention screw a bit, it fits the Shield 45 perfectly! The bottom photo is a Lobo Gun Leather Pancake, originally intended for the Shield 9. It was a little loose for the 9, but fits the 45 perfectly.
Nice report and photos! Congrats on the new pistol :)
I really like mine. The only gripe I have is that the finish on the slide stop and the thumb safety has worn quickly on mine (about as fast as it does on Glock slide stops). It seems they are made of stainless. Cold blue wouldn't do anything to them, but stainless black does darken them...just not sure how durable that will be. I have something inbound that I'll try as well.
Speaking of my 9mm Shield, I took the Apex sear out of it and installed it in the 45. There is some drop in pull weight, but not nearly as dramatic as it was in the 9.
I'd agree with you that the 45 trigger is fine as is out of the box.
Regards,
Greg
340pd
10-03-2016, 09:37 AM
Thanks for the report. The original Shield triggers were OK but could be made much better with just an Apex sear. I think S&W realized this flaw and took more time machining the areas that were rough on the 9 and 40 cal.'s which solved the grittiness issues.
berettabone
10-03-2016, 10:06 AM
Also, cleaning in the small port on the slide, where a small spring loaded plunger sits(striker safety plunger) will often get rid of any grittiness. The factory likes to leave presents in the hole......................
Alfonse
10-03-2016, 11:47 AM
Congrats on the new pistol. It sounds like a great addition.
getsome
10-03-2016, 03:44 PM
Thanks for the report and pictures shlike....I looked at one over the weekend at a local shop for $429.00 and would have bought it if anyone there would have been kind enough to have waited on me but they totally ignored me so I left....May still go back because that's a decent price....I like everything about it except the very rough stippling...What's the fix for that?....I figure some fine sandpaper will tame it enough to keep it from rubbing a blister on your hands or maybe a bike tube...I have rather small hands so I would need to keep the grip size as close to factory as possible....Greg says he likes the rough stippling on his Shield .45 pistol but he probably has hands like an old gator hide or something unlike mine that only push little buttons on a computer keyboard all day for a living.....
shlike
10-03-2016, 04:33 PM
Thanks for the report and pictures shlike....I looked at one over the weekend at a local shop for $429.00 and would have bought it if anyone there would have been kind enough to have waited on me but they totally ignored me so I left....May still go back because that's a decent price....I like everything about it except the very rough stippling...What's the fix for that?....I figure some fine sandpaper will tame it enough to keep it from rubbing a blister on your hands or maybe a bike tube...I have rather small hands so I would need to keep the grip size as close to factory as possible....Greg says he likes the rough stippling on his Shield .45 pistol but he probably has hands like an old gator hide or something unlike mine that only push little buttons on a computer keyboard all day for a living.....
I feel your pain. I buy all my guns any more online from Grab-A-Gun or Bud's. Great selection, good prices, quick shipping. I use a kitchen table FFL who only charges me $20.00 to do the transfers. For me, it's a much better and less frustrating way to purchase my guns.
As far as the rough grips are concerned, I put app. 100 rounds through my Shield 45 at the first range session last week, and it wasn't that bad. If I were going to shoot much more, I would have put on a thin tactical glove that I keep in my range bag for that purpose. My CW45 was uncomfortable to shoot as well, so I put on a Pachmayr Tactical Grip Sleeve, which made gripping that gun much more comfortable (your small hands may preclude that option, though) I may go that route with the Shield 45, don't know yet.
http://www.pachmayr.com/home/tactical-grip-gloves.php
berettabone
10-03-2016, 05:15 PM
I'm glad you mentioned something about the grips. I liked the pattern but wondered about the comfort. I have a Pachmayr grip on my M&P .40, but it moves around a bit, unlike the one on my Kahr. I too use Bud's, and sometimes pawn shops to purchase firearms, for the same reasons. Fast, good prices, and my FFL is within walking distance form my house. We have way too many gun counter cowboys around here, who aren't too intelligent when it comes to anything concerning firearms.
Armybrat
10-03-2016, 08:45 PM
Very nice gun, but it ain't as pretty as the CW45.
shlike
10-04-2016, 04:30 PM
Very nice gun, but it ain't as pretty as the CW45.
I am the OP. I have both, and I agree with you that the CW45 is an elegant, pretty gun, especially with the contrasting stainless slide. My problem is that I have a love-hate relationship with mine. It's been back to the factory twice; once for the short-rail issue, and again because the trigger would not reset. It functions well now, but still not 100%. Plus, I just can't seem to shoot it well. That, combined with the fact that I don't trust it completely for CCW, was the main reason for my decision to buy the Shield 45. Any S&W gun I've ever purchased has been completely reliable right out of the box, and this one was no exception. It has replaced my CW45 in my CCW rotation.
Now, if you want to talk about a really pretty gun, my K9 Elite 03 is the prettiest gun I own (my S&W 1911 SC-e runs a close second), and is one of the prettiest handguns in the industry, IMHO.
Bobshouse
10-04-2016, 05:19 PM
Very nice gun, but it ain't as pretty as the CW45.
I'm not worried about the prettiness. I carry my cm45 because its the smallest I could find.
Bawanna
10-04-2016, 05:28 PM
Looking pretty is everything. The CM45 is real pretty.
I don't think any stack up to the S&W 1911 E series. Those are just knock your socks off gorgeous.
The K9 Elite's are right pretty too, no question on that one either.
I used to teach my teams the importance of looking cool back in my coaching days.
I used cars for an example. You have an opportunity to get a really nice 56 corvette that looks cool but has no drive train, or a Nissan Sentra with 50 original miles and runs like a top. Which car do you get.
Most picked the Nissan, young and foolish. Of course not! You get the vette. You have your friends help you push it around to different spots in your driveway so folks driving by think it runs and everything.
marshal kane
10-05-2016, 09:34 AM
Re: Posts 9 & 10 Buds. Buds discounts for cash, no sales tax, free shipping to my FFL, who charges me $15 for the transfer. Have purchased three guns from Buds without problems. Definitely one of the dealers on my "Go to" list when looking for another gun.
Bawanna
10-05-2016, 09:54 AM
I always check Bud's for price comparisons. I've bought several from them, never had an issue at all.
I sometimes feel guilty having them sent to my local FFL who I try to support, especially if it's something they have on hand but if the price is way out of line, it's off to Bud's.
Used to have a dealer worked out of his house which was really nice. He gave me and the officers a discount on transfers, had some inventory but not a lot and the transfer fee was a little bit of income for him so worked well.
Not doing too much lately, had some health issues.
He learned a bit of a lesson with me though. I asked him to order me a Kahr PM45 when I got mine. He told me I didn't want one of those, they were so expensive. I just said ok and ordered from Bud's and had it sent to him.
No more questions after that.
nmkahrshooter
10-05-2016, 10:05 AM
Congrats on your new purchase. The Shield is really a great firearm.
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