NTS m&p shield first impressions

[Kmann]

Just purchased a M&P 9mm shield (No Thumb Safety) from Dunhams in Logansport on Sunday. They had a sale and I was able to get it for $399. Was the only store in my area that had the NTS model available. I am left handed and the manual safety is pointless for us southpaws unless it it offered ambidextrous. I was a little dissappointed to find a small scratch along the left side of the slide upon unboxing it at home. But I guess scratches are eventually inevitable with an EDC firearm.
I took it to bullseye's indoor range in kokomo this afternoon to break it in. After 150 rounds I was very pleased with it's light recoil and flawless functioning. S&W hit it out of the ballpark with this single stack offering! This little semi auto was very accurate. Shot low to the right quite often but still within a few inches from point of aim. My fault I am sure, not the pistols. Purchased the pachmyre grip sleeve and installed it before taking it to the range. Not too impressed with it's spongy feel. Will be purchasing rubber talon grips asap. Overall, I couldn't be happier!

 

[BigBoxaJunk]

I was looking for one without the safety also, but I couldn't find one at the last Indy 1500, so I caved and got one with the safety.

I took it to Point Blank later and put 100 rds through it and I liked it right from the start.

I haven't had time to get it back out, but no regrets at all here.

 

[Kmann]

I had the ruger sr9c a few years back and even with its added weight compared to the shield, the ruger had more felt recoil and was "snappier" than this much smaller shield. Way to go S&W!

 

[Joniki]

I have put hundreds of rounds through my Shield and have yet to have the first problem.

 

[indybrownsfan]

I just picked my 9mm Shield up last week..just haven't had time to go out and shoot...Hopefully this Sunday.

 

[Kmann]

You won't be disappointed....only thing I plan on changing are the sights and modify the grips with talons.....I put the pachmyre grips I bought for the shield on my wife's RIA 206 .38 special and they made a big improvement on the larger plastic grips that came with the pistol...enjoy!

 

[indybrownsfan]

I didn't like the feel of the 7 round clip..I found a factory 8 round on Ebay for 24.00 Now I have the two 8 round and the seven .
Just needed a place for my pinky finger.

 

[wtburnette]

I've had my Shield for about 2 years now and have probably put 1000 rounds or more through it and I've never had an issue. Very nice gun for summer carry

 

[pute62]

I didn't like the feel of the 7 round clip..I found a factory 8 round on Ebay for 24.00 Now I have the two 8 round and the seven .
Just needed a place for my pinky finger.

Try the pinky extension on the 7 round. Makes a big difference for just a few bucks.

 

[indybrownsfan]

Try the pinky extension on the 7 round. Makes a big difference for just a few bucks.

Thanks for the advice..Just ordered one.

 

[nrgrams]

NDZ Performance also has base pads for the Shield. I like them the best, as they are metal. They can be purchased direct from NDZ or from Amazon.

 

[derrickgoins]

NDZ Performance also has base pads for the Shield. I like them the best, as they are metal. They can be purchased direct from NDZ or from Amazon.

I agree. I originally had the ones from Pearce but like the NDZ pad better. Caught a special over the holidays and picked up 2 directly from NDZ.

 

[throttletony]

You are right, it is a great little gun.
Good compromise of weight, rounds, decent caliber, overall size, etc.

Next I'm going to get a set of magguts (mag guts) springs that will allow me to load one extra round in either the 7- or 8-shot mags. (making them 8 or 9 rd mags, repsectively).
9+1 is great firepower for the size of the shield, or go smaller and 8+1 is still awesome.

My only real complaint with the Shield is how incredibly stiff the slide release is - I tend to rack slide with hand anyways - and how difficult it is to seat a full mag on a closed slide -- again, very stiff.

 

[Kmann]

I agree about how hard it is to seat a full magazine. Hopefully it will ease up over time. Will have to check out the magguts. Saw a YouTube video where a guy cut off 5 layers of the 8 round mag spring and was able to fit 9 in. Said he would repost later video to update on reliability over time. Not sure how good an idea that really is, but interesting.

 

[Baba Looey]

Thanks for sharing your experience and thoughts on the shield. I haven't bought a new S&W since they caved to Clinton, Gore, and Reno. I have been strongly considering a shield in 40cal. S&W is under different ownership since that previous corporate decision, so maybe it's time to forgive but not forget. The shields are appealing.

 

[bigretic]

wait. the shield has a safety? I never noticed... (south paw)

 

[307SD]

I was looking for one without the safety also, but I couldn't find one at the last Indy 1500, so I caved and got one with the safety.

I took it to Point Blank later and put 100 rds through it and I liked it right from the start.

I haven't had time to get it back out, but no regrets at all here.

Big Junk, sending you a pm.

 

[nrgrams]

Tony and Kmann, please do a little research on the magguts specifically for the shield. I've got 6 mags that I was going to buy the muggots for (but who doesn't love more capacity, right????), but after doing some research on M&P and S&W forums, it seems as though they've has some quality and or feeding issues based on the design. The way they designed the glock springs for the 43 and 42 apparently are different than how they do the shield springs. I'd hate to hear any fellow ingoers having bad experiences with any products, especially with something they carry.

 

[hpclayto]

Put an apex in it and you'll love it even more.

 

[tocws2002]

I picked up a Shield 9mm last week also, but haven't put any rounds through it yet, can't wait to get to the range.

Also, for what it's worth, KY Gun Co. (I have no affiliation) has the SW M&P 40 No Thumb Safety for $319.99.

https://www.kygunco.com/smith-and-w...afety-31in-black-6-and-7-round-magazine-80419


Anyone have a preference when it comes to the SW and brand of ammo (for range practice)?

Thanks,

-jb