Indy_Guy_77
Grandmaster
- Apr 30, 2008
- 16,576
- 48
My name finally came up on the list and I was able to liberate a much-sought-after M&P Shield from BGF a few weeks ago.
I also recently had several free hours on a Saturday afternoon to finally test this thing out (as well as blow the dust off an M&P 9 FS)
It was a relatively small private range in NE Indiana - with a rather small backstop as well. Shooting was done with out much movement taking place due to the small backstop.
Ammo used: 175 rds Wolf 115gr FMJ ammo + 14 rds Hornady Critical Defense + 25rds Speer Lawman 115gr FMJ
I did a random combination of semi-rapid "defensive fire", slow aimed fire, and a slowish target acquisition starting in "position 3" of a drawstroke - one shot at a time. (Starting in #3, extend to #4, sight picture, boom, come to #3 again).
What I learned:
Function was almost perfect. It did, however, fail to feed a round of the Hornady. There was 1 rd of Wolf on top of the Hornady, however (to top off the mag). I cannot see how that 1 round of Wolf would have caused this malfunction.
Ejection was inconsistent. I would, at times, have cases ejected straight back over my head and land on the picnic table behind me. Most of the time, they were forcefully ejected back and to the right. (I had this same issue with a G17 I used to own, also)
Accuracy was exceptional when I took my time. Semi-rapid and rapid fire will take much practice for me to become accurate with this firearm, however. It's such a light package that controlability was an issue for me. I can run a 9 FS at a much faster rate, accurately, than the Shield.
Negatives: The above-mentioned inconsistent ejection.
Reassembly isn't as easy as full sized pistols. The Shield is tightly sprung and it takes some work to get the slide to full extension to engage the slide stop/flip up the take down lever. It had me worried that I'd bent something, actually, after my initial field strip & clean I did at home. I presume that my forthcoming field strip, clean, & reassembly will go a little more smoothly due to there being almost 200rds on the spring now.
Also, with the 8-rd magazine, I found that I was getting my ring finger pinched between the grip frame and the ring I wear on that finger. I ended up doing most of my shooting without this ring on my strong hand.
Useful information: The Shield fits into a Raven Phantom meant for a 9 FS decently well. There was a modicum of "retention". Plenty for "range work", but I wouldn't want to be bending over a lot or do any kind of rolling around.
Also useful: I received email conformation from Apex Tactical that their aftermarket sears will fit in the Shield. (provided you buy the sear for the 9mm, .40, or .357 Sig pistols and not the .45) Sweet!
A few pics:
I believe this to represent 6 rds of slow aimed fire. (It may very well be 7 rds, I don't remember) It was with the extended 8 rd mag. The hole at 6:00 is from this string. I knew as soon as the gun fired that I mucked it up. 7 yards, standing unsupported, Speer Lawman 115gr. Subtract out that called flyer - you can see how accurate the Shield can be.
6-rds slow aimed fire, 7 rd mag, Wolf ammo, 7 yards, standing unsupported
12 rds Speer Lawman (2x6rd mags), using the position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above
15 rds Hornady 115gr Critical Defense + 1 Wolf. (fully loaded 7 rd mag, fully loaded 8 rd mag, 1 in chamber), using the position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above.
No pics of any rapid fire targets. Trust me when I say that they weren't worth of being photographed...
And, just for giggles:
9 FS, two 9 rd mags, Speer Lawman, position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above. I got a little too cocky with the second magazine...
-J-
I also recently had several free hours on a Saturday afternoon to finally test this thing out (as well as blow the dust off an M&P 9 FS)
It was a relatively small private range in NE Indiana - with a rather small backstop as well. Shooting was done with out much movement taking place due to the small backstop.
Ammo used: 175 rds Wolf 115gr FMJ ammo + 14 rds Hornady Critical Defense + 25rds Speer Lawman 115gr FMJ
I did a random combination of semi-rapid "defensive fire", slow aimed fire, and a slowish target acquisition starting in "position 3" of a drawstroke - one shot at a time. (Starting in #3, extend to #4, sight picture, boom, come to #3 again).
What I learned:
Function was almost perfect. It did, however, fail to feed a round of the Hornady. There was 1 rd of Wolf on top of the Hornady, however (to top off the mag). I cannot see how that 1 round of Wolf would have caused this malfunction.
Ejection was inconsistent. I would, at times, have cases ejected straight back over my head and land on the picnic table behind me. Most of the time, they were forcefully ejected back and to the right. (I had this same issue with a G17 I used to own, also)
Accuracy was exceptional when I took my time. Semi-rapid and rapid fire will take much practice for me to become accurate with this firearm, however. It's such a light package that controlability was an issue for me. I can run a 9 FS at a much faster rate, accurately, than the Shield.
Negatives: The above-mentioned inconsistent ejection.
Reassembly isn't as easy as full sized pistols. The Shield is tightly sprung and it takes some work to get the slide to full extension to engage the slide stop/flip up the take down lever. It had me worried that I'd bent something, actually, after my initial field strip & clean I did at home. I presume that my forthcoming field strip, clean, & reassembly will go a little more smoothly due to there being almost 200rds on the spring now.
Also, with the 8-rd magazine, I found that I was getting my ring finger pinched between the grip frame and the ring I wear on that finger. I ended up doing most of my shooting without this ring on my strong hand.
Useful information: The Shield fits into a Raven Phantom meant for a 9 FS decently well. There was a modicum of "retention". Plenty for "range work", but I wouldn't want to be bending over a lot or do any kind of rolling around.
Also useful: I received email conformation from Apex Tactical that their aftermarket sears will fit in the Shield. (provided you buy the sear for the 9mm, .40, or .357 Sig pistols and not the .45) Sweet!
A few pics:
I believe this to represent 6 rds of slow aimed fire. (It may very well be 7 rds, I don't remember) It was with the extended 8 rd mag. The hole at 6:00 is from this string. I knew as soon as the gun fired that I mucked it up. 7 yards, standing unsupported, Speer Lawman 115gr. Subtract out that called flyer - you can see how accurate the Shield can be.
6-rds slow aimed fire, 7 rd mag, Wolf ammo, 7 yards, standing unsupported
12 rds Speer Lawman (2x6rd mags), using the position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above
15 rds Hornady 115gr Critical Defense + 1 Wolf. (fully loaded 7 rd mag, fully loaded 8 rd mag, 1 in chamber), using the position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above.
No pics of any rapid fire targets. Trust me when I say that they weren't worth of being photographed...
And, just for giggles:
9 FS, two 9 rd mags, Speer Lawman, position 3 to 4 procedure mentioned above. I got a little too cocky with the second magazine...
-J-
