M&P Shield .45ACP size comparison

[gb6491]

As S&W was kind enough to return my .45ACP Shield after just 4 weeks (replacing a from the factory, cosmetically damaged thumb safety), I thought I'd post a few comparison shots of it and some similarly sized competition (Springfield Armory 3.3 XDS in 45ACP, Kahr CW45, Colt Officer's ACP ).

The 45 Shield and Kahr CW45 are very, very close in size.



Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

The 45 Shield looks very appealing to me. I've yet to see one in person but I'm looking forward to it.

I see you opted for the one with the safety, I think I would probably prefer that also although depending on the trigger I might leave it off, but practice making sure it's off so I don't inadvertently flip in on and get confused when I meet the elephant.

[berettabone]

I like the M&P line myself. Triggers can be hit or miss. Most issues are caused by gunk in the little vertical plunger area on the slide. I must have been one of the lucky one's, because my trigger has been fine since new. If I'm not mistaken, I think they improved the triggers a bit. Magazines are purchased without a mortgage, and recoil springs the same. I haven't had a chance to handle a newer one yet. It would be interesting to see what changes if any have happened with the trigger. For the money, not bad firearms at all.

[Barth]

My Stainless USPc 45 is in FBI/ATF jail for a few days.
Going to go Light LEM with some Match parts for the trigger.
Adding Heinie SlantPro Straight Eight NS.
The grip is slim and the gun feels light.
But that slide is one fat block of stainless steel - LOL!

Your 45 Shield looks interesting.
Have you gotten a chance to shoot it yet?

[gb6491]

The 45 Shield looks very appealing to me. I've yet to see one in person but I'm looking forward to it.

I see you opted for the one with the safety, I think I would probably prefer that also although depending on the trigger I might leave it off, but practice making sure it's off so I don't inadvertently flip in on and get confused when I meet the elephant.

Yeah, I like the safety version....my 9mm Shield has it as well. Lots of time on the 1911, so I'm still sweeping off the safety on guns that don't have them

I like the M&P line myself. Triggers can be hit or miss. Most issues are caused by gunk in the little vertical plunger area on the slide. I must have been one of the lucky one's, because my trigger has been fine since new. If I'm not mistaken, I think they improved the triggers a bit. Magazines are purchased without a mortgage, and recoil springs the same. I haven't had a chance to handle a newer one yet. It would be interesting to see what changes if any have happened with the trigger. For the money, not bad firearms at all.

I think the trigger on the 45 is much better than the OEM trigger on my 9 was. I ended up putting an Apex sear in the 9, but will leave the 45 as is.

I think that out of the box, the 45 has better ergonomics than the 9. I undercut the 9mm's trigger guard until it suited my tastes. The 45 is fine by me pretty much as is, but I did feel it necessary to carve the seam line down on the underside of the trigger guard.

One thing I don't care for is that if the slide is pushed slightly out of battery with a round chambered it stays that way requiring a push to go back into battery. It's not a deal breaker as the 9mm version does this, so does the XDS, and my Glock 19 (probably some others as well) and I've not had one of those be out of battery when drawing from a decent holster (friction during the draw pulling the slide forward and such). Still, I do appreciate that my CW45 returns to battery on it's own and the OACP is not going to be pushed out of battery with the safety engaged.
EDIT 9/12: after another range session, my 45 Shield will now return return to battery on it's own if pushed slightly out of battery...a definite plus for the 45 Shield

Regards,
Greg

[gb6491]

My Stainless USPc 45 is in FBI/ATF jail for a few days.
Going to go Light LEM with some Match parts for the trigger.
Adding Heinie SlantPro Straight Eight NS.
The grip is slim and the gun feels light.
But that slide is one fat block of stainless steel - LOL!

Your 45 Shield looks interesting.
Have you gotten a chance to shoot it yet?

Barth,
I put about 30 rounds through it the day I picked it up. I liked how it shot, but stopped at 30 because everything was slightly left of my point of aim. The rear sight was drifted that way as well. It wasn't until I got home, moved the sight, reassembled the pistol, and was wiping some of the factory lube off that I noticed the thumb safety had cosmetic damage. S&W CS said send it in and sent me a label, so off it went. I'll probably get a chance to shoot it some more tomorrow.

My local shop has a full size HK45 V1 and I'm tempted by it, but that might mean either my full size USP or Compact might have to hit the road. I'm not sure it offers me enough to break up that duo.

Regards,
Greg

[JohnR]

Greg, the big question is...

Which one is your favorite to shoot? Favorite to carry?

I know the answer will be different for each of us. I've gone through this question with my compact 9s, and I think I like the Kahr best but the Shield is a very close 2nd.

[Bawanna]

I'm gonna crawl out on a spindly limb here, (not an easy thing for me to say the least) and guess that Greg will give the same answer.

I know he's real partial to that CW but sounds like he's pretty fond of the new Shield too. So close second applies.

I think this is a fine reason why I should get a Shield 45 so I can make a sound scientific decision.
To be fair I reckon I should get a CW 45 since I don't got one of them neither. Strictly in the interest of science.

I've never tried this approach with the missus before, some how I have vision of the Hindenburg in my head, why is that?

[JohnR]

Just tell her you'll sell the one that comes in second place. But don't tell her it may take years to decide.

[Bawanna]

Sadly she doesn't buy any part of selling guns with me. I've used I'll buy this one and sell another one but they never seem to sell even on the few occasions where I actually tried to sell one. Not my fault really right?

[berettabone]

I have to stick to my HK P2000SK in .40 as my favorite carry firearm.

[Alfonse]

Sadly she doesn't buy any part of selling guns with me. I've used I'll buy this one and sell another one but they never seem to sell even on the few occasions where I actually tried to sell one. Not my fault really right?

Yes, no fault there at all. And, it is for science afterall.

[Bawanna]

Hey I could phoney up some research and development business cards for Lakeline and tell her I'm using it to develop new product lines for "YOU" in Chelan and we might have to have corporate business meetings on site in "Chelan" which she loves.
Oh the possibilities. This is huge.

[gb6491]

Greg, the big question is...

Which one is your favorite to shoot? Favorite to carry?

I know the answer will be different for each of us. I've gone through this question with my compact 9s, and I think I like the Kahr best but the Shield is a very close 2nd.

My favorite to shoot is the OACP, but now it has a Commander top end on it most of the time (which I like to shoot even more). The CW45 would be the next favorite to shoot.
Carry? I am, as Bawanna said, fond of my CW45 and it gets carried a lot. When the CW45 was back at Kahr for the "short rail" issue, I did bond with the XDS and it also sees a lot of carry time. The OACP was my favorite for quite a while, but I've gone to carrying a full size 1911 when I carry one these days.

I just haven't had enough time with the 45 Shield to form a firm opinion of it. I do have to say that I'm liking it so far.
Here's the result of 40 rounds I put through it yesterday (from 10 yards, standing - Blazer 230gr. aluminum case).

I have to stick to my HK P2000SK in .40 as my favorite carry firearm.

If you like your forty, you can keep your forty

Regards,
Greg

[Bawanna]

Looking at the target, my first impression is that works.

I need to hold one in hand.

I've been back and forth on 1911's, started mostly carrying full size, then worked down to officer size, now it's usually a commander or a full size most of the time. I guess sitting full time is an advantage, I don't find the 1911 burdensome to carry. Lately when it's been warm and I don't even want a vest etc I've reinserted my PJ IWB and it works like a champ under a shirt. My favorite Mernickle OWB works almost as well but the PJ holds even a little tighter into my side.
The M&P has always had a nice look to it in my small mind. Like the lines and ergonomics of it far better than the XD's and certainly the Glocks.

Until now I had not thoughts on the Shield since they didn't make a 45. Guess they'll do anything to try and hook a bawanna.