We received two of the brand new Smith and Wesson Shields yesterday in 9mm and was able to put some rounds down range this morning.

The first thing you notice with the shield is the thinness but even with its reduced size the gun is still very controllable and pleasant to shoot with its mild recoil.





I shot the Shield side by side with the LC9 and here were the results: 5 shots at 9ft, 5 at 21 at 5 at 45

LC9


Shield


When you compare the two you'll really notice the difference in the triggers. The shield's trigger comes to a hard stop and breaks at around 7-8lbs but it's a pretty clean break for what it is. On the other hand, the LC9's trigger pull can be characterized as a long squeeze with the tension increasing towards the end of the stroke where it finally breaks at what I perceived to be a lighter weight than the shield.

And the two side my side



At 390.00 the Shield is going to be a very strong contender in the single stack sub compact market with its shoot-ability, quality of construction, size, and a manual safety for those looking for one

-Roger

nice shooting.

Does it also come with the extended grip mag?

The 9mm comes with a flush fit 7 round magazine and an extended 8 round magazine. The 40 S&W will come with a flush 6 round magazine and an extended 7 round magazine. Thanks

Aaron


Champion Firearms - Aggieland's Premier Gun Source Since 1993!

If you had to choose between the Shield, Beretta Nano, Bodyguard 380, or Sig P290, which would you recommend?

Looking for my first every day carry. TIA

[This message has been edited by Dragons06 (edited 4/14/2012 2:45p).]

dragons06: if you care to read an opinion from someone who does not work at a gunshop --

We own a Nano and P290. Also shot the Bodyguard, but don't own one. The BG actually shot better than I was expecting. The owner states no malfunctions with several types of FMJ and HP's. Accuracy was what you could reasonbly expect. I think it is a good little pistol and would have one if I didn't already have a great little P3AT, but I could not compare it to a small 9mm because of the great difference in caliber.

The P290 is noticeably heavier than the Nano, and the other small but popular micro-9, the Kahr CM9. In fact, the P290 w/loaded extended magazine (8 rounds) only weighs about 1.5 oz. less than a fully loaded Glock 26. The 290 has excellent build quality and accuracy, and reliability has been 100% with several different types of FMJ, and Remington GS 124 gr.. Sights are very good as well.

The only thing I don't really care for in the P290 is the very long trigger pull that also has a mushy break. Two things that are greatly different from the Nano is the presence of a slide lock/release lever, and the inability to reverse the magazine release button.

The Nano's weight and size slots in between the CM9 and the P290. Because of the lack of a slide release lever, it is the thinnest. Sights are very good, and the trigger pull is shorter in length and crisper in action compared to the Sig. The Kahr's trigger will be lighter in weight, but I prefer the crisp let-off of the Nano's trigger over the rolling let-off of the Kahrs.

My Nano has been 100% reliable for about 550 rounds of FMJ and almost 50 rounds of Remington +p GS. It's sights are perfectly set (as are the Sig's). It comes with two 6-round mags. The mag release button is reversible. Overall, it much prefer it for carry use over the Sig, and the Kahr PM9 that we also have.

Since the Shield is longer, taller, and weighs more than either the Nano or Kahr CM/PM, I doubt that I will be getting one for carry duty. I will say however that at it's price point wich is about $30 less than the Nano, it will be hard to beat the Shield. I think it will take this segment of the handgun market by storm, and greatly reduce the sales of the Walther PPS, which is very similar in dimension.

Before you decide on a small 9mm, also consider looking at the Kahr CM9 as well. It is the smallest and lightest of the popular small nines, and can often be found for around $399.

Caladan, my Nano was $385. $5 less than the S&W.

well that gun and your shooting beats the snot out of the BG380 range report I just put up.

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Caladan, my Nano was $385. $5 less than the S&W.

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Good for you. When I purchased the Nano last year, the average selling price was $429.

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well that gun and your shooting beats the snot out of the BG380 range report I just put up.

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Eh, I wouldn't worry. The BG seems to be a pretty decent weapon. And to paraphrase a familiar statement -- it's not the arrow, it's the indian.....

How's the recoil? Considering this for ccw for the wife.

What's with the flyers? Must just be the limits of the gun's capability.

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If you had to choose between the Shield, Beretta Nano, Bodyguard 380, or Sig P290, which would you recommend?

Looking for my first every day carry. TIA

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I would pull the BG380 out of the 4 just because of the difference in caliber and size.

Unfortunately I have not shot either the nano or the 290 but I can say that there is very notable weight difference between the 290 and the other two. The 290's trigger is very close to a double action revolver where the trigger starts to stack towards the gear.

I haven't handled the nano enough to really give an honest opinion.

But the shield really surprised me and it's absolutely awesome that apex is already coming out with fire control components that is going to make the trigger even better.

In the end it's going to boil down to what you are more comfortable with and which you can shoot better.

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How's the recoil? Considering this for ccw for the wife.

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felt recoil is considerably less than the LC9 and and the CW9

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What's with the flyers? Must just be the limits of the gun's capability.

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it was me going "don't screw this up, it's going on texags" but of course I screwed it up. But I'm glad they were at 45ft and not closer in

-Roger

[This message has been edited by ChampionFirearms (edited 4/16/2012 12:01p).]