Christ, the Shield Plus is a Stiff MF’r

  • Thread starter Thread starter skoora
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skoora

skoora

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Just got the S&W for carry and everything on it is like it’s glued shut..lol racking the slide from the front is an awesome game of will my finger get caught in the ejection port on this one, as there’s no serrations to speak of on the front and you can’t keep a grip with how much force you need to use. It came with a manual safety that I doubt I’ll use but it made it an easy decision because prying it up and down almost takes tools. Forget using the slide lock as a release..lol
How many rounds is this thing gonna need to start not being such a prick of a gun?
 
Did you take it down and give it a good cleaning and lubing? There can be crap left over from the machining that is slugging things up, plus it could also just be new/tight. If you did already maybe you should contact S&W and ask if this is normal. They are known for having decent CS so if there is a problem you should get taken care of by them.
 
Did you take it down and give it a good cleaning and lubing? There can be crap left over from the machining that is slugging things up, plus it could also just be new/tight. If you did already maybe you should contact S&W and ask if this is normal. They are known for having decent CS so if there is a problem you should get taken care of by them.
I did clean and lube it. From what I’ve read online it has a pretty stiff recoil spring so it may take quite a few rounds to loosen up. But every control is ridiculously tight. I don’t get the manual safety being so bad because that is something you need working easily right away. No way you could engage it and expect to thumb it off on a draw as it is.
 
I did clean and lube it. From what I’ve read online it has a pretty stiff recoil spring so it may take quite a few rounds to loosen up. But every control is ridiculously tight. I don’t get the manual safety being so bad because that is something you need working easily right away. No way you could engage it and expect to thumb it off on a draw as it is.
You could get some snap caps and do a bunch of dry firing. That might help it loosen up.
 
Took it to the range today for round 1 and it performed really well. I even had little issue with the flush 10 mag with no pinky holding on. So down for the break-in as it shoots well. A lot of below was 7 or 10 yards going from gun, out of hand on the bench, presenting and firing in 1-2 seconds, occasionally double tapping. I did start with measured shots on the first mag to get an initial feel.
I got a little further along that I needed to, trying the exercise one handed, hence some loosy goosy strays 😁. I still consider myself a beginner shooter, so was pretty happy with the Shield’s performance. Looking forward to getting tighter with it, with practice. I haven’t tried any training yet where you get to move, so that is next.

Shield target Medium.jpeg
 
Ordered up a pinky mag extender for the 10 rounder that also adds 3 rounds, holster and a belt. This will be my first carry.
 
I have two Shields. One in .40 and one in .45. If they made a Plus in .45 I'd probably have one. Both mine are good shooters and good for deep concealment in CB mini tuck or a MRT Kydex AIWB.

I do have Talon Grip on a Masada Slim, but the Shields don't need it. Especially the M 2.0 .45 as it has excessive stippling already. I actually knocked it down a bit with some sandpaper.

Looks to be pretty good shooting to me brother. I highly recommend finding a local trainer and taking a series of classes. I'd start with defensive handgun classes ( sometimes referred to CCW in tiers like Advanced CCW 1, Advanced CCW 2, etc.) I've generally found instructors from gun stores and ranges are generally overpriced and underqualified. The guy who's classes I take a lot is a 20 year marine corps instructor/combat vet and a 20 year, now retired police captain from one of the shittiest fuckholes in north St. Louis county. He was a SWAT leader and is a fairly serious dude. His prices are pretty good and I was also able to barter some shotgun classes for guitar lessons so bonus.

Anyway, moving and shooting, moving and shooting at targets that are also moving, extended drills with elevated heart rate/ adrenalin, engaging multiple targets, engaging multiple targets while moving, street scenarios, carjacking scenarios, Force on Force, all that shit is fun and useful, but before you run you need to walk. I'm not sure what your skill level is, but before you worry about any advanced training there is a lot of other stuff to worry about. Muscle memory stuff. The 4 safety rules which are at all times MANDATORY. Especially under stress. Things like the OODA loop and other mindset training. Hand to hand stuff, extremely rapid critical thinking, threat assessment, The Cooper color code 4 stages of combat threat management. Know and fully understand the law, local law and all the complexities and on and on. Basically using a firearm should be a last resort, but you must very quickly assess and act if it becomes necessary. Once you make the decision that the only acceptable option is to shoot someone ( this is literally the only time you should EVER pull a gun in a confrontation) you need to know that you have the appropriate mindset not to second guess or feel any moral regret. It is imperative to act immediately and effectively.

It's always good if you can get into a course by one of the big shots like Travis Haley, Larry Vickers or John Chapman or do a week at Gunsite. You'll learn a lot of shit in a short amount of time, but it is ridiculously expensive. I got lucky when I found the guy I use. He has a facility about an hour from here and we have become friends so I get a lot of extra attention. I also occasionally get to train locally with some combat vet friends of mine and ex and current duty LEO and military guys. Some of whom are, eh, highly specialized. I learn a lot from them guys, but there is a lot of stuff they do that's not really applicable to typical civilian self defense stuff. It's still fun to run those type of drills, but A) it makes me feel and look stupid because these guys are far more advanced than I am and B) it really should be compartmentalized from the mindset you have to have for civilian defense stuff.


Sorry to wander if into the training thing. I am a range/training junkie. I do like my Shields though I almost never carry them these days. I was always a .45 guy and had little use for a 9mm, but with advances in ammo and handgun technology these days I am training with and carrying almost exclusively medium frame, high capacity, German or Israeli made 9MMs.
 
yeah, my mindset is it is only for dire, no other recourse, self defense. I don’t want the weapon to unnecessarily change my behavior when encountering potential shadiness ie. Bravado in language or action where a cool head and easy going nature are best. Not keeping up situational awareness because of a false sense of security, being armed etc. Key to me is the avoidance of having to use it, but knowing that, with some training and discipline, on that one possible, horrible day, me and mine have a lot better odds of making it through.
Very cognizant too, of the possible legal troubles in using it unwisely.

The RSO showed me his Talon grip, add ons on his Glock and I did dig the feel. Grippy but not too abrasive. I’ll wait and see how the Shield stippling feels on the skin before jumping into those. But the slide grip they offer I think will become a must.
 
Got my +3 on my 10 mag and awaiting a holster and a belt. I decided to give the Muddy River one a try (Kydex IWB), per you had spoken well of them in the past.

Magguts.jpeg
Magguts 2.jpeg
 
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