Got a new S&W Shield Plus

[Graybeard]

Yesterday I was at the doctor's office hoping for some relief for the pain in my left wrist. He didn't offer any promise on that front.

I then dropped by a gun shop on the way home to look around and see what I might find of interest. I was hoping to score some LP, LR or even some SP primers. My supplies are quite low on all tho I have huge stocks of ammo so am not in a real bind. I also had some powders I was looking for.

Well no primers and none of the powders on my list were in stock so I moved on and looked at guns.

I've noticed Ruger is again making the 10" barrel target model of the Mark IV pistol so asked if they had one for me to look at. Nope and no one even acted like they knew what I was asking about. Owner wasn't in yesterday.

I then asked to see a new S&W Shield Plus and the new Ruger Max 9MM side by side for a comparison.

Size wise they are pretty darn close. Trigger on the Ruger was clearly superior but not by a huge amount and the Shield Plus is better than my original Shield or my Shield EZ. Both fit existing holsters I have for the Ruger LC9 and Shield but in the end I got the Shield.

The Ruger is shipping with two 10 round magazines it seems not one 10 and one 12 like they are supposed to be doing. The Shield Plus came with one 10 round and one 13 round magazine. A big plus for me is they had the Shield Plus in stock without the thumb safety but didn't have the Max Pro without it in stock.

So the new S&W Shield Plus came home with me.

It feels different in hand than the original Shield or the Shield EZ but fits same holsters as the original. Size differences are so tiny you really have to measure to tell the Plus is larger.

Once I've put enough rounds thru it to have confidence to carry it I'll carry it in place of the Shield EZ I've been carrying mostly of late as my EDC gun. I'll get some more 13 round mags and carry it with one in the gun and spares on me.

I liked the sights on the Ruger better also. I will almost certainly eventually get one of the Ruger guns also but will wait for one without the thumb safety. All of my current carry guns have one thing in common, no thumb safety so I don't want to add a gun to the roster that I might have a thumb safety engaged on when it might be called into use and not realize it.

[Ranger99]

All those you're mentioning are
9 millimeter Luger?

[Graybeard]

Yes all are 9mm.

[Lloyd Smale]

buddy bought a plus a few months back and says it runs perfect. He really likes it. Said he likes it better then his little sig or hellcat. Id think of  one myself but ive got 4 of the single stack sheilds and a pile of mags and hate to start buying more mags. I keep a shield and 4 mags in all three of my vehicles.

[DDZ]

When the Shield Plus came out I had called some gun shops around me, and no one had one.  So I had kind of forgot about it, because I really don't need one, I just wanted one.  So just recently I called the same gun shops. One place has one of the no thumb safety models, which is what I want. I asked the price and he said $569 that sounds a little steep to me especially when the MSRP is $553.   I used to get guns around here for around $100 under MSRP.  So how much is this gun shop making on this gun, selling it at $16 over MSRP?

[DDZ]

My shield that I carry I have had shortly after the shield first came into the market. I upgraded the sights, and installed an Apex action kit in it. I really like the gun except for the thumb safety. Although not sure I want to spend $600 on another shield that offers 3 more rounds in the magazine. 

[Ranger99]

. .  So how much is this gun shop making on this gun, selling it at $16 over MSRP?

It depends on where they had to get it from.
Most dealers these days get their firearms
from wholesalers and some have to take in
the wazzoo just to have anything to sell.
Lots of factors involved these days,  mainly
internet sales that pokes everybody starting
at the factory loading dock.
Years back, there were over a dozen gun
shops right within spitting distance, and
they all flourished.  Now there's only one 
I've known him for years, and he explained
to me one time how complicated and
complex it's gotten trying to keep a
"brick and mortar " gun store open and
paying the bills in 2021.
The ammo "shortage " was what kicked
him in the teeth, and he nearly had to
close. It's tough to sell a new gun, then
explain to your customer that you don't
have ammo for the gun you just sold
and can't get any
Reminds me of the old monty python
sketch about the cheese shop with
no cheese, except it's not funny

[Graybeard]

I paid $547.49 out the door for my Shield Plus. That seems the going price based on those I've seen in e-mails from retailers.

The Plus has one 10 round and one 13 round mag that comes with it so it's not just 3 extra rounds if ya carry it with the 13 round mag in it as I will.

I've been looking online and it sure seems extra 13 round mags just aren't available at the moment. It will take awhile for supply to catch up with demand I guess. I'm on a waiting list or two.

[DDZ]

I do realize that it is supply and demand that drives prices.  I also realize that gun shops do have a hard time making a go of business, and staying in business.

Thanks GB for letting me know what you paid. I still may go get the plus and pay the $569 asking price, because I would like to have one.   

[Lloyd Smale]

shot it much yet Bill. What your opinion of it so far?

[Graybeard]

Still haven't shot it yet. Soon hopefully.

[Lloyd Smale]

be sure to let us know. Buddy loves his and shoots the snot out of his guns but thats only one gun. I dont know anyone else that has one.

[oldandslow]

I am also curious about it. My oldest grandson had bought a hellcat and I bought a Sig p365 romeo just before news of the S&W came out. Grandson was a bit bummed but put a spring kit it his hellcat and stuck with it and I am happy with my sig but I would still like input on the shield.

[Dee]

I've owned two S&W Shields in 40 caliber. Both shot, and pointed very well. My only complaint was some of the internal springs were quick to rust in the humidity I live in at the time.
My everyday carry pistols now, are S&W revolvers, and I do carry everyday, when I'm outside.
I live on the edge of town, on a good street, but border jumpers are flooding our state.
I taught the double tap shooting method back in the day, and always hated it.
My wheel guns don't need to double tap.

But back to topic. The Shield pistols point very well, and for me, shoot like a full size duty weapon.

[DDZ]

I ended up buying the plus a couple days ago, after kicking it around whether I should or not. Ended up getting it for $569 from a shop not far from me.  With the 13 round mag in the plus. Its the same length as my regular shield with the 10 round mag in. The grip is slightly wider, but not by very much. The plus does feel better in my hand compared to the regular shield. I ran 3 different kinds of ammo through it. Some reloads, Cheap ammo, and some +P stuff.  Its not a tack driver, but it certainly shoots well enough for its intended purpose.  The Plus has a better trigger than my original shield which has an Apex trigger in it.  I am gad I got it. I think its lots of gun for the money.  Its amazing they found a way to get 13+1 rounds in the shield, and keep it as thin and short as they did.  I would have to think that anyone that buys the plus would not be disappointed. 

[Dee]

I never had any problems with the shooting. They really are a good handling pistol.

[nw_hunter]

I never had any problems with the shooting. They really are a good handling pistol.

Dee, What cal. wheel gun do you carry?

[Dee]

I carry a 4" 686 that I've hand polished to look like nichol. I hand honed the action, put an extended firing pin in from Cylinder and Slide, and a 13 lb Wilson Combat trigger return spring.
Replaced the big grips with a set of Bantams, and now its as smooth as glass, easy to hide, and deadnuts reliable.

I shoot 125 grain semi-jacketed hollowpoints at between 1500 & 1650fps.
The 686 is my everyday carry, occasionally carrying an Airweight 38 Special.
The 357 magnum loaded right works.

[phalanx]

The only Smith&Wessons i have are a 380 bodyguard and a model 27 six inch.