Reviews on Smith and Wesson Shield 45 Acp

Stacy Brilliant Reviews the Smith & Wesson 1000&P 45 Shield

My very first gun, significant the get-go gun that I picked out for myself, was a Smith & Wesson Airweight 642 .38 Special revolver. The minute I held it in my hand, I knew it was the ane I wanted to buy. I was determined to do with it and carry information technology for protection; that gun was my abiding companion for the side by side couple years. Subsequently taking multiple training classes during that time, and getting more than experience with different guns, I decided to step into carrying a semi-automatic, and I've washed so ever since. For me, at that place is some feeling of loyalty to the company that my showtime gun came from. Then when I was asked to review the new Smith & Wesson M&P 45 Shield, I didn't hesitate. I've wanted a .45-caliber gun that would work for concealed acquit for quite awhile, and having had experience with the 9mm Shield, I was anxious to go my hands on the larger-caliber model.

Sponsored by Liberty Safes

Directly out of the box, it looked similar to the 9mm Shield. The primary difference that stood out to me was the grip. Its rough texture is undoubtedly designed to help with command (which I'll talk about in a infinitesimal). The Shield comes with a user's manual, cable lock, and two single-stack magazines. 1 magazine holds 6 + i and is flush with the bottom of the grip; the other holds 7 + 1 and has the extended finger grip.

In addition, the Shield is striker-fired, has a transmission thumb safety, white-dot front and rear sights, and a polymer grip and frame. The slide and butt are made of stainless steel; the barrel is 3.3 inches long and the gun is 6.five inches long overall, weighing twenty.v ounces.

Information technology was windy and common cold the twenty-four hour period I picked up the tester Shield from my FFL dealer, but I decided to put some rounds through it on the outdoor range anyway. My biggest complaint was how stiff the magazines were to load; luckily, I had a magazine loader to help load it to capacity. Since that outset day, I've shot near 300 rounds through the gun prior to my official evaluation, and the magazine has loosened upwards considerably.

For my evaluation, I used two types of ammunition: Aguila 230gr FMJ and Remington 185gr JHP High Terminal Functioning. Since my purpose in owning this gun is for concealed conduct, all my shots were taken at 7 yards (21 feet). I must also add that I am right-handed, but have recently been having some nerve pain in my correct paw, which is aggravated by the recoil of any caliber higher than a .22. Since I've trained a lot with off-hand shooting, I decided to practice this evaluation completely with my left mitt. Depending on what my medico says about my right hand, I might end up carrying and shooting left-handed eventually. Although the condom is on the wrong side for left-handed shooters, there's also a no-prophylactic option available. The magazine release button is also on the left side, and then I'll have to exercise ejecting the magazine differently.

I started with the Aguila cartridges get-go, shooting 20 rounds in the freehand position. My showtime impression was how easy the gun was to control. As I mentioned, the grip is crude, which helps with controllability. Since the Shield uses a single-stack magazine, I predictable a stout recoil, simply was pleasantly surprised. At seven yards, I got all my shots near on acme of each other with ease, except for i lone flyer. The trigger felt smooth and well-baked and had a short reset. As I mentioned earlier, the sights are white-dot. I prefer either night sights or fiber-optic sights, simply those can be hands swapped in if you prefer.

Next, I used the Remington cartridges; the distance and shooting style remained the same. Felt recoil increased slightly with these rounds, only not enough to exist unmanageable or uncomfortable. All twenty shots were within a few inches of each other. For personal defence force at shut distances, I'thou happy with the accuracy.

Overall, this gun handled uncommonly well and didn't feel like a compact .45. I shot a total of 200 rounds through it for evaluation, 100 of each make. Including the 300 rounds that I fired prior to the test, there accept been a total of 500 rounds through it to engagement, without a misfire or failure to eject.  I'm impressed! The crude grip surface helps keep the gun from slipping when fired, although subsequently 200 rounds I could feel a small amount of abrasion on my palm near my thumb from the repeated recoil. I have all the same to purchase a holster for the Shield, then I can't speak to how it feels while carrying. I am concerned that the aggressive texture on the grip might rub against my skin unless the holster has a sweat guard that would foreclose information technology from touching. (Another choice would exist to wearable a cami tucked betwixt the gun and my skin.)

For anyone who'south looking to pick up a .45-caliber for concealed carry, I'd recommend trying the Shield. I think this is a great option for ladies, as the recoil is like that of a 9mm. I enjoy taking it to the range to exercise, instead of simply tolerating it—I might simply go a full-fourth dimension southpaw!

MSRP: $479.00

Practice you conduct an K&P Shield? Tell us nigh information technology.

• 

  Nearly Stacy Bright

  Freelance writer Stacy Bright holds instructor certifications from the NRA in Pistol & Rifle, too as beingness an Range Safety Officer and Decline to be a Victim instructor. In addition to her NRA credentials, she likewise is a Missouri CCW instructor and teaches diverse other abode and personal defense courses. "In a field dominated by men, I feel I bring a unique perspective to firearms and training, especially to women. I'm passionate almost educating, empowering and developing confidence in those I train. In November of 2014, I started the Southwest Missouri chapter of The Well Armed Woman," said Stacy. Stacy lives in southwest Missouri, and has been married for 20 years. Visit TWAW Facebook page: The Well Armed Adult female-Springfield, MO Chapter.

liwhatch.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.womensoutdoornews.com/2017/02/bright-smith-wesson-mp-45-shield/

Share this post