I’m looking to buy my first gun, so I have been asking about and comparing the more affordable yet really good guns.
The price difference between the two guns is about $100 but I don’t mind spending on the M&P if it’s better.
So, if you guys could give me some of your experience with these guns, I’d appreciate it. Also, it would be really awesome if you guys could be specific and informative on your reasoning.
Thank you.
What is your intended purpose, range use, home defense, concealed carry? If this is your first handgun then buying a small gun will be more dificult for you to learn the fundamentals as it will be snappier and have a short sight radius that makes sighting errors that much worse.
No one will suggest a taurus anything over a quality manufacture. Taurus has a reputation of being lesser quality even though they offer a lifetime warranty on their guns. Affordable and good quality don’t often go together.
Your size will make a difference in what is comfortable to shoot. My father in law is 6’4" with massive mitts and bought a shield .40. He is more of a revolver guy but wanted a semi. He doesn’t practice with it enough and it shows. Sliced his thumb open good when he placed it over the back of his hand and the slide bit him.
Going to need more info before you are going to get informative suggestions on a first time gun purchase.
Range use, won’t be a bad idea to carry it once in a while.
I always suggest a Glock 19 as a first pistol, or an “only one” pistol. The invention of the striker control device makes that even more so. I have a few friends that took this advice and still own and shoot only a G19. And they make fun of me now for shooting hammer guns.
It is just large enough to be enjoyable to shoot at the range.
It has just enough sight radius and ammo capacity to be viable as a duty or house gun. Its barrel is long enough that good duty ammo should work as advertised.
It is highly supported by both sight and holster manufacturers, and has a robust aftermarket. Mags are readily available and inexpensive.
Its trigger is easy to learn to use well enough, stock.
It is very reliable and and very easy to maintain. You can give it to any cop, conscript, Soldier, or Marine, and they will be fine as long as they understand basic safety practices.
It is just small enough to be a viable candidate for concealed carry.
It is dirt cheap. If you still want Taurus pricing, just look for a used one.
It is a very versatile gun and some of these characteristics are not present in the Shield or whichever Taurus. The only Taurus I would consider owning is the PT92. I give this advice despite the fact that I have sold my Glocks and currently don’t own any, although I still shoot and dry fire one occasionally. So the advice is worth what was paid for it.
I would never risk my life on a Taurus product. Range toy, ok, CCW/HD/SD, no. Not worth saving a few $ for those intended uses in my view. Go Glock, HK, S&W, etc.
I would go with the shield9.
Its actually not a bad gun to learn on IMO.
Id get an m&p compact or g19 as well if money allows, but if not- the shield will last a long time. They are reliable and accurate as well.
Buy some snap caps and dry fire the crap out if it, and practice standard manipulations.
My experience with the shield is a little over 1k rounds. No malfunctions after the first 30. Capable of 5” groups at 25yds. People online have done better iirc.
For primary usage as a range pistol, a Glock 19 or S&W compact (or even full sized) makes a lot more sense.
I have yet to choose my 9mm Shield over my other options, for a relaxing range session (when I only take 1).
Seeing this was enough for me to never want a striker-fired Taurus ever again.
Friends don’t let friends buy Taurus… If a straight choice between the two because of budget, Shield all the way.
If budget is a concern, I would look into a S&W SD9VE before the Taurus.
I’d buy a hi point over the Taurus.
Seriously buy the Shield and don’t look back
Yep Taurus makes crappy guns, a Shield is a way better choice and they’re dirt cheap these days.
Holy shit. Something is wrong with that gun. I can’t believe even taurus would let that design feature out the gate.
I made the mistake of buying a taurus once. NEVER AGAIN. What a POS. :mad:
On a happy note, I just bought an M2.0 Shield for my wife. She hasn’t tried it yet… :rolleyes: I’ve run about 350 rounds of various types through it to test reliability and accuracy. It’s a freakin’ shooter and has had zero malfunctions. My only criticisms are that it only comes with two mags and the grip texture may be too rough for my wife’s hands. Other than that, It rocks. I highly recommend it!
Friends don’t let friends buy Taurus pistols. The PT-111 and the Shield don’t even belong in the same thread.
Just say no to the Taurus. They can’t even get a loose 1911 variant to run right.
If you’re stuck in a budget point the Shield is a solid choice along with a used G26 or G19. Smith and Wesson usually have rebates on M&Ps each year too, along with FN.
I would add Ruger to the list of consideration if budget is an issue. But seriously, there is NO comparison in the Shield and PT111. You say you’re OK to spend for the Shield. Just do it! /Nike
Edit: I found a Gen1 for my wife last summer and after rebate it was about $250 brand spanking new.
I’d take something from Ruger vs anything from Taurus in the budget gun segment, but I’d grab a used Glock, HK, FN, or S&W before I did that personally
Is this really a serious question?
OP, lean forward and choke yourself!
So yeah Taurus is a pile of warm stinky garbage…the shield is a solid reliable weapon another weapon to consider that is like the shield is the Walther PPS M2 they are 295 on gun buyer right now