New 4" Shield Plus - and then some...

General Firearms Handguns - Semi Auto
1

Yesterday, I picked up a 9mm S&W 4" Performance Center Shield. It’s been calling to me for a little while now… I will say that it does whip the llamas’ ass :smiley: - I am really impressed by how this gun shoots. No kidding. I got to shoot it yesterday afternoon - and it groups VERY nicely.

I also got a 4" Shield 2.0 earlier this summer. And, at the time - I debated as to which version to get - the 2.0 or the Plus… Go figure, now I have both… The original 4" thin version, and the 4" Plus size version as well. Both are awesome guns.

I’ve never been a fan of fiber optics, until now. I like that S&W puts some spiral metal around the fiber optic tube in order to protect it from breaking. I’d never seen that before. Now, I am not so worried about something happening to the light rod. If anyone makes sights like this for other guns, I’d really consider buying them. Usually, the fiber optic rod is rather unprotected on most FO sights.

Also, I complained on another forum recently about having trouble seeing the front sight on some of my handguns (as I get older). There certainly is no issues with that with the fiber optics. The front dot REALLY stands out for me. Very cool.

I did compare both the thin 4" Shield and the new Shield Plus 4" version. I do shoot both equally as well. But, the original Shield size has always felt almost TOO thin. I no longer have that with the Shield Plus. It feels great in the hand - it’s a bit wider (than the original Shield) in the web of my right hand, and this is much more comfortable.

I might replace my Glock 19 with this as my main carry gun. It shoots that well.

The range I shot at had some of the 13 round Shield Plus mags, so I picked up an extra one yesterday as well.

Anyway, now I have 3 Shields…

The original, smaller Shield really makes a great pocket gun with my cargo pants. And, I got that one for $249 right (before this covid mess hit). But, I will say that the 4" Plus is my favorite of the three…

Anyone else have one?

2

I have the 4 inch performance center version, great shooting pistol. I debated on the plus but I have a 2.0 compact . But it’s tempting

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

3

Well, I kept going back and forth on the issue too. But, I figured that it is really the ONLY gun I want right now anyway - so I went ahead and took the plunge. I ordered it online, and they finally shipped it after a week.

4

WinAMP! It’s been a long time since I heard that.

5

I also transitioned to a 2.0 Shield. I was impressed with its accuracy.

I switched the factory sights for Trijicon Orange front dot and U shaped notch blackened rear site.
Not as good for accuracy but easy to acquire.

6

Yea, I have found the U shaped rear sights to not be as accurate. I prefer the square notch instead.

Sho nuff :smiley:

7

How is the trigger on the new Shield Plus? I have been interested but just haven’t been able to get my hands one.

8

The one I looked at was decent, I think it was as good as my performance center trigger and would have gotten better with some time. Granted this was just at a gun shop, but I think it’s the same trigger and I have about 600 rounds down the tube plus dry fire. I will say this the 4 inch shield really makes me look good at the range easy gun to shoot well

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

9

The trigger is amazing… I took that 4" Shield Plus to the range again today - for the 2nd time. And, I must say that I shoot it as well or better than my Berettas. I did very well at the farthest distance at the indoor range too (15 yards). And, out of all the guns I own, I do double taps with this gun the best.

I really think it is because of two reasons. One, I have small hands. I do like the feel of the 92FS in my hand. But, I have sold many guns over the years - because the grip is just too big for my hands… So, so many.

This Shield Plus does feel better than the thinner original Shield grip. It’s “just right.” I think I get a better grip on the gun for my size hands. I think that is why I shoot double taps better with this gun than any other gun I have owned.

And two, this new Shield Plus trigger is fantastic. It really helps with the accuracy… It breaks VERY nicely, and that flat trigger just works…

And finally - I posted a few weeks ago about having a tough time seeing the front dot with my 50 year old eyes. I said that I could see a red dot optic is in my future because of age… And, I don’t really care for red dots on pistols. But man, these fiber optic sights that S&W uses on their Performance Center models are just awesome. I like how they have a metal spiral around the light rod to protect them. Most fiber optics don’t have that, and the light rods break so easily. Not on these…

These bright red and green dots solve my eye issues. That may be another reason why I shoot the gun so well.

10

INteresting. My standard Shield is my pocket gun. I need to give these a look as I start to wear pants again. I barely wore a belt during the pandemic.

11

Ok, so I picked up my Performance Center 3.1" Shield Plus today…

I’ll probably get to go shoot it later in the week. It is ported, but that is the only way they sell that model. I have a standard barrel I just ordered for it, so I can swap the ported barrel.

Done collecting Shields now :smiley:

As I previously stated, I NEVER cared for fiber optic sights before. But I am REALLY loving the ones that S&W uses - there is a metal spiral round the light rod to protect it. And, the combo of the red/green goes amazingly well. I am glad they all are not the same color.

3 of these Shields has that sight setup. Now that I am around 50, they really help my eyes see the sights when at my indoor range.

12

I should have bought a Shield Plus instead of the Hellcat that pinches the hell out of my trigger finger.

I’d like the extra length of barrel and sight radius of the PC. But I dont care for fiber optic sights, porting, and may not like the trigger, either.

I also wish the safety lever was larger should I decide to utilize it.

I have a 2.0 standard 9mm Shield and like it. Too bad it isnt optics ready like your PC.

13

I only have 200 rounds through mine but so far I love it. Flat shooting and accurate; I got it only for the sights as well. New trigger is outstanding. I can tell you the only downside is the fouling on the barrel due to the porting but that’s not a big deal since it gets cleaned religiously. Not a single issue with any of my go-to loads.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

14

Well, I think you are mixing up the models. The 3.1 Shield Plus Perf Center only comes ported. But, my 4" Performance Center Shield and 4" Perf Center Shield Plus pistols are NOT ported. None have an optic cut either. They make many different variations. I have no plans to put an optic on any of my handguns.

And, I don’t usually care for ported guns either. Only the 3." Perf Center Shield Plus is ported. And, I just ordered a non ported barrel today to swap it out with.

As for the trigger - the Shield Plus has the best factory striker fired trigger I have ever tried. And, many Youtube reviewers are saying the same thing

15

Yes my bad; I have the 3.1”.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

16

Both of mine have been reliable in function and have good accuracy with the 124gr FMJ ammo and the Fed HST 147gr ammo I have been using. Both of mine are non-optic cut models. If I would decide to get one or both of them cut for an optic at some point in the future, I feel I can get a little lower cut, a better designed optic mounting system, along with getting it cut for the optic of my choice by going aftermarket. The holster is a Darkstar Hitchhiker and can be used in either the AIWB or IWB position.


17

I see. I’ll have to review available models.

18

Nice collection of Shields you have there Shipwreck! Seems like I have seen those “elsewhere”.

19

I took an approximately 350 round count pistol class with a 3.1” Shield+ and had a great time. No stoppages all day and I was able to hit what I was aiming at. I was nervous about getting pinched by the mag during malfunction drills but that proved unwarranted. It’s really an amazing little pistol. The trigger breaks pretty far forward which gives it an almost regular trigger reach despite the smaller grip. The recoil is very reasonable and the aggressive grip texture provides fantastic control.

I’m itching to get a 4” version.

20

My 4" Shield Plus is currently my favorite pistol. It REALLY shoots well. I can shoot it as well as my Beretta M9A3