Glock 43 vs S&W Shield

[Al]

Since I have both its almost mandatory to decide which I like the best. I think its pretty much of a toss up.

The Glock is 3 oz lighter and 1/2 in less in height. Length is the same (basically). And the shield is a bit thinner (nominally).

Totally irrelevant but the Shield "fells" more solid. Both feel great in my hand. The trigger is slightly better on the Glock..not much of a difference though. I like the sight a bit better on the Glock. I shoot a tad better with the Glock.

I probably would carry the Glock bc it is a Tad lighter.

The Shield cost me $380. I don't know what his price on the 43 is but I would guess $560+

I bought the Smith bc I cheaped out. And then decided to make amends by trading my Commander LW for it. I am glad I did...I deserve two guns that I like to shoot...lol.

I would say if money is an issue or you are cheap, get the Shield. It appears to be at least the equal of the Glock.

Oh yea ..My DeSantis Mini-Scabbard made for the Shield fits the Glock perfectly...lol

 

[donnyj08]

Both of those are nice single stack pistols. I considered both a while back when I was shopping for a single stack 9mm.

I ended up with a Walther PPS in 9mm. For $400 I couldn't pass up Walther quality.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the shield trigger, and I couldn't find a Glock 43 in stock for a decent price. They were all priced at MSRP since they sell so well.

Nice guns!

 

[Triple_Se7en]

Kahr CM9, smaller / easier to slip in your front pocket and at least $25 less than the Shield.

 

[Chris142]

I liked the mp i tried out at the gun store.

 

[Doog]

I went for the Ruger LC9s

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Kahr CM9, smaller / easier to slip in your front pocket and at least $25 less than the Shield.

The CM9 only has one mag. I think the mag fit at the bottom sucks. Nice little gun though.

 

[AZjeff]

Haven't shot the Shield but have shot the G43. A friend got one and wanted to break it in and prove reliability. He shot 1000 rounds of mixed ammo, no cleaning at all, with only 1 failure of a milsurp steel case round. I shot it a couple of times during the 1000 rounds and it shot quite well for me for a subcompact. I'll have one soon.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: AZjeff
Haven't shot the Shield but have shot the G43. A friend got one and wanted to break it in and prove reliability. He shot 1000 rounds of mixed ammo, no cleaning at all, with only 1 failure of a milsurp steel case round. I shot it a couple of times during the 1000 rounds and it shot quite well for me for a subcompact. I'll have one soon.

Was the friend's gun a 43 or Shield?

 

[Hokiefyd]

Both are competitive guns. The conclusion you came to is one that many do...unless you just have to have the Glock pistol, the Shield is a great value. You can't get a gun with better fit-and-finish and material quality at its price. The slide and barrel are stainless steel, Melonited for the black look. I've holstered my Shield in Kydex and thermoplastic holsters hundreds of times and there's just no holster wear on the gun at all. I haven't had a single malfunction from it (not even due to bad ammo, and I shoot Winchester White Box regularly) and everyone who has shot it loves it. It shoots like a much larger gun than it is. Smith really got it right in my opinion.

At 7+1 and 8+1 capacity, it meets or exceeds its competitors (especially the 6+1 Glock). It does so at a very good price. Hard to find a better CC gun in my opinion.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Both are competitive guns. The conclusion you came to is one that many do...unless you just have to have the Glock pistol, the Shield is a great value. You can't get a gun with better fit-and-finish and material quality at its price.

It(Shield) does so at a very good price. Hard to find a better CC gun in my opinion.

Completely agree

 

[AZjeff]

Originally Posted By: Al

Was the friend's gun a 43 or Shield?


Al, it was a G43.

 

[Al]

After shooting them both and dry firing them many hundreds of times I can report:

1. Triggers are about the same. Both probably in the range of 8 pounds. The Glock is a bit harder than other Glocks I have fired.

2. The Shield is much harder to rack. Probably most women would find it too hard..if they can even do it. Wife can rack the 43 no problems. She can rack the Shield, with difficulty.Not sure she could release it with bullets in the mag. I am getting the wife (69 y.o.) into going to the range with me. She hasn't live shot but hundreds of dry firing. She prefers 43.

3. Grip will depend on the size hand (assuming they use the correct thumb over thumb position). I prefer the 43. I don't have large hands. Obviously it is more suited to the wife also.

4. I shoot more accurately with the Glock even though I haven't shot it as much. They seem to shoot about the same groups.

5. The Glock is hands down the better carry gun. Its 3 oz lighter-empty. Its height is almost an inch smaller. The advertised thickness of the Shield is .07 thinner. For most of these pistols the 43 is a bit more narrower. Call that a draw.
Length is the same.

6. Both simple to disassemble.

7. The Shield is 7+1 and the Glock 6+1. For me that is not an issue. I am not combat trained...And 6 will stretch my capabilities (as well as 95% of cc'rs)

8. Reliability not enough range time. Both are reported to be exceptional.

9. Fit and operation. Both are perfect. No problems.

10. Subjectivity: Glock wns for me. I like the feel and I like the sound of the action as I rack it (total subjectivity here). The Glock is a BMW and the Shield is a total reliable workman-like Chevy...and completely flawless and reliable. Possibly I am buying into Glock Fever..who knows.

You will/may pay $150 more for the 43...but before buying the shield..check it out. Both great pistols!!


\Out for coffee!!

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Al
The Glock is a BMW and the Shield is a total reliable workman-like Chevy...and completely flawless and reliable. Possibly I am buying into Glock Fever..who knows.


Perhaps...

When I was shopping full size 9mms, I was looking at the Glock 17 and the full size M&P, and I perceived them to be the other way around. The Glock felt very utilitarian, with JUST enough material quality to get the job done. The Smith felt better constructed to me with better fit and finish. Things like the Glock's rougher slide finish to the Smith's smooth Melonite, etc. Smith uses stainless steel throughout, where Glock doesn't.

Not to say that either gun is better than the other, but my perceptions of them, relating it to the automotive world, were that the Glock is a work truck whereas the Smith might be more like a Buick or a Lexus -- somewhere in between bargain basement and top of the line.

Also: Shield is 8+1 if you carry the longer magazine, which is how I carry mine.

Bottom line: shoot what you shoot better. If that's the G43, then that's awesome. It's a fine handgun.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: Al
.....The Glock is a BMW.......


Please do not insult Glock's proven reliability by comparing it to that worthless, unreliable piece of euro trash.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd

Bottom line: shoot what you shoot better. If that's the G43, then that's awesome. It's a fine handgun.

For sure..I do enjoy both and won't ever get rid of the Shield.

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Kahr CM9, smaller / easier to slip in your front pocket and at least $25 less than the Shield.


And from a company that seems to have spotty quality control. Some run like tops, others not so much. The S&W and Glocks are much more consistent in their performance.

 

[CT8]

I bought a Kahr PM9 years ago it is super accurate and has worked perfect with any ammo I have put through it. That being said I tried a M&P and would buy the M&P ! I am sure the Glock would be fine as well . How long has the Glock been on the market? It is a new model. Any way I would buy a Glock or S@W over a Kahr. My opinion.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: Al
.....The Glock is a BMW.......


Please do not insult Glock's proven reliability by comparing it to that worthless, unreliable piece of euro trash.

AKA...Big Money Waster

 

[Robenstein]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: billt460
Originally Posted By: Al
.....The Glock is a BMW.......


Please do not insult Glock's proven reliability by comparing it to that worthless, unreliable piece of euro trash.

AKA...Big Money Waster


My friend bought a used V12 cheap...I told him there was a reason they sell cheap. He found out when something broke. [censored] then went and bought an older used Jag V12. At least when that [censored] out he can pay me to put a chevy V8 in it.

 

[meadows]

Which gun has the best safety?