CA M&P Shield Mods & MagGuts Spring Test

[ifilef]

For those unaware, here's a stock photo of the ridiculous CA and NY compliant LCI:

That is a matter of subjective opinion. If the LCI bothers the shooter he/she is not focusing on the front sight enough to shoot accurately anyway. It doesn't bother me, and by law it must be a prominent one, otherwise its purpose is defeated.

[Capybara]

I hate how the LCI looks too but living with it, carrying it over a year, it is a non issue. It's a gun.

[Bainter1212]

Love the upgrades and thanks for sacrificing your hard earned dollars testing them out for us.

My Shield is still bone-stock but is definitely in need of some upgrades. Now I have a trusted guide to what works and what doesn't.

[EspoMan]

Shield mags retail are about $35 retail, but I can see your viewpoint. My mags were essentially free so you can see the reason behind my decision.

Plus testing them for other Calgunners to make informative decisions, which you have, is a good thing.

Yeah makes sense. I paid $24 for my spare mags BTW. You can find them brand new on eBay for $23-25 all day, FYI.

[code_blue]

That is a matter of subjective opinion. If the LCI bothers the shooter he/she is not focusing on the front sight enough to shoot accurately anyway. It doesn't bother me, and by law it must be a prominent one, otherwise its purpose is defeated.

Penal Code 16380 does require the "chamber load indicator" to be prominent it basic terms, however we all know the true purpose of them isn't to blatantly tell us there is something in the chamber; it is only disguised that way.

Get's hard to focus when contrasts of the LCI start to blend with the front sight, but as you've stated it's subjective. It's one of the reasons why people pay the extra premium for the off-roster variant.

This is why there are options for those who feel that the LCI interferes with their sight picture.

Love the upgrades and thanks for sacrificing your hard earned dollars testing them out for us.

My Shield is still bone-stock but is definitely in need of some upgrades. Now I have a trusted guide to what works and what doesn't.

Thanks, B. Let me know when you're in my area and I'll bring it out for you to test.

I hate how the LCI looks too but living with it, carrying it over a year, it is a non issue. It's a gun.

Correct, it is a gun. A gun that you are trusting your life with. I personally wish to eliminate the unneeded distractions and increase my chances of prevailing, even if it is ever so slight. The LCI distracted me so I replaced it in a clean manner over shaving it down or painting over it.

Yeah makes sense. I paid $24 for my spare mags BTW. You can find them brand new on eBay for $23-25 all day, FYI.

I know. My discount gets me around there on it's own so cheaper replacements are a non-issue for me. Granted, if I purchased more mags, I'd add the MG parts to them as well. I'm used to spending $40-50 on Sig mags to begin with so it's not a shocking overall cost for me.


Thanks for the comments, folks!

[Gary13]

Op, thanks for the write up. Hope to get one of these at some point.

Did not see where you got the free 8 round mag.

Congratulations on winning the shield. I have been to two events that were giving them away as part of a raffle and lost both times.

[code_blue]

Hi Gary, the raffle holders were giving out Shield mags to random people and I happened to be one of the random people

I never expected to win; just donated to charity then surprise, surprise! You'll get yours soon enough, bud.

[beretta929mm]

Score !

[ojisan]

AY, thank you for the excellent write-up and pics!

I just jailed a Shield yesterday.
I'll be reading through this thread a bunch of times in the next ten days!
And probably ordering some goodies, too.

[Legasat]

Sweet! Nicely done!!

[code_blue]

Thanks! If you want it, Apex Tactical also makes a Shield trigger kit, but that's not necessary for me. It's not a competition gun and the OEM trigger isn't terrible. It's a tad gritty on the take up, but breaks cleanly. For an SD pistol, not an issue.

[bug_eyedmonster]

OP, thank you for the info on the maguts! I've been considering them, but my bigger problem was pinching my hand on reloads and also the eight round mags not dropping free. From what I found, the grip extension ring gets caught on my hand, causing it to disengage the mag catch, but not fall free sometimes. After researching, i found this:

http://www.safetysolutionsacademy.com/plan-b-magazine-extension-oversized-base-pad-sw-shield/

I dunno if it's worth the trouble, or just switch over to the seven round mags with the maguts kit... Thoughts?

Jerry

[Germ1]

Why you using 115gr SD?

[code_blue]

OP, thank you for the info on the maguts! I've been considering them, but my bigger problem was pinching my hand on reloads and also the eight round mags not dropping free. From what I found, the grip extension ring gets caught on my hand, causing it to disengage the mag catch, but not fall free sometimes. After researching, i found this:

http://www.safetysolutionsacademy.com/plan-b-magazine-extension-oversized-base-pad-sw-shield/

I dunno if it's worth the trouble, or just switch over to the seven round mags with the maguts kit... Thoughts?

Jerry

That's up to you to decide if you want to use. I would always recommend which is more ergo and trouble free.

A much cheaper alternative would be to use the talon grip type tape to bind the ring and the baseplate. You can see one of my extended mags with the Talon tape in one of the photos. Don't glue them as you'd lose the servicing function.

I like the idea behind it and the ledge created for malfunction clearing. I may give them a go to test on my extended mags to see if they're compatible with the MagGuts springs.

Why you using 115gr SD?

It's what I have on-hand without buying more and 115 gr is the most common for 9mm loads. My preference is 124 gr Gold Dots and will test those weights at a later time.

[Cokebottle]

Does it? I'll have to tinker with mine once I order the IWB holsters. I have read that others have also made the decision to do so.

It's not terrible, not noticeable when standing, but any kind of bend forward there's a bit of a "point" there.
It doesn't stick out any more than the 8rd mag, but the shape is just a bit more eye catching.

It probably would not be noticed by anyone who isn't also carrying or who might already suspect you to be carrying.

I haven't forked up the money for the MG kit, yet. Think I'm going to upgrade sights first, well after I pay for whatever my wife buy's herself for Christmas that is.

LOL!!!!

That is a matter of subjective opinion. If the LCI bothers the shooter he/she is not focusing on the front sight enough to shoot accurately anyway. It doesn't bother me, and by law it must be a prominent one, otherwise its purpose is defeated.

This is prominent enough....