CA M&P Shield Mods & MagGuts Spring Test

[Ironmaiden66]

Sent more rounds down range today. Oddly, the only thing to fail so far from my Shield project was the Talon grips. Tsk tsk. Sending an email to Talon about this.






On the bright side, the P2000 performed flawlessly. .357 Sig was a hoot to shoot. It handled both .40 and .357 Sig no problem; very controllable. Not as good as my P229, but still good.


EDIT: QA from Talon

http://talongungrips.com/faq.html

Q How long do your grips last?
A We guarantee that our grips will last 90 days. If the instructions are followed correctly, these grips can last years (depending upon use, storage, etc).

Not even 90 days, but it's obviously a wear and tear item so I won't bother to contact them. Experiment yielded a negative result.

I had those exact same talon grips on my shield some time ago and they came off in the EXACT same spot. I ended up cutting that little square off but it always bothered me

[code_blue]

I had those exact same talon grips on my shield some time ago and they came off in the EXACT same spot. I ended up cutting that little square off but it always bothered me

Lol. I tried that, but just ripped the whole thing off after. The differences in valleys were enough to annoy me. The separation or ledge between the talon and the upper frame were enough to annoy me also.

I guess it's time to send my Shield over to ya like originally planned. Probably in the next month or so. I need to renew my permit first. I may have my P2000 sent to you also as I'm starting to find that it can get slippery.

[Soginator]

Orange County CCW holders, how legal is it to modify the LCI and mag springs? From what I'm reading on the terms of license acknowledgement, we can't modify anything at all?

[code_blue]

Orange County CCW holders, how legal is it to modify the LCI and mag springs? From what I'm reading on the terms of license acknowledgement, we can't modify anything at all?

You'll have to confirm with your IA, but post that question here:

OC CCW Forum


GL

[Soginator]

Orange County CCW holders, how legal is it to modify the LCI and mag springs? From what I'm reading on the terms of license acknowledgement, we can't modify anything at all?

Decided to contact OCSD directly instead of rely on forums. For anyone who is concerned, the answer I got back is that the lci block counts as a frame modification and is not allowed, but the spring modification for the magazine is good to go as long as it remains 10 rounds or less. If anyone would like a copy of this email I can screen shot it and send it to you. Just send me a pm.

[89LT1]

Well, back before S&W released the Shield w/out manual safety, there were folks across various forums that were going to do that. Even Apex Tactical was considering a delete kit if there was enough interest.

Unfortunately, after S&W released the new Shield, the plans went kaputz and everyone stopped caring. Only we in CA are stuck with the manual safety. Everyone else has the option to buy the version without.

Unless a CA member with CAD experience and a 3D printer were to answer the call, it is unlikely that this will be produced. The market is slim and it is generally an aesthetic modification. For me, it was a must so I did it.

id be willing to give it a try,
I have a 3d printer and a waterjet that can cut any kind of plastic. however I am wondering if a 3d printed part could be slide in and be a non permanent part that drops in without the need for adhesive to make the modification reversible. If anyone is interested in working this out and has a shield to provide dimensions let me know. It would help if our int he socal area.

[code_blue]

id be willing to give it a try,
I have a 3d printer and a waterjet that can cut any kind of plastic. however I am wondering if a 3d printed part could be slide in and be a non permanent part that drops in without the need for adhesive to make the modification reversible. If anyone is interested in working this out and has a shield to provide dimensions let me know. It would help if our int he socal area.

That'd be great! It'd have to be pretty tight to not require an adhesive considering the energy transferred through the pistol, but who knows.

Go get em and post back. I'll gladly buy and test for all.

[code_blue]

Alright, carrying it daily with multiple range trips. Floppy disk is holding strong and has caused zero issues.

MG parts are good to go. Zero malfunctions still. I did swap the OEM floorplate for the MG one just to have a bit of extra space when seating with +1 in the chamber with the flush mag. It wasn't needed, but it was just easier. I still don't like the MG floorplate with the extended mags so I'll leave the OEM floorplates in there.

I ended up liking the S&W platform so much that I went and bought the Shield's older brother:




First order of business is to remove the MDC. I have the "H" trigger bar assembly and slide stop with hump on their way (Delivered as of today actually). It's to update to the more audible and tactile reset as with the newer, revamped M&P line which mimics the Shield trigger. Nail polish mod already done lol.

[Jimi Jah]

I like mine the way it is. If I ever wanted to do that much aftermarket work on a semi-auto pistol, I would start with a better gun than the $350 Shield.

BTW, Mag Commander sells the Shield mags for $21.

[code_blue]

I started with a free shield and mags, but you've missed the point of the thread. This was a testing gun with posted information so others can decide if the modifications are worth it to them.

I can't seem to think of any readily available CA compliant 9mm single stack pistol that is "better" than a Shield. The P238 is almost twice the cost, doesn't have the same aftermarket support, and is in .380.

I have what, 3(?) aftermarket mods on it, all of which are functional. That's hardly "that much".

[neomedic]

^^^ Thanks for the info OP. About how many rounds through the Mag Gut magazines now? Glad to see it has been flawless.

[code_blue]

^^^ Thanks for the info OP. About how many rounds through the Mag Gut magazines now? Glad to see it has been flawless.

Estimated 800-900 rounds. Mostly Miwall 125 gr reloads with occasional new Federal range ammo. Mixed HP rounds ranging from 115 gr Hornady Critical Defense, 135 gr Hornady Critical Duty, 100 gr Powerball, and 124 gr Gold Dots (my preference).

Other members here have the MG parts installed also. I'm sure that they can chime in. Cokebottle is one member and IDK if P5 got his or not yet.

That additional round can be the difference in a life threatening situation. Seconds matter and trying to reload quickly and efficiently under duress is one of the factors.

That's what people are forgetting when they say that they'd rather just buy another mag. Well, I already carry two spare extended mags with the MG parts. I'm not going to find a way to carry even more on my person. Maybe in my car or other auxiliary location.

If I needed even more rounds, I'd just carry a bigger gun, which I do when the circumstances permit. 31 rounds of Underwood 125 gr .357 Sig rated at 1500 FPS is plenty given the CA civilian capacity limitations.

[Cokebottle]

^^^ Thanks for the info OP. About how many rounds through the Mag Gut magazines now? Glad to see it has been flawless.

I've run maybe 300rds of Federal 147 JHP through my carry and backup mags.

Backup mag is the extended, so it's got 9rds, only one shy of the G26. Carry mag is the flush "7rd" so it's nice having 8.

I also put the MG kit in the Kahr P380 and have had no issues that can't be attributed to the "new" P380.
Planning to put another 200 through it tomorrow.

[neomedic]

^^^ Good to know. Thanks for the info. Please keep us updated on the P380 maguts as well. I like the P380.

[code_blue]

MG is making springs for the .40 Shield also. Dunno when it'll be released though.