Shield w/wo external safety

[44fred]

A few years back when I bought my S&W Shield 9mm, I asked on this forum about carrying it with the safety off. I could not see the difference between a Glock and the Shield with the safety disengaged, safety wise.
I got blasted (a little) for my suggestion. Now that S&W is producing the Shield w/o an external safety as a new model, what is the difference internally??

[Carcassonne]

They have always had a model without a thumb safety. You just can't get one in California from your dealer unless you are exempt from the roster.

The only difference is there is no thumb safety and no hole in the frame. The sear block is basically the same. It might have a fewer machine cuts because it doesn't use the safety lever. You should be able to put a non-safety sear block in a California pistol. At least the other M&P guns can do that.



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[russ69]

It's fine without a safety but you need to be careful when re-inserting into your holster. Make sure the trigger doesn't get hung upon something.

[ABR]

I only use the safety while holstering, then flipped off. I still "walk" it in carefully checking for anything in the way (shirt, sweater/jacket zipper, etc.).

[Chewy65]

I only use the safety while holstering, then flipped off. I still "walk" it in carefully checking for anything in the way (shirt, sweater/jacket zipper, etc.).

What happens when you flip the safety off, if the trigger was caught on something as you holstered your Shield? Do not try this with a live round chambered, but use a snap cap.

[tonyxcom]

what is the difference internally??

There are a few parts in the sear housing area that are different.

I removed the safety on a M&P45. You just changed the sear housing (or whatever its called) and slid a plug into the notch in the frame. I've never heard of a factory plug for the Shield but I do know people have removed the safety.

I NEVER used the safety on my Shield for any reason and carried it everyday for several years before a recent switch to a G43.

[ABR]

What happens when you flip the safety off, if the trigger was caught on something as you holstered your Shield? Do not try this with a live round chambered, but use a snap cap.

Good thinking. I've never simulated that situation. I've always been extremely careful holstering so no issues. For the Shield I use an IWB Kydex unit and confident that nothing is hung up as long as my shirt/jacket clears. I take it down weekly and will check into that scenario next time with a cap.

[rlewpolar]

Shield w/wo external safety

The nice thing about the Shield safety is that it is completely unobtrusive and impossible to engage if you don't mean to. It is a great design by S&W.

I leave it off and carry my Shield the way I do my Glocks, with a good kydex holster and a very careful reholstering technique. So far so good. I do not mind it being there at all personally. Removing it and leaving a gap in the frame doesn't seem to be worth it in the least.


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