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The Smith & Wesson Shield Has Arrived

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Update 4/16/2012

Check out our first impressions mini review of the Smith & Wesson Shield!

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[image source_type=”attachment_id” source_value=”2378″ title=”Smith & Wesson Shield” align=”right” icon=”zoom” lightbox=”true” size=”medium” autoHeight=”true”] After seven days of puzzle piece clues (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) showing up daily for brief minutes on Facebook and leaked photos to the internet, the Smith & Wesson Shield announcement has finally arrived.

Smith & Wesson announced the Shield today at the NRA Annual Meeting. The Shield is indeed a single stack polymer pistol, and will be available in both 9mm and .40 S&W.

As you can see from the specifications below, the 9mm and .40 S&W are identical in size and weight. The Shield should compete nicely in the single stack concealed carry market against guns like the Kahr CM9 we reviewed.

9mm Specifications

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Capacity 7+1, 8+1
Action Striker
Barrel Length 3.1″ / 7.874 cm
Overall Length 6.1″ / 15.5 cm
Frame Width .95″ / 2.413 cm
Overall Height 4.6″ / 11.684 cm
Weight 19.0 oz / 538.7 g
Front Sight White Dot
Rear Sight White 2 Dot
MSRP $449

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.40 S&W Specifications

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Capacity 6+1, 7+1
Action Striker
Barrel Length 3.1″ / 7.874 cm
Overall Length 6.1″ / 15.5 cm
Frame Width .95″ / 2.413 cm
Overall Height 4.6″ / 11.684 cm
Weight 19.0 oz / 538.7 g
Front Sight White Dot
Rear Sight White 2 Dot
MSRP $449

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Video

Great video from James Yeager below, with Jerry Miculek and Julie Golob from Smith & Wesson discussing the features and shooting the Shield. The video finishes up with James and Caleb from GunNuts discussing the Shield. Of particular interest to me was the discussion on the trigger reset and manual safety. More information here.

Shooting Times Magazine also has a nice video review posted.

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10 Responses to The Smith & Wesson Shield Has Arrived

  1. NYUGrad April 12, 2012 at 11:44 am #

    love the design. i love they will offer it in both 9mm and 40 cal. this is going to be one of the hottest ccw sellers.

    • Brandon April 12, 2012 at 11:47 am #

      I completely agree. They also did a very smart thing in getting the design out to the accessory market before the launch.

  2. John April 12, 2012 at 12:33 pm #

    I don’t usually buy new guns, but I’m buying the first one I see.

  3. Derek April 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm #

    Meh. Another single stack plastic gun. That makes what…20 now?

    • Jeremy April 12, 2012 at 8:09 pm #

      Yeah, and probably the second one with a decent trigger (the other being the PPS). Why all of these manufacturers think a compact pistol needs a mile long trigger pulls is beyond me.

      • Brandon April 12, 2012 at 8:26 pm #

        Agreed, though the PM9/CM9 trigger pull is very smooth (albeit long). Haven’t tried the Nano yet, I’ve heard mixed reports.

  4. cj April 12, 2012 at 12:48 pm #

    After watching a couple of videos to get a better feel on the size, I dropped by my LGS to get them on the phone with their rep to get in the queue…with me having first dibs, of course.

    • Brandon April 12, 2012 at 12:50 pm #

      Nicely done! You’re getting one for me too right?

  5. steve April 21, 2012 at 8:07 pm #

    Picked one up yesterday. Got the last one at Academy in Cedar Park, Tx for $399 in 9mm.
    Took it to the range today. Love this little guy. Really fun to shoot and my wife also loved it. As a matter of fact she’s claimed it a hers already 🙂

    • Brandon April 22, 2012 at 7:22 am #

      Haha, well you can always get another one I guess.