M&P Shield vs. Walther PPS

[jmra]

I have been carrying a Glock 23 for several years. Love the glock. But I'm wanting to add to my carry rotation a thinner firearm that would be easier to conceal and more comfortable.

I think I've narrowed it down to the Shield and the PPS both in 9mm. I have no experience with either, only what I have read and the reviews/comparisons I have seen on YouTube.

I'm sure I'll find a PPS to hold in my hands this weekend. Not holding out as much hope for the Shield.

Thoughts?

[Songbird]

I really don't know much about the Shield other than that I didn't like the way it felt in my hands. As to the PPS it fits me like a glove. I've shot several hundred rounds through it with not one problem. It has a nice trigger, is extremely easy to take down, and I like the mag release on the trigger guard. It's very slim, not too heavy, easy to conceal, and has the option of 6, 7, or 8 round magazines and a large or small backstrap, depending on what fits you best. Just make sure you get one with a BB or BC date code. The older ones had some slide stop issues, but Walther fixed it with the 2011 models. Also be sure to get the model number WAP10001, not WAP10006. The 06 has the Massachusetts friendly long trigger pull. There's my .02 and that's probably exactly what it's worth.

[Dave2]

I have been carrying a Glock 23 for several years. Love the glock. But I'm wanting to add to my carry rotation a thinner firearm that would be easier to conceal and more comfortable.

I think I've narrowed it down to the Shield and the PPS both in 9mm. I have no experience with either, only what I have read and the reviews/comparisons I have seen on YouTube.

I'm sure I'll find a PPS to hold in my hands this weekend. Not holding out as much hope for the Shield.

Thoughts?

I actually like the mag release on the PPS. I decided, though, that if I was going to carry it, I'd have to switch to a PPQ for my "full-size" carry gun so that I wouldn't have to think as much during mag changes (shucks).

[Songbird]

I actually like the mag release on the PPS. I decided, though, that if I was going to carry it, I'd have to switch to a PPQ for my "full-size" carry gun so that I wouldn't have to think as much during mag changes (shucks).

We have the "Q" as well. Also a VERY nice gun. And I agree with keeping things consistent for mag changes.

[RHenriksen]

I went from a Glock 23 to a PPS in 2009. Love the PPS!

The M&P Shield looks like a great gun as well, it really boils down to how each feels in your hand.

I switch between a full size M&P and the PPS; the different mag release mechanism don't bother me at all.

[AlfaBrewer]

We ended up with the Shield, as my wife did not like the finger grooves on the PPS.

As for how the Shield feels in the hand, it's very similar to the M&P Compact or the Taurus PT111. Those two are slightly wider (~3/8").

[RHenriksen]

Sounds good. Let us know how she likes it once you get to try it out at the range!

[AlfaBrewer]

I gave her the Shield for Mother's Day. She loves it. Which is a good thing, since she hates shooting my revolvers.

It handles like a compact 9. Mild recoil with 115 gr, a bit snappier with 124. She prefers the 8 round magazine over the 7, simply because she like to have all of her fingers on the grip. That said, she will use either magazine and shoots equally well with both.

[Maxwell]

Shield vs. PPS. That's a good question. One of the first guns I bought for carry was a PPS9. Absolutely love it! So did my Mamma Bear so it's now her's...
My EDC is a M&Pc and I have looked at the Shield several times as a "slightly thinner version" of my EDC.

Both the Shield and PPS are close in size and weight. Both are accurate as all get out ( my personal feeling is that the PPS is more accurate but that only counts on paper targets). Both feel good in the hand. If you're left-handed like my wife you might like the PPS mag release better. Even as right hander I love that mag release, but a lot of people don't so personal choice.

I think the Shield is a little less expensive but I have seen the PPS for as little as $550 around Houston.

[FuziDave]

i have them both. both are great guns.
i don't notice much difference in handling.
i feel i'm a little more accurate with the PPS, tho it took me a minute or two to figure out where the magazine release was :)
i like the Sheild (i know i'm gonna regret saying this) for the thumb safety.

i don't think you can go wrong with either one.

[TexasGal]

I have not shot the PPS, but my new Shield has impressed me. Right out of the box, it was making easy sub 2" groups at 7 yards and 5" groups at 15 yards. I am sure it would do even better for a better marksman It has a good trigger with a nice short and distinct reset.
Mine is the 9mm version which the gun is reportedly designed for. The .40 version is plagued with magazine drops in some of them (see a long running thread in the S&W forum). But the 9mm is dependable. Easy recoil for the size and it had zero malfunctions right out of the box. Academy's price is $399 if you can catch one off the truck (call at 7:30am around your local stores). It is well worth that.