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Smith and Wesson Shield: Get rid of that thumb safety!!

14K views 40 replies 36 participants last post by  lordhamster  
#1 ·
Hey all started carrying the Smith shield in 9mm recently. The one thing I hate about it is the safety. I know that the safety is super stiff and probably won't actuate with a bump or slight rub, but I'm worried after a few thousand rounds, that it might loosen up. Is there anything wrong with just throwing some locktite on there and essentially glue it down??? Does anybody know?? Thanks a bunch.
 
#11 ·
If not wanting one, not using one and not training for activating/deactivating one ... yes, I worry about flicking it on/off and rendering my sidearm inoperative. Of course, my background is almost exclusively with DA/DA (or striker-fired) pistols without manual safeties.

I, too, would seriously consider the S&W Shield if they offered it without the manual thumb safety. Many folks seem to just ignore the safety on it, wishing it didn't exist as well.
 
#4 ·
Plus 1 on just train to swipe it off. Ive used both over the years with externals and without. Once you get used to manual safeties it becomes automatic to swipe it off as you draw and does not affect your draw and first shot speed. Even using pistols with no external safety the safety off swipe on the draw is a non thought of action for me personally.
 
#5 ·
The Sheild is the only gun I carry (so far). I have never ever had the safety engage going from holster to hand on the draw. If you use a quality holster, I see no reason to fret over an accidental safety activation. Might as well worry about an accidental discharge while holstered.

Much ado about nothing if you ask me.
 
#6 ·
I train swiping mine off all the time...at the range and at home. It is second nature to me now. It has to be as it's my EDC.
 
#7 ·
If you're worried about the safety, why would you buy a handgun with one?
Or maybe you bought it and you just did not realize that you did not like safety.

All of my carry pistols have a safety and is always on.
I practice flipping it off on the draw.
Now the home defense do not have safeties.
But, that is my personal preference and how I want to carry.

Be careful when you start messing with adhesives, any of it gets into the wrong area it will mess up your gun.
 
#19 ·
If you're worried about the safety, why would you buy a handgun with one?
. . .
All of my carry pistols have a safety and is always on.
I practice flipping it off on the draw.
This is exactly the problem. The Shield is $100-200 cheaper than most other quality single-stacks. I'm going to get a Walther P.P.S. when I return to the United States, for which I have to sacrifice one round magazine capacity and an additional $150 (granted, I'm also paying for the ergonomics and trigger of the Walther). I don't want to mess with a manual safety: I'd only carry a pistol with one if it had every other advantage.

Hear that faint whisper in your ear Buy a glock
Glock doesn't make a single-stack 9mm or .40.
 
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#12 ·
The one thing I hate about it is the safety
This doesn't seem to be a problem. At least, not with any of the semi-autos that I own. The safety switches on my guns are firm, requiring a deliberate movement with a "click" from one position to the other. It isn't the case that they would move from one state to the other accidentally. Certainly not from drawing. So if you want to carry your Shield with the switch in the "fire" position, then carry it that way. Or carry it the other way. You have this choice.
 
#13 ·
When you can't get the gun apart to clean it, remember who introduced the loctite to the innards. :rolleyes:

Learning to flick off the thumb safety is not rocket science.... for most folks....

As posted by others, personal preference, training, proficiency.... all prerequisites for carrying a firearm.
 
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#22 ·
I carry a Ruger SR40C (known for their safeties). The holster I use
protects the trigger exceptionally well, but the safety is exposed. I EDC at AIWB (1:30). When we go to restaurants (Especially in tight booths) I rub up against the table (I am not a small person) and many times i will find my safety left on hot. (I can feel it through my clothes , so it's not really a big deal. I set back on)
 
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#23 ·
Personally, I'd worry about the Shield's safety getting loose in future about is much as I worry about the safety on a 1911 gun getting loose and that is no worry at all.
 
#26 ·
I have carried my shield daily for almost a year. I have never used the safety, and I dont intend to start. The safety, IMO, was poorly designed, almost as an afterthought. The actual surface of the safety is so small, it is difficult to manipulate, and more so under duress. Since I dont like it I just leave it off...AKA glock mode. I have never had a it inadvertently be put on by a holster. As far as gluing goes, I would not do it. Just leave it off, or look for another gun if you are not comfortable with that.
 
#28 ·
I carry my shield with the safety off. In my mind, the chances of it engaging on and then needing it for self defense are less than being struck by a meteorite.

But its your decision, and there's nothing wrong in selling/trading a gun you don't feel confident in.
 
#30 ·
You must be living in the 1980s. That article is as outdated as Bill Clinton hooking up with Monica Lewinsky.


I have one of the earliest S&W Shields. I have run it through at least a half-dozen defensive shooting courses and two dozen range qualifications, not to mention hours and hours of practice presenting from the holster, make changes, tactical reloads, function drills, etc. The safety lever is just as stiff now as it was the day I bought it and it has never once accidentally engaged. In fact I spent some time at the range trying to intentionally get it to engage and couldn't without applying thumb pressure. I understand the allure of having one without a safety lever at all, but on this particular gun I think it's a nonissue.