I took the PPS M2 and the PC Shield to the range today. I can shoot the PC better than the PPS M2 meaning the PC shield fit my hand better and the recoil is reduced from the ports. Either one was fine and I suspect any of the ones I mentioned will do you well. I typically shoot at 7 yards and periodically go to 10-15-20 and 25 yards. Both did well today. Accuracy was close between both. I was using blazer brass 115gr fmj I think the Shield is a tiny bit smaller and holds 8 rounds. 9 with the mag guts Both guns have been 100 % reliable. I will copy and paste my findings with the G43
I purchased a new G43 and installed ameriglo night sights and ghost edge connector. I have 4 mags all the number 1 mags. Two I left stock OEM6 rounders and one I put on taran tactical +2 base plate (with new spring provided) and the other strike industries EMP G43 +2 second gen base plate (with a spare brand new taran tactical spring).
With FMJ 115gr winchester white boxes everything performed flawlessly. G-43 shot great, sights were great and ghost edge worked well. I tried out Federal HST 124gr +P, Federal HST 147gr, Federal HST 147 +P and Speer 124 +P gold dots. They all performed flawlessly out of the OEM 6 rounders. The Federal HST 147 +P consistently shot the tighter groups while all were acceptable groups.
BUT in either of the +2 mag extensions I had consistent failure to feed with ALL the different self defense loads. Most failure to feeds were on the last 7th or 8th round.
So I replaced the stronger springs with the factory 6 round spring and +2 base pads and I had greater failures. Some were at the second round, some the fourth and some last seven or eighth. Just to make sure I used my other OEM 6 rounders and again all self defense loads functioned flawlessly.
For me I could only get the FMJ to perform with the +2 base pads. ALL of the self defense loads had failure to feed issues with the +2 base pads with either stock spring or taran tactical supplied spring.
Next time I head to the range I am trying the pearce grip +1 extension and stock OEM 6 round springs.
UPDATE: I went to the range with the taran +1 and the pearce +1 and 3 oem 6 rounders. The 6 rounders were flawless with Speer gold dot 124+P, Federal HST 124, 147, 124+P and 147+P and Corbon barnes bullets. With BOTH +1 extensions I had failures to feed with ALL the different hollow points around 5th-6th round. With FMJ the +1's functioned fine.
I purchased a Honor Guard couple of months ago.
Ergonomics were good. Fits the hand nicely, Stippling works well, I use the curved back strap. Fit and finish is good and adequate for a sub $500 pistol. Internals look good and the removable chassis is very easy to do. Trigger is wide and mine breaks closer to 6 1/2 pounds not 7 1/2. I do have a lyman digital gauge but haven't had a chance to use it yet. It is easier than my Glock 43 and on par with the PPS M2. Magazines resemble the shield and drop free nicely. Ambidextrous controls are well placed and functional. I also purchased a couple extra 8 rounders, new barrel and a couple of recoil springs for spares since they are proprietary.
Now for the interesting part Range time. I loaded up 3 8 rounders with Federal HST 124+P right off the bat. First shot was 6" low and the pistol failed to feed the next round. This occurred for all 24 rounds. I could not get Federal HST's to cycle at all. They would fire when I did get them chambered. So I went to FMJ and rounds were still 4-6" low but cycled flawlessly. So I found the president of the company's phone number Gary Ramey and telephoned him. He was quite concerned and got me in direct touch with his firearms engineer Adam. Adam and I discussed this situation and I felt it was not the magazines but the feed ramp lip at the bottom. I told him I have the new barrel and will try that. He asked me to caliper measure the two barrels and the original barrel was .010 larger in most all dimensions. I went back to the range last Sunday with the new barrel. All Federal HST's 124 +P, and 124 non +P cycled perfectly and all shots were POA=POI. All FMJ were flawless as well. So I then practiced mag reloads and ran into a problem that "sometimes" the HST round would nose dive in the mag and hang up on the feed ramp. I texted this information to Gary and Sunday night he called me saying he near my vicinity (I am in Albany NY and the Honor Defense is in GA). He asked if he could meet up with me so on Monday Gary drove to my office. We sat for an hour or two discussing and troubleshooting. He took my original barrel and left me a couple of 8 rounders (one new and one used that functions perfectly for me to try) They are going to address this issue and get back to me with a new barrel. I did not have this issue with Speer 124 +P gold dots, Ranger 124+P or Corbon DPX 115 +P. Only Federal HST which of course is my carry round. I can not say enough about their customer service. It was above and beyond for Gary to stop in and help with this issue. I will keep everyone updated on the progress. Their customer service so far is beyond fantastic. They have replaced my barrel and so far so good.
