YAGT: Bought my first gun today. Update, Pic added.

[XJustMeX21]

Been looking for a concealed carry gun that still fit comfortably in my hand for awhile. A good friend of mine had told me to check out the M&P Shield if I could find one. Well it took me a week but I found one today. I haven't had the chance to shoot it yet as it's a nasty day here in NW Ohio.

The part that really surprised me about the whole process is that it only took me 15 minutes from telling the guy behind the counter that I wanted it till I was walking out the door with it. I've never been in any trouble and I knew Ohio didn't have any laws requiring you to wait, but still 15 minutes stunned me.

UPDATE

After putting 100 rounds though it I couldn't be happier with it.

By request:

 

[Away]

Yeah, those background checks are pretty quick. That's a nice gun by the way, did you get it in 9MM or .40?

 

[deadlyapp]

Looks about the same as my M&P compact but with a slightly shorter barrel. love mine.

 

[XJustMeX21]

9MM, I think it's a little thinner than the M&P C also but yeah pretty close.

 

[irishScott]

Yeah I've heard good things about the shield. It's brand new, only been shipping for a few days IIRC, hence the availability problems.

I can also personally vouch that if you have any issues with the gun, Smith & Wesson customer service is top notch.

 

[irishScott]

9MM, I think it's a little thinner than the M&P C also but yeah pretty close.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...57753_757752_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...80153_757781_757781_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

The shield is a couple oz lighter, significantly thinner (.25 inches, which for a carry gun is significant), and .6" shorter. Biggest difference is single-vs double stack and MSRP.

Basically S&W wanted to make an affordable concealed carry gun, so they took the M&Pc and refined it toward that end.

Shield porn: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7pmjCWSgJU

 

[pontifex]

I thought you had to have a FOID in Ohio, or am I thinking of another state?

 

[shortylickens]

Federal law requires a background check. Even if its done over the phone you always wait at least 10 minutes, usually more.

 

[schneiderguy]

I thought you had to have a FOID in Ohio, or am I thinking of another state?

That's Illinois.

Good choice OP, S&W makes good guns.

 

[Baked]

Just remember, you shoot to kill. If you don't wanna kill it, don't pull out your gun.

 

[boomhower]

Very good choice. Now get out and practice practice practice.

 

[Imyourzero]

Hmmm...I was looking at the Kahr CM9 but I might have to check this one out too. I just picked up a S&W Bodyguard for personal carry, but haven't had a chance to test it out yet.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

shot placement > caliber. Practice lots.

 

[olds]

"YAGT: Bought my first gun today."
"Been looking for a concealed carry gun"

That concerns me.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

"YAGT: Bought my first gun today."
"Been looking for a concealed carry gun"

That concerns me.

first gun i bought was my LCP for concealed carry. makes sense to me...

 

[boomhower]

"YAGT: Bought my first gun today."
"Been looking for a concealed carry gun"

That concerns me.

It's not a problem as long as he does it right. Buy gun, take course, shoot the joke of a 50 round or less qualifier, and start carrying said gun. Very bad idea.

Buy gun, take safety course, practice, take training course, practice more, get CCW, continue practicing, take advanced training course, keep practicing, = much better way to go.

You need to know how to operate your firearm and be able to hit what the hell your trying to shoot before carrying. Realize that every round you send downrange has a lawyer attached to it(and/or prosecutor) and small guns are not the easiest to shoot. Also consider than on average your shooting skills under stress are about 20% of what you do on the range. Heed the need to get your skills up to par before carrying.

Also a quality gun belt and holster will make carrying much more comfortable, even with a small gun. Spend $150 and nice belt and holster, you'll thank yourself everyday.

 

[XJustMeX21]

"YAGT: Bought my first gun today."
"Been looking for a concealed carry gun"

That concerns me.

I've been shooting guns for about twenty years now. This just happens to be the first that I've bought.

I was gifted my other guns when family members have passed away. Unfortunately none of them are designed for concealment. That's not to say I don't need practice with it and I can assure you I will put several hundred rounds though it asap!

 

[shortylickens]

I think his issue is that the first gun the guy ever owned was for concealed carry. Whereas his first gun probably should have been a basic target pistol so he could practice the fundamentals. Probably a Mark III or something similar. Maybe a PPK in 22.

 

[velillen]

Just cause you buy a gun and its the first you have physically purchased doesnt mean its his first time shooting or first gun owned. I've been shooting (albeit very casually) for probably 20 years now and never owned a gun. Last year my dad gave me his old SW 19-3 revolver. A month ago i technically "purchased my first gun" (a sig p226)

Still congrats. I was looking at the shield and still am for carry. Still am just waiting for funds to build back up

 

[pontifex]

Just cause you buy a gun and its the first you have physically purchased doesnt mean its his first time shooting or first gun owned. I've been shooting (albeit very casually) for probably 20 years now and never owned a gun. Last year my dad gave me his old SW 19-3 revolver. A month ago i technically "purchased my first gun" (a sig p226)

Still congrats. I was looking at the shield and still am for carry. Still am just waiting for funds to build back up

wait, who let people with common sense on this forum? MODS!!!

 

[olds]

It's not a problem as long as he does it right. Buy gun, take course, shoot the joke of a 50 round or less qualifier, and start carrying said gun. Very bad idea.

Buy gun, take safety course, practice, take training course, practice more, get CCW, continue practicing, take advanced training course, keep practicing, = much better way to go.

You need to know how to operate your firearm and be able to hit what the hell your trying to shoot before carrying. Realize that every round you send downrange has a lawyer attached to it(and/or prosecutor) and small guns are not the easiest to shoot. Also consider than on average your shooting skills under stress are about 20% of what you do on the range. Heed the need to get your skills up to par before carrying.

Also a quality gun belt and holster will make carrying much more comfortable, even with a small gun. Spend $150 and nice belt and holster, you'll thank yourself everyday.

Unfortunately, many people do not train consistently. As you know, it takes lots of practice to develop muscle memory.

 

[olds]

first gun i bought was my LCP for concealed carry. makes sense to me...

Sound squirrely to me...

 

[T_Yamamoto]

 

[cardiac]

I've been shooting guns for about twenty years now. This just happens to be the first that I've bought.

I was gifted my other guns when family members have passed away. Unfortunately none of them are designed for concealment. That's not to say I don't need practice with it and I can assure you I will put several hundred rounds though it asap!

Everyone should take a couple of basic courses. There are numerous NRA courses taught around the country that are reasonable in cost and teach many of the needed basics for home defense, handgun carry, etc. Find one near you: http://www.nrainstructors.org/CourseCatalog.aspx


He OWNS and shoots various guns. For 20 years. None are suitable for carry, so this is the first gun he has PURCHASED.

Read what folks write before you get so high and mighty.

 

[slag]

Very good choice. Now get out and practice practice practice.

Its too expensive to practice.