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Rost Martin R1MF comes to Califnoria

Shield X on roster now!

Ordered a Shield X last week. I’ve been looking for a more comfortable carry than my G19, but a better shooter and more capacity than my G43. Been wanting a G48 for a while, but the off-roster prices are too much for something used. Probably won’t have it in hand for another 2 weeks, but the reviews are looking pretty solid.

I’ll add the Shield X and my BG 2.0 to my permit as soon as I’m running them both well. Very similar to the G19/G43, just need to imprint the thumb safety into muscle memory. Even if I think it’s off, I want to sweep it down at draw, just to avoid any surprises..
 
Gravel said:
Ordered a Shield X last week. I’ve been looking for a more comfortable carry than my G19, but a better shooter and more capacity than my G43. Been wanting a G48 for a while, but the off-roster prices are too much for something used. Probably won’t have it in hand for another 2 weeks, but the reviews are looking pretty solid.

I’ll add the Shield X and my BG 2.0 to my permit as soon as I’m running them both well. Very similar to the G19/G43, just need to imprint the thumb safety into muscle memory. Even if I think it’s off, I want to sweep it down at draw, just to avoid any surprises..
Click to expand...
I have both, and the safety does not get in the way, and I usually carry it with the safety off. I only use it while holstering.
 
Gravel said:
Ordered a Shield X last week. I’ve been looking for a more comfortable carry than my G19, but a better shooter and more capacity than my G43. Been wanting a G48 for a while, but the off-roster prices are too much for something used. Probably won’t have it in hand for another 2 weeks, but the reviews are looking pretty solid.

I’ll add the Shield X and my BG 2.0 to my permit as soon as I’m running them both well. Very similar to the G19/G43, just need to imprint the thumb safety into muscle memory. Even if I think it’s off, I want to sweep it down at draw, just to avoid any surprises..
Click to expand...
I always leave the Shield safety off, nice that it's flush fit and not in the way
 
Finally got a chance to shoot the Shield X today. Ran out of daylight at 150-160 rounds, all 115g fmj. Goal today was just shoot it and see if it works, and it does. No jams, nothing except functional every time I pulled the trigger.

I might swap out the sights, I like the 3 dot style better, I’ll look into just a rear sight if possible, the front is good. They were actually decent at first but the fading sunlight brought out their bad side. Verified that with another pistol I brought with 3 dot tritium sights, they were much better in those conditions.

Since I was on a tight schedule I didn’t even bring any targets, just picked a spot and shot. Accuracy seems solid but I won’t really know until the next trip.

The slide lock/release wasn’t a problem at all, when loaded it works good enough. Still needs more shooting, but it’s already smoothing out. I don’t think a brand new S&W feels good until 200-300 rounds, based on my BG 2.0 and this one, so not a lot of experience, but the two I have are consistent with each other.
 
I’m trying to find a spare slide release to modify, but CA has made it a giant PITA to buy anything mail order..

I’d like the slide release to work easier, similar to all the other pistols I own. Looking closely at the working surface explains the issue, it’s very crudely made. Stoning it even kind of smooth should be a big improvement, but I’d really like to work on it with a backup in hand just in case I get it wrong..

I’ll keep working on it until it’s good..
 

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Gravel said:
I’m trying to find a spare slide release to modify, but CA has made it a giant PITA to buy anything mail order..

I’d like the slide release to work easier, similar to all the other pistols I own. Looking closely at the working surface explains the issue, it’s very crudely made. Stoning it even kind of smooth should be a big improvement, but I’d really like to work on it with a backup in hand just in case I get it wrong..

I’ll keep working on it until it’s good..
Click to expand...
It’s just a slide stop on the shield. It’s not designed as a release. Sling shot the slide. Manuals have always referred to it as a stop not a release.

Page 12 and 22.

 
Appreciate the information!

I’ve read that, but since it’s designed exactly like others that call it a release, and I want the option to use it either way, I’m willing to work on it a bit to see if it’s doable.

My Bodyguard 2.0 has the same verbiage in the manual, after nearly 500 rounds the slide stop/release easily works either way. The difference is the slide release on my Shield X is very poorly manufactured, it’s very rough, so a little smoother should help a lot.
 
Gravel said:
Appreciate the information!

I’ve read that, but since it’s designed exactly like others that call it a release, and I want the option to use it either way, I’m willing to work on it a bit to see if it’s doable.

My Bodyguard 2.0 has the same verbiage in the manual, after nearly 500 rounds the slide stop/release easily works either way. The difference is the slide release on my Shield X is very poorly manufactured, it’s very rough, so a little smoother should help a lot.
Click to expand...
Get some, I just sling shot all my pistols. 1911’s and 92’s maybe I’ll hit the stop but all the plastic stuff has never worked well so I retrained to sling shot and not worry about missing or it being stiff.
 
Looking at the fit of the slide “stop” (said with a touch of sarcasm, lol) I noticed that it was digging into the frame a little bit under the thumb release. I didn’t want to pull everything apart tonight, so I took a small square of #400 sandpaper and slid it under the thumb release and worked it for a few minutes. The deburring made a noticeable difference, it’s still a little difficult to release the slide, but now it’s consistently smoother and doesn’t just refuse to move. Also used the tip of a #2000 diamond hone to polish the high points off of the release lever where it interacts with the slide.

I’m still going to buy a replacement slide lever, I’ve got one other thought I’d like to try, but it’s maybe a part destroying thing so need to do it on a spare..IMG_6990.webp
 
The shield X is so reliable it’s almost boring. Put another 250 rounds through it today, no malfunction of any kind so far. Tried 2 brands of 115 FMJ and a few mags of sig 124 HP. Need to find some 147. The feel has smoothed out nicely, and the touch up I did to the slide release (stop?) got it working good enough for me.
 
Gravel said:
The shield X is so reliable it’s almost boring. Put another 250 rounds through it today, no malfunction of any kind so far. Tried 2 brands of 115 FMJ and a few mags of sig 124 HP. Need to find some 147. The feel has smoothed out nicely, and the touch up I did to the slide release (stop?) got it working good enough for me.
Click to expand...
You'd prefer it be less reliable?
 
NorCALSpeed said:
You'd prefer it be less reliable?
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Nope, it’s reliability is just right!

The slide stop/release is the only thing that’s keeping me from calling it a perfect CCW, and that’s getting better with every box of ammo. Otherwise it’s a very good gun, I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something in its size range.
 
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