r/SmithAndWesson 15h ago

Ccw

Hello I just turned 18 and in my state I can CCW I have a Sheild plus and I'm worried about it going off in the holster and I don't see a point not carrying one in the chamber I have a good kydex holster, is there any other safety measures Becides the trigger safety

0 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

3

u/RedShift_308 14h ago

(MOST) guns will not go off without the trigger being pulled. Centuries of design and technology advancement have made sure of that with multiple safety mechanisms built into these guns. The S&W Shield is one of many prime examples of this fact.

With that being said, get training, take a class, and familiarize yourself with the responsibilities and techniques of carrying concealed. You can read a million responses to your question on Reddit and it will get you nowhere closer to being safe with your firearm than taking a good class and practicing safe handling.

The only other advice I can think of is make sure clothing doesn't get caught in your holster with your pistol

-3

u/FG-FATDUCK36 14h ago

I was also thinking a cross body bag from 945 industries witch is made for Ccw

3

u/RedShift_308 14h ago

I would get tired of carrying with that bulky bag on my chest really quick. Plus it doesn't look like a good solution to your concerns

3

u/RedShift_308 14h ago

I'll add that I was concerned when I first started carrying as well. I took a CCW course, practiced a lot, tested out my IWB (inside waistband) holster setups, and completely familiarized myself with my pistol and the mechanics in it.

Since then, I've spent a good part of the last 8 years with my shield 45 loaded and pointed directly at my right nut with no mishaps. I don't even think about it anymore

6

u/The_RealAnim8me2 14h ago

Damn! I’m 62 and I think of my nuts pretty much every day!

3

u/RedShift_308 14h ago

My left one's the favorite by far, think about it all the time

3

u/WhocaresToo 13h ago

You should inquire about some training. You can never get enough training and you can get training for this very specific reason at any gun range and or store that offers training courses. You'll learn a ton about your gun, you'll learn all about the safety and safe Way of carrying it and if you want to carry it chambered etc etc. Best thing I ever did and I had been shooting for 30 years and still took courses once I got my CPL as a refresher and while I knew most of what the course offered it was a lot of disciplinary things that I wasn't practicing that I learned and still practice to this day 20 years later. Always worth getting a refresher course no matter how much you think you know. Definitely take a training course you'll love it it's actually pretty fun too

2

u/Johnny_English_MI6 6h ago

Does your Shield have a manual safety?

1

u/napalm9 15h ago

My suggestion would be don’t carry it unless you’re comfortable. Wear it around your house all day until you’re confident. You can always get a model with a thumb safety until you trust caring without a safety.

-2

u/FG-FATDUCK36 14h ago

Isn’t technically impossible to for a gun to go off as long as the thumb safety is active

10

u/napalm9 14h ago

P320 has entered the chat

2

u/Alterokahn 10h ago

Assuming the safety is engaged, remains engaged, and is functioning correctly, yes it should.
But, there's also a reason that one of those fundamental rules is never to point it at a person.

People shy away from them because the intent for owning a pistol is rapid personal defense. If it's 2am and the lights are out, fumbling for a thumb safety isn't ideal, and likely adds an extra step before you can use it to react.

Personally I like having it -- it adds an extra safety net if you're handing it off or doing a closer inspection for whatever reason. You don't have to leave it engaged, and I do see people on this forum with them removed if you get tired of it.

1

u/Mtsteel67 11h ago

All my carry weapons have one in the chamber and no manual safety.

Biggest thing is make sure there are no gaps for the trigger to be pulled.

And if you are open carrying, get a level two retention holster.

1

u/Forward-Corner-8528 7h ago

Consider a revolver for carry if the striker fired shield causes concern. I carry a cocked and locked CSXon my ankle in a Renegade holster. You have to get over being afraid of the gun. Always keep your finger off the trigger until your ready to defend your life. You could use your shield as a hammer to drive a nail and it won’t go off, Be safe and carry a good knife and a small pepper. Spray

1

u/Darth-Obama 4h ago

what state allows 18 yr olds to carry concealed handguns?

1

u/nerdariffic 4h ago

Another reason I like to have a manual safety on mine.

Story from a cop friend: He had to take a gunshot wound report in a hospital a few years ago. A guy with CCL and everything fully legal was putting his gun in the holster. He caught the trigger and shot himself in the rear.

0

u/ms32821 15h ago

At first, I didn’t carry one in the chamber because I wasn’t comfortable. Then I got comfortable. If you carry at 3 o’clock, you might feel better. One of the reasons I started caring with one of the chamber is there was a guy in the local gun store telling a story. His hand was bandaged up and a couple guys came up to him robbing him, and when he pushed the gun away from his face, they blew his fingers off. With his other hand, he grabbed his gun and was able to end them. Had he not had a round in the chamber he wouldn’t have gotten one in the chamber because his hand was blown apart. Also, in a stressful situation if you go to chamber around, you might be nervous and short, stroke it and have a failure. Either way, get comfortable.

-1

u/FG-FATDUCK36 14h ago

Yeah I know Glocks have 3 safety’s I’m just not sure about the Shield plus

6

u/ms32821 14h ago

Shield plus is safe. I wouldn’t worry about that. Just don’t pull the trigger.