Both are good, but S&W is always better than Ruger. The little Ruger has a half-a-mile of take up, and the recoil spring guide looks cheesy.

 

Both are good, but S&W is always better than Ruger.

In your opinion, why do you consider S&W better?

 

I haven't shot an LC9, and I'm ordinarily a big Ruger fan. That said, I'm awfully impressed with the Shield (1.0, 9mm) that I carry. I've only got maybe 500 rounds through it, but it's been flawless with every type of ammo so far, and the finish has held up better than on my 2013 Gen 4 Glock.

 

I carry my lc9s more because it's smaller than my Shield's. My preferred method of carry is pocket carry and the Ruger does a better job.

 

Never tried the Rugers actually shooting. The Sheild felt a lot better in my hand at the store and I bought it. Have been very happy with it.



But doubt you would screw up getting either one. (can I get more wishy-washy?)

 

Have a LC9, bought a Shield 2.0. The shield we a nice pistol but I liked the ergonomics of the LC9 better and didn't so anything the LC9 didn't already do. I sold the Shield.

 

To me, the LC9S doesn't feel nearly as nice in the hand as the Shield.

 

I went with the Shield. I like the thin grip, cheap mags, and the aftermarket support for it including holster options.

 

I prefer the trigger on the Shield, other than that it would be a coin-toss for me.

 

I have a couple Ruger LC9's and the S&W 9mm, 40 and 45ACP Shield.

I like them all but favor the Shield a little over the smaller LC9.
The LC9 is smaller for carry but the Shield is a better, more comfortable shooter.

Shields

Actually I was shooting the 9mm Shield about 10 minutes ago, at steel targets.
Every time I shoot the Shield, it reminds me how much I like it.



.

 

An interesting video from 5 years ago. Note the prices at that time were around $350 for the Ruger and $425 for the Shield (and over $500 a couple of years earlier). Interesting to see how prices have come down.

I like both pistols and own two of each. The Shield, to me feels more solid, however, my preference leans towards the LC9s. I like the looks of the Ruger and have carried it quite a bit prior to getting a P365. I like the trigger a bit better on the Ruger as well.

I’m curious as to the long term durability of each, as compared to each other?

 

The Shield has never felt exactly right in my hand. I think the back strap to front strap is too long or something. It just doesn't feel awesome to me. Now, that did not stop me from buying them in 9mm and 45, and I would be perfectly happy if a Shield was my only gun. I would prolly prefer the LC9s. But you gotta paint the sights on that gun (the EC9s) to make them un-invisible. Black sights suck and are no sights at all. But still, I would take the LC9s. It also is, or seems, smaller for easier belt and pocket carry.

 

The Ruger, but only if it were a Pro model, only because the Ruger is a little more concealable.

But I could almost go for the Shield in 40 caliber.

 

Didn't have a good experience with the LC9S and I've heard enough good stuff about the Shield over the years that I'd have no problem carrying a Shield.

 

Amazingly I caught a picture of the only Shield jam I know of.

Several ladies I know have the 9mm Shield.
I gave one about 900 rounds of Russian steel case 9mm to blast away.

I was snapping a few pictures when the Lady was at my place, shooting the last of the Russian ammo.

In a chance in a million I happened to catch a picture of the Shield's slide in full recoil, as the fired case spun backwards, instead of ejecting from the gun.

In the next instant the 9mm case jammed the slide as it traveled forward.

 

I have the 9s and love it. It digests everything, conceals well, and puts the bullets exactly where I want. I did mount truglo sights on it (another story altogether) and love it. It's my edc about 80% of the time.

 

The Ruger definitely isn't the easiest to mount a rear sight!

 

I can't imagine a choice between a comparable S&W and Ruger where I would choose the Ruger over the S&W.

 

Out of those, the Shield, but the G43 is my choice.

 

My wife has the LC9s, I have the Shield. She likes hers, I like mine. The LC9s shoots well and has a good trigger but so does the Shield. I just prefer the feel of the Shield.

 

I've owned both, had reliability issues with the Ruger - when using hollowpoints, the slide lock would engage mid-mag. Round 4 with one mag, round 6 with the other. It was really weird. No issues with round nose. Wasn't every time, but probably once out of every 5 mags full - enough that I could never trust it.

Shield has been rock solid. I'm probably going to sell it to snag a Hellcat, but that's not based on anything but capacity, I trust the Shield completely.

 

I had a Shield 1.0, which I gave to my son-in-law. I now have a Shield 2.0, and a Ruger EC9s. Nothing wrong with the Ruger, but I much prefer the Shield. (Prefer the Shield over the Glock 43, as well.) The S&W and Ruger have both been 100 percent reliable, but the Shield has a much higher quality feel to it. There is also much more aftermarket support for the Shield. I read somewhere that S&W has sold over a million Shields. The only reason IMO to buy the Ruger over the Shield is if price is a big factor. And, even then, sometimes you can find Shield 1.0s for a heck of a price.

 

I am curious as to why only these two were mentioned. So many small 9MMS out now.

Of the two, I prefer the Shield. For me it is just very shootable. Hard to define, but it shoots like a bigger gun. Both of mine have been 100% reliable.

Have handled and shot an LC9. Was the earlier version with the looooong trigger pull. Did not hate it.

 

I am curious as to why only these two were mentioned. So many small 9MMS out now.

These are two that I own and like. Figured it would be interesting to see which the collective preferred and why?

 

I do not have a LC 9 or a Shield. Of this choice of theses two I voted for the shield.

As I already have a Walter PPS M1 purchased years ago and it is not an option for the poll, I mention it here.

If today I would buy a G43.

 

I could not vote because I like them both. Carry an EC9s (not LC9s, but size and shape is almost identical to my LC9) because of the slightly smaller size. As said in previous posts, how the gun feels and shoots varies by person. Only thing I've done to make the EC9 slightly more shootable for me was put a grip sleeve on it that helped with recoil softening and a fatter, more secure grip for my fat hands.

 

Put me in the Shield camp. I've got nothing against Ruger; in fact, I own several of them and like 'em. But my EDC is a Shield 9mm and it's a great shooter, totally reliable and fits my particular hand better.

 

The LC9 has nicely rounded contours that help in concealment and comfort but aside from that I think the Shield has it beat every other way.
field striping the LC9 is usually a pain and don't loose that pin!
Shield is softer in recoil as well.