M&P Shield Vs Glock 19
Specification Comparison and Reviews
The Glock 19 is a 9mm semi-automatic handgun introduced by Glock in 1988. It has since become one of the most popular handguns among civilians, law enforcement officers, and militaries worldwide because it is reliable, inexpensive, easy to use, and accurate. In this blog post, we are going to discuss the features and specifications of M&P Shield vs Glock 19.
Table of Contents
The M&P Shield is Smith & Wesson’s compact version of its M&P polymer-framed, striker-fired pistol line. Introduced in 2012, the Shield is available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.
Manufacturer's Information About M&P Shield Vs Glock 19
The Standard Model of the Glock 19 is a lightweight, compact pistol designed for civilian sport shooting, personal defense, and law enforcement. The G19 is one of the most widely used pistols due to its magazine capacity of 15 rounds in 9mm, which can be expanded to 33 with an optional magazine extension. The Glock 19 has a plastic frame with an accessory rail, fixed sights, and a double-action trigger. Variants of its design are used by military organizations worldwide, including the U.S. Army, Navy SEALs, Air Marshals, FBI SWAT teams, and many others.
It’s also authorized for service in over 40 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including the US Secret Service. The M&P Shield is a slim, concealable, lightweight, striker-fired polymer pistol. The Shield offers professional-grade features, including an 18° grip angle for a natural point of aim and a short, consistent trigger pull for comfort and accuracy. Designed with male and female shooters in mind, the M&P Shield is available in 9mm and .40 S&W.
Grip and Texture Difference
The Glock 19 has no grooves or textures on its grip. It’s probably the most common handgun among law enforcement officers and consumers and one of the more popular handguns in existence today. The material on the Glock 19 is a polymer-based frame with an anti-slip texture.
The Shield, however, is a double-action striker-fired pistol that uses a stainless steel subcompact barrel with a black, corrosion-resistant finish to minimize muzzle flash and provide easy operation under stress. The Shield has a larger grip than the Glock 19 and is available in three calibers: 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP.
Size and Weight
The Glock 19 is 5.04 inches in height, 1.26 inches in width, and 1.18 inches in depth with a barrel length of 4.02 inches, while the M&P Shield is 6.1″ overall length, 3.54″ tall, less than 1″ wide, and 0.95″ deep with a barrel length of 3.1 inches and overall height and width measurements very close to that of the Glock 19. The Glock 19 is 23.63 ounces, which is heavier than the M&P Shield’s 20.8-ounce weight.
However, when comparing the weights of unloaded firearms, they are identical. This can be attributed to the fact that most concealed carry handguns are designed to have a loaded weight close to their unloaded weight so that carrying them is easier.
Stopping Power
The .40 S&W cartridge has the greatest average stopping power. At the same time, the 9mm is weaker because it was designed to incapacitate a target by damaging tissue, which can be compromised when shooting at longer ranges. A bullet’s stopping power depends on its kinetic energy, penetration depth, and expansion size. The Glock 19 uses 9mm rounds with a standard velocity of ~1,200 feet per second, while the M&P Shield uses both 9mm and .40 S&W cartridges. The M&P Shield also has an in-built safety feature that will not allow the firearm to fire when it’s in a locked position.
Safety Features
There are three safety features for handguns: the external manual safety, the internal passive safety, and an indicator that shows if it’s ready to fire because of a loaded/chambered round. The Glock 19 has only two safety features: an integrated trigger and drop safety. This firearm has no active or grip safety, which makes it more susceptible to unintentional firing and potential accidents.
The Shield has a grip safety and trigger safety like the Glock 19 but also has an indicator on its slide that shows if there’s a round chambered or not. The Glock 19 is compatible with high-capacity magazines that provide up to 33 rounds, while the M&P Shield magazine is limited to seven rounds. Furthermore, the M&P Shield has an indicator showing if there’s a round chambered or not, while the Glock 19 doesn’t have this feature.
Slide Stop and Magazine Release difference
The Glock 19 has a slide stop, which is used for releasing the slide and chambering a round once a magazine has been inserted.
The M&P Shield lacks a slide stop and places the responsibility entirely on the user to ensure that a fresh magazine is inserted into their firearm before using it.
Recoil and Muzzle Flip Difference
The M&P Shield has less recoil than the Glock 19 because it uses lighter firearms and rounds. The Shield also reduces felt recoil by incorporating a low barrel axis to keep the barrel closer to one’s hand. That said, the Shield still has a significant side-to-side muzzle flip when firing, which is due to its double-action feature. When a round is chambered in the Shield, it has to ignite and set off the rest of its rounds. With the Glock 19, however, this is not necessary because there’s only one round in each magazine.
Sights
The Glock 19 has three types of factory-made polymer sights, which are either plastic or metal.
The ones that come standard with the firearm have a white dot on the rear and a rectangular post on the front. The M&P Shield comes with steel, 3-dot sights, and single and dual colored options such as green, orange, and yellow.
Trigger Difference
The Glock 19 incorporates a short pull of 5.5 pounds with no resistance or slack, breaking it. The M&P Shield has up to 5 pounds of trigger pulls before you hit the break at the end of every round.
This can be attributed to its double-action feature, which means that after each shot, the first round has to be brought back into the chamber, creating resistance. This increases the trigger pull because of the movement required to bring back the slide.
Concealability
The M&P Shield is a small firearm and can be covered easily with clothing such as a vest or coat. The Glock 19 is more concealable than the Shield because it’s made out of Polymer and has fewer sharp edges that can cause it to print against one’s clothing. The S&W M&P Shield is an excellent firearm, especially for personal protection purposes. However, the Glock 19 is more accurate due to its multiple safety features and ergonomics that allow you to grip it better even with long periods spent holding it. It also has a longer track record, which makes it more reliable than the M&P Shield.
Cost
The Glock 19 is more expensive than the M&P Shield. The cost of a new model starts at ~$500 and can go up to $600, which reflects the firearm’s reliability and durability. Furthermore, it’s easy to maintain and has few breakable parts or components that would need repairing after long-term use.
Reliability
The Glock 19 is a more reliable firearm than the M&P Shield because it has fewer issues that need to be addressed. It doesn’t have a safety feature but mechanical parts and design elements that make it resistant to common malfunctions such as failure-to-feeds, failures-to-fires, and ejections. In addition, the Glock 19 is easier to disassemble, clean, and reassemble, which makes it ideal for self-defense purposes.
Durability
The durability of the Glock 19 is more than that of the M&P Shield because it has fewer parts, which makes it easier to maintain. The only major part that requires replacement is its slide; however, this can be done through a qualified technician or gunsmith instead of the consumer bringing the firearm to an authorized retailer.
Aesthetics
Both firearms are available in matte black, but you can also purchase them with a custom Cerakote finish that comes in different colors, including pink or camo patterns. Furthermore, both have sharp edges that protrude from the slide and grip area, which could potentially snag on one’s clothing during everyday carry.
Aftermarket Accessories - M&P Shield Vs Glock 19
The Glock 19 has a large selection of interchangeable parts, including sights and customization kits that make it the perfect firearm for consumers who want to create their personalized version. It also allows you to replace its polymer frame with metal, but this is not recommended because it can affect your accuracy at long distances. The M&P Shield has less room for customization because its smaller size makes it difficult to add additional parts without compromising its performance. However, here are some types of customization that can be done to the firearm. These include trigger jobs, sights, grips, and triggers.
Sights
The M&P Shield comes with adjustable sights that can be customized to your liking. You can choose between high and low night sights or opt for the Glock 19, which has factory-installed night sights. Many sights can be added to the Glock 19, like Ameriglo sights, recommended for concealed carry because they provide great accuracy.
Flashlights
The Glock 19 has a rail mount for attaching accessories, making it easier to attach a flashlight. You can choose between two types available on the market with Glock 19, including tac lights or laser sights. The M&P Shield does not have this option, and therefore you will need to purchase an accessory if you want to attach a flashlight.
Grips
The M&P Shield comes with interchangeable rubberized grips that can be replaced depending on your preference. It does not have the option for removable backstraps like the Glock 19, which has three options available in various sizes. You can also find custom stippling kits that will change the material of the grip to provide an enhanced feel along with improved grip, which is ideal for concealed carry.
Trigger
The Glock 19 has a factory trigger that can also be replaced with aftermarket triggers if desired. There are two types available depending on your preference, including connectors and flat-faced triggers. Most consumers claim that the factory trigger of the Glock 19 is a great option for self-defense purposes. However, if you think you need to change it, make sure that you increase the cost of the firearm because its replacement will affect accuracy.
Sling Mounts
The Glock 19 has two sling mounts, one in the front and the other at the rear. You can use these to attach a secondary point or attach a tactical light that allows you to aim while using both hands for maximum accuracy.
Laser Grips
The Glock 19 has factory-installed rubberized grips that can be replaced with aftermarket laser grips. They are available in various colors, including pink and green, to match your preferences.
Magazine Pouches
The Glock 19 uses a double stack magazine, which is ideal for trouble gripping their firearm. This option makes it easier to grip the M&P Shield and therefore better for concealed carry because you will need all the help you can get when using a smaller gun. The M&P Shield comes with one seven-round magazine. There are three styles available to choose from: a flat floorplate, arched floorplate, and the M&P Shield magazine +2, which can hold an extra round without adding too much bulk to your firearm.
Holsters
The Glock 19 has a large selection of holsters to choose from. It includes both inside and outside the waistband (IWB and OWB) options in black, tan, or white. You can also find various styles that include leather or nylon, ideal for concealed carry because it feels comfortable against the skin and reduces accessibility to your firearm. If you want a holster with additional features, there are also options available with Glock 19 that have a flashlight or red dot laser attachments. However, these are some types of customization that can be done. They include IWB and OWB leather or nylon holsters that can be found in black, tan, or white.
FAQs
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The Glock 19 is worth it for those who want a higher magazine capacity. If you struggle to grip your firearm, the larger grips of a Glock 19 may also be more comfortable in your hands. However, if you want a smaller firearm with an easier time concealing, then the M&P Shield might better suit your needs.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The M&P Shield is smaller and therefore better for those who have a hard time gripping their firearm. If you want a higher caliber model, there are also options available with the Glock 17, 19 X, 36, and 45 models that might work for you.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
The Glock 19 is comparable to the M&P Shield, but if you want a smaller firearm, there are also Glock 26 and 27 models that might work for you.
Important Note:
Any activity using a firearm has the potential to be harmful and can lead to death, serious injury, permanent disability, or property damage. Only general educational and informational purposes are served by the advice, graphics, photographs, videos, and information found on Ballachy firearm reviews. The knowledge provided about guns, gun handling, tactics, training, legal issues, and marksmanship skills on this page is the author’s opinion based on his experience and education. This knowledge, which includes advice and training methods, is applicable only in a given set of conditions that the reader cannot precisely recreate. The author disclaims any liability for improper use or incorrect interpretation of the information on this website. Use of this website as a replacement for training or any information found on this website is not legal advice of any kind.
Both of these firearms are excellent for concealed carry, and both have their benefits that some consumers will prefer over others. If you think you can handle a Glock 19, you might benefit from its higher magazine capacity and accessory options.
Conclusion
The Glock 19 has a larger magazine capacity and can hold more accessories than the M&P Shield. Despite its size, it is also easier to conceal. However, if you are looking for a smaller firearm without many additional features, the M&P Shield might be better for your needs. In the end, it is up to you as a consumer on which firearm bests suits your needs. If you’re comfortable handling a Glock 19, then this would be a good choice.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
- Sights2022.07.30Best Red Dot Sights
