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Earlier this week I mentioned that I’ve been considering making an extended safety for my S&W Shield 9mm because the standard safety is miserable. The JB Weld that I used to add material to the extra safety lever has mostly cured (I didn’t have a lot of hardener, so it took a bit longer than I expected), and I had time to install it.
It’s not big, just a hair bigger than the standard safety:
For comparison, here’s the standard safety:
You’ll notice that it’s not much bigger, but it’s just about right. I did a few draws from holster with the extended safety installed, and I really like how it works with just a little more material on it. I haven’t fired the pistol with it installed yet as I was just playing with it in the garage, but it feels like it’s just big enough that in addition to being easier to swipe off, it feels like it also should be big enough to ride with my thumb when firing the pistol.
The next step is to find someone who is experienced with a welder to add just a little steel to the thin safety lever, as I think that’s the best way to permanently extend it. Anybody have any other ideas?
Perhaps instead of welding, solder a extra piece of sheet metal to the existing tab.
That did cross my mind, and would make it easier for the normal DIYer to try out.
If it is originally a heat treated part welding will screw the heat treatment. Not sure it would matter for a safety lever.
It’s definitely hardened, so that’s something to consider. Thanks.
I tried the JBWeld putty and within one mag it was gone. I went back and used locktight gel and it has held up beautifully, put over 1000 rounds through it and its still going strong. Using the locktight is basically the same thing you did but just thought I’d share, never came across anyone who has tried anything similar. here is a link to my vid on my shield upgrades http://youtu.be/tjOl9gNtYz4
I ihave two Shields that I have enlarged the safetys on. I used the Brownells fiberglass bedding and it has been on the two safetys for two years with no problem. S&W needs to correct this problem. It is the obly flaw I see on the Shield and it is a big one. S&W doi it right!
They did correct it, they made a shield without a safety at all.
The Shield without a safety is not safe in my opinion. The M&P hinged trigger is not nearly as good as the Glock safety trigger and neither is really much of a safety.(my opinion) I noticed that the new 45 version has an improved safety button that looks a bit better. The Bodyguard even has a better safety button. The shield is a great gun but it is is unfinished in it’s design of the safety. Maybe S&W will finally get the message and do it right. It is such a great gun. I may buy my third one!
Hundreds of police departments seem fine with the hinged trigger on the M&P. On the ones I’ve owned it functions just as good as the Glock trigger.
Texan…I tend to agree with you. have you come across any improved safety levers yet?
No, S&W released a Shield without a safety which is the best option possible.
I also love the Shield 9 and now have a Shield 45 also . I have been extending my safeties for several years with plain Brownells fiberglas.
I take the safety out of the rear assembly and mix up a little bit of glass with some black color and daube it on the safety . After a few yours when it begins to set I just mold it into a rounded extension and as soon as it hardens I sand it down with some sand paper or some emery boards like you use for your fingernails. The fiberglas sticks to the metal and stays. You can make the knob as large you want. You can probably use the JB Weld just as well but I prefer the fiberglas. I am an old 1911 guy and prefer a safety but I can also use a gun without a safety like the M&P 9C or you can get a Glock but I don’t like Glocks. Or you can just gobb some superglue on your Shield safety when it is down and sick it to the frame. But that is a crude solution.
Try the fiberglas
Could you just bend out the existing safety a little bit?