So I have a hankering to trade...

[Tactically Fat]

Now - before I go further; let me be clear. This post is not an WTT add. If I go forward, I'll post one of those up.

This is a discussion thread.

On to it:

A few years ago, the Glock 48 (and 43x) debuted to much fanfare. I was initially all "meh" - because instead of being at the forefront of innovation like usual (hahaha) Glock seems to have been, once again, caught with their pants down in the single-stack market.

But then a 3rd party came along and began offering slick little metal-bodied 15 rd magazines for the 48 and the 43x. These mags really piqued my interest as well as my interest in the G48 platform.

So - I secured a G48 several months ago and almost immediately put myself on a back order for those Shield Arms mags and a mag catch to go with.

In the mean time, I shot the gun a little bit. Every single OEM mag had zero issues at all. The gun had zero issues at all.

Enter the SA15 mags and mag catch. Once the mag catch was installed - I could no longer use any of the several OEM mags I have. Now, to their credit, Shield Arms states that users won't be able to use them any more...but I've read multiple reports on more than one message board where people were still able to utilize their OEM mags without issue. I was hoping for that on my end - but it didn't happen. I also experienced the common phenomenon wherein a SA15 mag won't drop free. (1 did, 1 didn't out of the 2 I purchased). Again - I knew this was a possibility going in. And if I'd pressed further along, I'd have remedied it with some masking tape and a hair dryer.

But, alas... not being able to utilize the OEM mags with my mag catch was a real bummer. Did I mention that I have several? My intent was to use the OEM for range / practice and the S15 for carrying.

Then I bailed out on the S15 mags and mag catch. Sold them. Decided it wasn't worth the hassle.

So where does that leave me?

It leaves me with a "larger than it should be" 10-rd single-stack 9mm gun that is, honestly, just "meh". Other than a slight uptick in capacity, not much the G48 can do that my Shield cannot.

It also leaves me right now in the "oh man, I want a new Shield Plus" and "oh man, I should get a P365XL" categories.

I wonder if there's anyone else out there kind of in my shoes? "I bought this P365XL and it's so....meh". Or "I bought the Shield Plus and don't like it" folks.

There have been a few bugs with the Sig since it came out. It's been out long enough now that all those bugs SHOULD be worked out. Con: Mags are stupid expensive. STUPIDLY expensive.

The Shield is new. I HATE being a beta-tester for new things. The good side of this newness, though, is that it's basically the same gun with a slightly wider (At points) frame. I think basically everything else is identical. Con: extra mags are nowhere to be found. And I like to have AT LEAST 5 more mags for any carry-able firearm.

I also think that I over think things.

 

[Dean C.]

Now this is just me , but I say get the P365X. The early heat treat striker issues are fixed (I asked my Sig dealer who is the largest non big box SIG dealer in the tri state area) they had to send back 3 out of 100 of the initial guns made between March / May of 2018.

Your issues with the Glock are why I have no interest in that platform for a micro compact. If I need aftermarket parts to make it "how it should be" it's not worth it (especially when said aftermarket parts are hard to aquire).

The reason I suggest the P365 X is that is what I am turning my stock P365 here into soon. Going to send it off to Jagerworks for slide milling. That is going to be a very nice set up IMHO.

P365X ROMEOZero ELITE

The ultimate in concealability and capability.

www.sigsauer.com

I would get the model that does not have the trash Sig optic on it and mount a 507K.

Plus in this market the Glock would not be hard to get rid of all things considered.

 

[Tactically Fat]

Is the "X" a shorter slide on the XL grip?

I can take or leave the RDS-mounted guns. But yes, I do know that the RomeO1 is straight trash.

 

[Dean C.]

Is the "X" a shorter slide on the XL grip?

I can take or leave the RDS-mounted guns. But yes, I do know that the RomeO1 is straight trash.

Correct , XL grip but with the "standard" length slide.

 

[KellyinAvon]

A Hankerin for a trade thread and no mention of fish tanks?

 

[WebSnyper]

Correct , XL grip but with the "standard" length slide.

I need to put in an order with Osage and do this to one of my 365s. Id do it to the primary one I carry but it has a Grey guns grip module on it.

 

[gregkl]

I'm with you. I wouldn't make a modification to a firearm that prevents me from using factory mags. I usually stick with factory anyway.

Funny you mention someone not liking their Shield Plus. I like mine or at least I think I will. Right now I am still drawn to my 2.0 Shield. Maybe it is just the familiarity with it but I have a couple of nits to pick with the Plus. Mags are hard to insert, and when you load them, I swear you are fully compressing the magazine spring. When you stick that last round in, it feels like it is solid. And they redesigned the mag release. Sure it sticks out a little farther, but it's harder to press. Not hard like ouch, it hurts my thumb, owie, but it's harder than my 2.0.

For now, I leave the mags fully loaded and shoot it at each range visit. I'll keep it, but if it doesn't loosen up, I'll probably download the mags one round. Heck I was comfortable with 7 or 8 rounds(7 rounds is what I carry in the pistol), I'll be okay with 9 or 12.

I'm not worried about being a beta tester. Sure, something could go wrong, but the fire control group is identical. I can swap the slides on mine and both guns will work fine. Time will tell.

The 365 is just too small for me but I think it's a solid pistol.

But heck, unless you are too uncomfortable with 10 rounds in a mag and one in the chamber, I would think the 48 would be a nice pistol. Plus you already have it.

 

[Amishman44]

I recently acquired a Glock 48 and, so far, I enjoy it!I
I have somewhat smaller-sized hands and, thus, the smaller-sized grips tend to 'fit' better.
I've only had it to the range once, but found it to be accurate an it eats anything I threw at it!
I tend to keep most pistols in OEM configuration, but am considering the possibility of install a new trigger on this one, at least one that isn't so soft on the break...it's kind of mushy???
Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with it... hoping to get some more time with it in another week or so!
I agree, do nothing to a pistol that prevents the use of 'normal' OEM magazines...
I'd rather stay OEM than screw it up...besides, I've heard of several of the issues with the high capacity aftermarket magazines...not worth the risk in a time of need!

 

[NHT3]

I've never understood the "MUST" use a metal mag catch with the Shield mag. I've had a metal mag catch in my EDC 19 for over a year and shoot it regularly without causing any apparent damage to the factory polymer mags. I had a 48 and like some others it just didn't fit me as well as a 19 so I sold it. AS always just my

 

[Dean C.]

I've never understood the "MUST" use a metal mag catch with the Shield mag. I've had a metal mag catch in my EDC 19 for over a year and shoot it regularly without causing any apparent damage to the factory polymer mags. I had a 48 and like some others it just didn't fit me as well as a 19 so I sold it. AS always just my

S15 Talk: Mag Catches

Custom parts for CZ, SIG, S&W, and Glock pistols and AR-15 rifles.

shieldarms.com

Metal magazine eats the plastic mag catch , magazine then sits lower in frame causing feeding issues.

 

[700 LTR 223]

I'm with you. I wouldn't make a modification to a firearm that prevents me from using factory mags. I usually stick with factory anyway.

Wow , did not realize that I might not be able to use the original magazines with the Shield Arms mag catch installed. Thought about ordering one for my G48 or G43X but not now.

 

[d.kaufman]

A Hankerin for a trade thread and no mention of fish tanks?

Rutabaga

 

[Route 45]

Glock 48 mags are about $25. P365 12 round mags are $50. You say you like to have 5 extra mags. You're literally talking about $125 difference in price between having 5 G48 mags or 5 P365 mags. If you find the P365 to be a sufficiently superior platform, $125 is a pretty nominal cost difference. If you can't afford the difference, I'm not sure how you can afford ammo. If you are that tight on your budget, save some real money and stick with your G48 or standard Shield, both of which are perfectly serviceable weapons.

I have a Shield Plus, a G48 with Shield Arms mags and 2 P365s, both with the XL grip module. They all run fine. Not a whole lot of difference between them except a little different feel and a round or two here or there, depending on which mag I'm using. I don't carry the G48 a whole lot in the warmer months, but I like the way it shoots and find it a nice lightweight alternative to my G19 when I'm wearing a sweatshirt.

Most of the time I carry my P365. Occasionally carry the Shield Plus, but mostly just bought it because I like the M&P platform and thought it would be neat to have a companion to my Shield 45. I'll buy some Shield Plus mags when they are available, but I generally pocket carry it with the 10 round mag and have the 13 round mag as a spare. No biggie, it's a concealed carry piece, not a service pistol where I might need to rely on extra mags if the balloon goes up.

Over thinking things can be a lot more expensive than a couple of pistol mags in the long run.

 

[NHT3]

S15 Talk: Mag Catches

Custom parts for CZ, SIG, S&W, and Glock pistols and AR-15 rifles.

shieldarms.com

Metal magazine eats the plastic mag catch , magazine then sits lower in frame causing feeding issues.

That was my point, I haven't experienced that problem and I have been keeping an eye on the mags. YYMV but in any case a Glock mag catch is cheap and easy to change if that does become a problem.

 

[wtburnette]

I personally don't see the need to carry something so large, as you're obviously realizing, when there are guns like the Shield Plus and P365x. I just picked up the Shield Plus and like it quite a bit. It feels pretty good while shooting, though I haven't yet done any holster work with it. I fondled the P365x at the LGS and liked it a lot. The grip is big enough to be comfortable, without being too big and I like that it's optics ready. Yes, the mags are expensive and hard to find, but the Shield Plus and P365x are worth it IMO. I still have a hard time believing my Shield Plus is 13+1 capacity in such a compact little package, but it's not too tiny to the point where I fear I wouldn't be able to handle it with confidence. You do what you feel is best, but I find the Shield Plus and P365x to be wonders of engineering, but don't really have a fear of being a beta tester as they are iterations of known quality firearms.

 

[WebSnyper]

Glock 48 mags are about $25. P365 12 round mags are $50. You say you like to have 5 extra mags. You're literally talking about $125 difference in price between having 5 G48 mags or 5 P365 mags. If you find the P365 to be a sufficiently superior platform, $125 is a pretty nominal cost difference. If you can't afford the difference, I'm not sure how you can afford ammo. If you are that tight on your budget, save some real money and stick with your G48 or standard Shield, both of which are perfectly serviceable weapons.

I have a Shield Plus, a G48 with Shield Arms mags and 2 P365s, both with the XL grip module. They all run fine. Not a whole lot of difference between them except a little different feel and a round or two here or there, depending on which mag I'm using. I don't carry the G48 a whole lot in the warmer months, but I like the way it shoots and find it a nice lightweight alternative to my G19 when I'm wearing a sweatshirt.

Most of the time I carry my P365. Occasionally carry the Shield Plus, but mostly just bought it because I like the M&P platform and thought it would be neat to have a companion to my Shield 45. I'll buy some Shield Plus mags when they are available, but I generally pocket carry it with the 10 round mag and have the 13 round mag as a spare. No biggie, it's a concealed carry piece, not a service pistol where I might need to rely on extra mags if the balloon goes up.

Over thinking things can be a lot more expensive than a couple of pistol mags in the long run.

And you can pick up the 365 mags at Osage for cheaper than that...

https://osagecountyguns.com/sig-sauer-p365-9mm-12rd-magazine.html

And they were a bit cheaper even over the weekend.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Why is "most rounds in the smallest form factor" now a major marketing point and something people are chasing? I guess the 1911, P220, etc. are the stupidest pistols in the world at this point. The real world has repeatedly shown us that capacity is aay down the totem pole of things that matter in a gun fight.

What fits your hand well enough you get a consistent draw and grip every time regardless of challenging circumstances? What do you not foul the slide (if applicable) with if you don't get that grip just right? What goes bang every time you pull the trigger? What is the size you will actually carry? What can you get good hits with? Practice with that, carry that, forget about chasing whatever you think is better about the new shiny.

 

[gregkl]

What fits your hand well enough you get a consistent draw and grip every time regardless of challenging circumstances? What do you not foul the slide (if applicable) with if you don't get that grip just right? What goes bang every time you pull the trigger? What is the size you will actually carry? What can you get good hits with? Practice with that, carry that,

This is why I carry a Shield. I have shot it enough and even though I'm not the best shot, I get comments from people when they see me shoot it that I seem to shoot it well. I used it at the concealed carry match at Riley a couple months ago and the guys there thought I handled it pretty well. I'm slow but I'm slow no matter what I shoot.

If I get to the point that I am really proficient with the red dot on my 2.0 Compact, I'll put a dot on the Shield. But right now I shoot the iron sighted Shield as well as my Compact.

 

[NHT3]

Why is "most rounds in the smallest form factor" now a major marketing point and something people are chasing? I guess the 1911, P220, etc. are the stupidest pistols in the world at this point. The real world has repeatedly shown us that capacity is aay down the totem pole of things that matter in a gun fight.

What fits your hand well enough you get a consistent draw and grip every time regardless of challenging circumstances? What do you not foul the slide (if applicable) with if you don't get that grip just right? What goes bang every time you pull the trigger? What is the size you will actually carry? What can you get good hits with? Practice with that, carry that, forget about chasing whatever you think is better about the new shiny.

As always BBIs is straight to the point, no detours I don't understand it either. My choice of carry is dictated by what I get consistent hits with. If it were possible to design something the size of an LCP than held 18 rounds of 9 that wouldn't necessarily make it the best choice for everyone's self defense pistol. Those little 9s are interesting and I've shot all of them but can't get a consistent grip so my accuracy suffers. Selling the latest and greatest is what drives the firearms industry but having 15 rounds onboard is much less relevant than the first A zone hit. If you are training you will know what works for you and if you aren't it really doesn't matter what you're carrying. YYMV

 

[Born2vette]

When I was hitting more consistently with smaller groups with my PPS M2 over my G17 I knew I had found my EDC (and it was time to sell the Glock). I carry my PPS with 6+1 and 2 8-round mags tuck away neatly as well. Carry what you shoot well, compact single stack mags are easy to carry and not too expensive (though I wish Walther would give up on the 7-round mag and just ship with 6 & 8 round mags). Oh, and I shoot as well with the short mag as I do with the extended mag.