SPRINGFIELD HELLCAT VS SHIELD PLUS CA EDITION

[@MR.MAP007]

I love your videos! Perfect balance of discussion and shooting time. Keep em coming!

[@ToddCotta]

Wow thank you! Someone last week told me to just get to it and stop talking. I appreciate the comment.

[@sooners2win]

I’ve got shield plus and hellcat pro, thought I would enjoy the hellcat pro the most but that shield plus goes everywhere with me.

[@ToddCotta]

I can see why you are carrying the Shield. Thanks for watching!

[@PLT123]

That is the comparison ive been looking for between the plus and pro

[@TADDs101]

Same here, my Shield Plus is always on my side

[@robertvasquez240]

So glad you tested these two at the same time. I think you've sold me on the S&W Shield Plus.

[@ToddCotta]

It was very eye opening for both of us. Thanks for watching!

[@shadowphl]

nail on the head sir, small gun that shoots like a big gun and that was why i recommended the original shield to every body in my office- apex trigger of course! I have the new sig and the old shield is still my edc. I just hope M&P brings in the optic cut version@@ToddCotta

[@KoryMeredith]

I’ve seen other reviews talking about the snappiness of the hellcat, I think out of all the micro pistols the smith & Wesson shield plus would be my next pistol. Thanks for the great review fellas

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching! Give both a try at a range near you.

[@OneEclecticStyle]

Thanks for the Review. Will be getting my first pistol in CA.

[@ToddCotta]

Good luck fining the perfect gun for you!

[@ToddCotta]

.

[@greglagania6587]

I just bought the Sheild Plus and this video helped me so much after my purchase! Was thinking I wanted the Hellcat but after you shot the Plus I was convinced I made the right decision 😊

[@ToddCotta]

Wow I am happy you researched it and I am humbled that you used our video to help your purchase. Thanks for watching!

[@auomauom]

Alex's smile after shooting the shield plus says it all lol. Best sub compact handgun ever

[@ToddCotta]

It was a big leap for him to buy that gun. Thanks for commenting!

[@nativepapi6818]

Shout out from the free state of Missouri to you guys. First time on your channel, that was one of the best comparison video i seen in a while , great job. I bought the original shield when it first came out but living here in st.louis it was hard to only carry 7 or 8 rounds . I was forced to always carry either my full size smith are one of my compact smiths. When my gunstore called and said they had the optic ready plus in i had to have one. Your right that gun shoots like a bigger gun . Its great the plus holds a 10 13 and a 15 round mag. Stay safe fellas. Subbed.

[@ToddCotta]

That is a very easy shooting gun. Thanks for the sub. Have a great weekend.

[@ToddCotta]

.

[@smug247]

Thanks, sold me on the M&P. I wish you guys would have gone over the safeties on each.

[@ToddCotta]

The SW is very small and out of the way, the Hellcat is a bit bigger.

[@BrandensOutdoorChannel]

Wrong info. Benitez never ruled on the handgun roster. Judge Cormac Carney in Santa Ana ruled on it. The Shield Plus does not have 12 round mags. It's 10, 13 or 15 rounds. I have all 3 mag sizes.

[@ToddCotta]

There are two heading to the court, but yes I got that a bit wrong, I just love saying St. Benitez! And we didn't have the spec sheet for the REAL Plus, so that was wrong too, thanks for catching that.

[@BrandensOutdoorChannel]

@@ToddCotta the Equalizer 15 round mag fits in the Shield plus.

[@thomastometich6767]

The loaded chamber indicator on the Smith is absolutely ridiculous. The white paint on top glares in the sunlight

[@ToddCotta]

Nobody ever said California law made sense. But for now that's what we have to deal with. Thanks for commenting

[@AwesomeAlvin123]

Excited to see how you guys feel once you get your hands on the hellcat pro.

[@ToddCotta]

Me too!!!

[@thomasbg21]

I shot the hellcat pro today for the first time. Highly accurate gun, trigger is a little spongy, I put 7 rounds in a 1.5 inch group at 7 yards. I found it to be less snappy than the p365

[@Calvin1911]

When I tried it, it was super snappy still. Looking to get my hands on a Shield Plus and see how I feel about it. Didn’t like the original Shield as it was a bit snappier than the Hellcat pro.

[@CIBAO]

I have the m&p shield plus and I love that gun I carry it all the time

[@ToddCotta]

I am glad you love it! That is all I carry also! Thanks for watching!

[@JamesJones-bi4ww]

Which caliber

[@RJ-TRB19]

Thanks fellas for the review.

[@ToddCotta]

Our pleasure!

[@muaythaimanny]

I was actually able to secure a hellcat Pro. I’m picking it up this Sunday and I have a gas pedal for it on order as well.

[@ToddCotta]

Happy you found that gun! You will love it!

[@bansheerider619]

Picking up my shield plus in 2 days!

[@ToddCotta]

Very cool.

[@Wesblumarine]

Great video. I own and love both. Great micros.

[@ToddCotta]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@JoseLopez-mv6kz]

Thanks for the great review. I have been trying to decide if the Shield Plus is the way to go for me. Seeing how it handled in the hands of an experienced instructor compared to the Hellcat is really pushing me to the Shield Plus. Can’t wait to be able to get hands on it to see how it will fit my meaty paws. Might have to take a drive down to your place once you get it in your rental inventory.

[@ToddCotta]

Just watch our hands while we are shooting. It is crazy how different they shoot. Thanks for commenting!

[@KoryMeredith]

Just picked up my hellcat this week and took it to the range had a great time it is snappy but nothing that’s not manageable great firearm excellent sights.

[@ToddCotta]

Great! Glad you like it! Thanks for watching!

[@leesamuelson]

I am from Iowa with no restrictions but have owned the Hellcat- Hellcat Pro and Glock 43X mos and Shadow Systems CR920 combat and right now have only the Shield plus. got rid of the others. I have the Optics ready Shield plus which come with night sights. Even with that is 449 here! IMO the Smith shoots even better than the Hellcat Pro did. I have big hands and the Shield plus has a nicer grip. deeper and rounded where the Hellcat was not comfortable shooting with squared off grip. The Shield Plus really does shoot like a larger gun. Mine of course came with the 10 and 13rd mag. I can also use the 15rd from the Equalizer. On the 10rd I use a Pearce pinky extension which has a bit more extension than even the mags you have on yours. Plus trigger on the Shield plus is light years ahead of the Hellcat IMO.

[@ToddCotta]

I hear that from a lot of gun owners who switched to the Plus. It is just better shooting. Whatever magic mojo SW put in the making of that gun works! Thanks for commenting!

[@RanTausi]

Can't agree with you more !

[@dz_gt500]

I’ll be picking up my Shield Plus real soon, this Sunday🙂can’t wait to be one of the first to own one in California and for it to be my first firearm.

[@ToddCotta]

Let us know what you think about the Plus!

[@johnlacasse8893]

S&W offers the best value in the market, in my opinion... Living in a free state we have so many more options than CA... Shield Plus is definitely the way to go in "micro" carry guns.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching! I love my Shield, and this new one is even better.

[@johnanderson2991]

I wonder if the shield is so slow to come out because everyone still has the original version still in stock

[@ToddCotta]

We reduced our inventory to make room for the new ones.

[@pathurton8501]

Thank you for this review! Very helpful.

[@ToddCotta]

You are so welcome!

[@josephs4744]

Great video thank you! I got to take a drive up there soon a visit your range.

[@ToddCotta]

Love to see you here!

[@barrydraper]

The S&W also comes in a "Performance Center" version, an even better trigger, straight from the factory.

[@ToddCotta]

Very good trigger. Thanks for watching!

[@davidh7078]

Great review. What about the loaded chamber indicator? I have the original shield and the tall height of that indicator is distracting while looking through the sights. Is it any better on the Plus? How does it compare to the Hellcat's indicator?

[@ToddCotta]

Hellcat has a small pin. Shield is the same one as before. It doesn't really bother me when I shoot mine.

[@PLT123]

When S&W released the plus to the roster I was shocked they didnt put the optics ready slide on it

[@ToddCotta]

It will.

[@tmango78]

Wait, does our Shield Plus not come with an optics cut? Nooooo! I’ve been wanting one of these for a long time. That might be a deal breaker. I might have to go with the P365.

[@ToddCotta]

They may have more coming out soon with Optics Cut, but not right now. Just the Shield 9 standard with enhanced trigger. Thanks for watching

[@foggymountainman9138]

I have the shield plus performance center 4inch optics ready awesome trigger ported barrel, unbelievably Accurate But I do not live in California thank god..

[@PLT123]

Broke my heart too lol

[@motogp2375]

I also just bought Mp Shield plus and Hellcat Pro. If anyone here have served/serving US Military, LEO, COs and First Responders you get $100 less for these guns. Can’t wait to take both at the range. Great review!

[@ToddCotta]

Hope you love them! Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@motogp2375]

@@ToddCotta anytime! i think ill be carrying these 2 for awhile. Ty!

[@cez7897]

Deciding between these 2 Guns mainly concerned about concealability and size I know the Hellcat smaller but I want the Smith & Wesson but is it really that much smaller and lighter

[@ToddCotta]

The 3 inch barrel makes a huge difference when carrying concealed. The hellcat shield plus and 365 are all about the same but with different features.

[@mdubb4855]

Great job guys.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching!

[@UncleMilty]

I wouldn't say floodgate, I'm 70 and waiting for a good 380 to come on. With an arthritic left hand pinching and pulling is hard. I tried a XD 9mm and couldn't pull the slide back. How is the Shield in that regard? Thanks, good video.

[@ToddCotta]

The Shield Plus is actually easier, but you might be needing to look at the S&W Shield EZ. It was made for you and your medical issues. It is NOT approved for CA yet. Thanks for asking!

[@UncleMilty]

@@ToddCotta Thx Todd.

[@tombazemore1098]

@@UncleMilty Don’t know if it’s available CA, but I have a P365-380 and it’s extremely comfortable to rack the slide and to shoot. So is my G42.

[@cymanca]

Try the P238 in 380. The slide could be cocked with a strong wind

[@rlee6984]

Can you put the hellcat pro mags into the smaller hellcat?

[@ToddCotta]

Yes they are the same.

[@rlee6984]

@ToddCotta hmmm this might shift my decision to the hellcat now. Orr just do both lol thanks for the reply

[@cymanca]

Is there an information site that can give us info on other handguns that are in the CA DOJ approval pipeline?

[@ToddCotta]

The only site is the recently added guns on the DOJ Roster. Nobody can track what is not approved yet.

[@Casperthablubrry]

Great video. Ty

[@ToddCotta]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@PLT123]

Will we get the fde versions of either one of these any time soon?

[@ToddCotta]

I'm sure we will.

[@Zantar45]

Supposedly the FDE Hellcats are coming late this year to early next year.

[@YoungSinatra25]

The Shield Plus has been my new EDC since November. 2 factors influenced my purchase. Cost, I got a sweet deal on an optics ready version with optic. Plus it's been said to be one of the softest shooters in its size category. After shooting it side by side with a Walther PPS M2 I'd agree. Handles 9mm like a champ.

[@ToddCotta]

Glad you love it!!

[@Hdic2018]

Will you review the HellCat Pro?

[@ToddCotta]

We did one a year ago on the NON CA Pro. Let me see if I can get the team together. Thanks for asking!

[@Hdic2018]

@@ToddCotta let me search the video

[@itzik8301]

Hey todd and thank you for this excellent review! Im looking for the smallest gun I can get(ccw purpose and I have a small hands) with at least 10 rounds capacity . Now, I was thinking to buy the shield plus but on many reviews I saw that compared to the hellcat people say the shield is significantly bigger. Does the size isn't really noticeable to you ? Do you have any recommendations for a gun smaller then the shield but equal to it's benefits? And last question, it seems like the shield is comfortable gun for people with large hands. do you think it will be also ideal for a small hands ? Thanks again todd

[@ToddCotta]

Try the Ruger Max-9. It is small and 10 rounds and very good gun. The regular Hellcat is basically the same size as the Shield Plus but the Shield Plus shoots much more smoothly than the Hellcat. Hope this helps!

[@yousefsafa5248]

Great review. Hope S&W listens to CA consumers on the slide cut issue (Specially on M&P 2.0). Most modern guns today give us the option for red dots. Even though red dots are not critical for CCW type guns.

[@ToddCotta]

The 2.0 does have MOS cut. Thanks for watching!

[@shellfish5078]

So are any of the California compliant M&P 2.0s coming optic ready?????? or the shield plus?????? As far as I can tell the California compliant ones that just hit the roster are not. Which I can’t understand why they wouldn’t give us that option. Thanks!

[@Calvin1911]

@@ToddCotta none that is CA compliant is what I think he means.

[@yousefsafa5248]

Looking at pictures and the ones on couple of dealers offering them, I don't see an optic cut. @@ToddCotta

[@PLT123]

I was shocked and disappointed in their decision not to release an optics ready version to us in Ca

[@MrWatcher1101]

Great review, thanks.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching!

[@nastymkfan]

Which one is snappier? Sheild Plus or Hellcat Pro (not referring to the regular Hellcat)?

[@ToddCotta]

The Shield Plus and Hellcat Pro are about the same. The standard Hellcat definitely has more felt recoil. Thanks for asking.

[@nastymkfan]

@@ToddCotta Oh ok. Got sir. I will definitely try both Shield Plus and Hellcat Pro the next time I rent. Regular Hellcat is definitely not one to try for me at this time. I can’t wait for the Sig Sauer P365XL and X Macro to be in the roster as well.

[@qwertyuiq228]

How about compare with Sig 365?

[@ToddCotta]

Will do!

[@christopherreeves7915]

Hellcat seems snappy!

[@ToddCotta]

Reminded me of the Sig 365. Thanks for watching

[@thomasbg21]

Todd, I shot at your range for the first time last Monday in Thunder's class. Although I did not get the knowledge i was looking for, I want to say that Thunder was very professional and I enjoyed shooting with him.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for coming in a working with Jason!

[@bmaxse]

For either of these two guns, do they come with manual safety or would CA get both options (with or without thumb safety)?

[@ToddCotta]

All new guns will have manual safety in CA. Its part of the rules.

[@bmaxse]

@@ToddCotta I see. Ok, thanks for advising. Much appreciated.

[@JamesEngland32]

Not true

[@deankruse4491]

@@ToddCotta my California Hellcat does not have a manual thumb safety, thankfully. 😅👍🏼

[@emoney6191]

Does the ca shield plus take the regular 13 rounders?

[@ToddCotta]

In a FREE State. Not in CA.

[@cesarmendoza5014]

Question for anyone with a CA shield plus!! I recently picked up my shield plus and I noticed that I can’t insert a full mag when the slide is fully forward. It almost feels like I’m going to break something internally if I try to shove it in. I have to lock the slide back first, to be able to insert a full 10 round mag. Anyone else having this issue? I already contacted S&W. They haven’t heard anything similar on their end. They sent me new mag springs but that didn’t change anything.

[@ToddCotta]

Leave your mags full for a few weeks. That will break in your mags. All mags are tight when they are brand new. YOU WILL NOT BREAK IT. Better tighter than looser. Thanks for asking

[@cesarmendoza5014]

Hey thanks for the quick response! I’ve left both 10 round mags full for the past 1.5-2 weeks. Nothing has changed. Now that I have 2 extra springs I cut 1 loop off of the extra spring to see if maybe it was bottoming out in the mag but it was the same result. I know people say to not cut any coils on the springs because it can cause feeding issues later but since I have 2 extra ones I figured I’d try to see if that would fix it. It didn’t. All in all I love my shield plus and that is my only concern(well also the slide release/stop being stiffer than a Friday night drink). I would love to have 10 rounds in the gun without having one in the chamber (due to the only way I could insert the full mag). Do you think I should just try to jam in the full mag? It’s my only gun so I don’t want to bend or break anything internally and be out a gun for the next month while it gets repaired haha.

[@ToddCotta]

It will not hurt it if it is pushed hard up into the gun. There is a slight chance it is the location of the mag cut for the mag release latch. Have you tried to purchase a third mag from SW to see if it does the same thing?

[@cesarmendoza5014]

Just got off the phone with SW. I’m going to send in one of my mags for them to inspect/replace. If the new mag doesn’t work, I’ll just have to send in my firearm. All non- CA shield plus’ have no issues with the 10 round mag. Which is why I’m seeking other CA shield plus owners to see if they have issues inserting the full 10 round mag when the slide is fully forward. Maybe it’s a CA shield plus issue? Maybe the LCI gets in the way somehow? The SW rep said it sounds more so like a firearm issue. But I want to do a mag replacement first before having to send in my firearm for 3-4 weeks.

[@cesarmendoza5014]

Just got off the phone with SW. I’m going to send in one of my mags for them to inspect/replace. If the new mag doesn’t work, I’ll just have to send in my firearm. All non- CA shield plus’ have no issues with the 10 round mag. Which is why I’m seeking other CA shield plus owners to see if they have issues inserting the full 10 round mag when the slide is fully forward. Maybe it’s a CA shield plus issue? Maybe the LCI gets in the way somehow? The SW rep said it sounds more so like a firearm issue. But I want to do a mag replacement first before having to send in my firearm for 3-4 weeks.

[@xzavierthompson2898]

I thought the shield plus comes with Tritium Night Sights and RMSc optic footprint? Also great video !!

[@ToddCotta]

It does in free states, not in CA Thanks for watching!

[@Number6oftheBoys]

The Max 9 is also cut for optics and has slide serations.... In a few months, when everything is on the market, how about a CA micro nine shootout with all of them.

[@ToddCotta]

WOO HOO lets do it!

[@johnsalinas1317]

Just purchased my shield plus….6 more days I can’t wait.

[@ToddCotta]

Awesome! Thanks for commenting!

[@FreedomKat]

It made me nervous when the 2nd guys hands kept coming undone with the hellcat after each shot.

[@ToddCotta]

That is a snappy little gun. Thanks for watching!

[@714SNF]

Thx for the video! I bought the HellCat and after shooting it, maybe I should've went with the Shield Plus lol

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching! That Hellcat is a heck of a gun.

[@brianbowden6302]

I have an OG Shield with hi-viz 3 dot night sights. Total investment is $375. My preferred EDC with 8 round mag. Hinge trigger is fine. I also have a hellcat and a Hellcat pro. Hellcat pro is amazing - great shooter, have an optic and olight. Hellcat sits in safe and is not a preferred choice for range day or edc. Its snappy and hard to shoot even with an optic. I would choose the shield plus and upgrade 3 dot white sights to hi-viz. however for the additional cost over the OG i don’t see the benefit of 2 rounds and trigger “upgrade” if you already own one. I don’t live currently in CA but family is there and expect to retire there soon so I watch these developments. Thanks for the reviews.

[@ToddCotta]

I really like the hellcat pro for sure, but the new enhanced trigger on the Plus is pretty good. Alex bought the one we shot today. Thanks for watching!

[@FammOverEverything]

Because of this video, of the three (365/HellCat/Shield+), i got the shield. Thanks guys!!!

[@ToddCotta]

Great to hear! hope you love it!

[@mr54mk]

good review!

[@ToddCotta]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@hardtack8776]

Good review! 👍😊🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@ToddCotta]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jaybee2812]

You should give the hell cat pro a go

[@ToddCotta]

I have and I love it. But I need to get one first. Thanks for watching!

[@EricQuinn]

You said that the optics are not good for IWB, well I have carried my Hellcat with both the optics off and the green dot on it. There is zero difference carrying with or without. No difference in my draw, no hang ups…I don’t know why you said the optics are troublesome.

[@ToddCotta]

My purpose was saying that when you have an optic it limits how you can carry. I pocket carry. Not good with optics. IWB OR OWB is fine, but if you need to pocket carry it makes it difficult and you have less options when you have an optic on a gun. Thanks for watching!

[@usmcbrat2]

Thanks for the great info! My current CA Shield 9 comes with a 7 and 8 round magazine. Does the Shield Plus come only with a 10 round? How does it compare in size with the 7 round from the original Shield, which I use when pocket carrying? Can the magazines from a Shield be used in a Shield Plus & vice versa? I would like to see a similar video with you comparing the original Shield with the Shield Plus. In particular, I'd like to see you deploy from pocket and talk about the difference. If it's as easy deploying a 10 round Shield Plus from a pocket as a 7 round Shield then there's no question that I'm buying. Speaking of that, is the Shield Plus still single stack then? How does the size compare to Shield?

[@ToddCotta]

They do not fit in the old Shield guns. They are different mags. The new mages are "Stack and a half".

[@jedwin4816]

No more GMC pick-up truck videos?

[@ToddCotta]

I am preparing my one year ownership review. Should be in a few weeks. Thanks for asking. I want to get my hands on the new Ramcharger. And the new Gladiator interior. I wish the gladiator would come with the Series Hybrid of the Ramcharger.

[@229glock]

Guys... the whole time, you two were both just saying "this gun" ..." this one".... made it almost impossible to figure out or keep track of which one you were talking about.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks we will work on that! Have a great summer!

[@charlesabbott5563]

You should've compares apples to apples the plus against the pro. I shoot the pro almost daily. I'll take it over the plus any day of the week and twice on sunday, just like you're an S&W homeboy.

[@ToddCotta]

Uh? I am carrying a Hellcat 3-inch right now on my hip. I personally chose the Hellcat becuase of the size and I wanted a break from the Shield which I have carried for close to 13 years. . I will tell you the HC Pro does not fit in my pocket, but the Shield and Hellcat do. That was my final decision. Plus the Mag Disconnect is easier to disable in the HC over the Shield. Thanks for watching!

[@elboss123456]

JUST PICKED UP MY HELLCAT PRO AND IT A GREAT PRODUCT

[@ToddCotta]

Very good. Glad you love it!!

[@jackwright9102]

😊

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching!

[@Pedroaramburo]

I payed 350 for what i carry and im okay with it. Payed more for the acss

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching!

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching!

[@ritmo737]

I wonder if the CA Hellcat can accept the standard capacity magazines of the the non CA Hellcats.

[@ToddCotta]

I don't know for sure, but there is no reason why it will not work. Pretty sure it is universal. The mag is changed not the gun.

[@DanY-zl3jg]

Shot both guns. I shot Shield way better than the hellcat. Just feels better in my medium size hands.

[@ToddCotta]

Great choice! That Shield Plus is a smooth shooter!

[@hollowdog9049]

California, go red or move to north korea.

[@ToddCotta]

Thanks for watching! I can't say I disagree with you on that point. CA is a mess right now.