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    \$\begingroup\$ This is an interesting house rule, but you should probably preface it with that. In 5e, there is only one type of Shield, and it requires an action to don/doff. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 26, 2017 at 16:55
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    \$\begingroup\$ @NautArch Fair enough. I figured since the question didn't specify RAW they where open to other interpretations. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 26, 2017 at 17:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ I'm concerned by answering a question about "how does this mechanical interaction with shields work" with "here's something I'm making up based on real life shields and not stuff in the rules". I don't think this meets our homebrew standards posed like this; the homebrew in this answer doesn't appear warranted to answer the question. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 26, 2017 at 18:06
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    \$\begingroup\$ @NautArch Yes, I have used this rule, and it hasn't seemed to negatively effect game balance. If anything it feels more natural than having to spend a whole action to throw down a shield. Plus, it's a trade-off, the players are actively losing AC in-order to, hopefully, output more damage. Since it still takes a full action to reequip the shield it the character still has to invest an action to get the AC from having the shield back. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 26, 2017 at 18:19
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    \$\begingroup\$ @onewho At a minimum you should include in the post description of your use of this in real games. (That's what differentiates "an idea I thought of" from expertise-based answers.) I'd also suggest that these answers become best when framed (a) here's what the rule in system is, (b) here's what we felt it was missing and so homebrewed (c) this homebrew, which had (d) results. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Sep 26, 2017 at 18:27