Anyone use 9mm NATO rounds with the Shield EZ? I’ve heard different things for using this ammunition:

1. SAAMI says for firearms chambered for 9mm Luger, do not use 9mm NATO (Military)
2. Outdoor Limited describes the NATO rounds as a “US military 9mm Luger handgun ammunition.”
3. Multiple folks on this forum have had success with 9mm NATO in their Shields.

Has anyone had success with the Shield EZ and 9mm NATO rounds?

More details: the ammunition is the Winchester 9mm NATO Q4318 124 gr FMJ, which I purchased from Outdoor Limited. And let me add in advance, thanks for your help!

9mm NATO is basically 9mm +p.

Should be fine in a Shield EZ

I agree with post #2, they measure pressures differently where the CIP standards apply. But, check your owners manual. If safe for 9 mm +P, you're good to go. HINT: look at page 11.

The info in my manuals has the 9mm NATO round between the standard and +P loads.
They were the maximum load that were safe in WWll pistols of the day and todays loads are safe but a full load, that should be used in weapons in good working order.

I use Unique for my +P loads but can get a NATO loading in my 3.5 and 5" pistols with just Green Dot powder.

NATO 115gr @ 1240 3.5" at 1200 ........ 5" at 1257 fps
NATO 124gr @ 1188 3.5" at 1133 ........ 5" at 1198 fps.

They are easier on the pistol than a +P loading and a good way to break in a "New" pistol and it's springs, when just out of the box.....
to smooth out the metal and break in that new spring.....
so you can use lighter loads, down the road, after things loosen up and work easier.

The new M&P shield would not shoot light loads on it's first outing. It needed full factory loads for the spring to eject the cases.

Welcome to the S&W site.

Have fun.

Yep, 9x19mm NATO is somewhere between standard pressure and SAAMI spec +P pressure. +P is defined as 10% over standard maximum pressure, NATO ammo is somewhere around 5% over standard pressure.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Thanks everyone! Very much appreciate all of the great info.

I bought a case of the Win NATO ammo for range use as it shoots like Match ammo out of my 5 inch M&P.As others have said above, it is closer to standard pressure than +P.

Out of my (longer) barrel, I get 1200 fps. with the NATO and most standard pressure 9mm runs 1100 to 1140.
I have some bonded JHP by Atomic that runs 1300 fps, that stuff is hot.
Those are all with 124 grain bullets, not 115 grain.

This is a chrono reading with the Winchester NATO load:

__________________
U. S. Army Veteran

I shoot Winchester 9mm 124gr fmj NATO ammo (white box with black letters) in my S&W EZ. It’s rated at 1200ft/sec.
Speer Gold Dot 124gr +p is rated at 1220ft/sec.
I shoot it as range ammo. No problems! I got it at $9/box.
Just remember that any +p ammo will accelerate wear on your
gun if you shoot a lot of it.

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Thanks, everyone, for the additional feedback!