just interested in some real life range expierences

thanks

bump for the pm crowd

OK I will try to answer your question but this will merely be an opinion. I own the 40 fullsize as well as the 40 compact that I carry daily! I also own three 9mm's two full size and one a subcompact!

The recoil of any 9 mm to me is kinda like a air bb gun which is not really much but the 40 is snappy regardless of its size. A 40 caliber handgun will recoil upwards where a 45 will push back this make getting your sights back on target more difficult with a 40 caliber gun.

I once owned a 9mm KelTec PF9 which I traded for a full sized 45 M&P mostly because I just did not like the little gun and its grip in my hand, so I guess a Shield 9 should not be that difficult to control.

I look at a 9mm like a good gun for getting used to the recoil of any weapon, but I have been shooting pistols since 1974!

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

Punch in the gut vs kick in the b@lls.... Just a guess though...

Excellent question. I was wondering the same thing. My common sense is telling me that a small thin pistol like the Shield is really designed and intended for the 9mm round. Another well known thin pistol is known to blow out it's extractor when chambered in .40S&W.
Contollability is the other question when considering a Shield in .40S&W
This is the very first video posted on YouTube which clearly demontrates that the Shield appears to be handling the potent .40 just as well as the M&P40c does.

Go to YouTube and type in M&P40 Shield. Awesome.

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40c FS,9Shield(2)40,9Pro

thanks


i love my shield 9mm ..i ordered a second one

I just got my .40 shield this week. The recoil is not bad for such a small pistol alot less than i was expecting actually. great gun cant wait to get a 9mm shield too!

Follow up shots pretty accurate?

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40c FS,9Shield(2)40,9Pro

i rented both of them and shot them side by side to figure out what i wanted to buy. Like Houdini said, the .40 was snappy and the recoil pushed the barrel up compared to the 9mm. Although I liked the kick of the .40 better and it was a lot of fun to shoot, i could get on target and fire a second accurate shot much faster with the 9mm... and thats what i came out of the store with.

On Thursday 5/10/12 I got the first Shield .40 from my LGS. My daughter and I went to the range on Saturday and I put 260 rounds through it without any FTF/FTE. I already have an M&P 40C and brought that with me as well. I put 30 rounds through the 40C to re-aquaint myself with the recoil, sighting, etc. for comparison.

A few things to note here. I'm a big guy, so I may be less affected by recoil. I love my 40C, so I may be a little biased (I also have a full size M&P .45 as well as a M&P15T AR-15, so, yes, I'm biased toward M&Ps). I also own a Kahr PM09 (9mm).

My impression is that the new Shield 40 has no more recoil than the 40C. It is extremely accurate at 5-7 yards. Re-acquisition of the target was not an issue, even in rapid-fire sequences (the range does not allow double-taps, but my rapid fire is very close to double-taps).

Since I already own the Kahr PM09 I was not interested in another small 9mm. That's why I got the Shield 40. I also like the idea of more fire power.

The grip is very comfortable. The sights are adequate, but I wonder if anyone actually uses the sights when things go really bad. Thank God I have no experience here, but from what I've read, you tunnel vision anyway.

My daughter brought her LCP .380. That gun had more kick and sting than the Shield 40.

Hope this adds some insight. It is strictly my opinion. Bottom line for me is that I love this gun. I'm glad I got the 40 and not the 9mm.

I have had my Shield in 9mm for two weeks now. I do not have the Shield 40 but I do have a Taurus 740 slim. I have carried the Taurus in my pocket even though it is a hair bigger than the Shield but for practical purposes the size difference is so minor to make a real difference. The 740 has a bit more noticeable felt recoil, yet manageable and not unpleasant. The Shield 9mm is a very nice handling gun. If I did not have the 740 I probably would have gotten the Shield in .40 S&W.

Ah man...after hearing all these positive comments from Shield .40 shooters, now i'm leaning back that way. (I think) Got my M&P40c, which of course is awesome. Got my PPS 9mm, and Kahr CM9.hmmmm decisions decisions...

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40c FS,9Shield(2)40,9Pro

I haven't played with a Shield yet.... On the list....

I have an M&P9C, 40C, and 40FS. The 40C is very snappy, but as a 1911 guy, not much, and really no worse than my Officer's-sized 1911s....

The 9C's a popgun ....

However, I swapped off a PPS40 because the grip was too narrow, and rather uncomfortable, but not too terrible. The deal-breaker was a very narrow trigger which my pudgy finger wrapped around, and got seriously pinched by each shot. The M&P40C & FS (and the 9C) have a fairly wide trigger, and more than enough grip width.

I think I could live with a slightly narrower grip with no problem - I probably wouldn't shoot the thing as much as I do the others, but I need to see what they did to the trigger - my understanding is that the Shield's trigger is narrower....

(BTW, the PPS9 seems like it'd be a good choice, too, but the new Shield is a LOT smaller, and lacks that goofy safety setup based on the magazine base. Pretty easy to defeat, but....)

Really a "gotta try it" thing, I think, for most people, but if you're used to .40's or .45's (particularly the smaller ones), nothing to run away from.

Regards,

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Stu.

Roger S&W,

I have several handguns, retired LEO, shooting handguns regularly since 1977. I took my new Shield .40 to the range today for the first time. I usually carry a G27 or PF9 for EDC. The Shield's perceived recoil is equal to or lighter than the G27, usually the same ammo, IMO. My petite wife hates the G27, but loved the Shield today. Very manageable recoil for follow- up shots. I almost bought a Shield 9, since I thought the recoil would be worse. Glad I got the .40. My G27 and PF9 may be warming the bench more. The Shield is first team material.

dr g,
Not sure if you've made a decision or not yet since this thread is old, but I just purchased a Shield40 yesterday. I agonized over it thinking that the kick would be too much both for me and in such a little gun.
For context, I am a midwest shotgun/rifle guy. Never had handguns. Only shot my dad's (XD40, G26). Shot the 40 well and liked that round in a bigger gun but needed something that my wife could handle as well.

Gotta say, the Shield40 is incredible. The NRA instructor that just gave me my first handgun training this AM shot it and was amazed. I put 2 of my first 7 rounds through the same hole at 7+ yards! Kept the group inside of a few inches. Similar shooting with the shorter clip too (my pinky kind of fits).

No extensive shooting yet since my focus was on technique/learning and not the gun, but I am relieved and happy with my decision to go with the 40.

Roger S&W,
I've got no advice for you as a rookie handgun shooter but can honestly share, as embarrasing as it is, that I pretended to be on my phone heading into the gun store so I could take a few more minutes to decide between 9mm and 40 Shield. I don't plan on getting a lot of guns, and given my personal situation this was a big decision. My LGS has a much longer wait list for the 9mm and I happened to be around when they got in a 40. It was spoken for, so put my name on that list as I "decided" whether it would be 9 or 40. The LGS called me as I was calling them to switch me over to the 9mm list telling me the 40 guy walked away. It was mine.
I debated for 2 days, thinking that the litte gun wouldn't handle well and would be too much for me. The 9mm wait list was long and I need to have something for personal protection. Ultimately I decided to get the gun, even though it was a different and more-expensive round.
I just shot this AM during a planned handgun training that I intended to be with my Glock19 only. Just to pick up the basics. Shot the Shield40 and am SOOOO excited at how well I shot that I joined this forum. How crazy is THAT?!
I'm 5'9", 175lb. Coordinated, but obviously not a super-shot. I group my G19 within 4 inches at 13 yards and felt really comfortable with that round. Now I can keep this Shield 40 inside 2 inches at 7 yards.

Am a happy Shield owner. Gonna get my wife the Shield9 soon.

Unbiased. No history. No agenda.

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G19, Shield40, BG380

I purchased the Shield .40 a few weeks ago. Did a side by side comparison with my Glock 27 using WWB 165gr ball ammo. IMHO, the shield was more manageable than the Glock, and I'm a Glock guy. I liked it enough to buy another Shield in 9mm today.

I have both and shot both side by side, yes the 40 is a bit snappier, but not significantly so, i shot equally well with both and plan to keep both, but usually carry the 40.

I bought a Shield .40 and have aound 200 rounds through it. I also own a full size M&P .40 and previously owned a Glock 23 and an FNP .40. I would rank perceived recoil in the four guns as follows, from most to least - Glock 23, Shield, M&P and FNP. The difference between the Shield and the fullsize M&P is minimal.

Of the four weapons, the only one that had what I would call unpleasant recoil was the Glock 23. With the other three, including the Shiield, the recoil is not an issue.

Bottom line - if you can handle a full size M&P .40, you should be able to handle a Shield .40. Not sure how they did it, but the recoil is very manageable for such a small gun.

Having said that, my Shield drops mags repeatedly. This is the first handgun that I've owned that was not reliable out of the box. Hoping S&W can fix the problem, because otherwise I love the gun. My left hand is bruised from doing "tap/rack" drills at the range.

I have compared a lot of .40's with 9 mm's. I prefer the .40 as a probable man-stopper. Accuracy of a quick second shot with a .40 is generally harder to achieve than with a 9 mm. But it is unlikely to be as necessary. I would go with a 9 mm only when it gives me a substantial reduction in size. If you are going to buy a 9 mm and then go looking for +p++ ammo, get the .40 instead.

Tom:

It might also make sense to buy several more of those 9mm's in this case. The M&P guns can take only so much abuse ....

There probably is a little to be said for +P loads, but at some point it becomes bragging rights. A good SD load in anything nastier than a .380, presuming a solid hit, and no winter clothing issues, should be more than enough to ruin the BG's day. "Plastic tip" SD loads should solve the clothing problem, leaving only the issue of a follow-up shot, and that's got too many variables to really predict.

(That said, go with a caliber/gun mix you can handle well enough to get in that follow-up, should it be needed. IMHO, those ultra-light .357's, for example, are a "where the hell did my hand go?" situation for most shooters after the first round, even if you can stand the pain....)

Lest I get nasty flames, the newer SD round for the .380 aren't bad, either, but the guns are generally not fun to shoot, and that's part of the problem: If you can't comfortably shoot the thing, you won't practice with it, and the best you can expect, besides luck, is a nasty flinch. The 40FS and 40C are a little snappy, but comfortable for me. So's the 9mm, but given the mix, the 40's a better choice for me. "Outside", it's an Officer's-sized 1911. Actually slightly better for me, but the M&P is a better carry in grubbies.

IMHO, the .40 Shield would be about the same as the 40C - maybe a little less comfortable, but I've yet to try it.

Buy several of each....

Regards,

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Stu.

Last week I shot my Shield .40, Glock 19 (9mm) and my wife's new Shield 9mm all side-by-side.

I must first say that I, to, was apprehensive about the recoil of the Shield .40. It seems to be the main concern for those "on the fence" b/t the 9 and 40. I try to keep in mind that perceived recoil is very subjective from shooter to shooter. Personally, I was very surprised at how well the Shield 40 handled. The recoil is very manageable and actually less then the Taurus 605 I use to own. My wife was a bit intimidated by the recoil of the 40 so I got her a Shield 9. The bite is less and I can tell she just feels more comfortable with it. I found the Shield 9 to handle more smoothly and with less recoil then my G19.

As for me, I am very happy I decided to go with the 40 for myself. HTH...Brian

I have both the Shield 9mm and M&P 40c. There is a noticeable difference in recoil . The Shield is much less!

I purchased the Shield 40 and shoot 180 gr rounds. I bought it because my main carry is the Glock 27 and used it to get my CCW. I have the Walther PPS9, LC9, Ruger SR9C, Glock 23, Glock 26. This is my first M&P and it shoots better than the Walther PPS, I would have to debate the Glock 27 is more to handle. Granted the 9mm ammo cheaper, but I like the 40s for knock down power and the recoil is not bad seeing I use 149 gr in the 9mms. I'll probably buy the 9mm for my wife using 115 gr ammo. If this is your first sub compact get 9mm. Final note, the manual does not recommend the use of +P or +P+ in the Shield 40 or 9.

Honestly, I feel like my LCP.380 bites harder than my .40 Shield.
If you're on the fence, go big. If you don't like it, you'll be able to make your money back within 10 minutes.
Then you can wait out the 9mm.
There's a pretty good chance you'll be happy if you decide to go with the .40.

Good Luck.

TMAXXII:

I got rid of a PPS40.... (The 9 would have been OK, I think.) My pudgy fingers wrapped around the trigger and got bit with every shot.... The narrow back didn't help, but I could live with that. Both the full size and Compact M&P 40's here are very comfortable to shoot, bearing in mind that I'm a 1911 guy.

Funds are short now, but I hope to grab a Shield 40 around the first of the year. Might get lucky sooner if a gun I've got out on consignment sells well.

IMHO, just about all the "tiny" .380's are going to bite harder than the .40 Shield.... I can barely stand to fire my PPK/S, and I'd sell the P3-AT if I didn't occasionally want something that tiny. It's taken a lot of work, but it's now occasionally getting through a full magazine before breaking down. (The PPK/S, OTOH, is very reliable. Just heavy, and unpleasant to shoot. I switched to the 40C for "around the house".)

Regards,

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Stu.

I've owned a Shield 40 for a couple of months and have shot it regularly at an outdoor range that permits rapid fire. (I'm lucky to live 20 minutes from a facility that does special-ops training for military and civilian contractors, including many from SOC at Fort Bragg.) I can't give you a comparison with a 9mm but I can tell you this as far as recoil is concerned:

1. I can shoot 100 to 150 rounds of .40 from my Shield comfortably and enjoyably, and the only reason I stop there is ammo budget.

2. At self-defense ranges (for me, three to five yards), and using point shooting technique, I can empty my 7+1 magazine about as fast as I can pull the trigger, and all rounds impact in the torso on a silhouette target. Yes, they are scattered, but they would do a world of hurt on a live target.

3. With practice, I am getting better at a "double tap" to place both rounds close together mid-chest with point shooting technique. I'm starting to experiment with chest-head combinations, but that's been a bit tougher.

I hope I never I have do this in a real-life encounter, of course. But I know without a shadow that .40 recoil in my Shield, would not be an issue in placing lethal, multiple rounds to stop a threat, and that's primarily what I bought this pistol for. I have about 800 rounds through it so far, no issues, no mag-drop problems, and I love the pistol.

The best part is, my Shield is just darn fun to shoot! A blast, really (no pun intended!)

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I have several small pistols. Started with the M&P40c. This is a nice gun but it was too thick for my tast for concealled carry. I am reasonably accurate out to 50' with it. I then bought the Nano. This was my first 9mm gun. I was reasonably accurate with it to 30'. Had too many initial failures to use it as concealled carry gun. After 2000 rounds it has not had any failures in the last 500 but it still doesn't like 115 grain ammo. So at this point I went with a revolver and got the M&P 360, a nice little .357, but man it kicks like a mule. I am only good with it to about 21'. So that is when they released the shield. Since I have several 40's I opted for the shield 40. I really like the gun but I had the magazine eject problem with both magazines with a few FTE's with the magazine failures. Sent the gun to Smith and since then have had zero failures. I am accurate out to 40' with it. A friends wife bought the XDs and decided it was too snappy for her. I agreed to purchase it from her. I have only run about 100 rounds through it so far but I am more accurate with it than any of the others at a distance of 21'. I think it may have something to do with that bright red front site, makes target aquisition very quick.

So I now have a nice group of conceallable firearms that cover the range of ammo from 9mm to 45acp. I can recommend all of them but the Nano and the Shield both had issues to work out.

So not get me wrong but I did carry my Shield40 for about a month and now EDC my 40compact with two 15 rounder magazines and XGrips in a Blackhawk pouch, I just like the extra firepower plus the conceal ability is about the same also I can not get extra magazines for the Shield and have been waiting for since May but they are like hen's teeth (I wonder f the even make them).

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59,M&P9,40,40C,357,(2)45,G26

The mags for the shield are fairly easy to get ur hands on. Just about every place on the web has them for order. Granted they will cost u a little over $30 a piece. But u shouldnt have a hard time finding them at all.

I'm liking the .40 Shield converted to 9mm for playing around at the range. And its pretty sweet knowing on any given day u can shoot .40 or 9mm, which ever u prefer.

To the OP, there isnt much difference between the 9mm and 40 as far are recoil. Yes the 40 has a tiny bit more, but keep in mind the new design of the dual recoil spring seems to help it. The 40 handles recoil pretty damn good compared to other small frame weapons.

I have put 150 rounds through the Shield 40

It has a lighter recoil than other 40s I have shot, by some margin

Dr g

I own the Shield 9mm. I have read if you shoot +P through your 9mm you will experience a comparable recoil to a 40 caliber.

If a correct statement, I'll stick with my 9 mm. +P in my opinion is not fun for target shooting 100 + rounds per session.

Russ

I own both a Shield .40 and 9mm. The difference is slight in felt recoil and frankly could only be measured with a stop watch. Yes, you can tell the difference, but the Shield 40 and 9 for that matter, recoil less than other pistols I've had in the same size envelop.

I agree with others that the Shield handles the 40 round very well for its size. From my personal perspective, owning both, the 40 has significantly more recoil than the 9. How to compare to answer the OP's original post, I don't know. The best I can do is as follows. If I shoot a couple of magazines through my 9 and then shoot the 40, I am a good shot with the 40 for the first round only and then I wonder why I can't shoot as accurately as I used to. If I shoot the 40 first and then the 9, I wonder why the 9 has zero recoil and how come I am now "magically" a better shot than I was a couple of minutes ago.