I picked up a Shield .40 yesterday and thought I would share a few of my observations.

First, like I have seen many people mention I was concerned about what the recoil would be like, and how fast I would be able to get back on target. After about 140-150 rounds through it I can say that I no longer have any concerns. I shot mostly WWB with a few 135gr Rangers, and some 180gr reloads. None of them was at all difficult to control. I would say that the recoil is similar and probably a little nicer than that of my LC9. It was pleasant to shoot with both the flush and the extended magazine.

Accuracy.....It shot really nice. There were a couple where I without a doubt anticipated and shot low right (I am a lefty). At 7 yards when I was done with the 1st 100 there really wasn't any of the 9 ring left. Nothing was outside of the 8 ring including the shots I knew I jerked low.

Trigger......Crisp, good reset a little heavier than I would like (that will either clear up with some more use, or be fixed by an Apex kit). The one thing I really wish was different is the overtravel. Way too much for my liking. That however is another thing easily fixed by installing an Apex kit.

Comparing to my LC9....I is very slightly larger, but conceals just as well. I like striker fired pistols better than long double action triggers. I will say that with some use the trigger on my LC9 has become very smooth and nice. I plan on keeping both, I really like my LC9. However, if I was told I could only have one of them.....right now it would have to be my shield.

One last thing to note. This only happened with the 7 round extended magazine, but I found that if I was not a little careful in how I gripped the pad between the base of my finger and the middle knuckle would sometimes depress the mag release. This happened about 3 times total but like I said, only with the extended magazine. I will have to see what I can do to stop this, or only shoot the 6 rounders. This same thing happened a couple time when I first got my LC9, then I managed to get my grip settled in and it has not happened again in several hundred rounds.

This seems like it is getting long so I will cut it off there. All in all I am very happy with my purchase.

Thanks a lot for the feedback, I am on about half a dozen waiting lists for both the 9mm and .40 but will only buy one and am so torn. The recoil being the main factor as I am not an experienced shooter and want to be comfortable shooting my ccw weapon. Sounds like recoil isn't a hindrance from your report. So recoil was on par with your LC9, what about muzzle flip and gun twist? Thanks

I would say that the muzzle flip is very comparable. I did not shoot them side by side today (will have to do that next time). It of course had more flip than my full size M&P, but it was nearly as pleasant to shoot.

Another reason I got the .40 is because I figured that companies would be coming out with conversion barrels soon. Out of curiousity I put some 9mm rounds into the .40 magazines. They fit fine, and weren't in any danger of popping out the top. I don't know if they will feed reliably or not, but it looks promising.

Edit to add word as.

I am on the waiting list for the 40 just so I can purchase a factory 9mm for less than $100 and have both the 40 and the 9mm.

My first purchase was a M&P 9mm fullsize and if I had it to do all over it would have been my EDC and M&P40 compact, that way I can buy full size mags with some X-grips and voila here's a fullsize 40 or 9mm or 357SIG!

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

I have the .40 on order through my gun club. I have been carrying a .40 Taurus slim, which is almost exactly the same size as the Shield. I have had no problem shooting or controlling the .40. I was able to handle the 9mm Shield and it fits my hands much better, just as my other 4 M&P weapons. Looking forward to my new M&P

Nice write-up, YZ.
Just the type of info many have been looking for.

Glad you found the fear of recoil to be unfounded. Funny how people come to conclusions without factual information. Inference without adequate information usually leads to negative speculation.

Just clarifying, it was nearly "as" pleasant to shoot or literally "nearly pleasant"?

Wondering if I go to the range and put 200 rounds through the Shield .40 if it's likely to be a pleasant experience. Thanks

I just went to the range tonight with my wife's 9mm Shield and, while I was there, I ran into a member who has a .40 Shield. So we traded for one magazine to see how the other one shoots and I would have to say (and he concurred) that there is virtually no difference between the .40 and the 9mm as far as recoil is concerned. I didn't notice any "snappiness" at all.

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G21C,Shield.40,LCP

Thanks for catching that. Yes, the as should have been included in that statement. Edited to fix it.

Great review. I also picked up a Shield in 40 and got to shoot it a little yesterday. I was expecting much more recoil. I think my Glock 27 kicks more than the Shield.

If I read between the lines it doesn't sound like any new Shield .40 owners have regrets and wish they had purchased the 9mm instead. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

@Nooz, I also posted elsewhere the same impression as you, that the Shield 40 seemed to have less recoil than the G27 that I've had for 12 years....my petite wife hates the G27 but is very happy shooting the Shield. I'm wondering if the design of the frame and grip are the reason.....my wife also likes her G36 .45 and shoots it well, but another Shield .40 may be in our future.

Nope, I do not regret getting the .40 at all. Like I said I will probably get a 9 conversion barrel for it just for flexibility, but I am very happy with my .40.

As a former LC9 owner, I look forward to shooting my 9mm Shield
after it arrives.

Good to know the .40s are soft shooting like other M&Ps.

This review and the comments might have swung me over to getting a .40. I have a FS M&P .40 and like it but thinking of getting a 9 for the less recoil/snappiness. I am getting use to my FS and if there really isn't much difference I might just get the .40. Plus I won't have to purchase a different ammo size and could do the barrel swap later. Thanks for the review.

I sold my piece of **** LC9 replacement Ruger sent me after problems with the first. Let me tell you this........ night and day difference. The shield was so smooth, so manageable and so fun to shoot, I could have fired 500 rounds in one range session if I had the money.

When I was at the range with the LC9, it hurt to put more then 100 rounds through because the recoil was so bad. Actually left a raw mark on the top of my thumb where it sits on the grip under the rear of the slide.

Bring extra ammo or money to buy ammo because you're not going to want to leave after shooting the shield.

Thank you everyone for your reveiws on the Shield 40. I am sold on it and look forward to finding one out there that I can purchase and add to my stable; I currently have an M&P40C and that is my everyday carry. I forget I have it on most of the time. my bug is a Cobra 38 Big Bore Derringer which I plan on replaceing with the Shield 40. Thanks again.

I have an LC9 and a new Shield 40. The LC9 is maxed out with modifications including an early break, short pull trigger, trigger stop, and lots of other internal mods. to smooth out the pull and lower trigger pull weight. My LC9 cannot be improved upon regarding the trigger pull/firing action. The stock Shield's trigger is still much better than my modified LC9's trigger. The modified LC9 has a 5/16 inch long trigger pull, which is less than half of the stock LC9's trigger pull length of 3/4 inch. The Shield has a 3/32 inch length trigger pull. This length of trigger pull measurment is the actual pull to break of the hammer (LC9) and pull to break of the sear (Shield), not counting take up. Both trigger pull weights were at 6 1/2 pounds.

Shooting target loads, both had similar felt recoil and snap. I am 6 ft. 190 lbs and the felt recoil was very minimal. With high power SD ammo both had a little more snap and punch, which would be expected, but the recoil was not excessive. Except for the expense, I could shoot the SD ammo all day long. I used Corbon 9mm (115gr 1350fps and 466 ft. lbs) versus Hornady 40 S&W (155gr 1180fps and 479 ft. lbs). The Shield had less felt recoil using the SD ammo, than the LC9. Part of the less felt recoil is that the Shield weighs 3 ounces more. But the biggest reason is the Shield's barrel bore axis is 3/16 inch lower than the LC9's axis. Both guns have measured 16 pound recoil springs.

I am waiting for my Apex sear and striker block to arrive in the mail. I would have modified my own sear and blocker, but I phoned S&W and was told it will be 6 months to a year before they will be selling Shield parts to the public. I didn't want to use the stock parts and not have back ups. I have installed a pretravel stop in the Shield. It removed nearly all the trigger pretravel and half of the trigger safety travel, while allowing the striker block to work. The Apex sear should remove the overtravel and the trigger pull weight will be around 4 to 4 1/2 pounds. This is the weight I want and remember all the Shield's safeties will be working, including the manual safety. When completed the Shield's trigger will be so much better.

Bob

Really appreciate the report on recoil and muzzle flip. I figured that the nay sayers were blowing smoke to justify their decision.

My shield 40 with 165 grain felt like my 40C with 180 grain. Sweet gun and no problems getting back on target. I would highly recommend this as a carry gun.

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How's the pressing the release problem going? I have a problem with magazines dropping but I am not pressing the release. Were you able to correct the problem by adjusting your grip?

My local gun store has a waiting list for both calibers. There are 34 people waiting on the 9mm and only 1 waiting on the 40. I would get one in 40 if I was in a hurry, but I don't mind waiting for the 9. I did not add my name to the list as there are a few other guns that have my interest also.

Jim

For me it is definitely the grip. I have big hands (also a lefty, my issue couldn't happen if I could reverse the release) and if I do no pay attention I let me right hand wrap around a bit too far. This allows the tip of my right index finger to push against the the pad on my left middle finger which will sometimes press the mag release. I just need to spend more time shooting with the extended mag so I lock the proper grip in muscle memory.

Good luck with your issue. I does sound like you are fighting a very different problem than I am.

I had the mag drop after the first few shots. I found the grip thumb indent is angled down, towards the mag release. The thumb indent on my LC9 was straight forward. If I keep my top finger tighter on the grip, it blocks my thumb from sliding down and touching the release. Or I can just concentrate on keeping my thumb straight. It's always something.

Bob

I purposely waited for the .40 over the 9mm.
I was at the gun shop the day the first 9mm arrived, and I got to fondle it like we were dating.
No regrets what so ever with the decision to wait.

If I was target shooting with it, then I may have went the other way.
But, this is a tool that was bought for a specific reason, & I wanted all the punch I could get out of the pistol.

YZ400MAN's spot on with his report. I concur with his assessment of the .40cal Shield.

I SAW NO COMMENTS ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY LOADING THE MAGAZINE ON THE S&W SHIELD. I FIND IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO LOAD AND HAVING IT SIT AROUND WITH A FULL LOAD IN THE MAGAZINE DOES NOT IMPROVE THE SITUATION.

master7, why all of the caps? All caps is considered yelling on internet forums please stop.
Yes magazines are hard to load but gets easier after loading and cycling magazines, many members use this maglula | Tools for loading and unloading magazines

Otherwise welcome to the forum.

I sit here reading this and just remembered my shield 40 is on my hip. Yes, I did forget it was there, way easier to carry than my glock 23. I still think the glocks shoots better (for me), but I've been carrying that pistol for 16+ years.

No issues loading my magazines, both of them are tight but not difficult. Next time I get to shoot I'm going to run the IDPA classifier to see how I do. This pistol does have some snap but no worse than my 329PD with full house 240 grain loads

I want some night sights, but no other mods on my mind so far. Only issue so far is some rust around the mag release, it's been 100-110 here in hell lately though.

Make sure you practice with some of your carry loads or a matched load. Real ammo may be hotter than the WWB you're shooting.

And have fun, this is a great pistol!

My thoughts, exactly, including the fact that my Glock 23 shoots better.


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I agree with you the .40 Shield mags are difficult to load. I finally use the UpLULA to load.I have kept my 3 mags loaded for several months including use. They are still difficult to use. Also the recoil spring is very strong. For those using a 9mm Lone Wolf barrel in a .40 to this might be problem. Although I have read comments from people inserting 9mm in .40 cal magazines. I would be reluctant to do either when carrying for self-defense.

The Mag upLULA is a great tool but I don't like having to rely upon it. In a drawn out self-defense scenario it ain't gonna be too handy. That's why I carry extra magazines.