For owners of both the Shield 9mm and .40, if you could only keep one....

[tjkober]

So I had a Shield 9mm for a week, never fired it and a neighbor made me an offer today I couldn't refuse so I'm back to my original dilemma .40 or 9mm (and scouring the Earth for one in stock at a fair price). It seems many of you have both so the million dollar question is of course, if you could only have one or the other which and please tell me why.

[Dohmein]

Quite a few reasons for me but I will keep it short. Ammo cost and efficacy make the 9mm a winner for me.

[Dean1818]

The 9 will be easier to hit doubletaps

[accessbob]

I have fired both and I didn't notice a distinct difference between the two so I am planning on going .40 since it is larger than 9 and it isn't all that much more expensive (at least where I am located).

[Shielded]

I'd go for the 9mm.
Reason 1. cheaper to shoot
2. one round per mag extra (could come in handy)
3. should have less recoil
4. should have a bit faster follow-up shots/double taps
5. today has plenty of good high performance 9mm ammo
6. extra mags for the 9mm seem easier to find (at the moment)
just my .02 cents

[Co9mil]

I went with the .40. I have the full size M&P 9 and a Kimber Ultra Carry II in 9mm so my 9mm needs are covered. The Shield does have a bit more snap to it but I was fine after running a few magazines thru it. The Shield will become one of my carry options

[Whatgorilla]

9 for me--for all the reasons Shielded stated (except extra mags--I don't need tons of extra mags for a carry gun).

40 for you, since it seems to me like you're leaning .40--otherwise you just made some easy money off your own neighbor (you don't sound like you took a loss or just broke even here).

[tjkober]

Originally Posted by Whatgorilla

40 for you, since it seems to me like you're leaning .40--otherwise you just made some easy money off your own neighbor (you don't sound like you took a loss or just broke even here).

My neighbor had one and was looking to add another for a special gift to his son and was getting worried he wouldn't be able to locate one in time so he paid me about $70 more than I had paid but by the time I track one down I might break even with all these 6 months to a year out horror stories

I'm actually leaning 9mm again since I have a nice stash of ammo but I'm trying to get straight in my mind if I come across a .40 if I'm going to jump on it. The ammo cost is a concern for me though I don't shoot that often. Decisions, Decisions

[Marshal tom]

I have asked the same question. I purchased the 9 but have been wondering if I should have gotten the 40 instead. I got the 9 for the above stated reasons and thought that it was a more suitable caliber for that size of a weapon. I was never a fan of 9mm years ago and would love one in a .45!

[Whatgorilla]

Some people may shoot this small 9 as well as a 40. I don't think I could, based on my experiences with other 9/40s of the same model. From the glock 26/27 to the pm9/pm40 to the g19/g23. Plus, for me, I like the fact that my two main pistols shoot the same ammo (a g19 and the shield). At one point I had 22LR, .380, 9mm, 5.56 and 7.62x39. Now I'm down to 3: 22LR, 9 and 5.56.
Though I can still get SOME gold dot 40 ammo free, it's not enough to justify it for me.

[FHF]

I've shot the 9 and own a .40 but then again, all my M&P's are in .40. I don't think the recoil of the .40 over the 9 is that noticeable (to me anyway). I just think the larger diameter holes are prettier...

[tjkober]

I can't believe it, I just bought a 9mm Shield off grabagun.com, my second in just over a week. $400 shipped. Those guys are incredible, they had one 9mm and I posted a .40 was also available. My last shipment took 3 days total to my hand. If you are serious about landing a Shield bookmark the page and hit refresh once in a while, trust me it works (x2)

[alatour]

I have both, I shoot the 9 a little better but I would still go with the .40. I think with a little more practice I will shoot it just as well.

[ArLEOret]

I bought a 40 Shield and compared it with a 9C yesterday. I thought the 40 would be rougher on my hands but it felt ok and I actually shot better with the 40 than the 9. Must have been the trigger assembly in the 40. I fired the 40 first (50 rounds) and followed up with the 9. Next time I will reverse the order and see if there is a difference.

Stay Safe!

[ccpacker]

.40 because I shoot with the big boys.

[Knightrider03m]

The 9 is fine

[GnarlyTwoTrack]

I can't talk much because this was my first hand gun but I went with the 9mm. I originally was going to go with a little .380 but when I saw this I fell in love. Snatched it off the shelf end of april. So since I've never shot a .40, I don't know what that feels like. But I can agree with what Shielded said. Cheaper ammo, one extra bullet, maybe less recoil, etc. Also, a .40 just seemed over kill in my opinion since I was originally looking at the .380.

[catcus-jack]

Originally Posted by ccpacker

.40 because I shoot with the big boys.

If you shoot with the big boys you should be shooting a .45

[ccpacker]

Don't have a shield in .45.

[S&WOkie]

I have heard, but not researched, that a Shield 9 barrel will work in a Shield 40, like in the M&P Compacts.

If that is true...I would get the Shield 40, and a 9mm barrel, if possible, to have the option of shooting both calibers.

It also may require using 9mm magazines to cycle properly.

I have a M&PC in .357 Sig with a .40 cal. barrel, and I am looking for 9mm factory barrel, so it will be a three caliber gun.

Just my humble opinion.

[rod442]

I voted 40. Just picked up one myself wednesday, after seeing both the 9 and 40 in the store last friday. Called and they only had the 40 left. Fine with me, since I wanted the 40 in hopes that there will be a 9mm barrel option down the road.

I haven't read that someone has actually tried + fired the 9 stock barrel in a 40 yet.

[cc4600]

I shot both the 9 & 40 at the LGS last week as the had the S&W factory demo guys there. Both shot well and there was little difference in the recoil to me. But I am partial to the 40 as I have a 40C and a 40 Pro, so I bought the 40 shield to replace my current daily carry Kahr PM9.

[team sidewinder]

Sorry I voted 9mm even if I don't have both. For me anyway I just know the 9 works for me just fine from experience with my 9mm Sig 229R. I wouldn't even want the 40 if I could get or afford one now I have the shield 9. No need to be buying a different caliber ammo either. Only reason I bought another 9mm pistol is the Sig was pretty hard to CC while the shield really shines in the CC area.

[robrossk]

I have the ,40 and am waiting (like others) to hear if the 9mm barrel works. It physically fits, buy I did not have opportunity to fire.

[Edmo]

Originally Posted by ccpacker

Don't have a shield in .45.

45 ACP gun in a "Shield" sized gun is called the Springfield XDs.

Since I don't own the Shield in both calibers I didn't vote in the poll, However I would likely vote for the 9mm.

This is based on a recent range trip with my wife and daughter. I intend the Shield to eventually be my daughter's pistol so she will need to be comfortable with it. after shooting the 9mm Shield, both my wife and daughter thought the 9mm Shield was "snappier" than my GLOCK 9mm compact (G19) and the 9mm sub-compact (G26).

I guess I'll need to get the daughter a G26...

Edmo

[pyro]

Originally Posted by S&WOkie

I have heard, but not researched, that a Shield 9 barrel will work in a Shield 40, like in the M&P Compacts.

If that is true...I would get the Shield 40, and a 9mm barrel, if possible, to have the option of shooting both calibers.

I have yet to find anyone who has tried this. S&W says no.

[pyro]

I originally looked for a 9mm, but settled for a 40cal. Ammo costs run about three dollars a box more. I prefer the 9mm costs, but it is what it is. After shooting the 40cal, I really like it. There are smaller guns for 9mm and I have a Kahr CM9. My 40cal isn't going anywhere, it is just too sweet.

[highaltitude]

9mm for me... Cheaper ammo, less recoil, extra round. Shooting Speer Gold Dots will put any BG down.

[Fabius]

My plan originally was to get the 9, mainly because I was concerned about the recoil of a .40 in such a small gun. Had trouble finding any Shields at all locally, so when I found a .40 at one of the LGS I bought it.

No regrets. The recoil is much more manageable that I thought it would be. Had the mag drop problem, but that seems to be fixed now. In retrospect, I'm glad that I went with the .40. It's nice having .40 cal power in a handgun that fits in my pocket.

The 9mm would have been a compromise for me because I prefer carrying .40 or .45, but never thought that I would find a reliable subcompact in those calibers that would be comfortable to shoot. My Shield is actually more comfortable to shoot than the Glock 23 that i used to own.

The Shield .40 is the gun I was hoping someone would make. Glad that I bought it.

[Maddmax]

9. I have all the M&P 9's and it fits my collection. No 40 anythings. I started and have always been 45 from my first pistol. Like the M&P 9's for carry and round cap. IF (BIG if),they made a 45 Shield. ...That'd be more than a handful and with low round mag ??? I'll stay with the FS 45's.

[RussC]

Originally Posted by tjkober

So I had a Shield 9mm for a week, never fired it and a neighbor made me an offer today I couldn't refuse so I'm back to my original dilemma .40 or 9mm (and scouring the Earth for one in stock at a fair price). It seems many of you have both so the million dollar question is of course, if you could only have one or the other which and please tell me why.

tjkober:

I would suggest you surf this forum for issues with both the 40 and 9 mm Shield.

The drop magazine problem stated by some 40 Shield owners for me would be a consideration when choosing between 9mm and 40 caliber in the Shield.

Cost of Ammo:

I am considering an M&P CO2 bb pistol for defensive drills because 9mm for serious practice time is too expensive for my budget. 40 caliber at 40% higher cost is a deal breaker for me. (If you are interested in plinking a box a month the difference in cost is not a big deal, but if you are serious about making quick defensive shots at moving targets without using your gun sights 1,000s of rounds will be required on a consistent basis and that is why I am seriously looking at CO2.)

Ballistics:

I carry Gold Dot 9mm 124 grain +P Short Barrel. If you search Youtube the difference between Gold Dot 40 Caliber and Gold Dot 9mm +P in a denim/ballistic gel test is less than an inch more penetration and the 9mm Gold Dot leaves a diameter wound in the gel the size of a fire hose!

For what the Shield is designed for (less than 10 yard self defense protection) no threat will stand up to fire hose size wounds 13 inches deep multipled by 8.

Russ

P.S. For defensive drills I ruled out the M&P 22 because I would need to use a public gun range and you can't practice real life defensive drills at public gun ranges. I can shoot CO2 in my backyard and at 400 fps and 2 inch groups for 7-10 yard shots the M&P CO2 is a serious consideration for me.

[VMaxSplat]

My Shield is a 40, but I can't imagine the 9mm version not being somewhat easier to get fast, accurate hits with.

That said, handguns (in general) have a notoriously spotty record of stopping fights. My thought is that in a worst case defensive scenario, I'd rather have a bigger bullet. You may only be able to land one hit to keep some homicidal, heavyweight dirtbag off you...

The 40S&W was designed to give big bore performance in a 9mm sized pistol. It came to be after the FBI 9mm failures in the 1986 Miami shootout. In the case of the Shield 40, big bore punch comes to a concealable defensive pistol. Its a case of the good far outweighing the bad.

There was a time when I thought the 9mm was the way to go for compacts. I reconsidered when the Shield 40 was released. Others may feel differently (and that's ok by me).

[Bikemobile]

I carry the 40 and my wife has the 9. I shoot the 9 a bit better on double taps and moving drills. If i had to grab only one and leave the house it would be the 9. More capacity and cheaper ammo.

Im partial to the 40 though because i carry 15+1 .40 cal in an m&p 40FS at work.

One gun, one shot to save your life? Shield 40 with 180 grain speer gold dots.

[Maddmax]

Originally Posted by RussC

tjkober:


I am considering an M&P CO2 bb pistol for defensive drills because 9mm for serious practice time is too expensive for my budget. 40 caliber at 40% higher cost is a deal breaker for me. (If you are interested in plinking a box a month the difference in cost is not a big deal, but if you are serious about making quick defensive shots at moving targets without using your gun sights 1,000s of rounds will be required on a consistent basis and that is why I am seriously looking at CO2.)

.

You can buy a boat load of BB's and co2 for what you pay for ammo. The M&P 45 "looks" and feels like the FS 45 (except for weight). The M&P40 looks close to the 40 and I'm still hunting that one. You get good at hitting with a BB co2 pistol,you WILL be better when it comes to the real thing. You can also get a BB trap and shoot indoors.

[mr2r6]

I vote 9mm and that is what I have. The only thing the 40 has over the 9 is size. While 40 is a bigger caliber than the 9, its not that much. I'm sure if you hit someone with a 9 or 40 in the exact same spots they're not going to know the difference. Also I would rather have the cheaper ammo, extra round and reliability of the 9mm over the 40.

To be fair I have never shot a 40 and I have only been into guns for a short time with no formal training. My brother on the other had is a Police officer is on the SWAT team and a former Ranger and swears by the 40.

So what would I do If I were you???? I'd keep them both! Especially if you have a 40 that doesn't't drop the mag.

[cocojo]

The problem is that if you buy the 9mm you might have wished you bought the 40 . If you buy the 40 you might have wished you bought the 9mm. I want to know what's eating at your craw about either caliber. One won't kill anyone faster or slower and both when poorly placed fail. One freaken milimeter is not the holly grail. Everyone here is going to give you a different opinion depending on their favorite caliber and opinions are like ***** holes everyone has one. The 9mm and 40 when placed where they should perform exactly the same with a good hollow points and both fail when not properly placed. 9mm ammo is a lot cheaper to shoot and easier to control. The 40 will only cost you more all the time and you loose a round in capacity. If the 9mm doesn't give you that warm and fuzzy feeling then get the 40. If your properly training and you need to use a handgun, no one is ever going to fire just once anyway. Multiable hits is where it's at not caliber, the more the better with control accuracy. Go rent both and see which one does that for you. Good luck

[treiz]

Originally Posted by highaltitude

9mm for me... Cheaper ammo, less recoil, extra round. Shooting Speer Gold Dots will put any BG down.

This. Get the 9 and don't let the 40 hype fool you.

[dereksfl]

We use the 9mm at work, so 9 it is. Have shot the 40, not really a big difference. 9mm ammo is cheaper and I'll practice with what I work with. Each to his own.

[RobsTV]

Chrono results helped me decide.
Plus the extra power just feels better when you see the metal plate targets at 25 yards move substantially more with the 40 compared to 9mm:

40S&W
180gr 1046 fps, pf=188, 437 ft/lbs, ES-29, SD-6

9MM
124gr 1082 fps, pf=135, 325 ft/lbs, ES-45, SD-9

and to compare with a model 64-5 4" barreled revolver shooting 38 spl.
158gr 928 fps, pf=147, 301 ft/lbs, ES-53, SD-14
Even the 38 "feels" more powerful than the 9mm.

But I am used to and like power, as my favorite handgun shoots 440gr lead at 1504 fps, pf=660, 2200 ft/lbs.

[AZ115]

Since I have a 40c and I can shoot it quite well, I would take the Shield 40.
I have also gotten into reloading, so ammo cost is no longer a factor!

I also hope I can drop a 9mm barrel into the Shield 40 and get the best of both!

[gnystrom]

The nine for me ONLY because of the worldwide supply of cheap ammo. If ammo becomes tighter, nine will be the easiest to find.

Plus, I can shoot twice as much for pretty much the same price. Personally, I do not want to get hit by either of these two rounds.

[RobsTV]

Originally Posted by gnystrom

The nine for me ONLY because of the worldwide supply of cheap ammo. If ammo becomes tighter, nine will be the easiest to find.

Plus, I can shoot twice as much for pretty much the same price. Personally, I do not want to get hit by either of these two rounds.

With ammo at Walmart priced around 100 rounds of 9mm for $20, and 100 rounds of .40 S&W for $25, the 40 gives more bullet mass for less cost.

And with the 40 taking the place of 9mm for most LEO, FBI, etc, it may overtake 9mm in a short time, and if SHTF, I would prefer to have the round that the feds choose. Most likely, 9mm is more available due to supply now exceeds demand, based on the switch to 40 S&W as "the ideal cartridge for personal defense and law enforcement".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.40_S%26W

Production of 9mm will decrease, and 40 S&W will increase to level things out.

State police calibers used from most to least (only 2 states still used 9mm a year ago)
1. .40 S&W
2. .357 Sig
3. .45 ACP
4. .45 GAP
5. 9mm

But I too reload (and cast), and both the 40 and 9mm cost the same, with finished cartridges averaging around 5 cents each. However, reloading is not about the money saved. It is about the accuracy and reliability. Group sizes are cut in half with reloads, and reliabilty issues (FTF, FTE, bulged cases, etc) only occur with commercial bullets here.

[mcbizkit02]

Originally Posted by gnystrom

The nine for me ONLY because of the worldwide supply of cheap ammo. If ammo becomes tighter, nine will be the easiest to find.

You sure about that?

[Lost Lake]

I'll tell my grandkids.... There was a day when they had 9mm on the shelves!
You could walk right in almost any store and it would be sitting right there, ready to buy....

And they'll say, "Crazy old man... Nobody has 9mm ammo!"

[2tango2]

Now that it has been confirmed that the 9 barrel works great in the 40 by quite a few members here it makes sense to get the 40 if you plan on shooting both calibers. I bought the 40 due to interchangeability and am just waiting for my 9 barrel to arrive.

I will say that the recoil on the 40 Shield was pretty stout lol Then again I havent fired 40 in over 10 years so that probably had something to do with it

[feelinlucky]

Strange. I don't find much difference in recoil between a nine and a forty. The nine buys you one thing. An extra round in the magazine.

Cost of ammo could be an issue... unless you reload.

[shoots]

I would go with the 40. Better carry round, what I carried as LEO. And, you can add the 9mm barrel and you will have both calibers.

[RussC]

Originally Posted by Shielded

I'd go for the 9mm.
Reason 1. cheaper to shoot
2. one round per mag extra (could come in handy)
3. should have less recoil
4. should have a bit faster follow-up shots/double taps
5. today has plenty of good high performance 9mm ammo
6. extra mags for the 9mm seem easier to find (at the moment)
just my .02 cents

Reason #5

Gold Dot 124 grain +P Short Barrel is why I choose 9mm.

There are some good youtube videos that convinced me Gold Dot defense ammo in 9mm will stop any threat with 13 inches of penetration and a fire hose diameter hole.

When the ammo rush settles down 9 mm should again be the least expensive target ammo for defense calibers.

Russ

[RussC]

Originally Posted by Shielded

I'd go for the 9mm.
Reason 1. cheaper to shoot
2. one round per mag extra (could come in handy)
3. should have less recoil
4. should have a bit faster follow-up shots/double taps
5. today has plenty of good high performance 9mm ammo
6. extra mags for the 9mm seem easier to find (at the moment)
just my .02 cents

Reason #5

Gold Dot 124 grain +P Short Barrel is why I choose 9mm.

There are some good youtube videos that convinced me Gold Dot defense ammo in 9mm will stop any threat with 13 inches of penetration and a fire hose diameter hole.

When the ammo rush settles down 9 mm should again be the least expensive target ammo for defense calibers.

Russ

[Brother_Bluto]

[QUOTE=gnystrom;136702424]The nine for me ONLY because of the worldwide supply of cheap ammo. If ammo becomes tighter, nine will be the easiest to find.
QUOTE]

I had to laugh (and thought the same back then)... Fast forward 4mo and can't hardly find 9mm, and what I am finding isn't that far off in price from the 40c/45c