No,actually,it can't. Someone being hit by a bullet may well fall down, but it doesn't have the energy to actually knock someone down...... or blow them across the room, or out of their boots, or make cars explode like a crashing airliner, or any of the other cool stuff we see guns do in the movies.

You can use whatever word you want. Knocked down, Fall, drop, stumble but, that video clearly shows the thug being (insert your own word) after one shot from a .45. I think the best word to describe the thug after being shot one time with a .45 is Knocked the F out, cold.

I'll keep my .45 and .357 as my EDC guns.

Knockdown power is a myth with the 9, 40, 45

(Unless you are on a cop show on TV)

I actually like the 40 Shield, as it has shown to penetrate better with glass and steel (like in car doors) than 45 and 9

I personally dont see much difference between the 9 and the 45

They both are effective for what they do

I have had 9mm and 45s, and actually only have 40s now, so that I only have one caliber to reload

That guy didn't get knocked down. What you see is a CNS hit. Lights out immediately!

Remember, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, if a 45 can knock down the person being shot then it can knock down the shooter!

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What you see is what happens when you shot down the central nervous system! It's instant lights out doesn't matter the caliber.

If you think a 45 does that because it's a 45 you're mistaken. I can show you a video of a cop being shot 7 (SEVEN) times with a 45, several to the face. He killed the attacker with one shot to the head (Central Nervous System) with a 9mm

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Exactly. Looking closely at the video, he took a step back, then his knees buckled, and then his rearward momentum and center of gravity predicatbly resulted in him falling on his butt and back. He didn't get splayed out on the floor by awesome power of the .45 round.

That famous video is more proof that the 45 is king of the handgun cartridges and just can't be beat in close, no-barrier human encounters. All others are secondary in such encounters.
Now, if he had been hit by a new-technology-high-tech-FBI-approved-9mm-G2-bullet, he'd either be blown clear across the street (according to the FBI Protocol tests) or he'd be alive to return fire or sue (according to reality).
Give me a 45 any day! I love my 9mm's for pocket carry and plinking but my insecurity is relieved when I carry my 40 and 45 Shields loaded with 180 & 230 grain HST's.

Shot a co-worker's Shield 9mm on Friday...and it was more accurate than I expected from such a short-barreled pistol.

Being a .45 guy...I went to look / fondle / feel the Shield in .45 acp.

It's definitely on my 'to be' list...

After looking them over, I also fondled a full-sized, M&P .45 ACP 2.0...and with the small adaptable grip, it too made the 'to be' list too!

As a former EMT of 24 years, and a Reserve with our local County Sheriff's Department, one can look at ballistics numbers on paper all day long, there's a big difference between a 9mm and the .45 ACP when it comes to ability in stopping an active and valid threat be it a wild dog or something else!

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Amishman44

I know of a guy who knows another guy who saw a 45 decapitate a person, and the bullet hit him so hard, it caused a sex change.......

So..... you stoopid people, 45 is KING

9mm is a joke....... maybe kill a frog

Absolutely! The perp was knocked down and taken out of the fight, and no amount of "denial" will change it. I don't why 9mm fanboys get so upset about this, personally I think everyone should have a .45 for self defense.

Lol because it wasn't the bullet but the placement. He wasn't knocked down he was dead before he fell. Hit the brain stem with a 22 and it will have the same result! Again... anything in the central nervous system is instant. Doesn't matter if it's with a rocket or a pair of scissors.

Cop shot 7 times, once in the face with a 45 and somehow managed to live AND kill his attacker
Officer Jared Reston talks about when he was shot - YouTube

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"45 is king of the handgun cartridges."
I agree with you 100% on this; especially for self defense. Don't get me wrong, 9mm is good and we love our M&P 9mm, but 230 grain is simply putting more energy on the target, which is very capable of knocking the target down, as shown so clearly in the video.

My advice for the OP or anyone considering "upgrading" your Shield to the 45 ACP – do it! Without hesitation or apology, I encourage you to seek out and secure the legendary power of the 45. And the Shield is the perfect platform; although I was skeptical due to the small frame, the fact is my 45 Shield is amazingly accurate; I have seen several comments about this here on the forum already, and I have to agree with them. I might not have believed this if I had not already put several hundred rounds through it.

Amen, brother. We shoot a lot of 9mm, but I think everyone should own a .45 ACP for self defense. I'm really not sure why they don't – I have heard several theories, like they may be too cheap to buy the ammo (it is kind of expensive) or they have never learned to master recoil, or maybe they just can't shoot worth a **** and they feel like they need to carry extra rounds. I don't know that I agree with those theories, but I do agree with you about the ability of the 45 ACP to stop a threat. You being an EMT for 24 years tells me you have seen the results firsthand. So let me encourage you — get one, you won't regret it — it may save your life, or the life of a loved one! Smith & Wesson has been offering some great incentives on the 45 Shield, it's a winner.

According to ballistics by the inch, the 3 inch barrel doesn’t have much variation from 9, 40 or 45 in terms of energy - just a larger, heavier bullet. Now, I’m not discounting the minor energy increase or the bullet size increase but proper shot placement wins gun fights - always has, always will.

Because its a 1911 we all assume it a 45acp, Unless it was documented in the news report (usually wrong anyway) or a police report, Or someone has first hand knowledge of the shooting. It could be a 9mm
unlikely thought
1SG
Out

No sir, it was a 45, and only a 45. I saw or read the interview with the owner, although it was a while back. Nice try though!

Nice Try???
I wasn't trying to do anything, Re read my Post I did state that it was UNLIKELY that it was a 9mm.

And Sir, You either READ the article or not, or did you SEE an article. Now I am not 100% sure that your 100% sure that the gun in question was a 45acp.

When I'm serious (or wanna be seriously annoying) I carry my glock 20 with a couple of extra spare mags. These shields are just toys in comparison....but seriously, for CCW hopefully the pistol will never ever be needed, and having it with you is much of the battle.

I'm currently happy with how well my shield 9mm can pretty easily disappear. I think I may finally have put the nail in the coffin of my finnicky keltec p3at. 9mm will penetrate and it will hurt. To a great degree you really need to have God on your side regardless!

Back to the OP's question. I have one of each. My Shield 9 has 5200 rounds through it, and my Shield .45 has 3000. I can say unequivocally that the .45 is the better gun, and it's the one I carry. I'm not going to get into the ballistics argument about which round is a better stopper, because shot placement trumps all of that. Shot placement is better with the .45 because it is significantly more accurate than the 9. I might go so far as to say that it is astonishingly more accurate, considering that it has a barrel that is only .2 of an inch longer than the 9's. At 15 yards, I routinely place 65-70% of my shots from my .45 into a 4"x4" square. My 9 is less consistent with its accuracy, so I average a hit rate of about 45%. My .45 carries as easily, conceals well, and its longer grip makes it easier to pull from my holster. There's little difference in felt recoil. The 9's only advantage, as far as I'm concerned, is its capacity. If you have a 9 and it shoots well for you, and you like having that extra round, that's fine. But if you're looking for improvement in accuracy, check out the .45.

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What, me worry?

Everyone seems to have gotten a "magical" Shield .45 that will shoot every shot through the same hole, has less recoil than a 9mm, and even cleans itself !
My .45 was accurate, but no more accurate than my 9mm or .40 Shield, unless you got out beyond 25 yards.
My .45 Shield was nice, but not leaps and bounds better than the 9mm or .40.
I liked my PC .40 so much better than the .45, I let the .45 go.

Same experience, far fewer rounds. 100% agree.
I keep my Shield 9 for the Apocalypse, I carry my Shield 40, but my Shield 45 is the MUCH more accurate gun and easier to place shots.
To each his/her/it's own.

I'm not sure when the data was posted on Lucky Gunner, maybe it was after you posted this in '16 so was not available. But they show with a Kahr CS45, 3.64" barrel, very good effect with several types of .45 ammo, including penetration and expansion. The Kahr barrel apparently delivers the rounds with enough energy to cause them to expand, or penetrate, or both. That's gel of course. But wouldn't this suggest that the ballistics are still good with .45? Of course 9mm also shows good results, but so does even .380 so maybe gel isn't the final answer, but I question whether some .45 rounds aren't pretty effective in the Shield.

Does the larger bore lose a smaller percentage of its muzzle velocity than the smaller bore? Wonder why. Anyone know where there is a formula for calculating muzzle velocity?

This assumes that the FBI requirements fully capture everything that stops an attacker. But imagine a 4" canon ball that penetrates to 8 inches and does not expand at all (under the FBI requirements ). Would it be more effective than an HST 9mm?

It's not so much bore dia. as it is the weight and mass of the bullet. Heavier bullets retain velocity better. Also the higher velocity the round the greater the percentage of velocity loss in relation to barrel length.

Started with the Shield 9 and “fixed it” with Apex and fiber optics. Bought a 40 and didn’t care for it. Traded for a 45 PC and like it a lot! The 9 and 45 are keepers.

Same here. I own both and feel out of the box the 45 is a better choice

For those folks commenting that the Shield 45 has a better trigger "out of the box" when compared to a Shield 9, are you comparing the 45 with the Shield 9, 1.0 or 2.0 ?

Well, it's kind of a zombie-thread, like many on this forum. When the thread started there was no 2.0 9mm. The 45 Shield will always be the original 2.0. So now it's 2018 and the triggers are essentially the same on the newer Shields.

I have a Shield in 9,40 and 45. Well, actually my wife has the Shield PC in 9. I have the 40 and 45. My 40 isf the 1 generation, although I did get a 40 in the 2.0 generation, which is a better shooting of the two 40s. I must say out of all the Shields, the 45 is my most favorite. I just like the recoil pulse of the 45 over the rest of them. There is just something about the 45 that just feels like coming home again. But, I will keep the 40s, and my wife will keep her 9. Why not have them all, right. But for me, the 45 is my favorite. Im just more accurate with it, and again, I prefer the recoil pulse of the 45. Thats the one I CCW the most out of them all. Its a keeper for sure.

Yes, a 45 can knock a person down, and so can a 22, 380, 9, 40. etc. Its all about SHOT PLACEMENT people. Its been said and proven time and time again. The Caliber does not matter. Its where you place the freakin shot.

If you are more accurate with the 9, shoot the 9. If you are more accurate with the 40, then shoot the 40. If you are more accurate with the 45, then shoot the 45. If you have all three, and can shoot them accurately, keep and shoot them. Its nice to swap up your CCW carry every now and then. Saying that one is better or more accurate then the other, is here say. Its what you like, and are more comfortable shooting. Some people like the 9, some the 40, some the 45. One is not better then the other when it comes down to it. Me, myself and I, having all three at my disposal, like the 45 out of all of them, but thats just me. I just like the recoil pulse, the size, the trigger, and the over all larger feel of the Shield 45, and thats what makes it better for me. Then again, thats just me, and what I have come to realize after owning and shooting all three caliber SHIELDS. To each his/her own. Shoot what you like, and like what you shoot.

I have the 9 and the 40, I tend to carry the 40 more often. I have considered the 45 mostly because that is the caliber I have been the most accurate with for over 40 years. I guess I'm from the old school but if I were told I only had one shot and could pick any handgun caliber I would take the 45acp or 357 mag over a smaller round. Shoot whatever you feel most comfortable with.

I had a 9 and sold it for a 45. I like it a lot, but I would like to get a 2.0 Shield in 9mm as well.

I started out with the Shield 45, and then went to a 2.0 Compact 9, and now I've gone to a Shield 2.0 9mm, for my carry gun. I use Hornady CD as my SD ammo, and I'm satisfied that with shot placement, it will be an effective SD gun.

Make no mistake, I'm still a fan of .45 ACP, and it's what my 1911 is chambered in.

I have the Shield in 9mm, 40, and two 45s (regular and PC)... The 45 is my favorite. Keep the other two calibers, but do not carry them. The 45's ever so slightly longer grip feels better in my hand, and I prefer the size as well. I'll eventually will sell the 9mm and 40. I already replaced the 9mm with a Walther PPS M2 which is a much nicer and better shooting gun than the Shield....

I did the same exact thing, owned all three calibers and now only own the 45. The wife still has a 9. The 45 feels great in the hand and is the accurate for me.

I had a Shield in 9mm. I gave it to my daughter, and bought a Shield in .45. The 9 was a good gun, but the .45 shoots better and I feel more comfortable with the .45. But that is just me. Carry and shoot which ever caliber you can handle and like.

There is some data here https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/sel...llistic-tests/ that indicates brand and weight of ammunition is a bigger factor than .45 vs 9mm, at least when it comes to penetration and over penetration. All out of short barreled handguns!

That said, I had a Shield gen 1 9mm that I traded off long ago. Picked up a .45 PC Shield this year that I absolutely love. In fact, just ordered some Hi Viz lite pipe replacements (lost front last range trip and didn’t realize it until home).

I used to think that 45 acp was the king of defensive calibers so I carried a 1911 for many years in 45 acp... Now based on my research of terminal ballistics I think that 9mm has enough power, 45 acp has a little more power but, not enough more power to justify the decreased capacity... I can get 70% rounds in a fullsize handgun by switching to 9mm over 45 acp... Obviously not the same difference in the shield but, the extra rounds in my opinion outweigh the extra weight and diameter of the 45 acp plus, less recoil = quicker recovery time and more shots on target in a given time which quite possibly = ending the threat faster...

Now w/ that said I think 45 acp is worth the trade off if you're in bear territory hiking...

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-Aaron from Ohio

I have a nine. Going to .45 is a mistake.

1. 9 carries more ammo.
2. 9 recoils less.
3. Gun is a bit narrower.
4. Result of bullets on bad guys is the same.

Dilemmas suck! You know you want it! Just go ahead and get it... ;-)

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Keep Up The Fire!!

Two years ago (as I reported in this thread), I put the 9mm in the safe, as I much preferred my (then) new 45 Shield. I pulled it out of the safe last month, for a comparison to my new Sig 365 9mm, which holds more rounds (10 or 12), and is actually smaller than the 9mm Shield. I still like shooting the 45, and it goes with me often. The 9mm Shield is back in the safe. So...…..by all means, get the 45! My 45 Shield is amazingly accurate at 7 to 25 yrds, has much less recoil than expected, and has fired every factory & reload I've put through it.

If a [insert bullet name here] had enough "energy" to knock someone down, the recoil would knock the shooter down, too.

This stuff is Hollywood.

I have both the 9mm and 45, I was surprised by the soft recoil of the 45! I have been carring a 45 since I got out of Vietnam in 68 saw what they can do, battle proven! not tooo sure of the nine but I like them both, and they fit the same holster. Waiting for my wife to try the 9mm as she is getting older and her Kimber 45 ultra is getting a little too much for her. I even suggested my 380, time will tell.

Like many others, I own a 1911 in .45 ACP. However, I’m not typically a .45 guy. That being said, when the time came to buy the Shield, I purchased one in 9mm. Then, as luck would have it, I stumbled across a great deal on the .45 version of the Shield. After one trip to the range, I realized that it was awesome and very controllable in recoil. Now, more often than not, I reach for the .45... So, I’m not sure yet but I may be starting to become a .45 guy.

I’ve got both, made the 9 mm the wife’s gun, she loves it. Has the APEX package with stock trigger. My 45 is stock and it’s perfect, as is. P

Don't fight it, just let it happen. Bigger holes are better.

I used to be a 40S&W guy, but the PC Shield 45 I have on order will probably make the change to 45ACP official.

I got a Kimber TLE RL II back around 2012 or so. It was purchased because everyone needs at least one 1911. I shot it occasionally, then it fell further down the line when I got into revolvers. My Shield 40 always remained my most frequent shooter until I got a SIG P220 SAS Carry last year. I just cannot leave the P220 alone. As much as I love my Shield 40 (1.0), I suspect my PC Shield 45 will probably become my favorite shooter beating out the SIG. Tall order. Time will tell.

(just don't tell my semi-auto's I still like my revolvers better )

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Didn't read all the replies you got but if you can afford both go for it.
I have both and prefer the 45. That may be because my 9 is first gen without the rougher grips.

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