So I just bought my first gun and I decided on the shield 2.0 .40. Took it to the range for the first time a few days ago and put 50 rounds of Wenchester white box in a 180 grain. The gun shot them all smoothly with no problems at all. I did buy self defense rounds some Hornady critical defense in a 165 grain. Now I have a few questions

1. Will 180 grains shoot any different than 165 grains? (Recoil, accuracy, ect.)

2. Anything I should watch out for on this gun? Read some things about the gun going kaboom and it kinda scares me but I didn’t know if that was problems with the older shield or it’s happened with the 2.0 versions

3. Best place to buy ammo in bulk? Been planning on buying 1000 rounds but wanna find the best place to buy it

Thank you for all the info. Please be easy on me I know these things have probably been asked 100 times I’ve been doing so much research on it all like I said this is my first gun and so far so good just don’t know what to expect in the future!

Ka booms refer to guys shooting handloads in glocks 20 years ago. Modern factory loads shouldn't be a problem in that gun. I ran 180gr hst's as my defensive load when I had a shield .40.

best to test the ammo you plan to carry make sure it runs in the gun and hits where you aim.

On my 1.0 .40 talon grips really kept it locked in my hand no readjusting in between shots. I'd imagine the 2.0 grip would solve that problem. Enjoy your gun it's a fine weapon.

sg ammo or target sports for ammo also lucky gunner. If your an leo Atlantic tactical maybe.

Congrats on your first firearm, my guess is it won't be your last, it's contagious. Enjoy that Shield, my 40 has never had a hiccup, yours probably won't either.

The 165 grain will shoot a bit low compared to the 180, but not so much to be very concerned about. Shoot lots of factory practice ammo, load quality defense ammo for carry.............make sure it functions well. Buy a reloading outfit and load, load, load...........shoot it up and practice. I don't have the Shield but I do have the 2.0 Compact and I carry the full sized .40 on duty.l

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Keep Shootin' and check 6

Thanks for the replies guys! I’ve only put 50 rounds through the gun so far but those 50 were great! This is my first gun and it definitely won’t be my last. My dads the one that got me addicted from a young age now I’m old enough to own and carry one. I think this gun is perfect for me I’m use to guns with pretty good recoil. This gun doesn’t have any crazy recoil and that’s why I love it. Going to be buying 1000 rounds and just going to go shooting as much as possible. One question though. Should I buy 180 grain or 165 grain practice rounds? Looks like 180 is most common for target rounds and 165 is common for carry rounds. Like said above I keep 165 grain self defender rounds in the gun at all times.

Lakomek, I have the same shield as you and love it. I've shot 135 grains and 180 grain factory shells in it and all work great. For practice I handload 155 grain Berry's bullets and have probably shot 500 thru the Shield and never a hitch with any thing I've fed it. What surprises me is that with its short barrel it shoots slightly better than my FNS-9.

I buy whatever ammo I can find on sale cheap, most of the time from Walmart, just nothing with a steel case and most everything shot well in my M&P and Shield. I shoot 9m/m most of the time now since it's cheaper but when I had .40s I felt fairly confident with them for self defense even when loaded with hardball range ammo. With 9m/m I only feel confident when carrying top of the line Plus P self defense ammo.

Here's where I bought most of my bulk ammo. Buy it by the case and it ships free.

Bulk Ammo for Sale Online Free Shipping Available

What about a start grains load and a 180 grain bullet with Ramshot Silhouette at 5.4 grains in the 40?

Are the starting grains load in manuals always a safe starting load for the 40 S&W?

Yes, unless you find a rare misprint :-)