M&P Shield 9mm or .40 S&W
- Thread starter Dick75
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I recommend the 9mm as the .40 seems to still have "issues" as reported on here, and I am not convinced the factory has fully resolved those issues.
Der Biermeister
Member
No issues with my .40.
I would opt for the .40 (I also have an M&P 9 FS).
Someone on here once said -- he believes that for self defense, his calibers should begin with a 4. Not bad advice.
I would opt for the .40 (I also have an M&P 9 FS).
Someone on here once said -- he believes that for self defense, his calibers should begin with a 4. Not bad advice.
Ditchdigger
Member
I have the .40, test fired in October, have run 450 plus rounds through it with no problems. It handles the .40 s&w very well in my opinion. Very controllable, and fun to shoot. More power with the same ability to conceal as the 9. Also you'll soon hear no less then ten posts as to the ability to drop in a 9mm barrel for cheaper practice. I like the .40 because that's what was available, but if I had a choice, I'd still get the .40.
N4KVE
Member
My brother got the Shield 40 because he already had a 40c, & he wanted both guns to shoot the same ammo. He has never had any of the problems some people here have with the 40 Shield. We both shot the 2 guns together when he came to Florida for Christmas. While they both shot well, I was really impressed with the 40c, & convinced him to sell it to me. It's my daily carry at the gun store. GARY
Dick
I personally own the Shield 9mm
This is a discussion that will never end. Like Ford or Chev trucks you will always have support for one or the other.
I carry Gold Dot 124 gr jhp +P short barrel and I believe it would hurt a lot if on the receiving end.
One thing my dad taught me was buy firearms in the same caliber. It is the pits deer hunting to realize you grabbed the 270 rather than 30 06 shells from the safe.
Russ
P.S.
Cops miss more than they hit up close when faced with a life or death situation. You could be shooting a 500 S& W and it would be a waste if you miss.
Lets be honest if we are faced with a life or death situation do we honestly believe we are going to shoot 1 inch groups?
I want the extra round the 9 mm provides over the 40 just in case that extra round is the only round that makes it count when my life or others is on the line.
I personally own the Shield 9mm
This is a discussion that will never end. Like Ford or Chev trucks you will always have support for one or the other.
I carry Gold Dot 124 gr jhp +P short barrel and I believe it would hurt a lot if on the receiving end.
One thing my dad taught me was buy firearms in the same caliber. It is the pits deer hunting to realize you grabbed the 270 rather than 30 06 shells from the safe.
Russ
P.S.
Cops miss more than they hit up close when faced with a life or death situation. You could be shooting a 500 S& W and it would be a waste if you miss.
Lets be honest if we are faced with a life or death situation do we honestly believe we are going to shoot 1 inch groups?
I want the extra round the 9 mm provides over the 40 just in case that extra round is the only round that makes it count when my life or others is on the line.
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Mumbleypeg1
Member
I chose the Shield in 9mm because I already had two other 9mm pistols and want the convenience of same ammo for all. But before I purchased the Shield I made a trip to a local range and rented Shield and Walther PPS in both .40 and 9mm. After shooting them all side by side my decision was the Shield9.
Deciding factors were the Shield felt better and, for me, pointed better and therefore was more accurate than the PPS. And at least for me, the .40 in both pistols was snappier and more difficult to recover the target after a shot. The Shield40 was a bit less recoil than the PPS40. I realize more practice with the .40 might change that, but the strong weight toward having same ammo for all swayed my decision.
Then all I had to do was find one available for a reasonable price, which turned out to be a 4 month search but wort the wait.
Deciding factors were the Shield felt better and, for me, pointed better and therefore was more accurate than the PPS. And at least for me, the .40 in both pistols was snappier and more difficult to recover the target after a shot. The Shield40 was a bit less recoil than the PPS40. I realize more practice with the .40 might change that, but the strong weight toward having same ammo for all swayed my decision.
Then all I had to do was find one available for a reasonable price, which turned out to be a 4 month search but wort the wait.
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akviper
Member
I have both and prefer the 9mm. The 40 is pretty snappy and harder to get quick follow up shots. The grip on the 40 slips in my hand while the 9 does not. I'm a frequent shooter and shoot 45s and 357 all the time so it is not an amateur operator issue. I ended up carrying the 9mm shield as my main concealed carry gun.
Any hit with a handgun is a **** shoot. There are so many factors that affect the target that the difference between 9mm and 40 is not likely to be much of a factor. Another plus for the 9mm is less ammo cost = more opportunity to train.
Any hit with a handgun is a **** shoot. There are so many factors that affect the target that the difference between 9mm and 40 is not likely to be much of a factor. Another plus for the 9mm is less ammo cost = more opportunity to train.
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USAF385
US Veteran
I'd stick with 9mm since you already have a 9mm. I went with the Shield in .40 because I'm more of a .40S&W kind of guy and had plenty of mammoth on hand.
And yet it makes a huge difference when carrying. My m&p40c and G27 have gone away thanks to the Shield.
And yet it makes a huge difference when carrying. My m&p40c and G27 have gone away thanks to the Shield.
Mumbleypeg1
Member
USAF385;137188467 And yet it makes a huge difference when carrying.[/QUOTE said:
Thanks for all your input. I'm leaning towards the 9mm but there's such a long wait for the 9mm as opposed to the .40 cal. The local gun shop here in SC has a waiting list of 30 individuals. Is there anywhere online that I can get it quicker?
Smitty357
Member
Shield .40, convert it to 9mm (Game over). 
Shield .40, convert it to 9mm (Game over).
+1. I have the .40 and have shot around 400 rounds through it with 0 issues. I will be buying a 9mm barrel as soon as I can find one.
Get what you are more comfortable with and shoot accurately with. If that is a 9mm then so be it;... better to have something that you are good with than something that has more power and not accurate...I only have 40 cal pistols but I love them, I shoot them all accurately and are comfortable with them
Mumbleypeg1
Member
There is a long-running thread on this forum titled "Smith and Wesson Shield in stock" where members share places you can find them. Keep an eye on that thread and when you see one available at a price acceptable to you, act quickly. It may take a couple of tries but persistence pays off. That's how I got mine in a week or so after several months unsuccessfully trying to find one locally.
Shielded
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Well I have a 9, & I'm very happy with it. You could get a .40 & get a 9mm barrel, but then you would need the 9mm mags, for if nothing else the extra round, so that adds up to more $ spent. Barrel at say $100 or so & mags at $40 bucks or there about. All something to consider. Good Luck!
If you don't have any experience with 40SW you probably should stick with 9mm. I have had no problems with my Shield 40. I also have a 40c, but most often carry the Shield because it just carries so well. However, one thing wrong with the "buy all your guns in the same caliber" theory is the situation most of us seem to be in right now. I've had very little luck finding any 9mm lately, but I can still manage to find 40SW or 45ACP fairly often. I like to shoot different calibers. If all I had was a 9mm, I'd be spending a lot less time at the range! IMO, the 40SW round is not all that snappy. Nowhere near as soft a shot as a 9mm, but easily controlled.
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If you are leaning more toward the 9mm Shield, then get it. BUT, if you first get only the chance to get the .40, grab it! As has been said, you can always convert the 40 later if you still want to.
I really like my .40 Shield, and haven't had any problems getting almost instantly back on target for quick follow-up shots with my 180gr range ammo. It also points so well for me, I can practically ignore the sights, and I'm getting short-string groups as tight or tighter than with my with my FS M&P9/40 at the same ranges. That impressed the h**k out of me!
I really like my .40 Shield, and haven't had any problems getting almost instantly back on target for quick follow-up shots with my 180gr range ammo. It also points so well for me, I can practically ignore the sights, and I'm getting short-string groups as tight or tighter than with my with my FS M&P9/40 at the same ranges. That impressed the h**k out of me!
