roadcykler
Member
In the car world there is a saying, "There's no substitute for cubic inches". Take that as you will. 
Shield 9 or 40?
- Thread starter MikeyMike
- Start date
uechikid
Member
We went with the 9mm. Partially because of the kabooms in the 40s and partially because the 9mm is a little easier to handle in a small gun.
I got my Shield 9mm the first week they were released. I have shot nearly 2,000 round through it with zero failures of any type.
With ANY handgun caliber, it's bullet placement. No amount of caliber is going to make up for poor shot placement. The last FBI statistics I saw, showed only a 3% diferrence in the stopping power of the 9mm, .40, and .45.
I prefer the 9mm to .40 in subcompact pistols such as the Shield. Better recoil control, and a faster follow on shot. And with a good 9mm defensive round in the pistol, it makes it a formitable weapon.
With ANY handgun caliber, it's bullet placement. No amount of caliber is going to make up for poor shot placement. The last FBI statistics I saw, showed only a 3% diferrence in the stopping power of the 9mm, .40, and .45.
I prefer the 9mm to .40 in subcompact pistols such as the Shield. Better recoil control, and a faster follow on shot. And with a good 9mm defensive round in the pistol, it makes it a formitable weapon.
Hermit375
Member
I own many in 40 S&W - Full size M&P - Shield in 40 - Sig. 229 no rail have no issues with any of them. Like you stated the way the Shield fits your hand and the extended mag. makes a world of difference if you have big paws. I'm in the process of changing out the triggers and spring enhancements also have TFO's to put on as triggers are done. I used to shoot with the local P.D. and had seen 2X's a 9mm bounce off a windshield-- that was enough for me. I sold my 9's and went to 40 S&W. Plus the 40 cal with a sabot fits my muzzle loader so it's easier to stock 1 size (cal) and multi purpose round. I do my own re loading so only have to buy carry rounds. Sold on 40's plus you could always buy a barrel or complete slide and mags and have both
Stanggt24
Member
I own a m&p 40 compact and also just purchased a shield .40. I also have very big hands and I prefer my compact over the shield. I primarily bought my shield for a summer carry gun because I wear basketball shorts and with a good edc belt ( like soe or Browncoat tactical ) u can pull it off. As far as comfort in the feel in my hand and even the feel of carrying one I still grab my compact. as far as cost in my area there's not much difference in price between 9 mm and .40 I buy most of my ammo at Wal-Mart and it's only about $5 more for .40. I purchased the conversion barrel and 9 mm magazines for my compact and can shoot either 9 mm or .40 out of it. Good luck
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.380 or 9 for compact pistol
Hey Mike, well i am no expert but i wanted a compact pistol and considered the shield ;but ended up with a dated used Smith Sigma .380 and love it. I see it this way with the new ammunition choices and the lower price of 9mm( slightly more for .380) if you are going to shoot a lot you have to consider the cost. Remember our fearless law enforcement folks get free ammo to practice. Hell the Secret Service uses .357 sig. One of the most expensive rounds. Uncle Sam picks up the tab! Good luck whatever you decide. God Bless America!
Hey Mike, well i am no expert but i wanted a compact pistol and considered the shield ;but ended up with a dated used Smith Sigma .380 and love it. I see it this way with the new ammunition choices and the lower price of 9mm( slightly more for .380) if you are going to shoot a lot you have to consider the cost. Remember our fearless law enforcement folks get free ammo to practice. Hell the Secret Service uses .357 sig. One of the most expensive rounds. Uncle Sam picks up the tab! Good luck whatever you decide. God Bless America!
JcMack
Member
I've got the 9mm Shield. I prefer the Pacmayr grip sleeve and it's palm swell design. Some have complained that sleeve moves around on the grip while shooting. I wraped 5 turns of electrical tape around the grip and put the sleeve on over it. Result is sleeve doesn't move and palm swell is more pronounced. Why S&W decided to make the new Shields available without a safety puzzles me.
Mikey,
go with the 9mm. I do FBI protocol ballistic shoots for a major ammo maker and see terminal bullet performance everyday. We also get a lot of feedback from law enforcement agencies using our ammo that backup what we see in gelatin shoots. I can tell you that the performance margin between 9mm and .45 has narrowed to the point that the .40 is really sliding in popularity. I see more and more agencies getting rid of it. It's harder on guns due to slide speed and definately has a sharper recoil impulse. I'm seeing 9mm's getting 13-18 inches of penetration and measuring .900 + in expansion. The .40 does not often do as well.
Taj
go with the 9mm. I do FBI protocol ballistic shoots for a major ammo maker and see terminal bullet performance everyday. We also get a lot of feedback from law enforcement agencies using our ammo that backup what we see in gelatin shoots. I can tell you that the performance margin between 9mm and .45 has narrowed to the point that the .40 is really sliding in popularity. I see more and more agencies getting rid of it. It's harder on guns due to slide speed and definately has a sharper recoil impulse. I'm seeing 9mm's getting 13-18 inches of penetration and measuring .900 + in expansion. The .40 does not often do as well.
Taj
9mm vs .40 S&W Shield
Well you could do what I did and get one of each
Both guns are set up the same with Talon grips and Ameriglo pro I-Dot night sights. I have qualified with both, but lately I find I am carrying the 9 more. Follow up split times are faster with it.
BTW anyone noticed the trigger pin walking out? It can't fall out
because the take down lever would prevent this.
Well you could do what I did and get one of each
Both guns are set up the same with Talon grips and Ameriglo pro I-Dot night sights. I have qualified with both, but lately I find I am carrying the 9 more. Follow up split times are faster with it.
BTW anyone noticed the trigger pin walking out? It can't fall out
because the take down lever would prevent this.
I have the Shield .40 cal with the Talon grips. I have no issues with the .40.
There's a saying in Special Forces and else where, if your life depends on a sidearm, make sure there's a number "4" in the caliber you choose.
As for ammo prices, are you serious??? This is your first line of defense insurance.
In the motorcycle world there's a saying, "wear a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head".
Both caliber Shields weigh the same, loaded they still weigh about the same since there's one less round in the .40.
Shields are not range guns, you shoot them to make sure your ammo functions and you're fairly accurate with a box of training ammo and a box of defensive ammo.
Now if you feel more comfortable with a 9mm, that's the only reason I would go with the 9 over the .40 Shield.
These are my personal opinions.
There's a saying in Special Forces and else where, if your life depends on a sidearm, make sure there's a number "4" in the caliber you choose.
As for ammo prices, are you serious??? This is your first line of defense insurance.
In the motorcycle world there's a saying, "wear a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head".
Both caliber Shields weigh the same, loaded they still weigh about the same since there's one less round in the .40.
Shields are not range guns, you shoot them to make sure your ammo functions and you're fairly accurate with a box of training ammo and a box of defensive ammo.
Now if you feel more comfortable with a 9mm, that's the only reason I would go with the 9 over the .40 Shield.
These are my personal opinions.
Definitely 9mm. Shot both - bought the 9.
With the slim/small chassis on the shield I went with the 9mm - the .40 I tried worked fine but I found the 9mm to be easier and quicker for the follow up shots - my arthritis made the .40 a bit painful as well - getting old is hell !
tjhodges310
Member
I went with the Shield in 9 due to 1 additional round, lesser recoil, less expensive ammo, and quite frankly the terminal ballistics difference isn't enough to make go for the larger 40. Load her up with some 124 +P Gold Dots and you will be well armed.
I also have both and like both. The recoil with the 40 is slightly greater than the 9. As a 40 cal goes, I think the shield handles the recoil among the best. The weight of the ammo is a hair less with the 9 and you get an extra round. Shoot both and get what you you shoot best.
Shield 9mm
I bought the shield 9mm and like it so well dIU bought another one...40 is too tough for me. I have never had a 40 I liked and got rid of all of them. Might be ok in a full size 1911 steel frame. but I already have a 45 1911...
I bought the shield 9mm and like it so well dIU bought another one...40 is too tough for me. I have never had a 40 I liked and got rid of all of them. Might be ok in a full size 1911 steel frame. but I already have a 45 1911...
People, including me didn't want a carry gun with a safety, that's why I waited so long to by a Shield, I wanted a carry gun without any safety.
You can get them both ways, everyone should be happy now.
Shield 9mm
I bought the shield 9mm and like it so well I bought another one...40 is too tough for me. I have never had a 40 I liked and got rid of all of them. Might be ok in a full size 1911 steel frame. But I already have a 45 1911... Never saw the sense of a 40..
I bought the shield 9mm and like it so well I bought another one...40 is too tough for me. I have never had a 40 I liked and got rid of all of them. Might be ok in a full size 1911 steel frame. But I already have a 45 1911... Never saw the sense of a 40..
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