Your Thoughts on the S&W Shield .40 Cal?

Doc Mark · Thursday at 2:24 PM

Greetings, All,

It's been a long while since I have posted here, mainly due to work demands. But, I am seeking your guidance on a possible upcoming purchase.

I have a Shield 9 V1, and love it! It shoots great, is easy to control, and is quite accurate. As I have several other pistols in .40 S&W, including two Glocks, M27 and M23, and two Springfield XD's, Compact and Subcompact, I have been considering purchasing another SW, this time the Shield .40 Cal. When a LGS sent their Fall sales flyer, I immediately noted that they are offering the Shield .40 Cal for $329.98! This seems like the time to go for it! As an aside, I have been shooting and enjoying firearms since the mid-1960's, and have more than my share of hard kicking pistols. So, some recoil does not bother me.

So, my question is mainly aimed at those of you who already own, and shoot the Shield .40 Cal. How has your pistol held up over time? Do you find it as accurate as it's 9mm little brother? Have you had any problems, inherent with the pistol, from your .40 Cal Shield? I would very much appreciate hearing your thoughts on this little powerhouse!

Also, I live in Commiefornia, and so am limited to the "CA compliant" version of this pistol. My Shield 9 is of this breed, and I will be quite happy to add the .40 Cal to my stable, though, depending on how the required LCI is on that version, I might change that out for the much better Apex offering.

Thank you for any thoughts, suggestions, of comments that you can share with me regarding the S&W Shield .40 Cal. Looks like a great addition, to me! Thanks, again, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

KSDrifter · Thursday at 2:33 PM

I just ordered one myself, so i don't have experience with it, but i can tell you thats a great price! Just so you know, the 3.1" shields are getting truly hard to come by. GL!

Echo40 · Thursday at 2:51 PM

I don't have a 9mm Shield to compare it to, but I've been carrying an M&P40 Shield 1.0 Performance Center since 2021 and it's a fantastic pistol.

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I've upgraded it with a Lone Wolf Threaded Barrel because I wanted a fan of the factory ported barrel. Fortunately, only the Performance Center models come with ported barrels.

Durability isn't a concern as the M&P Series was designed for the .40 S&W cartridge, so it will most likely outlast you, if not in years than certain in hours spent at the range. Fair warning, being such a lightweight, slimline pistol chambered in a powerful cartridge, it is going to have more felt recoil than the 9mm Shield, and depending on the ammo you load it with, might surprise you the first time you shoot it. It's not painful to shoot, but it definitely packs a punch when you shoot it. Suffice to say, this isn't going to be your favorite range gun which you take out for the afternoon of plinking. So even if you could wear it out, you most likely won't ever shoot it enough to do so, your hands are more likely to wear out long before the pistol will.

Bill In Texas · Thursday at 9:45 PM

I've had my 1st generation Shield for over a decade with no problems. It was my edc for a long time and I still carry it on a semi regular basis during the winter usually. I'm a big fan of mine. The felt recoil is more than the 9mm version, (I've got a friend with a 9mm Shield that I've shot). I could see how folks could develop a flinch, even though imo other small 40's seem to recoil more.

TigerDude · Thursday at 10:51 PM

I think single stack autoloaders have been surpassed, but if the price means it's now in your range then go for it. I think double stack 9's loaded with modern non+P hollow points are the best available technology for carry guns.

Mahalo_.32 · Thursday at 11:14 PM

I have had a few shields
1.0 9mm great
1.0 40 cal. / 357SIG barrel fantastic!
2.0 45 acp best shooter of all for me.
2.0 9mm Pro awesome trigger

biku324 · Thursday at 11:40 PM

My wife's EDC is our Shield 2.0 in 40 - she loves it, and it's easier on her mildly arthritic hands than her prior revolver. We each have a Shield 2.0; mine's 45. Not sure where you could find a better semi-auto 40 at that price.

SFury79 · Friday at 12:08 AM

I have a 4" PC Shield M2.0 in 40S&W. Due to my hands being larger I need Hogue grips to get a consistent proper grip on the gun.

It's still a very concealable gun. The recoil is more noticeable for me with that gun than my 4" M&P40 Compact. Not terrible by any means, but the full size 40s and the compact are guns I can shoot a lot more.

For the price you are seeing I would say go for it. That's a low price for what should be a very reliable gun.

Turbosaurus · Friday at 9:17 AM

No shield but got an M&P compact in 40 for the wife and she love it. Will not carry a 9 and she won't carry my 10mm, so the 40 was a perfect fit. If the shield is anything like the M&Pc, go for it.

oworthsr · Friday at 10:01 AM

I have a 4" Shield 2.0 40S&W with a KKM .357SIG barrel, a 4" Compact 40 S&W with a KKM 357SIG barrel, and a 3.1" S&W Compact 40S&W with a KKM 357SIG barrel.

I'm considering the purchase of a Tanfoglio CZ 75 Compact clone in 40S&W. That pistol is rare enough that I'm not sure whether anyone makes a 357SIG barrel.

I like the 40S&W round, and the 357SIG conversion just adds spice. Two pistols for the price of one and a barrel...drop in the barrel and use the 40S&W mag. I've not had to do any fitting for any of the 357SIG barrels.

Beju · Friday at 10:06 AM

oworthsr said:
I have a 4" Shield 2.0 40S&W with a KKM .357SIG barrel, a 4" Compact 40 S&W with a KKM 357SIG barrel, and a 3.1" S&W Compact 40S&W with a KKM 357SIG barrel.

I'm considering the purchase of a Tanfoglio CZ 75 Compact clone in 40S&W. That pistol is rare enough that I'm not sure whether anyone makes a 357SIG barrel.

I like the 40S&W round, and the 357SIG conversion just adds spice. Two pistols for the price of one and a barrel...drop in the barrel and use the 40S&W mag. I've not had to do any fitting for any of the 357SIG barrels.

If the Tanfo 9mm and 40 S&W barrels have the same outer diameter, I'd think that you could buy a 9mm barel and have a gunsmith rechamber it for .357 SIG.

Doc Mark · Friday at 4:12 PM

Good Afternoon, Guys and Gals,

Many thanks for your kind and informative comment, my friends! You told me exactly what I was hoping to hear! As my last Firearms Safety Certificate expired in 2019, I'll go take the test again, and order my pistol! Of course, we have a 10-day waiting period. But, that's the way it is out here.... Thanks, again, and I'll share my new Shield .40 Cal when I have it in hand! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

Your Thoughts on the S&W Shield .40 Cal?

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