Thanks for reading. I'm getting ready to buy a Shield for self defense.

I want to preface this by saying that I'm not one of those people who thinks 9mm is inadequate. I am, however, concerned whether 9mm out of such a short barrel is adequate with standard hollow point ammo. Seems like velocity of a 9mm bullet out of the Shield's short barrel may not provide enough penetration and expansion.

As a side note, I'm not interested in the .40, because I heard it has problems and that it's snappy. I also don't want to use +p in a 9mm Shield, because the online instruction manual advises against it -- this is why my question concerns standard ammo.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

.40 GAME OVER!!!!!!!

Problems (what problems?).

Snappy? someone lied to you.

With the right ammunition the 9mm is plenty good for close range self defense. Were talking handgun, not rifle power. I used to only carry 9mm, but have now upgraded to the more powerful 40 S&W. There are advantages and disadvantages to all the different calibers. It ends up to what is right for you.

Bob

There are a number of folks who for years have been carrying a variety of 9mm loads in G26s and such and I never heard of any problems with performance from short barrels. I read about it, but I never hear of real world horror stories (except from liberal trauma surgeons and family members of departed criminals). While there is no magic bullet, I do not think that the shorter barrel of the shield would effect the expansion of a non +P bullet that much. Nevertheless, 9mm bullets of most all modern loadings all seem to perform well, or as I said above, I never hear much in the way of complaints. I personally believe that confidence in whatever you're carrying and accurate shot placement are what gets you home safe. To hedge your bet anyway, consider a standard pressure 124 for 147 grain Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, or Federal HST. My personal choice would be anything Gold Dot.

Does S&W discourage the use of +P or is it +P+?

Both.

I would like to use +p but if Smith discourages it, I won't -- I don't want to be in a defensive situation and have some sort of malfunction

I pack Gold Dot 124 grain jhp +P short barrel.

From my reading short barrel has powder that burns faster so there is little to no powder leaving the short barrel.

I understand you don't want +p and I am certain there are some good regular rounds available.

I can't speak for 40 but I enjoy shooting my Shield 9mm over my full size XD 45.

Good luck

Russ

I guess I might consider the Gold Dot +p, but as I mentioned previously, I really don't want the gun to malfunction if and when I need it.

I have shot regular and +p ammo without any problems in my Shield. The manual says no +P+ rounds, +P is okay (says may increase wear).

Quote from the manual:

“Plus-P” (+P) ammunition generates pressures in excess of the
pressures associated with standard ammunition. Such pressures
may affect the wear characteristics or exceed the margin of safety.
Use of “Plus-P” ammunition may result in the need for more
frequent service.

“Plus-P-Plus” (+P+) ammunition must not be used in Smith &
Wesson firearms. This marking on the ammunition designates that
it exceeds established industry standards, but the designation
does not represent defined pressure limits and therefore such
ammunition may vary significantly as to the pressures generated
and could be DANGEROUS.

So, as you can see, +P is fine with the Shield.

Good choices are the 124+P Federal HST and the Speer Gold Dot.

Now you are positively more than adequate.

__________________
USAF, 69-92
Vietnam, 72-73

+P is perfectly fine with the M&P - I would not shoot 1000 rounds of it though. I also think it plenty adequate. I would hate to get hit with a bb at 1000 fps much less a 9mm round, perfectly expanded or even mildly expanded.

I use 124+p gold dots in my Shield and have no concerns if I ever needed to use it. HST are good as well, which ever you see available in 50 round boxes that are nominally priced.

Lehigh Defense 105 gr appears to be a favorable round. View its ballistic videos. It's expensive, but as mentioned earlier, what price do you put on your life?

Bob.

One company advertises ammo designed to expand from short barrels. You might look into the Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel line.

Adequate? How about another "A" word. Absolutely.
Have you ever seen ballistics testing of Speer Gold Dot 124+P or Federal HST 147gr+P
Trust me. You're well armed with a 9mm. Get one extra round, easier to shoot (which usually equates to better accuracy) Faster follow up shots.
Never forget this: ONLY HITS COUNT

__________________
40c FS,9Shield(2)40,9Pro

I use the lighter round for summer time and the heaver one for winter time, more clothing requires more punch. If the weather is very cold I use a larger caliber...

__________________
Retired Marine Gunny

The FIRST one is the most important one. Make it count and there should be no need for follow ups.

Jmhgv2

I do not make it a habit of range shooting with +P ammo.

Gold Dot 124 grain jhp +P short barrel is $25 for 20 shells.

Unless you found that pot of Gold Dots at the end of the rainbow the cost will keep you from shooting a truck load +P through your Shield. (Shield will be just fine with +P occasionally)

I enjoy target shooting and that is why my Shield 9 mm is such a delight.

I can shoot 100 rounds of light load Federal Champion 115 grain through her and feel no effects from the recoil but when I pack I load her up with some serious ammo in the Gold Dot +P

She will not break. I have shot her 1,200 times in 1 year and many more have exceeded that mark many times over with no problems.

Trust us the Shield is a great weapon.

Russ

If I was carrying a 9mm shield it would be with Speer 124 gr+p gold dot short barrel, only because smith advises against the +p+ 127 gr Ranger LE I carry in a 5946, but I SELDOM carry a 9mm. I do like shooting the sub sonic 158 gr Fiocchi in a glock with a liberty Mystic suppressor. As stated before, First shot is the most important, and only hits count. Be Safe,

__________________
I BACK OUR BLUE

With the right ammo, the very likely close range and enough range time to hit your target in the center it won't be just 'adequate'.

Shoot enough with the ammo of your choice to be sure that it works all the time.

Do you want to roll the dice on a round that has virtually no actual street data or credible outside testing and is not used by one single LEO or Federal agency?

There are several proven choices like HST, Gold Dot, and Ranger.

These are all available in 147g standard velocities which works awesome at the lower velocities of subcompact guns(like the shield)

I wouldn't worry too much about +P ammo in your Shield, I am required to carry 115gr +P+ in my 9c, and was also required to carry the +P+ in a S&W 39-2, a Beretta 92FS and a S&W 915 all without mishaps. In addition, in my department at one time we were allowed to carry (almost) any 9mm and with several different manufacturer's weapons being used, not one had a single ammo related problem. In my case, like in yours, the HOT ammo only need be used during an "encounter" and standard pressure ammo used for practice. After all, it's not like you're going to be shooting a year's worth of matches with the hot rounds, just a few here and there, maybe a magful to see how they work in your gun and if you have an "encounter" a few rounds then.

If it makes anyone feel better, I will write S&W to get an official answer.

__________________
Don

I use 9mm for the simple fact that I can practice more with the 9mm round then I do for the same cost as practicing with a 40. If you can't hit your target, it doesn't matter what you shoot.

The bold part is humor, right? Are you guaranteeing one-shot stops?

The 9 is fine for selfdefense and will get the job done at SD distances if you do your job. Todays 9 mm HP ammo isn't what it was years ago and SD performance has improved 10 fold. I also don't feel the need for a .40 or +P 9mm. I feel 100% confident that my Shield 9 loaded with Federal Tactical 124gr HST will deter any threat to my person if I do my part with being to able to put bullets on target in a SD situation. No need for anything else. Of course this is all IMHO.

__________________
44 Garrett Defender Ammo 4 me.

When I still had my Shield, I tried several brands of 124gr. +P through though it with zero malfunctions. Test with whatever ammo you intend to carry and you'll be GTG.

Seven shots to the chest from a 9mm shield is plenty!

I never said the first shot was a guaranteed stop. But u can bet after the first shot is placed correctly the follow ups (if needed be) will come with ease. You wont have to get in a hurry to blast off all ur ammo. For the fact the perp will likely not be going anywhere fast.

Of course if the first shot isnt placed correctly. Then u'll likely be shooting at a perp like he's a scared rabbit jumping around trying to dodge bullets. Of course in this case, u'll likely need follow ups and even more so u'll likely need about 3 more mags. But the problem here is the "shooter". Lack of training with his/her defense weapon.

Yep, like others have said... I would worry more about shot placement then what caliber to use.

If you shoot 9 well then go with it.

Remember people don't typically fall over dead from being shot from a pistol round.

I chose a .40 because
1) I already have a .40 FS and love it
2) I don't want to "stock pile" another type of ammo.
3) .40 ammo was available in my area when 9mm was not.
4) I could get my hands on a .40 shield when the 9mm was not available anywhere.

Just get good defensive loads and empty the magazine into whoever is coming at you. You'll get one extra shot with the 9mm. I wouldn't want to be shot repeatedly with either a 9mm or a .40.

The 9mm is inadequate....If you don't hit the target. Otherwise, you should be fine. And if you can't hit the target with a 9mm, you're not likely to do any better with a 40.

+1

Horseshoes and hand grenades about it for scoring points when you miss.

Russ

Jm,

Your answer

9mm Federal 147 Grain HST +P Clear Gel Test - Short Barrel - YouTube

This was shot out of a Kahr PM9, which IIRC has an even shorter barrel than the Shield.

Only if you put one through their brain, or sever the spinal cord between the throat and nipple region. Any other hit, even dead COM, guarantees nothing.

But yeah, you're right that the first shot is most important. Or better said, he who hits first usually has the best chance.

You could stop someone with a .22 if you shoot right.

Dump a mag of 9mm on an offender and if that doesn't work, you have bigger problems (no pun intended) and I assure you that having one caliber higher wouldn't have mattered either.

OK, all you "bigger is better advocates," argue against that one.

Almost spat out what I was drinking. Right on target.

Some ammo brands have the powder loads optimized for short barrels. And some bullet makers produce bullets that are designed to perform at lower velocities.

Ammo makers have cartridges that have both aspects. Speer makes 'Gold Dot Short Barrel' ammo as well as separate bullets for reloading and they have short barrel bullet/powder combinations in their reloading manual.

Oh, and is it adequate? Well you ain't trying it out on me!