I have a 40c already, proficient with it already. Came from XD .40 as well.

Opinion:
Buy a Shield 9mm due to one extra round
OR
.40 since I'm used I shooting .40 but carries one less round.
Plus I wouldn't have to buy two different types of ammo.

I'm leaning toward the .40
Since I'm already proficient with it and will save me from buying two different kinds of ammo.

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H.O.G.

If recoil doesn't bother you, go for the .40. The 9 is pretty snappy itself. Best thing to do would be to shoot both of them before you make the decision.

In my case, my Shield is a concealed combat handgun. If I ever need to use it (I hope I never do) it will probably be lightning fast, against one attacker and within ten feet. I chose the bigger more powerful round hoping the attack could be stopped with one or two rounds fired.
Study your needs carefully and select the caliber that suits you best.
Rob

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Armatissimi e liberissimi

Given you are proficient with a 40, and obviously not concerned about it's 'snappiness', the choice of caliber seems a no brainer.

Before you make a final decision, determine what the purpose of that extra round is.

If you are LE, you will have extra mags. If you are not LE, and need that extra round, maybe you should relocate to an area that is less crime prone.

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Incoming fire has right of way

The 9mm will be easier to shoot and cheaper to practice with. I had both and sold the 40 in short order (it was not as accurate either)

MEs that write about these things say they can't detect any difference between a 9, a .40 and a .45 in terminal performance if you use modern, high end ammo. The 9 carries an extra round which is never a bad thing and it also has lighter recoil for a quicker follow up. I personally don't see the advantage to the .40. Just one man's opinion. My dealer had both available and I bought the 9mm.

Thank you all for your veiwpoints. I appreciate it.

I agree on the follow up. I started shooting 180gr, then switched to 165gr. Follow up is much better.

I have shot the Shield 40, havent shot the Shield 9mm yet.

I guess it boils down the shooting both and see if I enjoy the 9mm.

BTW: Not LE, Army Infantry-active duty currently on Recruiting orders in Houston; I dont live on base anymore.

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H.O.G.

On another note, PSA has the Shield .40 on sale right now for $359.

Buy the 40..
Someone will sell an after market 9mm barrel. Buy a 9mm mag and now you have two guns in ones.

I have all three m&p 40s.

For me as the gun gets smaller my qualifying score went up.
I believe it was a shooter concentrating harder.

Here in deep south Alaska 40 ammo is easier to find and is usually $1 to $2 more than 9mm not a big enough difference for me.

Since the cost of everything has gone up but my pay check I had to cut back some where. So practice ammo purchases got reduced. I reduced all my firearms down to shared caliber sizes to make my dollar seem to go further. Instead of buying one or two boxes for every gun I now buy lots of one caliber.

I also have a 40C and went with the 40 Shield. Got a 9mm barrel for the 40C backordered through Midway and plan on getting a 9mm barrel for the Shield too. My wife has the 9 Shield and it's definitely easier to shoot.

Thanks Bozz, already on it. Trying to find a fax number for them so I can have a LGS fax them a request for delivery.

Ive searched through and found that I can switch the barrels and mags. Awesome.

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H.O.G.

Yeah, your motive and mine are the same. Sage advice, thank you.

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H.O.G.

I have the 40 Shield. It is my primary everyday carry with a 7 rd magazine, 180 gr Gold Dots. I also carry a spare 7 rd magazine. I practice frequently with this firearm and it is 100% reliable. Carried IWB. I am extremely happy with this choice.

My preference, after much work with both, is the Shield 9. One extra round, ammo less expensive, less felt recoil, faster follow-up shots, and 9mm defense ammo today is not like it was 20 or 30 years ago. It is much better, which is why we are beginning to see quite a remarkable number of agencies moving back from .357 SIG and .40 S&W to 9mm. I think it is the beginning of a trend and that the 9mm, all but dead in LE a decade ago, is going to make a come back.

You already have a 40c and ammo, just get the Shield in 40 also IMO.

My 40 FS, 40c and 40 Shield...

uploadfromtaptalk1391372222818.jpg

You sound like you've made your choice. I too have a 40c & then later bought a 40 Shield. Since you already have plenty experience with 40SW that totally negates all the "40 is too snappy" logic Also, 9mm may be a little bit cheaper, but around here I can buy 40 all day, 9mm not so much. And as far as the 9mm round improving, sure, but do you think that development of all other calibers has remained static? I don't think so.

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

^^^^looks like my collection.

Add a bodyguard 380 and a second 40c in there for the wife.

Need to get the wife put shooting the shield more. Many she'll like it better than her bodyguard.

Talk about hard to find ammo.. anyone seen 380 lately?

9mm is a little bit cheaper for now.. how long till the demand drives the price up?
Federal champion 9mm is 15.99 a box
Federal champion .40sw is 16.99 a box

Even though I'm on a tight budget the price savings isn't big enough factor for me to over come the bigger availability factor.

I have no trouble finding 40

Because you have a 40, I would recomend the Shield 9mm. I shoot everything from 380 to 10mm. In my smaller guns, I like the good old 9mm. The recoil is less and the 9mm ammo tends to be designed for small guns like the Shield. I also think the extra round is a benefit in these small guns that don't carry ALOT to begin with.

My 2 cents after owning a Shield and several M&Pc's.
If you already own and are proficient with the 40c, stick with it and enjoy both better capacity and ergonomics. You won't find the Shield any smaller in footprint, only slightly narrower and lighter. ( Both I found to be irrelevant in good belt holster.) Don't get me wrong, the Shield is nice enough, just not better than the M&Pc series.
When in doubt, take your 40c shopping with you and compare right at the shop. The apples to apples comparison may surprise you.

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Dave

Just make sure you unload it first!

I would go with the 40. I just did the same. 9mm has not been exactly hard to get around here, but you need to buy it when you see it. 40 seems to always be on the shelf.

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Ostendo non Ostendo

While I would like the extra round in the mag, I'd go with the .40 just so I can have uniformity in your ammo. This way you don't have to purchase a separate caliber to practice with another gun, or a whole new set of components to load for another caliber.

Another vote for .40. Love my .40 Shield. I love having fewer calibers to chase.

.40 Shield is rather snappy but so was the 9 I had before it. I like the option of finding the 9barrels and using them in the .40 M&Ps. If s&w goes back to selling the shield barrels or if someone else makes one I'll definitely pick one up to match just like my C and FS. Until then, I'll be shooting .40 out of it.

You should have better follow up with the 180 grain over the 165 grain. so I do not follow what you are saying. You will have less felt recoil with the heavy round. I would choose the .40 over the 9mm any day. Look at the ballistics for HP .40 over the HP 9mm and make your choice. They both will get the job done, but the .40 has the edge. Felt recoil is almost non existent between the two pistols with the Shield.

And you can walk into any gun shop and buy .40 ammo, in the heat of the moment you will not be concerned about recoil, just putting the bad guy down.

9mm, for sure. Like mentioned earlier, the 40sw is just too snappy for a tiny, single-stack carry piece like the Shield. In my opinion, there are plenty of suitable handguns out there that seem to be made special for the 40, but the Shield isn't one of them. I love the 40, and I carry one often, but in a gun that small, the 9mm is perfectly sized.

Follow-up shots are slower, fewer rounds, more expensive practice ammo, accelerated wear and tear on the gun (high-pressure round), and a few other reasons that I'm sure I forgot are all considerations in choosing which one to get. I always say get what you like, and this time's no different, but also consider the application this gun is being purchased for.

I think the OP has already made his choice, but given that he already has a .40 a Shield in the same makes sense. I personally can barely tell the difference between shooting 9mm and .40 (I have both), and in my part of the world I prefer the larger projectile from the .40 - winter clothing is well known to plug up HPs.

That said, I wouldn't feel underprotected with a 9mm, either!

I have both M&P 40 Pro and a Shield in 40S&W the interchange of ammo is great and the Shield shoots great perfect for a defensive weapon. 9mm too wimpy (lol)


Mike Wenzel
Oklahoma City

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Mike Wenzel
Oklahoma City

Had a local gun show in the Woodlands near me and picked up a new Shield .40 cal and 1000 rounds of PMC bronze 180gr.
Shield was $410 out the door.
Ammo was $350.

Just needed some "throw away" ammo. Good price.

Thank you all for your advice.
I'll go shoot with with tomorrow.

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H.O.G.

That's a great deal. That's what I paid for my Shield exactly.

I couldn't decide so I got both. Sorry this didn't help any.

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

Not sure if it would still be on sale at this date, but can you help me find them. Not sure who PSA is but the one I got to, Precision Small Arms under gunbuyingclub, said the sight was not secure and did I want to proceed. Wasn't sure if I was in the right place.

PSA is Palmetto State Armory and looking at their site, they're sold out right now. The least expensive Shield 40 online that's in stock at the moment is Cheaper than Dirt at $370 and the next best is Sportsmans Outdoor Superstore at $379 both shipped price.

I would go the 9mm. One more round, less recoil, fast follow up shots, cheaper ammo. That and there are a couple KB posts on 40

If youre a LEO/First Responder, G and R Tactical dot com has the Sheilds for $330.

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H.O.G.