My Shield 40-weekly updates & news....

MyDads38 · #1 07-30-2015, 10:12 PM

7-25-2015 Purchased my LNIB Shield 40 from LGS. Test fire date: 7-9-2014, so my Shield has had it's first birthday already

7-26-2015-First range trip with Shield 40. 26 rounds of reloads with 165 gr. X-treme plated RNFP over 4.5 grs. TiteGroup, CCI #500 primers in mixed headstamp brass. No issues at all and 13 rounds @ 3 yards and 13 rounds @ 5 yards. All center bullseye hits.

7-30-2015-Just home from range. 50 rounds Federal Aluminum 180 gr. FMJ with no issues at all and just as accurate (maybe more so) than my reloads! This Shield 40 is changing my mind about compact size handguns! Let another shooter fire 2 mags full, as he is considering a Shield also. Also fired 7 rounds of WWB 165 gr. through the Shield with no issues.

Total round count-83 rounds with no issues.

BTW, though a little stiff, this Shield doesn't exhibit a lot of the issues others have had. I have been able to lock the slide back without problem; though I knew up front it COULD be an issue.

I have been able to load both magazines by hand to full capacity; though it was easier the first few times with my shooting gloves on. The bulk of the 57 rounds I fired this evening were done without a glove.

First disassembly/cleaning/reassembly went without a hitch. All internal parts, especially the RSA were checked thoroughly and no issues found. Reassembly was as easy as my FS M&P's.

POA/POI have not been an issue so far. This can change with each different brand of ammo I try from here on out. As with all my other S&W handguns, whatever happens at the range (good, bad, otherwise) will be reported here. I think it's important, especially for me, to know/see how a gun performs on the range; especially one used for SD/HD/EDC. If it's not 100% then I need to know and will also report it here for others to view.

So far, I'm very happy with the Shield 40. I can see adding a Shield 9 in the future, to keep it company

And so, it has begun....

Bob O · #2 07-30-2015, 10:15 PM

Nice report!! The 40 Shield I had was consistent with POA/POI with the five different brands of ammo I put through it.

MyDads38 · #3 08-11-2015, 09:29 PM

Range trip 8-11-2015

Went to the outdoor range at the local conservation club this evening. Fired 45 rounds of Federal Aluminum 180 gr. FMJ through the shield. Another fellow shooter was there and I let him shoot 13 rounds from my shield and 5 rounds through my M&P 40 FS. He allowed me to shoot his S&W 442? revolver with Remington +P ammo.

I've been talking to this fellow about reloading equipment and he's going to stop by some evening to look at my set up. After he shot my Shield 40 and the M&P 40 FS, now he's thinking maybe he wants to try something in this caliber. He has a Glock 36 I believe, but isn't happy with it. Who knows, maybe I can convince him to come over to the S&W line and bring in a new member :-)

Anyway, a very relaxing and enjoyable evening with no issues from my new Shield 40. And a big "Thank You" to Bob O for fixing me up with the 2-7 round mags and the Bulldog holster-worked great!!

Total round count 128 with no issues.

tim c · #4 08-11-2015, 09:49 PM

my 40 shield has over 1000 rds so far no issues and shield nine about same no issues. So you can pretty much expect the same and i mainly shoot my own reloads

MyDads38 · #5 08-21-2015, 10:17 PM

Range trip 8-21-2015

50 rounds REM-UMC 180 gr. MC FP. This ammo shot incredible from my Shield 40! 13 rounds (6 @ 3 yds/7 @ 5 yds) bullets stacked on top of each other-all 13 rounds went into a hole 1/2" C-C. So to check myself, I shot 14 rounds into a 2nd target-same distances; 3/4" C-C.

3rd target, last 23 rounds-5 @ 2 yds., 6 @ 3 yds., 6 @ 4 yds., 6 @ 5 yds.
Group size 1 1/8". Now that I know how to add pics, I will when I get some time.

I will be the first to admit that on a GOOD day, I am a Fair to decent shot; even with my FS handguns. Since buying my 2 Shields, I have been really surprised at how accurate these guns are. And they have been fun! :-) Seems I'm going through more ammo with these little guys, than I do my FS guns too-that's gonna cost me! LOL

Total round count 178

Bob O · #6 08-21-2015, 10:23 PM

Very nice......looking forward to the pics!!!

MyDads38 · #7 08-23-2015, 09:14 PM

Pic of my first target from 8-21-2015, 13 rounds REM-UMC 180 gr. FMJ FP ammo.

2nd target from 8-21-2015, 14 rounds same distances/same ammo.

Last 23 rounds fired 5 rounds @ 2 yds., 6 rounds @ 3 yds., 6 rounds @ 4 yds. and 6 rounds @ 5 yds.

Bob O · #8 08-23-2015, 11:38 PM

Jimminy!!!!!

MyDads38 · #9 11-08-2015, 12:32 AM

Range trip 11-7-2015. Wow 8-21-2015 was my last trip? :-(

Anyway, 50 rounds Federal Aluminum Case 180 gr. FMJ through the Shield 40; no issues at all :-) Felt good to get a little range time in today-been way too long!

Round count 228.

pushpullpete · #10 11-10-2015, 08:44 PM

Very nice targets. Congrats.

PirateJim · #11 11-10-2015, 09:43 PM

I'm enjoying your updates, keep 'em coming!

zoomzum · #12 11-14-2015, 10:38 PM

I have just purchased a Shield 40 and 9 mm. Could you list best rounds to purchase for the 40? Would like for range use, then what recommendation for self-defense, based on your range experience.

MyDads38 · #13 11-15-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomzum

I have just purchased a Shield 40 and 9 mm. Could you list best rounds to purchase for the 40? Would like for range use, then what recommendation for self-defense, based on your range experience.

So far, the REM-UMC posted above has proven to be the most accurate so far in the Shield 40. And keep in mind, the distances that were fired were 2-7 yards. 10-15 yards would be max for me, as the Shield (IMO) is a close range/self defense pistol. Also keep in mind when buying ammo, there is no specifications for 40 +P ammo. I only use standard spec ammo in all my guns (9mm, 40 S&W, 45 auto and 38 Spec)-that's just my preference; even in my FS pistols.

I haven't tried any SD ammo through the Shield 40 yet, but use Hornady Custom 147 gr. XTP in the Shield 9 and Winchester W Defend 147 gr. JHP in my SD9VE and FS M&P 9. When I do get around to trying SD ammo in the 40, I will start with the Hornady and Winchester rounds, as they have performed flawlessly for me, in my pistols. Except for the Shield 40, my FS M&P 40 and SD40VE seem to prefer 165 gr. ammo over 180 gr.; but it's not a huge difference-they shoot both bullet weights very well!

Range/practice ammo is what ever I can find on sale and so far my Shield 40 shoots it all very well and with no issues. Best of luck on your 2 new Shields-Enjoy them

PirateJim · #14 11-15-2015, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomzum

I have just purchased a Shield 40 and 9 mm. Could you list best rounds to purchase for the 40? Would like for range use, then what recommendation for self-defense, based on your range experience.

For over a year I've been carrying 165 gr. Winchester PDX1 Defender in my 40 Shield. It has always fed well and availability has been good. Recently, after reading through the ballistic tests that Happy Gunner did ( Handgun Self-Defense Ammunition - Ballistic Testing Data ) I bought some of the Winchester Train and Defend ammo based on its good test performance and advertised lower recoil. It is a bit softer shooting than the PDX1, but not night and day. Still, lower recoil while retaining good performance is nice so I've probably made the switch for good. It seems to feed as well as most everything else I try in my Shield.

cockymiles · #15 11-16-2015, 12:54 AM

In 40 i like pdx1 in any barrle lenth up to 4.5 165 in 3" &3.5 4& over 180 imho whitebox jhp 20$ at walleyworld for rang the hollow points are the same price as fmjs at wally world

MyDads38 · #16 03-18-2016, 09:07 PM

Range trip 3-17-2016

Bought an add'l. 7 round mag for the 40 Shield and wanted to try it out. Forgot how hard they were to load when new! And me with a brand new Uplula at home in the pkg! LOL Anyway, only 7 rounds to check initial function and all was well. Round count 235. I need to get out and shoot more!