Confidence in my .40 Shield

[Tony2much]

I have an M&P .40 shield which has proven to be flawless in performance and function with a variety of standard factory ammo. After the many recent posts to this forum and responses about potential problems, I decided to do some research before continuing to allow my wife and nephew fire the .40 shield when we're at the range.

Not to in any way downplay the seriousness of the kb issues experienced by several members of this forum, I did a quick Google search on kabooms and corresponding photos. It appears as though this is a very widespread issue with just about any firearm, manufacturer or caliber and can occur for many different reasons. After seeing some of these photos, it is clear to me that this is not an isolated (potential) problem with just M&P .40 Shields and as a result, I will continue to confidently enjoy mine with standard factory ammo only.

I've provided a link below for those interested, to some photos of other kb's found on Google.

WARNING: There are a couple of very graphic photos of injuries sustained from kb's, so viewer discretion is advised.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gun...CYCQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1525&bih=719&dpr=0.9

 

[Rastoff]

The pics you linked to demonstrate why guns in general are hazardous. Most of those pictures are of guns not chambered in .40S&W.

Going with standard factory ammo is always the right thing to do. There is no value in using +P or +P+ rounds.

 

[Tony2much]

The pics you linked to demonstrate why guns in general are hazardous. Most of those pictures are of guns not chambered in .40S&W.

My point exactly.

This is why I feel the 40 shield issue is most likely exaggerated and can in most cases be attributed to sub standard or bad ammo choices.

 

[Roger S&W]

I have an M&P .40 shield which has proven to be flawless in performance and function with a variety of standard factory ammo. After the many recent posts to this forum and responses about potential problems, I decided to do some research before continuing to allow my wife and nephew fire the .40 shield when we're at the range.

Not to in any way downplay the seriousness of the kb issues experienced by several members of this forum, I did a quick Google search on kabooms and corresponding photos. It appears as though this is a very widespread issue with just about any firearm, manufacturer or caliber and can occur for many different reasons. After seeing some of these photos, it is clear to me that this is not an isolated (potential) problem with just M&P .40 Shields and as a result, I will continue to confidently enjoy mine with standard factory ammo only.

I've provided a link below for those interested, to some photos of other kb's found on Google.

WARNING: There are a couple of very graphic photos of injuries sustained from kb's, so viewer discretion is advised.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gun...CYCQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1525&bih=719&dpr=0.9

Are hollow point self defense rounds safe to fire through my Shield 40?
I've give you an example.
Take a look at the muzzle energy for the Speer Gold Dot 165grain!
That's pretty hot, don't you think?
http://www.speer-ammo.com/ballistics/ammo.aspx

 

[Rastoff]

Take a look at the muzzle energy for the Speer Gold Dot 165grain!
That's pretty hot, don't you think?

Muzzle energy has nothing to do with whether or not the round is safe to shoot. It's all about chamber pressure. As long as the chamber pressure stays under 35Kpsi, it's fine to shoot in a .40S&W caliber gun.

 

[robkarrob]

My Shield 40 is almost two years old. I only use CorBon SD ammo, which meets SAAMI specs, but pushes the limit. It puts out 1325 fps and 526 foot pounds of energy. I have fired near 150 rounds of it, with not one issue. The KBs seem to be from non-standard and old ammunition, which can cause pressure issues.

I have fired another 500 rounds of 40 range ammo and 650 rounds of 9mm range ammo (extra barrel). I agree that the gun works perfectly, and other than the initial mag drop issue (fixed in July of 2012), I have had no problems with my Shield, and trust it as my EDC.

Bob

 

[dullh]

The .40 round has been involved in more kaBooms than any other round. I don't carry a .40, but not necessarily for that reason...but because I see no point in it. It was originally designed as a manageable 10mm round; if I want to carry something bigger than a 9 I'll carry a .45.

 

[CatSnipah]

Looks like several of those are due to squibs.

 

[dullh]

Looks like several of those are due to squibs.

No. A "squib" is an under pressure round. One factor in kaBooms is bullet setback (where the bullet is pushed deeper into the case), usually caused by repeatedly chambering the same round during "administrative" handling. Notice this sort of event doesn't happen with revolvers?

 

[Rastoff]

Notice this sort of event doesn't happen with revolvers?

I think the owner of this gun would disagree:

All guns have the potential for catastrophic failure. Setback is not the only way a round can be over pressured. Setback isn't even necessarily a factor in several of the cases we've seen recently. Most of the failures that have been reported here were on a round that had only just been chambered once. Setback could happen the first time a round is chambered, but I doubt it.

 

[Tinn-Can]

I bought some dies to reload 40 but the shield is the only one I have at the moment so that kind of gives me pause since it is also ny carry gun... I'll probably just run lower pressure 165gr loads though just to be on the safe side... The 40 case design really should be looked at and redone to strengthen the head off the case... Our just get rid of glocks

 

[dullh]

'Preciate the graphic. Now, be honest...overpressure handload? Yeah..it happens. In the context of . 40 factory loads, it's usually bullet setback. Not the same thing. The other cause of .40 kaBooms with factory ammo is a chamber that doesn't fully support the case head...

 

[Rastoff]

...lower pressure 165gr loads...

Bullets of lower mass do not mean lower pressures. The powder is adjusted to keep the pressure close to the same. So, a factory 180gr load should have similar pressure to a factory 165gr load.

 

[Rpg]

Going with standard factory ammo is always the right thing to do. There is no value in using +P or +P+ rounds.[/QUOTE]

^^^^^^!!!!
What he said!!

Folks, if you think you need +p ammo in your handgun to make it do what needs doing, you've got wrong handgun.

No gee whiz ammo or ultra pressure stuff will make a 9mm or .40 into a .45.

Pretty pictures of ballistic gel or wonderful numbers based on velocity squared are great for reading on the throne. Leave them in your bathroom.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[martybee]

Spent Case Bulge?

Hi to all!
I'm kind of new to the forum. Mostly read the posts.
I have the SD40ve and I'm familiar with the small case bulge that is caused by the slightly relieved area
at the ramp. I guess this is also an area of an unsupported case.
At any rate I am told this is normal and in no way effects the integrity of the piece.

My question is: Does the Shield also have this feature?

 

[FrankC2014]

""Folks, if you think you need +p ammo in your handgun to make it do what needs doing, you've got wrong handgun.

No gee whiz ammo or ultra pressure stuff will make a 9mm or .40 into a .45.

Pretty pictures of ballistic gel or wonderful numbers based on velocity squared are great for reading on the throne. Leave them in your bathroom.""


AMEN! Run factory fresh .40 from a known seller and you will be ok. Reloading is fine if you learn from someone experienced, check and double check and don't push the limits until you have plenty PLENTY experience. And even then do your research.

Also JMHO.

 

[CatSnipah]

No. A "squib" is an under pressure round. One factor in kaBooms is bullet setback (where the bullet is pushed deeper into the case), usually caused by repeatedly chambering the same round during "administrative" handling. Notice this sort of event doesn't happen with revolvers?

You misunderstand.

I didn't suggest that the squib, itself blew out the barrel, etc. Rather someone followed it with another round without realizing the squib stayed in the barrel. I've seen it live and in person. Some of the linked pictures look very similar to the end result.

Seeing it happen, thank the Maker not to me, was pretty grounding.

Additionally, your comment regarding revolvers is off-base, considering the number of revolver pics contained in the link of pics.

 

[Rastoff]

A squib would create a blockage. A blockage would create a completely different reaction than we're seeing here. A blockage usually ends with a ruptured barrel/chamber. These are blown cases.

 

[RussC]

The .40 round has been involved in more kaBooms than any other round. I don't carry a .40, but not necessarily for that reason...but because I see no point in it. It was originally designed as a manageable 10mm round; if I want to carry something bigger than a 9 I'll carry a .45.

After watching Youtube videos of Speer Gold Dot 124 grain JHP +P 9 mm interact with denim and gel I have 100% confidence that my Shield 9 loaded up with 8 rounds of the lethal load will neutralize any 2 legged threat.

There is just no way a round that is designed to create a cavity wound the diameter of a fire hose 13 inches deep is not going to stop the threat if I do my part and hit center mass.

Shot placement will always trump handgun caliber and 9 mm increases shot placement odds over larger calibers especially with novice shooters by providing less muzzle flip and one extra round.

Quicker followup, higher round capacity, improved ballistics, less cost is why many law enforcement agencies are switching back from 40 caliber to 9 mm.

Russ

 

[yurimaster]

I have my shield 40 for nine months and carry it daily. The 40 shield is not a trouble gun, it's just those very few who had over pressure ammo who's when KB. I fire over 500 rounds of winchester WB and some Federal HST rounds without any issues. You all have to see it this way, when something happens to someone's gun, then they post it on the net. The majority of us with the 40 shield are doing just fine. I only use ammo from know factory like Federal, Hornady or Winchster and I don't reload.