If you had to choose

[gunny4053]

It's payday and I couldn't wait anymore, so I went in and picked it up. After, I went on their range and put a few rounds down range, just to insure everything was good before I left the store. I'm very happy with the results. 230gr S&B and Gold Dot Short barrel work very well. The ejection was a bit erratic, so I'll replace the recoil spring and the mag springs in hopes of fixing that before I call CS. They were wrong about the original box. The one they thought went with the .45 was in fact the one for the PC .40, although there was a hard case with the .45. A call to S&W got me a manual and a new, correct, box on the way. It came with an IWB Kydex holster, an OWB Kydex holster, 2-7 round mags and 2- 6 round mags, plus another 30 days free use of their range.

Got it home and proceeded to disassemble it and the mags, cleaning everything to within an inch of its life and lubing her up. She's pretty slick from top to bottom. With the addition of a few more mags and the new springs, she should be set for a long time.

The downside is while I was out, I looked at a S&W M&P 9mm Pro, and now that's calling my name. They're evil I tell you, pure evil. And it's a no-manual safety model too.

 

[sandog]

I first had a .45 right after they came out. Soon after I also bought a .40 PC.

I took them both to my range 3 weekends in a row, and although the .45 was sweet, I ended up keeping the .40 and I traded the .45 for a 9mm Shield that I gave to my daughter.

I carrried the .40 for about 2 1/2 years, then happened to buy another .45 Shield in 2019.
Although the porting really helped the .40, you could still tell you were firing a high pressure round.
The .45 was a bit more pleasant to shoot. And I could shoot it more accurately then the PC .40.

The triggers on both were good, I never had the urge to replace with Apex parts like I do on my full size M&P's.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I couldn't disagree more. The Shield has the single best manual safety of any carry gun I have handled. It's the best feature of the design, in my opinion. I find it easy to operate but if you don't like it, it's unobtrusive enough to simply leave off and never use it.

I have to strongly agree. It works. It gives good feedback. Location is perfect. I'm as reliable disengaging this as a wide paddle on a 1911. It never catches on anything. Good stuff.

 

[Spats McGee]

Of the ones listed by the OP, I'd go .45 acp. That said, it's really a caliber choice for me. I like the .45 just fine, and don't own anything in .40. Nothing wrong with .40, I'm sure, I just don't need another caliber.

 

[gunny4053]

After looking at a couple things, I think I'll have a great little pistol. Looking at the target I shot, I was a bit left, not a huge amount, but left none the less. After checking the front sight, it was in fact setting a tiny bit to the right which would move the bullet strike to the left. I drifted the front sight left a tiny amount which should correct the left bullet strikes. I'll go to the range in the next day or so and verify that all is good.

The gun had a Talon rubber grip on it, which had started to peel at a corner, so I removed it. Not a big deal as I have a new Talon Pro coming.

I've also got new Wolff +5% mag springs coming, so the mags will be fresh.

I also want to replace the recoil springs. I checked S&W's website and parts don't seem to be part of the equation. I'll call them tomorrow and try and get one. I tried to pick up one from ssguiderods.com, but they gave me no way to pay on their site. Ebay is no use as I found a seller, but $30 for a factory part seems a bit extreme.

 

[GB]

Probably can't go wrong with either but if it was my deal, I am all in on the 40. That is the Shield I bought used about 5 years ago and love it. Have long been a 40 fan.

 

[gunny4053]

I really like the .45, but I'm still looking at the PC .40. The Shield is just such a great little firearm, it's hard not to like them.

I love my Glock 26 for carry, but this Shield is so much more comfortable and lays flat against my side. Between the weight and width difference, the Shield, any Shield is a game changer. Granted, other platforms have higher capacity, but the Shields give you enough in a soft, accurate shooter.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I'd look toward the 40 S&W myself only because I have several hundred rounds of 40 in my stash & am limited on 45acp currently
Sold my three 40 Hk Pistols not long ago
My LGS has a 40 Shield for $349 currently
Have not seen a 40 Plus PC Shield YET!
YMMV
Good Luck with your choice @gunny4053

 

[Harper]

I carry the Shield 45. And I do like it. Surprisingly soft shooter, compared to my Shield 9. I'd imagine, based on that, that it's also softer than the .40.

 

[gunny4053]

Well, I couldn't resist, the PC .40 came home too. Took it right to their range and popped a few rounds down range. It's just as accurate as the .45, and surprisingly a bit softer shooting as well. Brought her home, cleaned her up, and took some family photos.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

A happy ending after all.
Personally I think the 45 and 40 versions are the real reasons the Shield exists. Don't get me wrong I like my 9mm model but there are other choices that are smaller and hold more rounds. The 40 and 45 chamberings really set this design apart.

 

[gunny4053]

Good day, the Talon Pro grips for the .40 and the new mag springs for the .45 came in today. I'm still waiting for the new recoil springs for the .45. I'm a little concerned though, the lady I spoke with at S&W ordered just the springs and not the RSA if I understood her correctly. Not sure how to disassemble the stock RSA and install new springs, so I'm hoping they just send a new RSA. Once I get the RSA squared up, I'll make another trip to the range and see if everything is AOK.

 

[Ron In MD]

Pros & Cons safety or no safety on an M&P9 Shield

Deleted post.
Wrong thread.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

The Shield 45.(with safety) Have carried mine daily since I got it. This weather it fits nicely in the bibb pocket of my overalls.
Been casting , loading and shooting the 40 since 1989. In addition to other 40's I have the Shield 40 and 9mm too. Prefer the 45.

 

[Tiribulus]

Good day, the Talon Pro grips for the .40 and the new mag springs for the .45 came in today. I'm still waiting for the new recoil springs for the .45. I'm a little concerned though, the lady I spoke with at S&W ordered just the springs and not the RSA if I understood her correctly. Not sure how to disassemble the stock RSA and install new springs, so I'm hoping they just send a new RSA. Once I get the RSA squared up, I'll make another trip to the range and see if everything is AOK.

I've seen where a couple other guys have gotten them from S&W and it always been the whole assembly. Although I don't think they were Shields, but that shouldn't matter.

 

[N4KVE]

The 45 for sure. 40 is dead around here, & we can hardly give away the LE trade in's we get. But OTOH, for that same reason 40 ammo is easier to find. GARY.