If you had to choose

[Dvus]

.40 for 2 reasons. When compared to .45, bullet weight for bullet weight (180 grains or less) .40 is ballistically equal to the .45 from the same manufacturer (Usually.) I don't think any perp is going to notice 5/100ths of an inch difference in bullet diameter. "Excuse me sir, that's only a .40, you need to shoot me again please!"

Second, for those smart***es that request another shot, I believe the .40 is +1 over the .45 in mag capacity. I could be wrong on this, and if so I know someone will be most happy to point out my error as usual.

And third, (hey, wait a minute, you said 2 reasons!) the porting of the PC makes the requested follow up shot a little easier to get off quickly.

 

[gunny4053]

Thanks everyone, lots of good reasons for both, but in the end, I decided to go with the .45. Ran in and put it on lay-a-way this morning and found a bonus. After looking at the tag, it comes with 4 mags, 2 holsters, and the original box for $399. Probably a little high, but the whole thing looks like new, even the box. Since I reload .45, I'm set for a while.

 

[hyena]

Winner winner chicken dinner!

 

[Michaelp57]

Good choice

Thanks everyone, lots of good reasons for both, but in the end, I decided to go with the .45. Ran in and put it on lay-a-way this morning and found a bonus. After looking at the tag, it comes with 4 mags, 2 holsters, and the original box for $399. Probably a little high, but the whole thing looks like new, even the box. Since I reload .45, I'm set for a while.

You will not regret that choice my friend. Enjoy you new gun. Let us know what you think after getting it out to the range.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I don't own a shield anymore but I have had multiple samples of the 9, 40 and 45's. ( All 3 stock with grip tape and an apex duty kit trigger job) Of the 3, I found the 45 ( by far) the easiest and most pleasant to shoot. The 9mm/40SW flavors seemed too slim and slick in the hand (even with grip tape). the first round was fine but the gun would swim around in my hand with follow up shots. This was particularly true in the 40SW which had the harshest recoil of the three. The 45 on the other hand was just a bit more hand filling and ergonomic. It's recoil was very manageable and accuracy was VG.

That said, I ended up trading them all at one point because they really offered very little more concealability over a well tuned M&P compact yet gave up considerable mag capacity and overall smoothness of operation.

Your results may vary.


p.s. The 40 is considered a "has been" round in many circles since the FBI and other LE agencies moved away from it. . When I last worked in a gun shop a few years back, we couldn't give a 40SW chambered carry gun away. Some would sit on the shelf for over a year. If you go that route, look for a discount .

 

[M29since14]

I was going to nudge you toward the .45, but I was too late. I've owned both. Nothing wrong with .40SW, in my opinion. I'd prefer either to 9mm, but a 9 is a bit more economical to shoot. To actually rely on, in this case bigger is better, to me.

 

[gunny4053]

I've had one of each in the past, and as it has been said many times, hindsight is 20/20. My youngest brother has my original Shield .45. He acquired a PC .40 with no manual safety in a shrewd deal, but really wasn't into .40 and wanted a manual safety, which my .45 had. At the time, .40 was my preferred caliber and I liked the no safety version better, so I made a trade with him, and we were all happy. At some point, we started downsizing the number of calibers in the safe and since my wife shoots 9mm, 9mm was what we settled on.

These days, with ammo and most reloading components back in reasonable supply, adding a caliber isn't an issue. Although I like my Glocks, yes, I'm one of those guys, I believe the Shield will be my carry gun of choice for the foreseeable future.

 

[nksmfamjp]

I'm probably answering this wrong. I really try to never buy a carry gun without a manual safety. Sometimes, like my 340, this is impossible.

I also try to not buy small guns over 9mm Luger in caliber/recoil level. This has nothing to do with me being a wimp, etc. It is all about shot timer performance. With the higher recoil rounds, I find my hand shifts just enough to slow my split times below 0.4s. I don't like that for putting rounds on target.

If your measured performance meets what you desire, both are a well made handgun.

 

[gunny4053]

I understand what you're saying, but......
Depending on the firearm, I don't mind a manual safety, but if I had to be critical of the Shield, the thumb safety is all but useless. Will it make the gun safe? Yes, right up to the point you need it to defend yourself. It's too small and tucked in too tight to the frame to function quickly when needed. Considering I'm a Glock guy, I've learned that the best safety is the one between your ears.
Keep your finger off the trigger until it's time not to and carry it in a good holster that covers the trigger.

As far as recoil, the Shield .45 has almost none. It's a bit of a mystery in that it has very little for such a small package. In fact, if I had to describe it, I'd say it has more of a push than a sharp pulse. This one may be different than my first one, but I'm betting she'll put 230gr hole punchers COM and one to the melon just fine. Split times just don't concern me because I'm not a gun gamer. How'd they put it in the movie Shooter, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast". I'm good with that.

 

[Paul in Nevada]

...the thumb safety is all but useless...

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.

 

[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.