M&P Shield 9mm or .40 S&W

[shawn mccarver]

Someone on here once said -- he believes that for self defense, his calibers should begin with a 4. Not bad advice.

I have said that same thing. However, I am willing to make an exception with the Shield based upon 3 factors:

1. Weapon reliability trumps caliber. I still read too many reports of .40s dropping magazines.

2. There is a certain threshold at which capacity of the 9mm trumps the better stopping power of the .40 or .45 calibers. That threshold may be a different points for different people. To make an extreme example, there is no way on Earth I would choose that 2 shot Heizer/Double Tap thing in .45 (if it ever goes into full production) over a Shield in 9mm. The XDs comes closer, but it is still marginal as far as capacity goes - yes, 5 is the same as a J frame, but with the 9c, or Glock 26, for example, I can do slightly better ballistically than the J frame 38 and have the equivalent of 2 Model 642s in the same size package. Capacity is less of an issue as the weapon gets bigger. Fifteen .40s trump 17 9mms for me.

3. Finally, the snappier recoil of the .40 would make me tend toward the 9mm Shield for the same reason (although not by any stretch to the same degree) as I would choose the Airweight 642 over the .357 Magnum Airlight.

Others will decide this issue differently and I acknowledge that. I am merely explaining my reasons for choosing the Shield in 9mm over the .40.

 

[markerbeacon]

Just wanted to get our opinions, I'm looking to buy the M&P Shield for conceal carry and was wondering if I should get the 9mm or .40 cal? I already own the M&P 9c and love it.

Thanks

I have the M&P40c as my Car gun. I carry a 709 Slim right now until my M&P Shield arrives. I ordered both 9mm and 40 S&W (currently on back order). The Wife will have the 9mm as her CCW and I will take the 40 S&W as my CCW.

Before I get hammered with comments about the 709 slim, I've had no issues with it. I've fired over 500 rounds in it and it performed 100%. I have confidence it will provide my personal protection until I get our M&P Shields.

BTW: I paid $319.95 plus $30 shipping at Atlantic Tactical. (LEO & Military Special)

 

[BamaBrad]

I have the shield 40. I love it. I did have the magazine drop problem but with great customer service and a very quick turn around I now have had 400 flawless rounds downrange. I have also read of problems with the 9 as well so you might research that. Either one will serve you well but I really like my 40.

 

[USAF385]

1. Weapon reliability trumps caliber. I still read too many reports of .40s dropping magazines.

My brother in law has a .40 that would drop the extended mag.

He took a punch to the mag catch notch in the magazine and punched it out a bit from the inside. He did this on the side where the mag catch is only.

He hasn't had any issues since.

 

[RussC]

I have said that same thing. However, I am willing to make an exception with the Shield based upon 3 factors:

1. Weapon reliability trumps caliber. I still read too many reports of .40s dropping magazines.

2. There is a certain threshold at which capacity of the 9mm trumps the better stopping power of the .40 or .45 calibers. That threshold may be a different points for different people. To make an extreme example, there is no way on Earth I would choose that 2 shot Heizer/Double Tap thing in .45 (if it ever goes into full production) over a Shield in 9mm. The XDs comes closer, but it is still marginal as far as capacity goes - yes, 5 is the same as a J frame, but with the 9c, or Glock 26, for example, I can do slightly better ballistically than the J frame 38 and have the equivalent of 2 Model 642s in the same size package. Capacity is less of an issue as the weapon gets bigger. Fifteen .40s trump 17 9mms for me.

3. Finally, the snappier recoil of the .40 would make me tend toward the 9mm Shield for the same reason (although not by any stretch to the same degree) as I would choose the Airweight 642 over the .357 Magnum Airlight.

Others will decide this issue differently and I acknowledge that. I am merely explaining my reasons for choosing the Shield in 9mm over the .40.

Shawn

I like your reasoning. In a stressful life or death situation I would rather have 7+1 of 9mm. That one extra rd over 40 or 2 over the XDs 45 is huge when talking single digit capacity.

If we assume the average gun fight is 3 seconds I fear especially in the XDs 45 I may be empty before 3 seconds.

I like your argument that firepower trumps capacity when all calibers are high capacity.

I own an XD 45 with 13 rd capacity and at 7 yards my paper target looks like a shotgun shot it at point blank range after I have empties the magazine. My full size XD is my weapon i would reach for if there was a home invasion but the 40 oz weapon is a joke to conceal. Needless to say I pack her in my man purse (fanny pack) when hiking in black bear country of Utah where concealment is not an issue.

Russ

 

[wingnuut]

all the new 40s come with the new mag release and new style mags wider. I sent my 40 and all my mags to S&W they gave me all new mags and changed the mag realease , they also promised they would not touch my apex trigger mod,the gun is now perfect.

 

[jfwright1955]

Just wanted to get our opinions, I'm looking to buy the M&P Shield for conceal carry and was wondering if I should get the 9mm or .40 cal? I already own the M&P 9c and love it.

Thanks

I have two Shield 40's with a combined 1,000+ rounds through them with no issues whatsoever. One has standard sights the other has big dots. I went with 40 because that's my caliber of choice for all my handguns primarily so I only have to inventory one size of ammo. With the ammo frenzy going on right now 40 also seems a little easier to find at a reasonable price if you're willing to do some looking around versus 9mm.

John

"No one should make decisions for us when it comes to guns and gun carry. If we do things we're not comfortable with because someone told us it's 'right' it becomes a distraction in an event where clarity and simplicity is needed."

 

[Smitty357]

Well I have a 9, & I'm very happy with it. You could get a .40 & get a 9mm barrel, but then you would need the 9mm mags, for if nothing else the extra round, so that adds up to more $ spent. Barrel at say $100 or so & mags at $40 bucks or there about. All something to consider. Good Luck!

Actually u dont really need the 9mm mag (IF) you just use the 9mm at the range. The .40 mag will run the 9mm rounds just fine. But I wouldnt want to put my life on the line by using it a self defense situation like that.

So technically, all u really need is a 9mm barrel. The 9mm magazine is just the little extra precaution of FTF.

 

[coachpan]

Shield 9mm fan

I only have 2 firearms; the M&P 40c and the Shield 9mm. I'm no firearm expert, nor a fanatic (yet). I love the Shield 9 because it is soooo easy to carry. But, at night, my 40c is by my side.

 

[2tango2]

I have both......I have issues


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[Jayhawkhuntclub]

The only way I would buy the 40 is if it also came with a 9mm barrel. The 9mm is all you need, carries an extra round, has less recoil, matches the 9c you already have and is significantly cheaper to shoot. This is not a difficult decision.

 

[jeffhughes]

Put the money towards tuition and ammo for a good training class.

 

[Smitty357]

The only way I would buy the 40 is if it also came with a 9mm barrel. The 9mm is all you need, carries an extra round, has less recoil, matches the 9c you already have and is significantly cheaper to shoot. This is not a difficult decision.

Have u seen the prices of 9mm lately ?

 

[Cokeman]

I have. They are cheaper than .40s.

 

[Smitty357]

I have. They are cheaper than .40s.

Another reason to buy a .22LR.

 

[Cokeman]

Can't find them.

 

[Dino1]

I have. They are cheaper than .40s.

Where I'm at they are both the same price, bet you can guess which one is on the shelf to buy.

9mm and 22lr are next to impossible to find, but I can get .40 all day long.

 

[Dean1818]

My Shield in 40 is fantastic

Light recoil for a 40

 

[Dayvid23]

I would recommend getting whichever Shield presents itself first. If it is the 40, get that and a box of ammo. If later a 9 becomes available, you can always trade or sell the 40, and not lose a dime. If finances allow it, you could end up with both, like I have done. Then you have the glorious option of both. You could, at any time, sell either one. I have had nothing but reliable performance from both, by the way.