I am having difficulty deciding between the 9mm and .45 Shield. Unfortunately I cannot afford both at this time. I have several 9mms, both full size and compact. Additionally I have quite a few 1911s. I'm leaning toward the .45 as I really don't like the trigger or the spacer on the extended 9mm mags. That being said, I like the both cartridges so I'm unsure which would be better for EDC. My current EDC is a Glock 32. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. S/F.
M&P Shield 9mm or .45 ACP?
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ScaryWoody
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I went with the 45. I have plenty o 9's. After feeling the grip and pulling the trigger I was convinced. The texture feels really good in the hand. Shooting, is very controllable and comfortable. Plus, BIG HOLES.
9 all day long. A little cheaper to buy and cheaper to feed. 9 mm ammo probably will be easier to find when you have to. And from all I've read here, looks to me that the 9 is more reliable. I've had one since about the time they first came out and it's been great.
Dave270
Member
I have a 9mm and a 45 Shield.. I would go for the .45 Shield.. It is very controllable and comfortable to shoot and I have found that it is much more accurate than my wife's or my 9mm.. As far as the cost of ammo for the .45, the only question is... How much is your life worth..???
I would recommend the .45. I had enough problems with magazines in the 9mm version to discourage me. Not so with the .45. Mine has been perfect as far as function goes, with all kinds of ammo, and I find it easy to shoot well - at close range, anyway. Recoil doesn't seem much different, but I suppose that the different texture of the .45 grip makes it easier to hang on to than the grip of the 9. Handle them both side by side and that should help you decide. 
John Robert
Member
9mm reliability
Over 8,000 rounds (many different types ammo both 115 and 124 gr) and nary a problem with gun or magazines (1-7 rd and 7-8 rd)
Over 8,000 rounds (many different types ammo both 115 and 124 gr) and nary a problem with gun or magazines (1-7 rd and 7-8 rd)
Thousands of rounds through the 9. Mamma has a touch of arthritis. We have BOTH migrated to the 45 and dont even take the 9's lately. We are 440 rounds into each one so far...-0- issues.
With the 45's I bought myself a 9 also, to match mammas.
I left it with my son this weekend...less than 50 rds through it....read into that what you will
Oh yea...and BIG HOLES (SW) .30 cents a round vs 20 cents a round....your call
With the 45's I bought myself a 9 also, to match mammas.
I left it with my son this weekend...less than 50 rds through it....read into that what you will
Oh yea...and BIG HOLES (SW) .30 cents a round vs 20 cents a round....your call
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I have both. I shoot the .45 every week. The 9 has become a safe queen. The .45 is considerably more accurate, especially at 15 yards and beyond. It is easier to rack, and its recoil is only slightly greater than the 9's. The trigger action is smooth and appropriately weighted for a carry pistol. (The same is true for my 9.)
I had a few failure to feed (nose-dive) problems early on with my .45, but those seem to have been taken care of by a change in lube procedure. I now use Slip 2000 Extreme Weapons Grease, and apply it more generously than the owner's manual suggests. My 9 had failure to eject problems that I was never able to completely eliminate. That is the main reason it is now on the shelf.
The biggest problem with the .45 (as any owner will tell you) is the reassembly of the 7-round magazine. It has a unique design, and the owner's manual is of no help. Fortunately there are some threads on this forum that give some useful techniques for making reassembly easy. The 9 magazines are easy to reassemble.
Whichever model you decide to buy, insist that the seller field strip it before you make the purchase. Then remove and inspect the recoil spring assembly (RSA). S&W has had persistent quality control problems with small numbers of these (maybe less than 1%) throughout the production of the Shields (all models). There are two types of problems. One is a bent spring retainer disc on the back end of the RSA. While the Shield can function with this defect, you may get an increase in failures to eject. Besides, if you're buying a new Shield, it should be perfect. In such a case, send it back and have the retailer bring out a new one. The second type of RSA problem is more serious: it flies apart upon removal. When this happens, the RSA (and the Shield) is no longer useable, so, again, demand to see another Shield. While you're not likely to encounter any RSA problems, you can save yourself some aggravation by checking before you buy.
Good luck!
I had a few failure to feed (nose-dive) problems early on with my .45, but those seem to have been taken care of by a change in lube procedure. I now use Slip 2000 Extreme Weapons Grease, and apply it more generously than the owner's manual suggests. My 9 had failure to eject problems that I was never able to completely eliminate. That is the main reason it is now on the shelf.
The biggest problem with the .45 (as any owner will tell you) is the reassembly of the 7-round magazine. It has a unique design, and the owner's manual is of no help. Fortunately there are some threads on this forum that give some useful techniques for making reassembly easy. The 9 magazines are easy to reassemble.
Whichever model you decide to buy, insist that the seller field strip it before you make the purchase. Then remove and inspect the recoil spring assembly (RSA). S&W has had persistent quality control problems with small numbers of these (maybe less than 1%) throughout the production of the Shields (all models). There are two types of problems. One is a bent spring retainer disc on the back end of the RSA. While the Shield can function with this defect, you may get an increase in failures to eject. Besides, if you're buying a new Shield, it should be perfect. In such a case, send it back and have the retailer bring out a new one. The second type of RSA problem is more serious: it flies apart upon removal. When this happens, the RSA (and the Shield) is no longer useable, so, again, demand to see another Shield. While you're not likely to encounter any RSA problems, you can save yourself some aggravation by checking before you buy.
Good luck!
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Thank you for the great information. I will do as you instruct and have the seller field strip the gun before purchase.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
I have both and have to say it's a toss up. I have over 2000 rounds through the 9mm without any problems. And 215 rounds through the .45 with one problem. The RSA came apart. I guess I got one of the 1%. S&W quickly sent me a new RSA and all is well.
A couple of differences between 9 and 45 that I have noticed: The grip texture on the .45 is much more aggressive. Also there is a noticeable difference in the loaded weight of the two. Well, 45 ammo weighs nearly twice as much as 9mm.
A couple of differences between 9 and 45 that I have noticed: The grip texture on the .45 is much more aggressive. Also there is a noticeable difference in the loaded weight of the two. Well, 45 ammo weighs nearly twice as much as 9mm.
I wish I could afford both but at this time it is not financially possible. Thank you for your input.
I wish I could afford both but at this time it is not financially possible. Thank you for your input.
Totally understand...not implying you have to buy both. Of the two, I think I like the .45 better. I switch out quite a bit for my EDC. Just some days I feel better knowing I have a more powerful, bigger round at my ready. But the 9mm is a great gun too.
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Totally understand...not implying you have to buy both. Of the two, I think I like the .45 better. I switch out quite a bit for my EDC. Just some days I feel better knowing I have a more powerful, bigger round at my ready. But the 9mm is a great gun too.
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Thank you, I truly appreciate everyone's great opinions on both guns.
Ray1970
Member
I'll toss another vote for the 45. Haven't had a chance to actually shoot mine yet but if it functions well I think I'll be pleased with it.
One other thing to consider, the 45 is a bit larger than the 9mm. I could put the 9mm in my pocket if I had to. The 45 just doesn't go. The 45 is almost the same size as a Glock 19. Thinner obviously, but the length and height are pretty close. I can try to take some pictures tonight if anyone wants a size comparison.
One other thing to consider, the 45 is a bit larger than the 9mm. I could put the 9mm in my pocket if I had to. The 45 just doesn't go. The 45 is almost the same size as a Glock 19. Thinner obviously, but the length and height are pretty close. I can try to take some pictures tonight if anyone wants a size comparison.
ultratec00
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I have both Shield 9mm and 45. For their intended purpose, I'll take the 45 any day and twice on sundays. That's not a slight on the 9mm, which has a good trigger (Apexed) and acceptably accurate (w/ the new SS guide rod). Other than doing some polishing and adding an Apex trigger, the 45 was good out of the box and delightfully accurate. Sure, the 9 does have a little less recoil than the 45, but not so much as to detract from comfort of having a .451 projectile coming out the muzzle.
Both conceal pretty much the same in their respective Kydex holsters. Neither are what I would consider pocket/ankle carry, which is why I have a Sig 938 (note it's a 938, not a 238).
I reload, so ammo cost isn't an issue and the PMC 185gr HPs used for carry are ~$25/box of 50.
Both conceal pretty much the same in their respective Kydex holsters. Neither are what I would consider pocket/ankle carry, which is why I have a Sig 938 (note it's a 938, not a 238).
I reload, so ammo cost isn't an issue and the PMC 185gr HPs used for carry are ~$25/box of 50.
