Maybe getting a Shield -- 9mm or 40?

[Cal44]

I would suggest you at least hold a Shield 45. Much better feel over the 9 and 40. You give up a round or two but the holes are much bigger.

I'd consider the 45 Shield, but it's not on the California approved list for new guns.

I could buy one used from another Cal resident, but there aren't many in the state.

I'd have to find someone who moved here and brought the 45 Shield with him, or an LEO who bought one and wants to sell.

I will take your advice and at least hold one if I get a chance.

 

[greeenteeee]

Recently bought the .40. Don't think it kicks any more than my full size Glock in .40. It's a more powerful defensive round, which I prefer. Love the gun.

Same, shot a Shield 40, not any more kick than my Sig SP2022 in 40.

Though with more experience with 9mm, that makes more sense. I do like the caliber though. If prices were the same I'd practice more so with the 40 (though price difference is minimal)

 

[ScaryWoody]

Hey Cal44, I didn't see you are in Kalifornia. In that case I'd go 9mm. Cheaper, lighter and will probably be more available down the line. The 40 just has too much snap for me.

 

[richardw]

I concur with all those who advise 9mm. I shoot 9mm now after shooting 45 ACP for decades. Before I made that switch I did a massive amount of research into the ballistics of the 9mm loads and the various types of loads available. I also researched fatality rates for both calibers and for the 40 cal too. The 9mm accounted for more lethal shootings airy fewer rounds fired than both th 45 and 40.

The lower recoil Of the 9 zprovides faster reacuiring of target and more accuracy. There is a reason the FBI dropped the 40 and went to the 9. The military dropped the 45 for the 9 back in 1989 if I accurately recall.

Before you decide and buy check out the results with different types of ammo and ballistic results. When I did that I discovered the Lehigh and Underwood Extreme Defender (one Defense) round. It is not a HP bout it creates a larger permanent wound cavity than any HP on the market. There're are amazing tests of those rounds on YouTube. There is even one that shows that the round went through a car door and penetrated gel to the same extent as it did without going through a car door.

The round has a specially designed 90 grain bullet that is extremely dynamic based upon it design. It's is amazing. It is more expensive than HPs but it is better. It is my edc round. I wouldn't be without it.

Do I feel less secure than when 45 cp was my choice? No. I actually feel more secure because my accuracy improved due to the lower recoil, and because I carry a round that will do what you need it to do.

 

[Talldog]

I have fairly strong arms and hands, but .40 in a small gun kicks harder than I want to deal with. My Shield is a 9 and I love it, but if you need the caliber to start with 4, you should look at the Shield .45. Only speaking for myself, I much prefer the kick of a .45 over a .40 in a small gun.

 

[deyomatic]

A friend has it in .40 and I recall liking shooting it. I got the 9, however because I didn't have a 9mm, yet. I also like the idea of the Mag Guts kits which add another round to either mag.
I don't think you would regret either.

 

[Dvan34]

I have the SW .40 Shield. I agree that the recoil is a definite factor to contend with. But I found that getting a lighter, faster bullet can help reduce the recoil. The 180 Gr. bullets that seem to be so popular have a harder recoil. The last time I shot for qualification I used American Eagle 165gr Syntech. those rounds were extremely fast and clean. For SelfDefense rounds I carry the new .40 Inceptor Polycase 107g. which is not an HP round. Unfortunately, I have to buy of these rounds online, which will not be permitted by Kalifornia after July. So I have had to stock up a supply.

 

[JLPiccard]

9mm is really nice

I can't comment on the 40 as I haven't had the opportunity to shoot one of those yet, but I do have a 9mm shield. I can say that it is a very nice gun for EDC. I've probably put around 700 rounds through mine so far, and only a couple of malfunctions due to a problem with the recoil spring (which S&W quickly replaced).

I, personally, have had no issues finding ammo for both plinking and self-defense. My personal favorite SD ammo is the Federal HST, though there are are several good options that work well with the 9mm shield.

If I were to buy another shield (which, with the rebates is a distinct possibility), I would personally probably go with either another 9mm (with the 2nd being a performance center) or a 45 acp.

 

[dan323]

To go along with my Shield 9mm I bought a Promag 10 round magazine on eBay. It works great. I have had no issues and plan on getting another. Of course I only use the 10 round mag for range firing.

I just ordered another promag 10 round magazine. &20.00 on eBay.

 

[S&W Rover]

The 9mm is a fine round -- there are many good ones (e.g., the Gold Dot, Golden Saber, HST, Critical Defense, Ranger, etc.).

I like the extra round in the Shield's 9mm magazine, and that 9mm is easier to control - with faster recovery. Nothing wrong with the .40 S&W, and despite some downturn in popularity it is here to stay.

I feel pretty good about 7+8 compared to my J frame with 5. Given today's world, I think it is a good idea to have a little more ammo along. All previous revolver vs. pistol debate points are still valid; but with increasing crime and the potential for terrorism and mass shooters, a little more weight has been added to the "firepower" (additional bullets) point.

The current price on the Shield - with rebate - is incredible for a pistol of this quality. As low as $240, plus $25 FFL fee. Hard to pass that up.

 

[daffyfellow]

9MM.
More capacity. Cheaper ammo. Softer shooting. Less wear and tear on the frame. Don't have to stock a new caliber.

 

[Dad_Roman]

The current price on the Shield - with rebate - is incredible for a pistol of this quality. As low as $240, plus $25 FFL fee. Hard to pass that up.

With Whittakers "moving" sale....210.00

 

[GoDevil Man]

My wife and I have 3 handguns, only been in this game since October 2016. A 4 inch 65-3, RM380, and I'm 100 rounds in to the Shield 9. My hands are average to smallish, and I love the 9 so far. Absolute joy to shoot. Fast recovery, very manageable recoil, and a nice satisfying bang. FWIW.

 

[greeenteeee]

Absolute joy to shoot. Fast recovery, very manageable recoil, and a nice satisfying bang. FWIW.

Hands down. I sometimes find it more enjoyable sometimes than my compact Sig pistols. I wonder if the M&P line feels similarly.

 

[Smooth1]

I had the 9 sold it & got the 40. I don't think you can go wrong with either 1. I'm just partial to 40

 

[greeenteeee]

I had the 9 sold it & got the 40. I don't think you can go wrong with either 1. I'm just partial to 40

My first pistol was a 40 so I'm kind of partial to it. Was going to go with a PC Shield 40 and use a 9mm barrel for best of both worlds. Ended up with a 9 due to availability/rarity in my area LOL.

 

[Tomac]

9MM.
More capacity. Cheaper ammo. Softer shooting. Less wear and tear on the frame. Don't have to stock a new caliber.

This, plus the .40 offers no significant advantage in terminal effectiveness. I carry 124gr HST in my Shields:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGqdMdbir0[/ame]

 

[rifmon]

All my handguns, (except for my model 10-6,) are in 9mm. I tend to think the 9mm makes the most sense for this gun and its size/weight. One advantage of the 40 S&W is that when there was an ammo shortage, the 40 S&W was on the shelves while the 9mm was no where to be found. Buy now while prices are low and supply is up!

I'm late to the Shield-show but sorta always wanted one. I saw the Late Boy-scouts You Tube video about this rebate and put 20% down at Buds for the 9mm. I mean, really,... how could I possibly pass up such a good and proven cc gun for $255.00 after rebate. I realize there are slightly better prices out there but Bud's free shipping a Law Away helped me do it.

 

[greeenteeee]

When in the backcountry, it'd be nice to have a bigger caliber so I checked recent prices and found the Shield 40 at $280 from P.S.A. and the 9mm at $290. Prices are getting so low it's crazy. And I'm even crazier for wanting another one.

 

[Bob_C]

My Shield is .40 caliber, and I am very happy with it. The recoil is noticeable, but not that bad. Apparent recoil is actually less than a .40 Browning Hi Power.

I also have 9mm pistols, larger and smaller than the Shield, and I wouldn't hesitate to carry a 9mm Shield either.