S&W Shield Inadequate?

[srings]

I'll never forget the video they showed in my CCW course of the law enforcement officer in - I believe - S. Carolina that pulls a guy over. Just a routine stop, right? Long story short...guy that got pulled over has a .22 pistol in pants pocket. Officer recognizes the danger...and fires 6 shots with is .357 into this guy. He lives. But while being hit by a .350freaking7, the criminal puts one .22 bullet into the officers side and it finds it's way to the cops heart or lungs (I forget) and the officer dies.

Moral to the story: Well placed shot with any caliber can kill. Like folks have said 3" barrel or 5" barrel or 8.5" barrel. You hit...it hurts...it can even kill. Mission accomplished when protecting yourself or your family.

 

[shawn mccarver]

So I'm in the process of buying a Shield, and it seems to be everything I want (i.e., single stack 9mm, small, light, and reliable).

First, let me preface my question by saying that based on the research I've done, a 9mm is more than adequate for carry. I've always felt safe carrying 9mm.

My concern is that the Shield in particular might be inadequate because it has only a 3.1" barrel. This means less power than 9mms with longer barrels. And I'm not going to use +p because the instruction manual advises against its.

So my question is this: are you aware of any studies/tests that have been conducted to assess whether standard pressure hollow points have enough expansion and penetration from such a short barrel? Thanks for the input.

P.S. For a variety of reasons (cost, recoil, etc.) I don't want the .40.

Just buy a case of Winchester 127 grain JHP +P+ and you won't have any velocity issues. You also won't have to get in front of the Shield to figure out that it just went off!

Oh, and before you panic and say you are not supposed to use +P+, etc., the manual says, blah, blah - it works fine. This is know from having tested it.

 

[danysw]

So I'm in the process of buying a Shield, and it seems to be everything I want (i.e., single stack 9mm, small, light, and reliable).

First, let me preface my question by saying that based on the research I've done, a 9mm is more than adequate for carry. I've always felt safe carrying 9mm.

My concern is that the Shield in particular might be inadequate because it has only a 3.1" barrel. This means less power than 9mms with longer barrels. And I'm not going to use +p because the instruction manual advises against its.

So my question is this: are you aware of any studies/tests that have been conducted to assess whether standard pressure hollow points have enough expansion and penetration from such a short barrel? Thanks for the input.

P.S. For a variety of reasons (cost, recoil, etc.) I don't want the .40.

Are you sure the manual advise against +p???? As far as I know the manual advises against +p+ use indeed but not +p. About +p ammo the manual says is: Use of +p ammunition may result in the need for more frequent service. You are safe to use +p ammo for defensive situations, the amount of +p rounds you are going to use will be 100 rounds for test and practice and in the worst case scenario 5 rounds during your whole live, chances are none.

 

[Carrot]

I know many police officers that carry an LCP when off duty. That's a 9mm short. Get a carry weapon that you can always carry no matter what you're wearing and that can be carried safely in multiple holsters/positions.

- The Carrot

 

[robkarrob]

Please do not use +P+ ammo. This is over pressured ammo and might hurt you and or your gun. The highest power safe ammunition you should use is +P, which meets SAAMI specifications. Most all reputable ammunition manufacturers follow SAAMI specs for their ammunition..

Bob

 

[WilsonFlyer]

A buddy of mine who is an avid gun owner, enthusiast, FFL and gunsmith/manufacturer once told me, and I quote, "You start poking 1/4 inch holes in somebody, they're gonna stop doing whatever it was that they were doing to ya." End quote.

I have NEVER forgotten that quote. I immediately stopped carrying my 92F every day, I started carrying a .380, or a small 9, or even a .32 or a .25 sometimes now. MUCH more comfortable CC'ing than the 92F. I'm a small guy.

It's all about poking 1/4" holes. Should have my M&P Shield 9 in about a week to compliment my Bodyguard. Can't wait for what I bet will be my preferred CC from now on.

 

[Denversteve]

If you want a comfortable to carry, light, thin, reliable, decent trigger, accurate to personal defense distances......... The Shield is an excellent choice.

More than enough information for your answer.