Shield 40 or 9

[Walkbyfaith]

I am sorry if this was or is already a thread here, couldnt find it in the search. But just thought I would get some people opinions.
Do you like the 40 or the 9? Did you switch to one or the other after firing either one?

 

[robkarrob]

I have a Shield 40/9mm. How is that. Well a Shield 40 and stick in a stock Shield 9mm barrel and you now have a Shield 9mm. It is tougher to go 9mm to 40, as you have to do a little barrel work to allow the 40 barrel to fit into the 9mm slide.

Bob

 

[Fire75]

40 'cause i have 40 ammo!

 

[kodiakpb]

Personal preference really. Having said that, I have two 9's.

 

[fullmetal1911]

40, because more stopping power and only one less round, easily mitigated by carrying with one in the pipe and a topped off mag. As someone else said, buy a 9mm barrel and mag and now you have both.

It really comes down to personal preference. ^ is the reason that I have the 40. If you are recoil sensitive you probably aren't going to like the 40 as much as the 9.

 

[modraker]

The Shield 9 is what I wanted but I decided to buy at the height of the current gun buying frenzy. I found a Shield 40 on Gunbroker at a reasonable price and I grabbed it. The recoil is stout but entirely manageable. I'd say buy the 40. You can always switch it over to a 9 with a barrel and a magazine as robkarrob suggests on post #2.

 

[Marshal Tom]

I purchased the 9mm because the .40 S&W was not available out yet and I was concerned about the recoil in such a small handgun. I had previously fired a compact Glock .40 and did not care for it. I have since fored the .40 Shield and did not think that it was bad at all. If you purchase the .40 S&W then you can later purchase a .9mm barrel and have both guns in one.

Tom

 

[Smitty357]

.40 because theres no way i was going to carry anything smaller than my ole lady carries.

And as others have said, drop in a 9mm factory barrel and a 9mm mag and then u have a 9mm on ur disposal.

 

[w-30dreamin]

I have fired both numerous rounds. I personally own the .40.

I can say it is easier getting back on target after firing rounds using the 9mm.The .40 does have more noticeable recoil.

 

[xcutter]

I purchased the .40 S&W with the plan of purchasing a .9mm barrel and have both guns in one.
I do like the .40, but the recoil on this small gun is stout as another poster suggested.

I am anxious to buy the 9mm barrel. It is tough to find in stock. I have had my Shield since Dec 2012. Still no luck with the timing on ordering a 9mm barrel. They go very quickly at "Guns and Gear".

 

[DocSunShine]

Personal preference, I bought the .40 and strangely everyone I know bought the .40, but if you're a 9mm shooter, buy the 9mm. Either way it's a great carry gun.

 

[SmurfHunter]

40 with 9mm barrel

 

[crice8]

I passed up the 40 twice at academy and finally got my hands on a 9mm SHield that I have used as my EDC for the last few months. I'm glad I got the 9 because it is much harder to get ahold of. Academy here has had several 40 shields sit in the case for up to a week before being purchased while the 9mm sells as soon as they open. I may end up buying a 40 shield as well since I can use my crossbreed and lasermax on both but for now I EDC the 9(= It is very comfortable to shoot for extended periods of time at the range while the 40 will be less forgiving.

 

[crice8]

Also many people suggest putting the 9mm barrell in the 40, which you can do and I would be ok with while target shooting. But I would never trust that when carrying.. I pray I never have to discahrge my weapon but if the situation arises I like knowing absolutely that it will go bang.

 

[Nutshell]

I have the 9MM with Fedaral 147 GR HST's as my carry gun. I feel I have plenty of stopping power. The 40 vs 9 debate will continue forever with no clear "winner". Shoot both if you can and buy the one you shoot better. For me, it was the 9.

 

[Walkbyfaith]

Well I currently own the 40, shot it and put almost 200 rounds down, and I had a couple blisters. I would go for a barrel conversion, but they don't seem to exist. And I think I would be more accurate with a 9mm. I like the 40 round but prefer it in a FS gun, I shoot my glock 22 well. At this point I would go for a shield in 9mm or xds 9mm.

 

[RAM1299]

I pretty much agree with everyone else. The 9mm vs. 40 S&W in any gun is a long time debate. The facts are: the 40 kicks more and holds one less round. If you can find one, you can drop a 9mm barrel into the 40 and have both. Both are excellent guns and very comfortable to carry. They feel great in the hand. My preference is the 40 which is my EDC. I don't mind the stouter recoil of a 40. My other sub compact carry gun is a Glock 27 in 40 as well.

 

[DocSunShine]

Also many people suggest putting the 9mm barrell in the 40, which you can do and I would be ok with while target shooting. But I would never trust that when carrying.. I pray I never have to discahrge my weapon but if the situation arises I like knowing absolutely that it will go bang.

Everyone who's done it and reported on it, reports it runs 100%. That said I'm in agreement with you, if/when Storm Lakes or another company comes out with a conversion barrel, I'd consider running this as a carry set up if it ran 100% (although I do prefer the .40).

 

[Der Biermeister]

Last Dec, I put in my back order for both the 40 and the 9. I decided that whichever one came in first would be the one I bought. The 40 came in and that is how I got into that caliber.

I love my 40 and love the way it fires especially after doing an Apex trigger mod -- but I am intrigued about being able to convert it to a 9 with just a barrel and mags. I may do that, but then on second thought ........ why? This is my EDC gun and I kind of like the idea of having a wee bit more punch. My home-defense weapon (in my bedroom) is my M&P FS 9, outfitted with laser/light, tritium sights, and also the trigger mod. In the middle of the night, I like the idea of having 17+1 rounds before even thinking about having to go to another mag. The chances of someone breaking in on me (with my two watchdogs) are next to nil --- but sometimes NIL happens, and I pitty the poor schmuck who tries it.

 

[fyimo]

I reload and the 40 S&W takes the same primer as the 9mm and only a slightly larger powder charge so it's a no brainer for me. I also have (2) 40 S&W Sigs that I have an extra 357 Sig barrel for and they drop right in and use the same magazines so that is also a no brainer.

Also right now there are less 40 S&W's pistols out there then 9mm so ammo is easier to find for those that don't reload.

 

[gwgw60]

I got the Shield 40 when looking for a 40 to supplement my 9mm pocket semi autos. The Shield was available when I was ready to buy.

 

[timn8er]

I have a 40 Shield. I have several 40's & the recoil doesn't bother me. Having said that, the Shield 40 is snappier than my other 40's, including my Compact. I'd rather shoot the 40c at the range than the Shield, but I didn't buy the Shield for the range, I bought it for self defense/concealed carry. It fills that role admirably. I didn't want to get into +p & +p+ ammo. So 180GR. JHP, six in the magazine, one in the pipe, & an extra magazine & I feel set.

 

[Wildcat66]

Have tried both and for me the 9mm is my choice.

No problem with handling recoil in the 40, but the gun, for me,
just seems more manageable in the 9mm configuration.

Nick

 

[hogblue]

I had a choice between 40 & 9mm at my lgs. Went with the 40 since I carried that round for years on duty. Had it about three weeks now with over 200 rounds down range. No FTE or FTF. Passed the safety recall check too. Its a keeper.

 

[bobnieder]

I have both a full-size M&P .40 and a Shield .40, and I honestly do not feel any difference in recoil between them. I also have 9mm factory barrels for both and have hundreds of rounds of 9mm downrange. I find that, at age 65, I tire quicker shooting .40 than I do with 9mm. So, if I have a class that will require 200-300 rounds, I use my 9mm barrels and magazines. And I must note, I have not experienced misfeeds or jamming with either pistol with .40 or 9mm. For me, it's a "comfort thing". A long class, or an extended range session is simply more comfortable with 9mm. Oh yeah! It's cheaper, too, and that helps me go more often.

I almost forgot to add; for home defense, and for carry, I use Corbon PowrBall .40 or Double Tap .40 HP's.

Sent from my NookColor using Tapatalk 4

 

[shawn mccarver]

I prefer the 9mm, not because I think the cartridge is superior, but because I am not convinced all of the "bugs" are fixed with the .40 caliber Shield.

 

[Smitty357]

I prefer the 9mm, not because I think the cartridge is superior, but because I am not convinced all of the "bugs" are fixed with the .40 caliber Shield.

So far all the Safety Alert Shields that have failed have been the 9mm. At least so to speak on this forum.

Careful with those bugs.

 

[DocSunShine]

I prefer the 9mm, not because I think the cartridge is superior, but because I am not convinced all of the "bugs" are fixed with the .40 caliber Shield.

I think the "bugs" with the .40 were way overblown to begin with and non-existent at this point. As I've reported on the forum before, myself and several others I know have put many many rounds through our .40 shields and nobody I know has had a single issue.

 

[jeeps]

On the street the sw 40 has not proven to stop better than the 9mm. Go with the 9mm and have a extra rd. and less recoil. Lots of PD,s who drank the 40sw Kool-aid have gone back to the better 9mm round. Combat proven in over 100 years world wide and USA issue too.

 

[Rapidray]

hehehe...the debate goes on...personally, it is shot placement that settles it, and not the size. Size helps but you can't beat placement!
so the 40 or the 9mm...mine is a 9mm. It is easier to shoot and control, but YMMV.
As fyimo has pointed out...I see a lot more of 40 ammo on the shelves of Walmart than I do 9mm or 45acp.