Shield .40 or 9?

[fbcmrjrtykr]

I currently own an SD40VE and hope to be soon adding a Shield for CC. I've been thinking 9mm but find myself wondering if I should stay with .40? On the 9 side you have diversity of ammo, less expensive ammo, and (I'm assuming) less kick. But on the .40 side is more stopping power and no need to stock up on a different caliber of ammo. Can you go the .40 route and later buy the barrel and mags to convert to 9? Are there other benefits to either? Can't do both as much as I'd like to.


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[shawn mccarver]

This from a guy who was a lifelong proponent of the .45 ACP. Go with the 9mm. Practice ammo is less costly, mag capacity higher, less recoil for faster follow-up shots, easier to learn to shoot well, etc. And, with today's PREMIUM ammo, it is "good to go" for self-defense.

In addition, and I hate to say it, but I think the Shield in 9mm has had most issues discovered when it was first introduced satisfactorily resolved. I do not share that belief with the .40 S&W Shield, based upon the posts I read here.

 

[speedyquad]

i have both...the 40 for my wife and the 9 for myself...everything else i have is 40s&w. even though my wife shoots my 40c and my sigma 40 well, she wanted her shield in 9 for the extra round it holds....i bought the 9 for her and she loved it...then i got the 40 for myself...she was more accurate with that so she claimed it as hers...

other than the few issues with the 40 that you can find lots of info on here...there is really no reason to not get it in 40. i have not tried yet(i've only had the 2 shields about a month and wanted them both broke in before i tried) but many people say that the 9 barrel and mags work in the 40 and that conversion can be made. the only issue is buying an extra 9 barrel...they are not quite available yet...unless it is a warranty issue and smith wants the old one back...or so people say on here...

 

[MorkBork]

You already have a .40 S&W and there is something to be said for standardization.

I don't really think there is much of a difference in ammunition options between 9mm and .40 S&W either. In any case, the "best" ammunition choices (HST, Ranger T, etc) are all made in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP anyway.

 

[Model 15-4ever]

I have both calibre guns. Haven't investigated any kind of barrel switching, don't see the point of it, since POI is going to different depending on which barrel you have installed (assuming it works). The sights aren't adjustable. even if they were, what a pain in the ast.

Do you reload? If you do, the cost difference is negligible (eventually pistol powder will be available again). If you don't reload, why have another calibre when you can stock up on the .40 you already have?

Recoil with the .40 is more than the 9mm. But it's not much more. The extra round carried in the 9mm is more theoretically an issue than a real one - if you want a hi-cap gun you already have the SD40VE (which I also have btw). You're getting the Shield for thin carry. I don't see 7-8 rounds of .40 as a handicap.

Both guns have the same accuracy. .40 is a bigger bullet that hits harder, with limited capacity I'd rather have that. I bought both calibres to try out and since the .40 is not an issue for you with the SD, it won't be problem in the Shield. Right now if I had to sell one, I would keep the .40.

 

[Rpg]

The 40 doesn't interest me: it's not a 45.

Truth be told, neither does the 9.

However, if I bought a Shield, it would be in 9mm, although I've shot both.

The Shield platform is designed for the 9.

That it can be modified and marketed in a modestly larger caliber, doesn't make it a good idea.

Sow's ear - silk purse situation.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[MorkBork]

The Shield platform is designed for the 9.

We're not talking about a Gen 2 Glock 23 here. I think it is safe to say the Shield was designed for both 9mm and .40 S&W.

The M&P series in general is very .40 S&W oriented.

In some ways, .40 S&W is the real selling point of the platform. There are numerous compact 9mm options, but not so many for .40 S&W.

 

[mustangman]

I like my 40, and havent had a single issue with it. On the ammo issue, you've already got 40 so why switch. Since no one makes an actual Shield 9mm conversion barrel, you would have to put in a factory one. The problem with that is a factory 9mm doesn't fit tight in the 40 slide. At the back of the slide in the chamber opening where it is notched out for the part of the barrel with the round indicator cutout, the 40 is a little wider, so the 9mm barrel will have slight side to side play in that opening. I have read that some people do it and say that it works fine. I personally think its too big of a risk to have a barrel that doesn't fit as tight as the one that came from the factory. I'm no expert, just my humble opinion.

 

[wtburnette]

Personally, I'm pretty recoil sensitive, which is why I bought my Shield in 9mm. I love my Shield, but if it were any snappier than it is now, I wouldn't like it as much, so I know I made the right choice for me. I don't even like shooting a G23, which is known to have a pretty mild recoil for a gun with that caliber. The only time I've cared for shooting a gun in .40 is when the gun is full sized, like a G22 or an FNX-40. I've not heard what the recoil is like on the SD40VE, but I'm guessing there would be more recoil on the Shield in .40. So, if you don't mind more recoil than what you have with your SD40VE, the .40 would be an option for you. I've almost bought a .40 (FNX-40) for the same reason you'd mentioned for the Shield in 9mm, it would be nice to have a gun that takes a different caliber, just to be able to buy cheaper ammo. For me, the reason was that it's still hard to find 9mm in stock sometimes, while .40 seems to be on the shelf everywhere. Anyway, I've rambled and probably not helped much, so I'll just say good luck! I think you'll be happy with either caliber

 

[Hamster65]

I prefer either a 9 or a 45. I never have much cared for the 40 because of its sharp recoil.

I have a shield 9 and not only is it just as accurate as my M&P 9 full size, the recoil seems to be almost the same too.

 

[tim c]

i have both shields but carry the 40
and recoil is not that much more in the forty

 

[Edmo]

I've carried 45 ACP and 40 S&W caliber guns for years and I bought my Shield in 9mm.

The Shield was my first 9mm handgun.

Edmo

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Thanks for the feedback. This would be such an easier decision if I had unlimited funds and easier to make if I had a range where I could shoot both. Unfortunately, there are none in my area so your feedback is valuable. I do like the idea of not having to buy ammo of a different caliber; but, thanks to "The Walking Dead", I find myself wondering what ammo I will be able to find in a apocalyptic scenario. In that case diversity is critical. Not that I dwell on that but it pays to be prepared. Hoping to make the call in the next 30 days once I sell this house.


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[DocSunShine]

You can't go wrong with either, but the reason I went with .40s, it's simply much easier to find ammo and ever since Sandy Hook, 9mm prices are not much better than .40 when you can find it... But I will admit I don't think practically speaking .40 or .45 do anything 9mm can't do.

 

[mjlabs]

Around here 9 and 40 ammo are NOT the same price. In terms of 100 rd value packs at Walmart $26 or so for the 9 and about $39 for the 40. fyi....


I say, buy based on what the ammo prices are in your area, but I guess your already buying .40 for your other gun.....hmmm tough choice, the good news is you cant really go wrong with either!

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Around here 9 and 40 ammo are NOT the same price. In terms of 100 rd value packs at Walmart $26 or so for the 9 and about $39 for the 40. fyi....





I say, buy based on what the ammo prices are in your area, but I guess your already buying .40 for your other gun.....hmmm tough choice, the good news is you cant really go wrong with either!

Now that's a fact


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[B3500]

Pick the largest caliber you shoot accurately and are quickest in recovering for your second and subsequent shots.

Some people can do that fine with a 40 or 45 while others may struggle with a 9mm. In my mind a good hit is way better than a good miss.

I don't consider these sized handguns as ones I would choose and plan to put multiple thousands of rounds in a short time at the range like I would a larger piece, so I don't consider the ammo price difference a deal breaker.

 

[DocSunShine]

Around here 9 and 40 ammo are NOT the same price. In terms of 100 rd value packs at Walmart $26 or so for the 9 and about $39 for the 40. fyi....


I say, buy based on what the ammo prices are in your area, but I guess your already buying .40 for your other gun.....hmmm tough choice, the good news is you cant really go wrong with either!

I wish this were the case down here in South Florida, the WWB 100 packs of .40 are less than $39 and 9mm is more than $30, it ends up being a difference of a few bucks... And I almost never see 9mm in stock, .40 is ALWAYS in stock. Prices are damn close to what SGAMMO is asking only like I said 9mm is NEVER in stock and .40 ALWAYS is and it's been this way since Sandy Hook.

http://www.sgammo.com/product/winch...liber-winchester-165-grain-fmj-ammo-usa40swvp

http://www.sgammo.com/product/winch...hester-fmj-115-grain-value-pack-ammo-usa9mmvp

So if you really are only paying $26 for a value pack of 9mm and actually finding it, consider yourself EXTREMELY lucky... Makes me wish for the good ole days circa 2008 before Obama was elected when 9mm Value packs could be had at Wal-Mart no problem for $18.88 for a box of 100.

 

[breakerofwind]

I have owned and fired both calibers. The increased recoil between the .40 and the 9mm is not an issue; it's barely noticeable. The main questions is, how much stopping power do you want? Will the bullet pass through the bad guy and hurt an innocent bystander? Is the piece easy to conceal and carry? Purchase an item like this for what you want it to do, not how much it costs to practice.

 

[Smitty357]

Me trying to tell u what weapon to buy that fits u. Is like u trying to tell me what shoes to buy that fits me.

 

[Donn]

9mm, for all the reasons previously stated, and this. I know he's the Anti-Christ to a lot of guys, but on this particular subject, I agree with James Yeager. High pressure rounds like the 40 S&W and 357 Sig will take it's toll on what is a 9mm frame and sooner or later, it'll break. MHO you understand.

 

[Smitty357]

Actually i believe the Shield was built on the .40 concept. The 9mm was easy, because u dont have to change the design of something for a small caliber if it already handles the bigger caliber. Just change the barrel, lol

 

[DocSunShine]

9mm, for all the reasons previously stated, and this. I know he's the Anti-Christ to a lot of guys, but on this particular subject, I agree with James Yeager. High pressure rounds like the 40 S&W and 357 Sig will take it's toll on what is a 9mm frame and sooner or later, it'll break. MHO you understand.

.40 and 9mm have the same pressure, .40 just happens to be a bigger bullet... How many .40s have you broken? Any pics? I'll be waiting....

 

[wittmeba]

9mm, for all the reasons previously stated, and this. I know he's the Anti-Christ to a lot of guys, but on this particular subject, I agree with James Yeager. High pressure rounds like the 40 S&W and 357 Sig will take it's toll on what is a 9mm frame and sooner or later, it'll break. MHO you understand.

.40 and 9mm have the same pressure, .40 just happens to be a bigger bullet... How many .40s have you broken? Any pics? I'll be waiting....

I would agree with Doc. This is not a 9MM punched out to accept .40 - it is a .40 with a downsized barrel to accommodate a 9MM.

And I would expect to get new magazines. It is my understanding the .40 do not feel 9MM very well.

 

[fbcmrjrtykr]

Me trying to tell u what weapon to buy that fits u. Is like u trying to tell me what shoes to buy that fits me.

I certainly see your point. The thing is, I can go try on shoes.....but I can't necessarily try out these shields. So I look to this forum for the experiences others have had; most of which are very relevant. Clearly it does come down to what works for me.


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[dfhawkins]

9mm, for all the reasons previously stated, and this. I know he's the Anti-Christ to a lot of guys, but on this particular subject, I agree with James Yeager. High pressure rounds like the 40 S&W and 357 Sig will take it's toll on what is a 9mm frame and sooner or later, it'll break. MHO you understand.

Don, I hate to pile on... but the third crack in your argument is the reason you buy a Smith & Wesson; they fix or replace it if it breaks. That, however, is only from personal experience.

 

[timn8er]

You could check your local ranges & see if they might have both of them to rent. I went with the 40 Shield. I have several 40's & recoil doesn't bother me. It is a little more pronounced in the Shield because of its size, but adding a Pierce magazine extension & a Pachmyr slip on grip cleared that up for me & made the gun a joy to shoot. Its not a range gun by any means, but I do enjoy shooting it more now. Hey, open carry is legal here in Oklahoma, I could carry my 4506-1. Its very comfortable to shoot & even with me running it, very accurate. Open carry makes a lot of people nervous though, so that's why I bought the Shield. Carries concealed like a dream. As far as the cost of ammo, 9mm isn't that much cheaper than 40, & when ammo of any caliber was hard to find I always managed to find some 40. Good luck with your decision!

 

[Smitty357]

I certainly see your point. The thing is, I can go try on shoes.....but I can't necessarily try out these shields. So I look to this forum for the experiences others have had; most of which are very relevant. Clearly it does come down to what works for me.


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Well if it were me again. I'd buy the .40 and a factory 9mm barrel. This way I have both and can shoot both whenever I please. Recoil between the .40 and 9mm is about as much recoil as u get from a .22lr. My ole lady shoots her .40 better than she shoots her 9mm conversion. I guess she refuses to use recoil as an excuse, lol.

 

[Hunter991]

I would go 9mm, and if you want bigger get an XDS45 and skip the 40 all together. I have shot the 40 shield and my XDS45 seems more tame.

my 9 shield is very easy to handle.

 

[speedyquad]

op, where are you located, maybe we can get you hooked up with some peeps that have both, such as myself, a couple different people that would let you shoot both...

i'm in Northwest Pa, slightly closer to Erie than Pitsburgh. If you are nearby me, i'll let ya shoot both...