Shield 40 or 9

[alleycat7002]

Debating which one should i get both same price 349 should i get 9 or 40

 

[ckcc]

Only difference I see worth considering is capacity. The 9 is +1 over the 40 and the magguts conversions are available for the 9 and not the 40.... so that makes it +2. 9mm ammo is a bit cheaper also. both the 9 and 40 are good in my opinion.

 

[Bishop99]

I prefer the 9mm because of the compact size of the gun. I rather have a .40 in a full size gun. The recoil impulse is more manageable for me with a full size gun in .40 cal. If you have a range where you can rent both calibers. That could help make your decision easier. To make it even easier get both. There's always room for one more gun.

 

[MyDads38]

Both-I bought the 40 first and then the 9 a few weeks later. Both are awesome! You won't be disappointed with either one

 

[shutupdata113]

Get the 9..
Higher capacity
Cheaper ammo
Less recoil
Faster follow up shots...nuff said

 

[ChicagoZman]

I prefer the 9mm for the simple reason that I can shoot it a bit faster than the .40, but I have friends that shoot the .40 more accurately than the 9mm, so it really is what you shoot better or prefer.

 

[pyro]

Only difference I see worth considering is capacity. The 9 is +1 over the 40 and the magguts conversions are available for the 9 and not the 40.... so that makes it +2. 9mm ammo is a bit cheaper also. both the 9 and 40 are good in my opinion.

I have the .40. I was looking for a 9mm when they first came on the market, but a .40 was all I could score. The .40 runs perfectly and the recoil is not a problem with me. It is very accurate and reliable. Having said that I still would rather have the 9mm for the extra capacity. In a low capacity gun, 1 or 2 extra rounds are significant and I have this nagging feeling that I will eventually switch over.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Debating which one should i get both same price 349 should i get 9 or 40

I vote 9mm.

 

[Deadbug]

Get the 9..
Higher capacity
Cheaper ammo
Less recoil
Faster follow up shots...nuff said

That about sums up my feelings...if you only are going to buy one or the other: get the 9mm...you won't regret it

 

[Bozz10mm]

The 9mm is a sweet shooter. Never shot a .40 tho. I do like the extra ammo capacity, especially with the Magguts kit.

 

[Shielded]

I also vote 9mm for many of the reasons already stated.

 

[V0OBWxZS16]

I carry a Shield 9 'cause they don't make a Shield 8...

I have fired a Shield .40 and it had significantly more felt recoil. With two hands the decrease in speed and accuracy was difficult to discern, but was quite stark weak-hand only.

 

[andrewcdub]

Which ever you shoot the best. That said, I had the shield in 40 and traded for the 9.

 

[PirateJim]

I voted for the .40 with my wallet. As a civilian, I don't anticipate being in a protracted gun fight, so I want to hit as hard as possible with the first shot and there isn't a .45 in a form factor similar to the Shield. I carried a J-frame for years and felt well protected. The .40 Shield with the short magazine pocket carries almost as well (better in cargo shorts) and has two extra rounds of a much more potent caliber.

Try them both. Follow your gut and don't let people on the internet influence your decision unduly. (But discussions like this are what keep forums for interesting.)

 

[Ballistic147]

I went through the same debate and ended up with the 9mm. My thought process was that ballistics between good quality 9 and 40 SD ammo are really, really close.

With that in mind the higher capacity is what won me over. I'm a pretty decent shot with most any handgun but have no idea how that would transition into a real SD situation and hopefully will never find out. Who knows, I could be cool hand Luke and land every shot perfectly ending the situation in 2 shots or could completely freak out and need that extra round and them some.

 

[robkarrob]

No one mentioned that if the 9mm barrels ever become available again, you can pull the 40 barrel and drop in a 9mm barrel and it will work perfectly. That is another reason to buy the 40. Doesn't work the other way around, 9mm to 40. My 40 Shield works great for target/plinking with the stock Shield 9mm barrel, no other changes. Accuracy is as good or better with the 9mm barrel. I carry as a 40 and do practice with 40 ammo. My 40 magazines feed the 9mm cartridges fine. Many other Forum members have both barrels and all works good, but some have had issues feeding 9mm with the 40 mag, so they bought the 9mm mag and all works great. 9mm is a little less expensive and slightly easier to control than 40.

Problem is that for the last two years S&W has not released any barrels. So until that happens or an aftermarket barrel manufacturer starts making Shield barrels, it is a moot point.

Bob

 

[alwslate]

9mm all the way. The world standard auto pistol cartridge. 9mm ammo
is avaiable in variety and abundance and prices are currently trending
downward. Buy it cheap and stack it deep while you can.

 

[TTSH]

I prefer the 9mm because of the compact size of the gun. I rather have a .40 in a full size gun.

Yep. For as many .40's as I own and enjoy shooting, I'd still go with a 9mm in the small plastic Shield.

 

[PirateJim]

I went through the same debate and ended up with the 9mm. My thought process was that ballistics between good quality 9 and 40 SD ammo are really, really close.

With that in mind the higher capacity is what won me over. ......

I guess I'm doomed to be the contrarian here, but I see some pretty significant ballistic differences between 9mm and 40 S&W self defense ammo. Example:

Hornady Critical Defense:
- 9mm 115 grain Flex Tip eXpanding
- Muzzle Velocity: 1140 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 335 ft. lbs.

Hornady Critical Defense:
- 40 S&W 165 grain Flex Tip eXpanding
- Muzzle Velocity: 1175 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 506 ft. lbs.

Winchester PDX1 Defender
- 9mm 147 grain JHP
- Muzzle Velocity: 1000 fps.
- Muzzle Energy: 326 ft. lbs.

Winchester PDX1 Defender
- 9mm +P 124 grain JHP
- Muzzle Energy: 1200 fps.
- Muzzle Velocity: 396 ft. lbs.

Winchester PDX1 Defender
- 40 S&W 165 grain JHP
- Muzzle Velocity: 1140 fps
- Muzzle Energy: 476 ft. lbs.

Source: Midway USA

I certainly won't argue that an extra shot might not be nice in some scenarios. I also can't argue that 9mm is less expensive, I'm just not of the mind set that a critical personal defense decision should be based on what's cheapest.

 

[amcline82]

Got a 40 because I already had/have a 40 cal pistol. The 40 defenatly is pretty snappy but manageable. I would also say whatever you shoot better.