Shield 40 or 9

[Pilot172P]

I have the Shield 40 and love it. I've shot other 40's and to me the Shield handles the 40 very well. I'm amazed at my speed and accuracy with this gun. I reload both 9 and 40, so ammo cost isn't an issue. I agree the 9mm is a good round these days and with the MagGuts upgrade, the extra 2 rounds is significant. The Shield isn't rated for +P or +P+ which is one of the reasons I went with the 40. Plus the 40 just makes me feel better inside for some reason

 

[TTSH]

I'm just not of the mind set that a critical personal defense decision should be based on what's cheapest.

Plus the 40 just makes me feel better inside for some reason

This is the other side of the coin. As much as the 9mm is the more sensible, practical and popular choice for a small plastic pistol; if/when, God forbid, the time ever comes that you have to use it in a critical defense situation, there is no denying the advantage of the .40.

 

[shooter48]

I have a full size M&P 40 and it's recoil is allot snapper
than my 9mm shield. I can get back on target quicker
with the 9 shield. I would go with the 9mm.
There is a wide variety of great personal defense ammo
available in 9mm...

 

[Ballistic147]

There are several ballistic gel tests out there that show the 9mm is really close to 40 and even 45 handguns with todays SD ammo. Do a Google search and they will pop up. Not saying the 9 is better but really not that far off.

My Shield 9 is my primary carry during warmer weather but I just bought a 40c for cooler weather. The Shield is slightly easier to conceal, especially under a t shirt but I do like the idea of having 11 rounds of 40 cal with the compact. In slow fire it's a tie between the two however in rapid fire and SD type drills I'm a little more accurate with the compact. I don't think it's the size difference because I'm very comfortable shooting both. I would like to shoot the Shield in 40 sometime just to have a comparison.

 

[Capttjk1]

I have the .40 Shield and love it. Can't go wrong with either!!

 

[JMichaelTX]

As you can see there are lots of opinions.

The advice I like best is to choose the gun/caliber that works best for you. I have also seen it stated by numerous handgun authorities to shoot the largest caliber that you can handle accurately with reasonable speed.

So my advice would be to go to a range where you can rent both, and put at least a box of rounds through each until it is obvious to you which one works best for you.

Take your time in making this decision. First and foremost you want the model that you will be very comfortable with in a real-life defense of your life. Whichever model you choose, if you are like many of us, you will be putting lots of $ into the gun after you buy it.

Good luck! Whichever model you choose, I'm sure you will love the Shield.

 

[Radco]

My 2 cents! I love the 9mm for cost, and easy shooting! Plenty of knock down power if well placed,, Plus you can get 9mm ammo just about anywhere, .40 is a bit harder to get! 9mm is cheaper to shoot so you can shoot more! for less $$$ ! Do you have a .40 now? or 9mm now? I have 2 9mm and will be adding a 3rd so just one type ammo for me But all in all what do you feel you will shoot well with and practice with more? Both good choices!

 

[Smoke]

I chose the 9mm based on several criteria

1. I wasn't going to be able to fire one before I purchased it. I didn't want to get a .40 and find out the recoil. really sucked.

2. I wanted something my wife could handle at need. That pretty much removed the .40 from consideration.

3. I decided I wanted to consolidate down to one or at most 2 calibers.