Shield 40

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I shot my new shield 40 today. Boy was I not prepared for the recoil. Talk about snappy. I had to readjust how I handled that little gun. It reminded me of men in black's noisy cricket. I am not complaining. I love the pistol, but the kick surprised me. I then shot the m&p 40 after and the recoil seem more manageable than the shield's. I know the recoil differences have to do with the barrel lengths, I think.


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The reduced recoil has more to do with the full-size pistol's increased weight, larger grip giving a better purchase and longer recoil spring than it does with the barrel length. The barrel length, other than the shorter barrel generally equates to the other factors, probably has the least to do with the felt recoil.
 
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Thanks for the info, Linejudgemick.


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Ensure your strong hand is as high on the grip as possible (obviously below the slide) and your weak hand is providing good support. Maintain a firm grip all through the firing cycle, don't relax the grip prematurely. Consider adding add-on grips. I use a bicycle inner tube cut to length and slid onto the grip. Shooting gloves help also. Got mine at Lowe's in the garden department. Snap is something to be managed and will not be as large an issue with more rounds fired.
 
The Shield is just snappy. Even the 9 as I have had both (currently only .40). Practice Practice Practice. And hold on.
 
Amazing how my ole lady shoots her Shield .40 better than she shot the XDS 9mm and the Shield 9mm.

Maybe she just isnt a sissy like some people. :)
 
It might just be me but i find the recoil LESS on my 40 Shield than my Glock 23, my BIL shot 50 rounds through the Shield and said he was surprised that it was so mild.
 
It might just be me but i find the recoil LESS on my 40 Shield than my Glock 23, my BIL shot 50 rounds through the Shield and said he was surprised that it was so mild.


100% agreed! My 23 has definitely more recoil than my Shield 40.
 
I bought a Shield in 9mm after a experience I had with a PPS in .40 after I shot a friends Shield in .40 and is nothing like the PPS I'm thinking is the aggressive checkering on back strap on the PPS.
 
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At 19 ounces, the Shield is light, and the 40 does produce more recoil than the 9mm. It has to, as the cartridge is more powerful. Recoil is very subjective, and different people will have different perspective to the recoil, all shooting the same gun. If you grip firmer, your wrist will have less movement. which should help on felt recoil and recovery time.

I personally do a lot of one handed shooting, and do not have any problems with my Shield 40's recoil. I do hand, wrist, and arm exercises to strengthen my muscles. I have a 9mm Ruger LC9, which is slightly smaller and lighter than the Shield. To me the recoil difference between the two guns is hardly noticeable. Work on strengthening your hand, wrist, and arm strength, and getting a proper grip. You will notice the felt recoil level will diminish.

Bob
 
I don't understand what all the hoopla is about 40 vs 9mm "snappiness". I regularly shoot a Shield 40 and a Kahr PM40, and they are both as manageable as any niner I have.

Okay, I admit that the Kahr 40 will wear a blister on the web of my hand if I shoot more than fifty rounds, but then, so did my Keltec PF9, which I got rid of.

I just don't find that much difference in recoil or snappiness.
 
It might be all in my head as opposed to my hand, but the 147gr bullet in standard pressure seems to produce less flip than a smaller grain bullet, again in standard pressure.
 
It might be all in my head as opposed to my hand, but the 147gr bullet in standard pressure seems to produce less flip than a smaller grain bullet, again in standard pressure.

The heavier slower bullets produce less felt recoil and muzzle energy compared to the lighter faster bullets.
And that's just the way it is.
I sound like the CEO and founder of MidwayUSA now. :D
 
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