shield 45 controlability?

exnodak

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I am thinking seriously about picking up a Shield in 45ACP. I already have a Shield 9mm, and like it a lot. Obviously, the 45 recoil will be more substantial than the 9mm. For those of you have the 45, how does the recoil compare to the 9mm? I find the 9mm to quite pleasant and controlable.
 
One of the most surprising things about my Shield .45 is the mild recoil. More than a 9mm I'm sure but a lot less than a Shield in .40S&W. I bought one for my son to be presented in June and after taking it out to the woods I was so impressed that I bought another one for him and kept the first one for myself. Very controllable and excellent accuracy out to at least 20 meters. I'm sure much more than that but 20m is the range I shoot at.
 
One of the most surprising things about my Shield .45 is the mild recoil. More than a 9mm I'm sure but a lot less than a Shield in .40S&W. I bought one for my son to be presented in June and after taking it out to the woods I was so impressed that I bought another one for him and kept the first one for myself. Very controllable and excellent accuracy out to at least 20 meters. I'm sure much more than that but 20m is the range I shoot at.

I completely agree. It has a much milder recoil than I expected considering it's a small gun firing a big round. It is only slightly greater than my Shield 9. It is much more accurate than my Shield 9 as well. I'd advise the OP to rent one at a range first, and check it out in person.
 
I have both. The folks who commented before me are right. It actually is not perceptibly more recoils than the Shield 9 and is a good shooter. It feels good in my hands and shoots to point of aim. I have had no issues and love it.
 
I completely agree. It has a much milder recoil than I expected considering it's a small gun firing a big round. It is only slightly greater than my Shield 9. It is much more accurate than my Shield 9 as well. I'd advise the OP to rent one at a range first, and check it out in person.

That^^^^^^^^^^^Exactly:D
 
I completely agree. It has a much milder recoil than I expected considering it's a small gun firing a big round. It is only slightly greater than my Shield 9. It is much more accurate than my Shield 9 as well. I'd advise the OP to rent one at a range first, and check it out in person.

Same, except I never fired one, before buying one.
 
Recoil "feels" similar. The 45 is slightly stiffer but is more of a push than a snap. The grip on the 45 makes it easier to get a good purchase on too. Something I always found lacking in the 9mm flavor.
 
As pointed out by Wee Hooker, the texture really locks the pistol into your grip. Very rock solid. I have read of some who complain that it's too grippy but I don't notice that at all.
 
The Genitron Recoil calculator page if I recall correctly shows the M&P Shield 45ACP recoil to equal the Glock 23 Gen 4.

If so it should be snappy with a SMALL surface area on the hand to distribute recoil too.

I have not had the chance to fire one and in NY there are limited rental locations.

I believe the number Genitron assigned the 45 shield is 10 and 7.xx for the 9mm.

Looking at videos some people have noticeable torque in their recoil.

Is hand and arm strength as well as arm mass a factor in people's perception? I am curious if those that think the recoil is mild are large hands, large muscular arms and wrists/joints in good health.

I can't imagine if the numbers for free recoil equal the Glock 23 in 40S&W the effects of the lower pressure and spread recoil of the 45ACP would entirely mitigate the forces especially since the area of the grip is decidedly reduced.

I think the shooter's have a lot to do with perception of recoil in this case NOT the gun.
 
I think the shooter's have a lot to do with perception of recoil in this case NOT the gun.

My perception of the Shield 45, is based on all the other guns I shoot. Same hands, and same arms. I do have the 9mm Shield, a S&W 40, the 1911, a much larger Springfield plastic XDM 45 for comparison. I figured the Shield 45 would have a lot more noticeable recoil than the XDM. It really doesn't seem to. Just a bit more than the 9. I have no doubt, it's the gun.
 
Recoil is much softer than I expected given the weight and size of the gun. I love mine.
 
Mine is very controllable for me! I was very surprised that the recoil was not more noticeable. I had to fire my 9MM Shield, then my .45 Shield, one right after the other before I could really tell the difference. As mentioned, the recoil pulse is a bit different between the calibers and that affects felt recoil for me. I actually shoot the .45 a bit better than the 9. All of us are different. This states my personal experience. I will say that the few folks I've allowed to shoot my .45 were very surprised and pleased!
 
It's slightly softer in recoil compared to my XDs .45, and quite a bit softer than the Kahr PM45. It's as nice a shooting ultra compact .45 as you can find right now IMHO.
 
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I've had a Glock30 now for almost 20 years- it has always been described as a very soft-shooting gun due to its double stack width , high bore axis, and polymer frame. I do agree its nice to shoot, but for me the Shield 45 is very similar - I can get shots on target with my Shield 45 just as fast as my Glock30- and with the same accuracy.

The fact that the Shield 45 is lighter, thinner, and more comfortable to carry makes a compelling reason to take away some of my Glock30 Carry time- time will tell.
 
My Shield .45 is a pleasure to shoot. I was very surprised how well it handled.
I also have the Shield 9, the 45 is just a bit more recoil for me shooting personnel defense ammo. Try it you'll like it.
 
I notice the recoil a bit more than my Sig P320 .45.. but only a bit. The Sig is heavier, with longer barrel that makes for longer recoil (think about it). However, it is a lot lighter and thinner than the SIG and I enjoy carrying it. Accuracy is the shooter and this pistol, with me, shoots holes very close together.

Three targets shot with the Shield 45 in the back yard recently.

 
I'll let you know Monday, after a trip to the range. I bought one today at the gun show in Albany, Oregon. Tomorrow is the Sabbath, so the Shield will have to wait until Monday.
 
The Shield 45 is reasonably controllable for its size to caliber ratio. I have the PC version and it does reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip. Either way it shoots really well.


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Recoil is very manageable, also the grip texture helps a lot to keep in control for follow up shots.
 
Brand New M&P Shield 45:
Well i`m about to find out... i`m headed out to my range right now.
I also have other shields (9mm) in the standard AND the PC ported.
If the recoil is what people are saying, it will be my new choice of CC.

The way i look at it,
why hit somebody with a Prius when you can hit`m with a tractor trailer.
 
I have shot all 3 shields, love the 45. Recoil wise is a bit more than the 9mm but is not bad at all. The stripling on the 45 sticks to your had like hot glue on cardboard and it is easy to control. Also of the 3 shields I find the 45 the most accurate and it handles reloads as well as my Gold Cup.Buy one you won't be disappointed.
 
Well, i just came back from the indoor range... i`m very impressed...wow. Shoots super accurate...! Out shoots my glock 30S by a HUGE mile. The recoil is almost half of what the recoil is on my 30S too. Very soft recoil. I was able to keep it at 2inch groups in 10yds. Very first shot was a dead-on perfect bullseye. Ammo tested: Fed AE 230gr & Win PDX1 230gr. I shot total of 150rds. Not one failure. Performed flawlessly. No mag issues whatsoever.

The 30S had FTE, 4 times out of 10 rounds.
Bye-Bye Glock... you just got replaced by a gun of half the price, twice the accuracy.

The Shield45 grip... oh man, way to aggressive... talon tape on the way.
 
....

The Shield45 grip... oh man, way to aggressive... talon tape on the way.

I didn't like the agressive grip either. So I took an emery board (ones used for your fingernails, and in just a little bit... 20-30 seconds, I had taken down the roughness to "my' liking. Saves buying stick on grips material. Little bird special... cheap, cheap, cheap.
 
Apparently the grip texture is not to everyone's liking. I love it. Locks the pistol in nice and tight. I've worked hard most my life though and have some pretty calloused hands so I don't find it uncomfortable at all.
 
i would have to agree.I also have the G30S and i am just as if not more accurate.I picked it up this weekend and shot 200 rounds of white Winchester target 230G and 30 rounds of Federal HST 230G +P. Flawless operation and accurate.I will probably get some non +P 230G for carry. I have plenty of the +P but found follow up shots a little hard to keep on target. Not bad mouthing my Glock as all of my other guns are Glocks.i did get the PC and as far as low light flash it is not anymore than my standard Glock 27 which will now get a rst every now and then.
 
PC Shield 45

picked up the performance center shield 45 and went to the range yesterday. the gun ran flawlessly.250 rounds 230g white winchester and 30 rounds federasl hst +P.I do think i will get the standard 230g hst.The +P made it difficult for follow up shots,i have plenty of the +P.A few hundred more rounds and she rides with me! Oredered up a IWB holster frfom PJ Holsters.If you have not tried these holsters you should check them out,Every hand gun i own(glocks,S&W ect) rides in one.Happy Shooting!
 
I've had my 45 Shield for a couple of weeks, and I've been impressed with this little gun in every way -- much more so than I expected. The recoil isn't bad at all, considering you're shooting a small, lightweight polymer 45. As others have said, it's very controllable. I also have a Springfield XDs 45, and to me the Shield has less perceived recoil.

Honestly, the 45 Shield is quickly becoming one of my favorite potential carry guns. If it continues to function as it has so far, I could see it becoming my EDC very soon. I like it that much.

If you're at all on the fence about getting one, I'd so go for it - especially with the rebate right now.
 
My shield 45 is now my EDC. Plus 4 of the 7rd mags for back-up.
Cant beat the price for what your gettin, and the accuracy is amazing.

GOOD JOB S&W... Congrats, finally a home run.
 
I didn't like the agressive grip either. So I took an emery board (ones used for your fingernails, and in just a little bit... 20-30 seconds, I had taken down the roughness to "my' liking. Saves buying stick on grips material. Little bird special... cheap, cheap, cheap.

Nice thing about the talon grips is, you can take them off if you ever trade/sell the gun, and it will still look good underneath the grip tape. Once you modify anything, cheap cheap cheap will be what your trade value will turn into. Something to consider anyway.
 
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