Shield: 9mm or .40 S&W

[Dirty*Harry]

3. The .40 can shoot 9mm with just the swap of a barrel. So u can have one gun that shoots both calibers of ammo when the next panic comes around.

4. Real men carry calibers that start with .4 and or .5

That's one of the stupidist things I've read in a long time!

Then you should be Smitty40 or Smitty500 not Smitty357 or did you make that name before you became a real man??

One other reason to get the 9mm over the 40 is I haven't heard of any of the 9mm shield going KABOOM!!!!

 

[Nomadic Vagabond]

One other reason to get the 9mm over the 40 is I haven't heard of any of the 9mm shield going KABOOM!!!!

Actually, this is my main reason for wanting a Shield 9 having never shot one before. I've just had too many problems with FTFs (no, I am not limp-wristing), jamming, and bulging cases with my Shield 40 to consider it reliable. Its been back to S&W twice in 30 days and am currently waiting for it back.

I have no problems shooting .40 cal - my FS M&P40 is perfect, I shoot it accurately, and I have great follow-up shots. I do believe 40S&W is a superior round but unfortunately not in the subcompact Shield platform.

Caliber wars aside, how could the Shield 40 be more accurate than the Shield 9 for the same shooter? I'm not talking about a barrel conversion either - that wouldn't be a fair comparison since there are other variables that come into play.

 

[Smitty357]

That's one of the stupidist things I've read in a long time!

Then you should be Smitty40 or Smitty500 not Smitty357 or did you make that name before you became a real man??

One other reason to get the 9mm over the 40 is I haven't heard of any of the 9mm shield going KABOOM!!!!

That was before "she" allowed me to have my manly hood back outside of her purse.

As for the Shield 9mm kaboom theory. You should read a little more often. And of course there are many other Kabooms across platforms. But it seems around here the Shield is the only one that has ever had the problem. lol

I still think that if my ole lady can shoot her .40 better than 9mm. There should be no excuse for a man not to carry a .40. Well except just one excuse "Lack of manly hood".

Caliber wars aside, how could the Shield 40 be more accurate than the Shield 9 for the same shooter? I'm not talking about a barrel conversion either - that wouldn't be a fair comparison since there are other variables that come into play.

Some people just refuse to believe the .40 has more recoil. Therfore they shoot better with the .40 than they do with the 9mm. Others who believe the .40 kicks harder, seem to shoot better with the 9mm. IMO, i believe its more mental than it is anything. Aside form the barrel chamber there is no difference between the 9mm or .40 (even if its just a barrel conversion).........Some people look for excuses not to have certain calibers.

All these guys who complain the .40 has more recoil over the 9mm. Should be carrying a .22lr around. Because we all know their 9mm has more recoil than the .22lr. But there must be a reason they chose 9mm over .22lr (even though the 9mm has more recoil).

 

[andrewcdub]

3. The .40 can shoot 9mm with just the swap of a barrel. So u can have one gun that shoots both calibers of ammo when the next panic comes around.

4. Real men carry calibers that start with .4 and or .5

A real man doesn't use the words " A real man does this". A real man is manly enough to choose and shoot the caliber of handgun he is most efficient with without thinking of what others think. That being said, I carry a 45fs and a 40 shield. I wanted the 9 but the 40 was available for a good price. Someone will eventually make a 9mm conversion barrel for the 40 and I'll have both.

 

[jordan0702]

I have one in .40. It's a little snappy to me. However it was the first and only gun I have shot in .40 and I shot it right after shooting my glock 36 in .45 acp so that may be a little subjective. Also have the pinky extension on both mags (mine came with 2 standard capacity mags) and it is controllable.

Sent from my SPH-L720T using Tapatalk

 

[Robotech]

I really like my Shield 40, but I would STRONGLY recommend finding someone who will let you try theirs, or rent one at a range to be sure it suits you.

If you get the 40, as some have mentioned, you can convert it to a 9mm, and actual conversion barrels should be available later this year. That's my plan, so I'll have a choice of ammo to use at the range, not because I expect the recoil to be significantly different, or want to use the 9mm for self defense. You cannot convert from 9mm to 40 by just dropping in a new barrel and changing mags.

I took my wife's girlfriend to the range to try out several choices for a self defense gun. As a brand new shooter, I eased her into it first with a .22, then the FS M&P9, next the FS M&P40, and finally the Shield40. She did quite well with the Shield, and had no complaints about the recoil.

She DID NOT like the long trigger pull for my S&W model 66, which was really too big for eventual concealed carry anyway, but on the way to the range we stopped by the LGS so she could handle and get a better idea of some of the other available models and options. I don't know if she'll decide on a 9mm, 40S&W, or a .45 pistol yet. She wants to play some more first.

 

[USMC1188]

I would say the Shield 9 would be your best bet...

I have a FS 40 and absolutely love it. I am very fond of the .40S&W round, so I had a couple reasons when I went to buy my Shield 40. If you already have the ammo and the experience with the 9, stick with it. When it comes to your everyday carry weapon, you want to have something that you are very comfortable with, you know what to expect, and it always helps that you have the FS 9 as well. Just my $0.02

 

[Texas40]

They make it in 9mm? Hmmm never noticed um went straight to the 40 and never looked back.

All my semi auto pistols are 40 cal. Had no issues finding ammo for last couple yrs either.

 

[ezveedub]

I have the Shield .40 and it does recoil more than the 9mm. I use it as my EDC. The compact is more bulky than a the Shield for sure. Shield easily slides into my pants pockets no problem. If you want a softer shooter, choose the 9mm.

 

[voodoogmr]

Just went through the same decision. I was able to fire both back-to-back at the range. Recoil was only slightly more noticeable on the .40 to me. My wife noticed it a little more, but still had no problem handling either.

Most of my friends and family shoot .40, so I was just going to get that so I could "borrow" their ammo I had originally planned to get the 9mm since my wife was going to get one too. However, after trying to carry a Shield (and other subcompact 9s), she thought it was too big and heavy for her small frame, so she opted for the Bodyguard .380. So, I went with the .40. Honestly, I would've been fine with either one. My LGS just happened to have the .40 version on sale, so that helped tip the scale a bit. I absolutely love it. Carries nicely in a Raven Phantom holster.