If money is a factor, you could easily sell the shield to cover over half the cost of the .45.
Shield 9mm to 45acp, did you or would you?
- Thread starter awmp
- Start date
ldausmc1369
US Veteran
I have all three calibers and rank them 45, 9mm, then .40. I don't like the recoil impulse of the .40. Just too snappy to be pleasant to shoot. 9mm very accurate and controllable. 45 is the cat's pajamas for shooting and carrying. Carry in a Galco 202 shoulder holster. Very comfortable and accessible.
Bill Bates
Member
I own both the 9mm and .45 Shield. I picked up the 9mm for the wife a year or so ago. I've shot it plenty and carried some. The 9mm is an "okay" pistol and I have no complaints with it. It carries well, shoots fine but it just does not thrill me.
The first time to the range with the .45 Shield I was sold. It is one of those handguns that just seems to fit my paw perfectly. Some firearms: shotgun, rifle or handgun are just like that. You pick one up and in second you know everything is just right for you. The 45 Shield is that way for me. It is comfortable like some of my old cowboy boots and jeans.
It carries and conceals every bit as well as the 9mm. It feels much better in my hand. I love the more aggressive texturing of the grip. I would say the trigger on my .45 is a touch better than the 9mm. I'm every bit as accurate with the .45 and the recoil is very manageable allowing for a very quick follow up shot. So far I have not one complaint with the 45 Shield.
For me the 9mm Shield is a nice pistol but the .45 Shield is a great pistol. As Goldilocks said, "it is just right". Of course each owners milage will vary.
The first time to the range with the .45 Shield I was sold. It is one of those handguns that just seems to fit my paw perfectly. Some firearms: shotgun, rifle or handgun are just like that. You pick one up and in second you know everything is just right for you. The 45 Shield is that way for me. It is comfortable like some of my old cowboy boots and jeans.
It carries and conceals every bit as well as the 9mm. It feels much better in my hand. I love the more aggressive texturing of the grip. I would say the trigger on my .45 is a touch better than the 9mm. I'm every bit as accurate with the .45 and the recoil is very manageable allowing for a very quick follow up shot. So far I have not one complaint with the 45 Shield.
For me the 9mm Shield is a nice pistol but the .45 Shield is a great pistol. As Goldilocks said, "it is just right". Of course each owners milage will vary.
msjdgman
Member
I've got both. Love both. But the 45 IS slightly larger dimensionally so I'll keep the 9 for times when marginal cover garments are needed.
Had the 9 & sold it. Bought the 45 & love it and will never sell it.
USAF385
US Veteran
I have the 9mm Performance Center Shield and the .45 Shield.
The 9mm is amazing and the .45 will likely be traded. The 9 became my best shooting carry option instantly. The .45 didn't impress me. I'm not unsatisfied with the .45 but I just haven't been wowed.
The 9mm is amazing and the .45 will likely be traded. The 9 became my best shooting carry option instantly. The .45 didn't impress me. I'm not unsatisfied with the .45 but I just haven't been wowed.
I've been jonesing about buying the .45 ACP version to big brother my 9MM Shield. My 2013 MY 9MM Shield has been upgraded with the Apex hard sear (surprised I was able to install that myself!), Tru-Glo night sights and recently the Viridian Reactor green laser. It's exactly what I want it to be with no plans to ever sell it. It's no target gun and wasn't meant to be. But the accuracy comments of the .45 I've been reading are needling my wallet to react. Probably just wait for the Performance Center version as that should tame muzzle rise even more I suspect. Why not own both OP if you can afford it? Good luck!
I would be in the "buy both" camp myself. Unfortunately, I live in CA and hell would freeze over before the commies here would allow that pistol into CA. Law enforcement excluded. I would buy both, it's not like they are really expensive pistols. One advantage the M&P9 has is it can accept the 10 round Pro mags which is allowed in CA. 10 rnd mag might not be the best choice for EDC, which again is something we citizens can not do in my county of CA.
Sounds like there are a few minor improvements to the Shield .45. A better grip is one, although there are ways to improve the grip on the 9/40. The larger caliber vs capacity does not persuade me, but I am definitely interested in trying the new gun.
Is the trigger mechanism any different, mechanically?
The barrel and slide are longer because the chamber is longer.
Accuracy. Is there any actual side-by-side comparison of the .45 to the 9? I don't understand how the same design in a different caliber would be more accurate in a short pistol barrel. I strive to have the most accurate firearms possible.
Now "shootability" could be different, if some people just like the feel of the caliber recoiling or if the gun's ergonomics are really that much different. IOW, are we talking perception vs reality? Rested tested accuracy vs. "I think I shoot this one better?"
Not trying to slam the .45, just interested in what the real advantage would be to go back to a caliber I dismissed a decade ago.
Is the trigger mechanism any different, mechanically?
The barrel and slide are longer because the chamber is longer.
Accuracy. Is there any actual side-by-side comparison of the .45 to the 9? I don't understand how the same design in a different caliber would be more accurate in a short pistol barrel. I strive to have the most accurate firearms possible.
Now "shootability" could be different, if some people just like the feel of the caliber recoiling or if the gun's ergonomics are really that much different. IOW, are we talking perception vs reality? Rested tested accuracy vs. "I think I shoot this one better?"
Not trying to slam the .45, just interested in what the real advantage would be to go back to a caliber I dismissed a decade ago.
357 shooter
Member
Was totally sold on the 9mm Shield a few months ago after renting one at a local range and testing it against a Glock 43. Was not long after I had my own 9mm Shield. Then the 45 comes out and I read all the positive reviews. My own 45 Shield arrives shortly afterwards! I like the more aggressive grip texture of the 45 grip. The recoil even with 230 ball ammo is far less than what I expected. As to accuracy I only fired the 45 about 50 times and the results were on par with the 9 mm at 7 yard line. At 15 yards it looks like the 45 might be the more accurate pistol. I did not fire the 9mm that day but a side by side comparison is definitely on the agenda! I am not ready to retire my 9mm yet but the 45 is still a welcome addition.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
If the .45 ACP Shield would have been available 3 years ago, I would have bought it instead of the Shield 9mm. I want a Shield in .45 ACP, but I'll probably stick with the 9mm.
As my range shooting expands to 25 yards, the 45 is much more accurate than the 9. Same results as yours at 7 yards. The grip on mine, is staying as is, also.
P.S. --- I see the same, when it comes to our Glock 9mm, Shield 9mm.........compared to my Springfield XDM 45, 1911 45, and Shield 45. The 45's just always do better than my 9's at 25 yards.
Last edited:
Amp
Member
First of all, there is no reason not to have both.
Just shot both of mine this weekend. Like the 45 better.
But I may never carry either cuz I tend to like my revolvers.
Just shot both of mine this weekend. Like the 45 better.
But I may never carry either cuz I tend to like my revolvers.
okiegtrider
Member
I know, nobody asked. But what the heck. I've had my .40 Shield about a year now. They are less popular and don't in general, get a lot of love. But, I like this little gun a lot. Haven't seen anything in the Shield .45 that really moves me to go buy since I already own the .40. That said, if the .45 grabs ya, by all means get one! I don't think a guy can have too many handguns.
Given the velocity loss from the stubby barrels, I'd take the .45.
Expansion from either is going to be a maybe.
I'll take the bigger bullet, thank you.
If I'm anticipating needing more mag capacity than bullet performance, I've got plenty of 9mms that hold 12 or more rounds.
Expansion from either is going to be a maybe.
I'll take the bigger bullet, thank you.
If I'm anticipating needing more mag capacity than bullet performance, I've got plenty of 9mms that hold 12 or more rounds.
Backlighting
Member
I'm considering getting a 9mm Shield, not for carry though...I prefer the 638 for that. The Shield would be used for plinking in the desert, which I do a lot and consequently the cost of ammo is a consideration. 9mm ammo can be had, in bulk, for around .20 each.
Tinhack
Member
Yabut... If you can't get that 230gr. down range in .6 seconds or less and on target, you could have 294-441gr. coming back at ya out of a 9mm. Sight recovery was a major concern for me. A .45 is just a bit out of my grip strength at my age. I feel that I have full control over the Nine. I don't especially do as I like but do as I can.
Last edited:
Bonephish
Member
My .45 has a better trigger than the 9mm, but not as good as my M&P 9C w/Apex FSS trigger kit. My single-stack 9mm is a Sig P938, or I would also have a Shield 9mm. Now is a good time to buy, prices for 9, 40, 45 Shields are low to mid-$300.
