Shield 9mm to 45acp, did you or would you?
- Thread starter awmp
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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.
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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.
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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.
Maddmax
US Veteran
I have both and carry both. Both are good BUG and I like having the same ammo for what I decide to carry that day. 
,y wife has a 9mm shield and I liked it, i was carrying a M&P9c and wanted something a little thinner. So I shot her 9mm and rented a .40, was planning on getting a PC shield 9mm when they introduced the .45.
Went to a S&W demo day and shot the .45 shield and fell in love. Recoil was less than the .40 shield and only a little more than the 9mm. Found one at cabelas for $399 and snapped it up.
Went to a S&W demo day and shot the .45 shield and fell in love. Recoil was less than the .40 shield and only a little more than the 9mm. Found one at cabelas for $399 and snapped it up.
kannonvaggon
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My .45 definitely has a nicer trigger than my 9mm had. I'm not sure why, but it is smoother and has clean reset. Not bad at all for a factory trigger in this type of pistol.
I also like the thumb safety better on the .45 Shield. It is slightly larger with a nice positive action.
There is also a very large hole at the end pointed towards the target. I like this big hole a lot, and find the heavier metal being thrown down range is quite accurate and satisfying.
Again... I like the 9mm just fine.... but I myself like the .45 mo bedda !
The only thing that's a " con " is the price of ammo, but I don't use up all THAT much since it's a carry gun and not a competition race gun.
YMMV
I also like the thumb safety better on the .45 Shield. It is slightly larger with a nice positive action.
There is also a very large hole at the end pointed towards the target. I like this big hole a lot, and find the heavier metal being thrown down range is quite accurate and satisfying.
Again... I like the 9mm just fine.... but I myself like the .45 mo bedda !
The only thing that's a " con " is the price of ammo, but I don't use up all THAT much since it's a carry gun and not a competition race gun.
YMMV
I'm not generally real keen on the idea of a .45acp through a light pistol, or a short barrel. But from what I've been hearing about the Shield45, I'd be willing to give one a shot if I crossed paths with one, reasonably. (I say that as a wheeler-dealer/Armslist junkie.)
)
buckshotshorty
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He said it all. I am in 100% agreement.
modern 45 ammo opens just fine. Speer gold dot HST etcetera
expansion s just fine and consistent h modern ammo, gold Dot, HST, WINchester train147 etc are 3 that come. to mind
buckshotshorty
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For me I carry my Shield with the 6 round mag. Slightly more concealable and with one in the shoot I have 7 rounds.
Bonephish
Member
I carry with the 6-round mag +1 in the pipe.
JPucci
Member
When I carry it, I do so with the 7rd mag +1 and then two 7rd mags on the other side of the gun belt. I honestly can't tell a difference in comfort or concealability with the longer magazine in the pistol. I carry at 10:00 IWB (lefty!).
Don~Z~
Member
6 round plus one chambered, spare 6 round mag in pocket... I like the 6 better for edc...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
okiegtrider
Member
40's are good
every one is saying how much they like the 9 shield and the45 ,Both are good carry right now I have the 40 shield and it has worked fine through close to 500 rds of all kinds bought it used previous owner did not like the recoil ? carry every day in iwb master tuk holster but still might try a .45 shield
every one is saying how much they like the 9 shield and the45 ,Both are good carry right now I have the 40 shield and it has worked fine through close to 500 rds of all kinds bought it used previous owner did not like the recoil ? carry every day in iwb master tuk holster but still might try a .45 shield
I have a buddy that bought a .40 Shield, I fired it, it was ok. No real issues but just did not do it for me. He likes it.
My 45 Shield should be here Tuesday of next week and off to the range I will go.
My 45 Shield should be here Tuesday of next week and off to the range I will go.
With the loads available in 9mm I don't think I'd bother. Not much of a gain.
Bonephish
Member
In the past, there was a more marked difference between 9mm, .40s&w, and .45auto. But not so much anymore. Not with the modern loads that are available these days. No handgun is going to knock anyone down. Regardless of caliber.
Between these three common calibers, I would not choose a gun based on "the power of the cartridge". Other criteria is much more important IMHO.
In years past, yes, caliber was of much more concern to me. Both because of my perception of the power of the cartridge, and because of my perception of the recoil. Not anymore. After decades and decades of shooting and developing proper technique, there really isn't much difference in perceived recoil between 9mm and .45auto. The characteristics of the recoil do differ (slow heavy push vs. slightly snappier but less push), but overall they are equivalent to me now.
I used to really like .40s&w, but that has fallen out of favor for me. It doesn't really gain you anything in terminal performance these days, but it does add more muzzle flip due to it's sharper recoil impulse. I still see some niches to differentiate 9mm vs. .45auto (very minor), but I feel that .40s&w is now the orphan child that doesn't really have a home anymore. .40 is the same as, but not better than, either 9mm or .45. But the downside is that it adds unnecessary muzzle flip.
For a full sized pistol, I'd go 9mm over .45. There is a significant difference between 11 or 12 rounds capacity vs. 15 or 16 rounds. But for a smaller concealed carry pistol, 9mm vs. .45 is a wash for me. There's not much difference between 6 and 7 rounds capacity. Buy which gun you like the best, but for other reasons besides caliber.
