Shield 9mm to 45acp, did you or would you?
- Thread starter awmp
- Start date
Not a chance
I own the Shield 9mm and there is no way I would switch to the .45 ACP.
It's true when talking about FMJ rounds the .45 ACP would be more effective, but this is really only applicable to military applications because expanding/flattening rounds are banned by the Hague Convention of 1899 (which means JHP aren't allowed).
However with regards to modern ammunition design, a 9mm JHP round made by a quality munitions company (Federal's HST rounds for example) is JUST as effective as a .45 JHP round when it comes to the requirements for stopping a threat (proper penetration depth of between 12-18 inches, proper expansion, proper expansion after passing through clothing, obstacles, etc.).
So that said, I cannot see any reason to switch to a larger, heavier round. I can carry more 9mm, it weighs less, and it's less expensive to purchase for practice. And on a side note, the 9mm kicks a lot less in a small polymer carry gun like the Shield (especially if you use the 147 grain rounds, and AmmoQuest tested the 147 grain Federal HST, it performed perfectly).
I own the Shield 9mm and there is no way I would switch to the .45 ACP.
It's true when talking about FMJ rounds the .45 ACP would be more effective, but this is really only applicable to military applications because expanding/flattening rounds are banned by the Hague Convention of 1899 (which means JHP aren't allowed).
However with regards to modern ammunition design, a 9mm JHP round made by a quality munitions company (Federal's HST rounds for example) is JUST as effective as a .45 JHP round when it comes to the requirements for stopping a threat (proper penetration depth of between 12-18 inches, proper expansion, proper expansion after passing through clothing, obstacles, etc.).
So that said, I cannot see any reason to switch to a larger, heavier round. I can carry more 9mm, it weighs less, and it's less expensive to purchase for practice. And on a side note, the 9mm kicks a lot less in a small polymer carry gun like the Shield (especially if you use the 147 grain rounds, and AmmoQuest tested the 147 grain Federal HST, it performed perfectly).
BigDog48
US Veteran
No offense, but I have, carry and shoot both with Federal HST, and surprisingly the 45 "kick" with 230 gr HST is not much different than the 9 with 147 gr HST. It's more of a push than a kick, and given I have my choice and you have yours, everyone is happy. I still carry the 9 some days and the 45 others. I also occasionally carry a 642 .38 special, a Glock 19, a Kimber Custom II and a Bodyguard 380. I also practice with all 6 and a few others. My plan, should the need every arise is to be able to hit the person trying to kill me, my family or some other innocent person with as many rounds as necessary, which I expect (regardless of caliber) will be less than 5...if not, I'm ready. I figure I'm armed with experience, any day, any way I'm carrying.
No reason for me to take offense, we're all entitled to our opinions. It's interesting you find the recoil to be very similar. I've never compared the two...hmm, future range experiment?
And that's why there are so many makes, models and calibers, something for everyone. If the .45 ACP works for ya, I say go on with your bad self.
Bozz10mm
US Veteran
Yesterday I shot my Shield .45 back to back with my Shield 9mm. After 125 rounds of .45 ACP, I shot 50 rounds of 9mm. The .45 was not unpleasant at all, but there is definitely a difference in recoil.
Not sure which one I prefer to carry as EDC. With the Magguts +2 kit, I can have 10 rounds of 9mm with the short mag. The .45 only holds 7 rounds with the short mag, but it speaks with more authority.
Not sure which one I prefer to carry as EDC. With the Magguts +2 kit, I can have 10 rounds of 9mm with the short mag. The .45 only holds 7 rounds with the short mag, but it speaks with more authority.
NEEEEED MAAAGGUUUUUTS.....
I emailed em....they are working on it
Hyve has a +1 base...
Barracuda said they will not pursue it....
Im hoping for a +2 from MagGuts....have to wait and see (lot to ask for a 45 sized round)
I emailed em....they are working on it
Hyve has a +1 base...
Barracuda said they will not pursue it....
Im hoping for a +2 from MagGuts....have to wait and see (lot to ask for a 45 sized round)
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huskybiker
Member
The shield 9 has been my EDC for a couple of years, and I'm very pleased with it. It's been 100% reliable since day one. That being said, I couldn't help myself last night. I bought a 45 on GB for $349 shipped. With the current promotion of 2 extra mags, 2 boxes of Hornady CD, and a mag loader, it was a no brainer for me. I'm anxiously awaiting its arrival!
i commented back in Dec 2016 on this topic. Personally in my opinion and only my opinion the 45 is a better performing round than the 9mm regardless of the 9mm weight/ grain. Again ONLY my opinion.
Having said that and Ill conceded that the 9mm is easier to shoot therefore getting rounds on target quicker has its advantages.
I'd ,much rather put ONE (1) 230 grain 45 on target than ONE 147grain . 9mm on target again thats my opinion
That being said i till sometimes carry my Shield 9mm
Having said that and Ill conceded that the 9mm is easier to shoot therefore getting rounds on target quicker has its advantages.
I'd ,much rather put ONE (1) 230 grain 45 on target than ONE 147grain . 9mm on target again thats my opinion
That being said i till sometimes carry my Shield 9mm
When I see these kinds of threads, I always think about the same things....
Would you rather be hit by a fast moving feather or a slow moving rock?
A BB gun has less recoil than a 45 so shot placement and follow up is much easier...
If I'm gonna carry 2 pounds of steel around, it might as well be a 45.
Why are all these other calibers always trying to be a 45?
Let's admit, once and for all, the 45 is the time-proven handgun king that all others are measured against.
That said, I'm a die-hard 40 fan.
Would you rather be hit by a fast moving feather or a slow moving rock?
A BB gun has less recoil than a 45 so shot placement and follow up is much easier...
If I'm gonna carry 2 pounds of steel around, it might as well be a 45.
Why are all these other calibers always trying to be a 45?
Let's admit, once and for all, the 45 is the time-proven handgun king that all others are measured against.
That said, I'm a die-hard 40 fan.
clarkstoncz
Member
Years ago I had an early Shield 9mm.
XS Big Dots, and a horrible trigger.
slapped my hand in recoil both from the back, and stung my trigger finger
with both FMJ and double Tap +P loads.
My wife had a Ruger LC9 that was tamer but that horrid DAO trigger
meant that it didn't shoot as accurate as the Shield.
Well, I decided to go back a a .45 ACP, and now have a Shield .45 PC
pistol that shoot both soft and accurate for me..at least @9 yards.
Even shooting in a dim range lane, no problems with muzzle blast or flash...
with 230 FMJ or my hot Double Tap 200 grain Gold Dots.
Doesn't sting my finger either.
A nice IWB from Black Arch Holsters
will make it even better.
So, that's my story!
XS Big Dots, and a horrible trigger.
slapped my hand in recoil both from the back, and stung my trigger finger
with both FMJ and double Tap +P loads.
My wife had a Ruger LC9 that was tamer but that horrid DAO trigger
meant that it didn't shoot as accurate as the Shield.
Well, I decided to go back a a .45 ACP, and now have a Shield .45 PC
pistol that shoot both soft and accurate for me..at least @9 yards.
Even shooting in a dim range lane, no problems with muzzle blast or flash...
with 230 FMJ or my hot Double Tap 200 grain Gold Dots.
Doesn't sting my finger either.
A nice IWB from Black Arch Holsters
will make it even better.
So, that's my story!
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MochaJoe
Member
The Shield 45 is markedly better than the Shield 9.
The first centerfire handgun I got to shoot was my Grandad's WW1 1911 when I was 12.
I shot them in the Army and have carried them continuously for the last 40 years. Something comforting about the bigger bore.
So I'm pretty much a .45 guy. I've had a couple 9mm's, but was never too excited about them.
After having all three calibers of the Shield, and putting a few hundred rounds through each, the 9mm would be my first choice, had it not been for the PC .40 Shield I bought first.
The recoil of that ported .40 is, to me, closer to the 9mm than the .45.
My PC .40 has a great trigger, and the size is the same as the 9mm Shield. And last year I picked up an FDE FS M&P in .40, so I can consolidate on ammo.
My .45 Shield was more accurate at longer ranges, like 25 yards plus, but at more reasonable Shield ranges, 7 and 15 yards, all three calibers were about equal.
I do like the better stippling and more positive safety on the .45.
The size of the .45 isn't bad, just isn't as small as the 9mm/.40.
The extra length in the grip of the .45 does make the grip with the short magazine nice. And the longer mag for the .45 doesn't have that goofy sliding spacer like the 9mm/.40.
I do shoot the 9mm better ( or the ported .40) better than the .45.
Quicker to get back on target, cheap ammo for lots of practice, a bit more concealable than the .45, and with a good round like the heavier HST's, something I would feel comfortable with.
I'm giving the 9mm Shield to my daughter, and almost hate to part with it, as I like it.
But I'm happy with the PC.40.
I have come to prefer the shorter magazines for any of the Shield's with the Pierce pinky extension installed. The bright Aqua blue holster and mag pouches for the 9mm were my daughter's choice.
I shot them in the Army and have carried them continuously for the last 40 years. Something comforting about the bigger bore.
So I'm pretty much a .45 guy. I've had a couple 9mm's, but was never too excited about them.
After having all three calibers of the Shield, and putting a few hundred rounds through each, the 9mm would be my first choice, had it not been for the PC .40 Shield I bought first.
The recoil of that ported .40 is, to me, closer to the 9mm than the .45.
My PC .40 has a great trigger, and the size is the same as the 9mm Shield. And last year I picked up an FDE FS M&P in .40, so I can consolidate on ammo.
My .45 Shield was more accurate at longer ranges, like 25 yards plus, but at more reasonable Shield ranges, 7 and 15 yards, all three calibers were about equal.
I do like the better stippling and more positive safety on the .45.
The size of the .45 isn't bad, just isn't as small as the 9mm/.40.
The extra length in the grip of the .45 does make the grip with the short magazine nice. And the longer mag for the .45 doesn't have that goofy sliding spacer like the 9mm/.40.
I do shoot the 9mm better ( or the ported .40) better than the .45.
Quicker to get back on target, cheap ammo for lots of practice, a bit more concealable than the .45, and with a good round like the heavier HST's, something I would feel comfortable with.
I'm giving the 9mm Shield to my daughter, and almost hate to part with it, as I like it.
But I'm happy with the PC.40.
I have come to prefer the shorter magazines for any of the Shield's with the Pierce pinky extension installed. The bright Aqua blue holster and mag pouches for the 9mm were my daughter's choice.
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Now hold on pahdner. I've seen lots of movies where a Glock 19 lifted a bad guy and threw him through a plate glass window.
You aren't allowed to put stuff in movies unless it's true.
Seriously, I don't own a Shield 9, and just bought a Shield 45.
I never could shoot a "tiny niny" well, and sold/traded them. I shot a Glock 26 a lot better, but it is just a bit big.
I tried a S&W J-Frame Airweight, and shot it worse. I finally came to realize it was ME, not the guns. About 600 rounds later, I could shoot the J-Frame pretty well.
Then I saw a Walther PPS on sale, with a $100 rebate, and tried it. After my epiphamy with the J-Frame, I discovered I could shoot the Walther pretty good. The owner of the range let me try his M&P 45 Shield, and I bought one.
I like the 45 Shield better than the Walther 9mm, but they handle and carry very much alike. I understand the Walther 9mm is very much like the 9mm Shield. I guess I'll wind up getting one of them sooner or later.
But the important thing I've learned at the ripe old age of 70 is: It's not the gun, it's me.
I never could shoot a "tiny niny" well, and sold/traded them. I shot a Glock 26 a lot better, but it is just a bit big.
I tried a S&W J-Frame Airweight, and shot it worse. I finally came to realize it was ME, not the guns. About 600 rounds later, I could shoot the J-Frame pretty well.
Then I saw a Walther PPS on sale, with a $100 rebate, and tried it. After my epiphamy with the J-Frame, I discovered I could shoot the Walther pretty good. The owner of the range let me try his M&P 45 Shield, and I bought one.
I like the 45 Shield better than the Walther 9mm, but they handle and carry very much alike. I understand the Walther 9mm is very much like the 9mm Shield. I guess I'll wind up getting one of them sooner or later.
But the important thing I've learned at the ripe old age of 70 is: It's not the gun, it's me.
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FloridaS&W
Member
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- Sep 27, 2015
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- 307
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I have no doubt that my .45 ACP 's (any of them) can knock a man down if needed...
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5XWbjTe1qg[/ame]
tnhawk
Member
I have a 9mm PC Shield and a 45 Shield. Both have been accurate and reliable. Similar in size and easy to carry.
SATX
Member
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- May 7, 2017
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My wife and I have each had a 9 for several years. I purchased the 40 and 45 recently because I like the Shield platform and they are on sale with a rebate. They all shoot nice and have only one round count difference. Was going to ccw the 45 but it has to wait until I get a Talon grip for it. I love my little Shield collection.
